By Rick Francis, State Representative
Governor Parson Delivers 2022 State of the State Address
I would summarize the State of the State Address using Governor Parson’s own words, “Missouri is strong today and will be even stronger tomorrow.”
With a historic budget surplus and federal dollars coming to our state, we must spend wisely! When other states will be filling spending gaps and budget shortfalls, we will be making investments in Missouri’s future, because we took a common-sense approach to the pandemic, never shut down businesses, and have always had a conservative and balanced budget. There were no state mask mandates, immunization mandates, or executive orders.
Workforce and Education
During his speech, Governor Parson expressed that now is the time to double down on workforce development and skill up Missouri’s workforce. To do this, Governor Parson called for $20 million for the state’s 57 area career centers including career centers we have in Cape and Perryville. The Governor recognized 3 students from the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center: Nicholas Hodges – Computer Networking and Security student, Lydia Strickland – Graphic Design Student, and Anwyn Suhr – Digital Media student.
Parson proposed multiple investments in K-12 education, including fully funding the Foundation Formula and raising starting pay for Missouri teachers to $38,000 per year.
For Missouri to be successful, the state must recruit and retain talented public servants across state government. Governor Parson called on us to pass an immediate 5.5 percent cost of living adjustment for all state employees.
Infrastructure
Governor Parson again called for major investments in infrastructure, $100 million for low-volume county roads across the state, and $400 million for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
Additionally, Governor Parson called for $400 million toward broadband expansion projects statewide, the single largest broadband investment in state history. I couldn’t agree more with this investment. Broadband is critical to our rural areas.
Agriculture
To help ensure the agricultural way of life remains strong and can be passed down to the next generations, Governor Parson called for $10 million to expand agriculture innovation and workforce programs. We appreciate our farmers who put food on our tables and fuel in our cars and trucks. There are some bills in our Agriculture committee working to expand our Agriculture industry in Southeastern Missouri.
Community Development
Governor Parson also asked us to make meaningful long-term investments in local communities by allocating $250 million for statewide revitalization programs. With local matching, this competitive grant program will encourage strategic local investments to spur local economic growth.
Health Care
The Governor proposed $34 million to increase telehealth and telemedicine services in rural communities.
Additionally, Governor Parson called for doubling the capacity of Missouri’s six Autism Centers to help more families navigate the challenges of diagnosing and treating autism.
Public Safety
Governor Parson expressed his continued support for Missouri’s law enforcement officers. “We must work to strengthen our communities by supporting our men and women in law enforcement and never allow anti-law enforcement measures to take hold in this state,” Governor Parson said. “In Missouri, we defend law enforcement, not defund them.”
I think the steady hand of our Governor during our hard times has positioned our state to keep moving forward.
We must always Keep Pushing Forward in this state because no one is coming to do it for us,” Governor Parson said.
In other news…
This week at the Capital, we also worked to draw a map for the eight Missouri congressional districts. The Missouri Constitution requires us to draw new lines every decade after our census.
We have 165,000 more Missourians than 10 years ago. Our population growth has not been consistent in every district of course and so the lines must be adjusted. Our 8th congressional district needed more people because we had lost some folks. Each district must have 769,364 people in them and it cannot be off by more than one person.
The House map will now go to the Senate and they will have the opportunity to make changes. There is a good process to get our final congressional map.
Here is a link to the map proposed in HB 2117.
https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/maps/Map.4875H.02P.pdf
If you have any questions regarding any state matters or legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact email me at Rick.Francis@house.mo.gov
or call 573-751-5912.
If you would like to sign up for my capital report following this link: https://house.mo.gov/CapitolReport.aspx?district=145