JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Latest on Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s budget and
State of the State address Wednesday (all times local):
5:35 p.m.
Missouri Democrats are taking a dig at former Republican Gov. Eric Greitens
while calling on his successor to do better.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Gina Walsh on Wednesday said “simply being
better than Eric Greitens is too low a bar to set for any of our leaders.”
Walsh delivered the Democratic response to new Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s
first State of the State address Wednesday.
Greitens resigned in June in the face of potential impeachment over allegations
of sexual and political misconduct. Parson had been serving as lieutenant
governor, but took over as the state’s chief executive when Greitens stepped
down.
Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Wednesday called for more
access to health care, a bigger mental health safety net, stronger local public
schools and quality early childhood education. While she said Parson also
outlined programs that Democrats care about, she says she’s not sure how he
plans to pay them.
___
4:05 p.m.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is proposing a funding increase for public K-12
schools while seeking to hold core funding flat for public colleges and
universities.
The budget outlined Wednesday by Parson includes a $61 million increase in
basic funding for public schools. That would supply the full $3.55 billion
called for under state law. School transportation also would get more money.
Parson’s budget chief said he is proposing to keep funding for higher education
institutions at the same level as this year.
The nearly $29.8 billion operating budget also includes a 3 percent pay raise
for state employees that would start in January 2020. Certain employees would
get an additional pay raise to try to bring their salaries up to marketplace
standards.
The budget would leave unspent about $117 million.
___
3:45 p.m.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is proposing to close a state prison as part of a
plan to give pay raises to prison guards.
The budget outlined Wednesday by Parson would shut down Crossroads Correctional
Center in Cameron. Prisoners and staff would be transferred to Western Missouri
Correctional Center, which is also located in Cameron.
Department of Corrections officials said the consolidation is made possible
because the number of prisoners in Missouri has been declining since September
2017. Meanwhile, Missouri has experienced a staffing shortage in some prisons.
State budget officials said consolidation is expected to save $15 million, part
of which would go toward pay raises for Department of Corrections personnel.
The crossroads prison was the site of a riot last year that led to an extended
lockdown.
____
3:35 p.m.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is proposing a new grant program to help adults get
the degrees they need for high-demand jobs.
In his budget and State of the State address Wednesday, Parson proposed to
spend $22 million on a program that his higher education department said could
serve 16,000 people annually.
The grants would cover up to four semesters of tuition for adults over age 25
with household adjusted gross incomes of less than $80,000.
The grants could only be used for those pursuing degrees in “high-need” skill
areas. Those specific areas have yet to be outlined.
The Republican governor also wants to provide $16 million to colleges and
universities to develop and expand employer-driven training programs.
___
3:25 p.m.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is proposing to borrow $351 million to repair 250
bridges around the state and free up money for more road repairs.
The bridge bonding program is part of Parson’s budget outlined Wednesday in his
first State of the State address.
The plan comes after voters last November defeated a proposed 10-cent-a-gallon
gas tax increase to fund roads and bridges.
Parson is proposing to pay off the bonds with general revenues over 15 years.
All the bridges already are in the state’s five-year construction program. That
means the bonds would free up existing highway funds to be used for other
projects.
The Republican governor also is proposing to use $50 million in state funds for
a cost-share program for local road projects that would provide economic
benefits.
___
9:40 a.m.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is set to give his first State of the State address
since taking office after his predecessor resigned.
The Republican on Wednesday will outline his top policy priorities and propose
a spending plan for Missouri’s roughly $28 billion budget.
Parson was serving as lieutenant governor this time last year. He assumed the
governorship in June after former Republican Gov. Eric Greitens resigned in the
face of potential impeachment over allegations of sexual and political
misconduct.
Parson has worked to strike a markedly different tone than Greitens, who openly
fought with fellow Republican lawmakers.
Parson’s priorities for the 2019 legislative session include enacting a law to
allow the state to collect tax revenue from out-of-state online retailers who
sell things to Missourians.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI