About the Governor
Michael L. Parson
57th Governor of Missouri
Michael L. Parson was sworn in as Missouri’s 57th Governor on June 1, 2018. Governor Parson came into the role of Governor with a lifelong commitment to serving others and over 30 years of experience in public service. He previously served as the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri from 2017–2018. He is a United States Army veteran and former Sheriff of Polk County. Governor Parson also served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005–2011 and in the Missouri Senate from 2011–2017.
Under Governor Parson’s leadership, Missouri has experienced a booming economy, achieving the lowest unemployment rate ever recorded, high wage growth, tens of thousands of new jobs, and billions in business investment through public-private partnerships with the state. Governor Parson has cut taxes five times and signed the largest income tax cut in Missouri history.
From day one, workforce development and infrastructure have been the top priorities for Governor Parson. He and his administration have achieved historic bipartisan wins on both issues. Additionally, Governor Parson approved $2.8 billion to build six lanes across the entire I-70 corridor and make critical safety and efficiency upgrades. When he first became Governor, Missouri’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan was funded at $2.5 billion. Today, it totals more than $14 billion.
Governor Parson has also established the Office of Childhood while making the largest investment in early childhood education in state history. He has made it a priority to expand pre-kindergarten programs to all low income families. Under his administration, the K-12 funding formula has been fully funded every year and school districts received additional funds to raise baseline teacher pay from $25,000 to $38,000 per year. Higher education has received the largest increase in core funding in decades, while simultaneously being awarded nearly $1 billion for capital improvement projects.
Governor Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson live in Bolivar. Together, they have two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He was raised on a farm in Hickory County and graduated from Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Missouri. Governor Parson is a small business owner and a third-generation farmer who currently owns and operates a cow-calf operation near Bolivar.
