Missouri Governor Parson gives State of the State address
(AP) Missouri Republican Governor 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 during his state of the state address 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.
Parson is also proposing a new grant program to help adults get the degrees they need for high-demand jobs. 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.
Parson wants 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 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.
Missouri Democrats are taking a dig at former Republican Governor 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 Parson’s first State of the State address.
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.