JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Latest on Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s budget and
State of the State address Wednesday (all times local):
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.
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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.
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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.
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