Governor Parson reflects on achievements and future priorities at final State of the State address

Governor Parson delivered his final State of the State address to a record audience of Springfield Chamber members on July 30 at the Great Southern Bank Arena. Reflecting on his six years in office, Parson highlighted the state’s significant accomplishments in job growth, tax relief and infrastructure development.

Governor Parson underscored the successes of his administration, emphasizing achievements in workforce development, judiciary appointments, regulatory reduction and debt management. He also highlighted major infrastructure projects, including critical improvements to Interstate 44 and LeCompte Road, which are pivotal to the region’s economic future.

“Springfield, you are on the right track,” he stated. “You are on the cutting edge of I-44 becoming a whole new economic engine for the City of Springfield and Greene County.”

Under Parson’s leadership, transformative projects have taken root across Southwest Missouri, focusing on road and bridge improvements and workforce training through initiatives like the Fast Track program, which aims to meet the demand for high-skill jobs. Despite these successes, the Governor acknowledges ongoing challenges, such as the gap in childcare availability, which continues to impact workforce participation.

“We have to address the daycare issue in the state of Missouri. It is not going away. The number one reason employees don’t go to work is the lack of daycare,” said Parson. “We need to partner with the private sector to find solutions to take care of our kids.”

Governor Parson also discussed his administration’s impact on the judiciary, notably the appointment of Judge Ginger Gooch to the Missouri Supreme Court, contributing to the court’s first female majority. He also outlined the state’s largest infrastructure project, the expansion of Interstate 70, alongside achievement in tax reductions and economic growth, noting a record $1.9 billion surplus prepared for the incoming administration.

“You need to reward the everyday people out there,” he remarked. “That’s why we are proud to announce that we have met the requirements to deliver another tax cut for Missourians.”

Since 2018, Missouri has seen a 1.2% reduction in income tax rates, a change driven by legislation passed in 2022, resulting in a more than 20 percent reduction in tax burdens for Missourians during Governor Parson’s administration. The state also boasts the highest job growth rate in the nation and the lowest unemployment rate ever recorded for the state of Missouri, now at 2.1 percent.

“This year alone, we’ve nearly added 70,000 jobs to our economy, ranked first in the nation for job growth, and continued to see businesses grow and invest in our communities at a record pace,” Parson concluded. “Missouri is on a solid foundation, and Missourians are reaping the rewards by keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.”

The 2024 legislative session was successful for the Chamber’s business-driven priorities and the Springfield region. For a full recap of the session and details about legislative wins, click here.

 

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