(The Center Square) – Funding infrastructure projects, tax cuts or new programs weren’t the first things Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson mentioned when asked about his last State of the State address.
“I’m kind of excited it’s going to be the last one, I’ll say that,” Parson, who is scheduled to give his final address to a joint session of the Missouri legislature on Jan. 24, 2024, told reporters earlier this month. “There’s going to be a lot of recap of things we’ve been able to do in the last five and a half years.”
Parson, who also is a farmer in Bolivar, was lieutenant governor before being elevated to governor on June 1, 2018, when Eric Greitens resigned after allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance irregularities. A U.S. Army veteran and former sheriff of Polk County, Parson served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011 and in the Senate from 2011 to 2017.
During previous press conferences throughout the years, Parson has been quick to mention the adversity his administration faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, flooding, tornadoes and droughts. Possible reasons for his current reserved outlook are the August primaries and the November general election.
“This is a political year, so we all probably know a whole lot is not going to happen that you’d normally get done when you have a presidential election year and all kinds of things going on,” Parson said during an event on Dec. 12 marking the completion of an interstate project in St. Louis County. “You try to figure out what you can get across the finish line, get it across the finish line and make this state better.”
Parson said he’ll continue to emphasize the two foundational elements of his tenure – workforce development and infrastructure. No matter what the political atmosphere in Jefferson City might become, he pledged to work with Democrats.
“I’m going to remain optimistic, again,” Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, told The Center Square. “The governor and I have been able to work on a lot of different issues. If we stay focused on workforce, infrastructure and public safety, I think we can get some things done. If we stray from those and get into hyper-partisan issues, it will keep us from getting work done and make our state an embarrassment.”
Democrats applauded many of Parson’s programs and budget in his 2023 State of the State address.
“I’m not a guy that gives up,” Parson said. “Every year, you go in there and you try to figure out what it is that you can get done. I think that’s important to do that. We’ve been very successful in trying to work with both sides of the aisle since I’ve been governor and we’re going to continue to do that. … I believe there is common ground on the subjects that are best for the people of Missouri.”