DECEMBER 1, 2022

Jefferson City — Governor Mike Parson today announced the availability of up to $10 million in grant funding for maintenance and improvements to jails across the state.

“Missouri’s county jails have a key role in our criminal justice system,” Governor Parson said. “This $10 million grant opportunity is to provide support to county jails to ensure facilities are safe and secure for staff, inmates, and visitors. We urge Missouri sheriffs and county jail administrative agencies to consider applying for this funding before the application closes on December 30, 2022.”  

Applications for the Missouri County Jail Maintenance and Improvements Grant are only being accepted through the Missouri Department of Public Safety online WebGrants System: https://dpsgrants.dps.mo.gov/index.do.

The grant requires a local match of 50 percent. For example, if the total cost of a project were $100,000, the local recipient would be responsible for $50,000. Local American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds may be utilized for the local match. In-kind matches (soft match) must be directly related to the project and may be retroactive to March 2020. No supplanting is permitted.  

Eligible grant expenditures include equipment, supplies, and contractual expenses to support county jail maintenance and improvements.

Grant recipients will be notified of their awards in March 2023. Grant funds must be expended by June 30, 2026. The funding for the jail maintenance and improvements grants is made available through ARPA and was made possible through Missouri House Bill 3020. The Missouri Department of Public Safety is the grant administrator. 

DECEMBER 1, 2022

Jefferson City — For the month of November 2022, Governor Mike Parson granted 15 pardons pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and have been sent to the individuals. Families have been or are in the process of being notified. 

To review the names of the individuals granted clemency, please see attached. Governor Parson has instructed his legal team to continue reviewing clemency files and working to reduce the backlog inherited by his administration. 

11-30-2022 Pardons.pdf

NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Jefferson City — The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded several Missouri Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs with grant dollars to further support the important work that these programs do to ensure all Missouri students are prepared for success upon graduation and further contribute to developing Missouri’s workforce.

"Career and technical education is critical to our workforce development goals here in the State of Missouri," Governor Parson said. "Every day the necessity for a post secondary degree, trade, or industry recognized credential is growing for good-paying jobs across the state, and we want to support Missourians as they seek to learn new skills, especially in our career and technical education programs." 

Missouri’s Area Career Center Opportunity (MACCO) Grant provides funding to enhance the state’s CTE capacity by providing more opportunities for CTE students while updating and modernizing career centers’ infrastructure and equipment.

MACCO is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (APRA) and was included in Governor Parson's Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal to the General Assembly. MACCO grants local education agencies (LEAs) up to $400,000 for the following purposes:

• Create new high-demand and emerging programs
• Construct a new area career center building
• Renovate or build an addition to an existing area career center
• Update or expand current CTE programs
• Improve infrastructure for safety and equipment needs
• Upgrade equipment and instructional technology

The grant’s funds must be used to enhance or extend area career centers’ capacities to increase students’ knowledge and skills needed to gain employment in current or emerging fields, continue their education, or re-train for new business and industry opportunities. The grant required LEAs to submit an application and match 25 percent of the awarded MACCO funds. 

Grant recipients and award totals are as follows:

Arcadia Valley Career Center, Ironton, $400,000.00

Boonslick Technical Education Center, Boonville, $400,000.00

Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center, Cape Girardeau, $400,000.00

Career and Technology Center at Fort Osage, Independence, $400,000.00

Carrollton Area Career Center, Carrollton, $400,000.00

Carthage Technical Center, Carthage, $400,000.00

Cass Career Center, Harrisonville, $385,500.00

Clinton Technical School, Clinton, $400,000.00

Columbia Area Career Center, Columbia, $400,000.00

Crowder College Technical Education Center, Neosho, $400,000.00

Current River Career Center, Doniphan, $400,000.00

Dallas County Technical Center, Buffalo, $400,000.00

Davis H. Hart Career Center, Mexico, $234,000.00

Eldon Career Center, Eldon, $400,000.00

Excelsior Springs Area Career Center, Excelsior Springs, $400,000.00

Four Rivers Career Center, Washington, $400,000.00

Franklin Technology Center, Joplin, $400,000.00

Gibson Technical Center, Reeds Spring, $400,000.00

Grand River Technical School, Chillicothe, $400,000.00

Herndon Career Center, Raytown, $400,000.00

Hillyard Technical Center, St. Joseph, $400,000.00

Jefferson College - Area Technical School, Hillsboro, $400,000.00

Kennett Career and Technology Center, Kennett, $400,000.00

Kirksville Area Technical Center, Kirksville, $400,000.00

Lake Career and Technical Center, Camdenton, $400,000.00

Lamar Career & Technical Center, Lamar, $323,500.00

Lebanon Technology and Career Center, Lebanon, $400,000.00

Lewis & Clark Career Center, St. Charles, $400,000.00

Lex La-Ray Technical Center, Lexington, $400,000.00

Linn County Area Career and Technical Center, Brookfield, $400,000.00

Manual Career and Technical Center, Kansas City, $400,000.00

Miller Career Academy, St. Louis, $400,000.00

Nevada Regional Technical Center, Nevada, $400,000.00

New Madrid County R-I Technical Skills Center, New Madrid, $400,000.00

Nichols Career Center, Jefferson City, $400,000.00

Northwest Technical School, Maryville, $400,000.00

OTC Career Center, Springfield, $400,000.00

Ozark Mountain Technical Center, Mountain Grove, $400,000.00

Pemiscot County Career and Technology Center, Hayti, $400,000.00

Perryville Area Career and Technology Center, Perryville, $400,000.00

Pike-Lincoln Technical Center, Eolia, $400,000.00

Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center, Poplar Bluff, $400,000.00

Rolla Technical Center/Rolla Technical Institute, Rolla, $400,000.00

Scott Regional Technology Center, Monett, $400,000.00

Sikeston Career & Technology Center, Sikeston, $400,000.00

South Central Career Center, West Plains, $150,000.00

Special School District St. Louis County, Town & Country, $400,000.00

State Fair Career & Technology Center, Sedalia, $400,000.00

UniTec Career Center, Bonne Terre, $400,000.00

Warrensburg Area Career Center, Warrensburg, $400,000.00

Waynesville Career Center, Waynesville, $400,000.00

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Jefferson City — Governor Mike Parson today issued Executive Order 22-07 extending Missouri’s drought alert until March 1, 2023, to address issues outlined by the state’s Drought Assessment Committee.

Currently 87 percent of Missouri continues to face abnormally dry conditions, with many counties still experiencing moderate, severe, or extreme drought. Drought conditions are not expected to substantially improve this winter.

“It will take a lot of precipitation to help Missouri recover from the current water deficit,” Governor Parson said. “Water for livestock is just as important in the winter as it is the summer, and we want to ensure resources are available to our farmers and ranchers that may need them. Additionally, with navigational challenges forming on Missouri's rivers affecting barge traffic, extending our Executive Order is necessary to support continued mitigation efforts.”

On July 21, Governor Parson issued an Executive Order declaring a drought alert for 53 counties hardest hit by drought conditions. While conditions have improved marginally since that time, drought has continued to create challenges for our Missouri citizens.

In response to Governor Parson’s initial Executive Order on this matter, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources activated the Drought Assessment Committee, a workgroup set up to assess drought levels and work with impact teams on response and recovery recommendations. The Agriculture Impact Team was assembled in August to coordinate response actions for the state’s agricultural community that has been impacted throughout this drought.

In addition, following the most recent Drought Assessment Committee meeting, the Commercial Navigation Impact Team is being convened as well because low flow levels on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers are making it difficult for commercial navigators, such as barges, to maneuver through the rivers.

The July Executive Order was set to expire on December 1. Extending it will allow the Drought Assessment Committee and associated impact teams to continue supporting affected communities throughout the winter and continue to expand the state’s capabilities to respond to and lessen the impacts of future droughts.

Citizens can submit information about local drought conditions at Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR). For more information about Missouri’s drought conditions or the Drought Assessment Committee, visit dnr.mo.gov/drought.

To view Executive Order 22-07, click here.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson confirmed that the State of Missouri will carry out the sentence of Mr. Kevin Johnson on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Missouri.

"Mr. Johnson has received every protection afforded by the Missouri and United States Constitutions, and Mr. Johnson’s conviction and sentence remain for his horrendous and callous crime. The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Johnson’s sentence according to the Court's order and deliver justice," Governor Parson said. "The violent murder of any citizen, let alone a Missouri law enforcement officer, should be met only with the fullest punishment state law allows. Through Mr. Johnson's own heinous actions, he stole the life of Sergeant McEntee and left a family grieving, a wife widowed, and children fatherless. Clemency will not be granted."

Mr. Johnson ambushed and shot Sergeant Bill McEntee while he responded to a call in Johnson’s neighborhood. Even though Sergeant McEntee survived the first five shots, Mr. Johnson approached Sergeant McEntee and executed him with two more shots to the head while he was crawling on his hands and knees out of his wrecked squad car. There is not and never has been any doubt about Mr. Johnson’s guilt. Nor has Mr. Johnson’s conviction or sentence ever been reversed on appeal. Mr. Johnson’s case has been reviewed in the state trial court, Missouri Supreme Court, federal district court, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed Heather J. Hays as Associate Circuit Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit. She will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Craig Higgins as Circuit Judge. 

Ms. Hays, of St. Louis, is currently a partner at Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch & Champion, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University.

NOVEMBER 22, 2022

Jefferson City — Governor Mike Parson today announced the Missouri Department of Public Safety has awarded $23 million to St. Louis County as a matching grant to establish a regional intelligence and information center and law enforcement training complex. In order to utilize the award, St. Louis County has agreed to also invest at least $23 million for the law enforcement complex.

“Keeping Missourians safe and secure requires investments in training, technology, and modern, well-equipped facilities so law enforcement can continue to advance its capabilities to meet today’s challenges,” Governor Mike Parson said. “This $23 million in state funding, which is contingent on equivalent local funding, will help build a state-of-the-art complex that is an important investment in the future of public safety for St. Louis County communities and businesses.”

The complex will also include a property control facility. Funding for the state award is made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and was made possible through Missouri House Bill 3020. The grant funds must be expended by June 30, 2026. The Department of Public Safety is the grant administrator.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced that he is appointing Andrew Bailey as the next Attorney General of the State of Missouri. Mr. Bailey’s appointment will fill the vacancy created by the election of Attorney General Eric Schmitt to the U.S. Senate. Mr. Bailey currently serves as General Counsel to the Office of Governor Mike Parson. 

“The historical significance of appointing an Attorney General for the second time of our administration has not been lost on me. But such a monumental, history-defining decision can be made so easily with the right candidate, and Andrew Bailey is the right candidate to lead Missourians as our next Attorney General,” Governor Parson said. “While it’s bittersweet to lose Andrew on our team, it gives us peace of mind to know his talents and passion for the rule of law and public service will be so well utilized as Attorney General. Andrew understands the need to do better, to be better, and with Andrew, better will not only be possible but achieved.” 

“I want to thank Governor Parson, the entire Governor’s Office team, and of course my wife and children for their love and support. God has truly blessed me and my family with the opportunities He has granted us,” Mr. Bailey said. “I’m excited to get to work on behalf of Missourians to uphold the rule of law, protect freedoms, and ensure our kids and grandkids inherit a better world. My entire career has been defined by public service, and now I’m ready to continue that service as your Attorney General, where I will work tirelessly to earn your trust and never stop fighting on your behalf.” 

Mr. Bailey joined the Governor’s Office as Deputy General Counsel in 2019 and has served as General Counsel since 2021. He has also served as a Missouri Assistant Attorney General, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Warren County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and as General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

Mr. Bailey earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Army as an officer. He was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in response to the 9/11 Attacks. He was awarded two Army Achievement Medals, an Army Commendation Medal, a Combat Action Badge, and two Bronze Star Medals for his service.

In 2009, he returned from deployment and enrolled at the University of Missouri School of Law. He graduated and began his legal career. Mr. Bailey has handled countless cases in both state and federal courts throughout his career.

It was in the courtroom where he heard stories of countless Missouri children in need that motivated him and his wife to become foster parents. Mr. Bailey and his wife, Jessica, have four children ranging from 6 months to 10 years old. 

“Andrew lives by and embodies the ideals of faith, family, and freedom,” Governor Parson said. “He’ll fight for our kids like they’re his own, and he’ll ensure the American Dream lives on for the next generations. We could not be more excited for him, his family, and the State of Missouri.”

NOVEMBER 21, 2022

Jefferson City — The 2022 Missouri Governor’s Mansion Christmas trees will arrive on Monday, November 28, 2022, between 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. A portion of Madison Street will be closed during this time.

The tree that will be displayed on the Mansion lawn is a 40-foot Norway Spruce donated by Tom and Sue Gleich of Wildwood, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Gleich decided to donate their tree to allow them to proceed with their landscaping updates. The tree for the Mansion interior includes an 18-foot Canaan Fir supplied by Pea Ridge Forest in Hermann.

Missouri Department of Conservation staff will install the indoor tree, and Missouri Office of Administration staff will install the Mansion lawn tree. Members of the media are invited to cover the arrival and placement of the tree on the lawn.

Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson cordially invite families to attend this year’s Candlelight Tours and annual tree lighting ceremony at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion on Friday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m. The annual lighting of the tree will be followed by this year’s Candlelight Tours. The Candlelight tours will run until 9 p.m. on Friday and again Monday, December 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

During the Candlelight tours, visitors will be able to walk through the festively decorated ground floor of the Governor's Mansion. Toys for Tots representatives will also be in attendance during the Candlelight Tours to accept donations of new, unwrapped toys or monetary contributions to support Missouri children this holiday season.

The Candlelight Tours are free and open to the public. Visitors will enter through the Madison Street gate.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022

Jefferson City — Governor Mike Parson today announced that over 13,500 Missouri households had been approved for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant assistance of $42.9 million as the FEMA disaster assistance application period for St. Louis area flooding in July closed this month. Including National Flood Insurance payments to policyholders and U.S. Small Business Administration loans, total assistance to St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County residents and businesses was over $115.9 million.

“Supporting families and businesses and helping the St. Louis region recover were our top priorities following the devastating, historic flooding that impacted the St. Louis region from July 25-28,” Governor Parson said. “We are grateful that community partners pulled together in the recovery effort and that more than 13,500 Missouri families are being assisted through our combined state and FEMA recovery outreach efforts."

Those who were impacted by the July flooding are reminded that FEMA representatives are still available at the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362, and that any additional eligible expenses discovered after the close of the FEMA application period on November 7 will be considered for reimbursement. 

With the onset of cold weather, homeowners who had applied for FEMA assistance prior to the November 7 deadline and had flood-related damage to furnaces or HVAC systems could still be eligible for reimbursement and should submit repair or replacement estimates or invoices to FEMA. FEMA is also reminding those approved for assistance that they could still be eligible for rental assistance if a need for a temporary place to stay has arisen as repairs are being made.

“From the very beginning, our collaboration with the State of Missouri and local officials has been outstanding,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer DuWayne Tewes. “Everyone’s focus was on making sure survivors had access to resources that would help them with their recovery.”

• FEMA has approved $42.9 million in Individual Assistance grants for renters and homeowners for emergency home repairs, repair or replacement of essential personal property, rental assistance, and other serious needs not covered by insurance.
• The National Flood Insurance Program has paid over $40.4 million in claims for flood insurance policyholders.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved over $32.6 million in disaster loans for 1,044 homeowners, renters, and businesses.

Eligible businesses and private nonprofits in St. Louis, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County may still apply for a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Businesses and nonprofits can apply online or download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. The deadline to apply for a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan is May 8, 2023.

Before federal assistance was approved, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and voluntary and community organizations, including the Red Cross, organized Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) that took place over eight days and provided one-stop-shop assistance for those impacted by the flooding. A total of more than 7,450 people were helped by the MARCs with emergency financial assistance, food stamp replacement, insurance information, and other assistance. 

Governor Parson’s request for a federal major disaster declaration was approved by President Joe Biden on August 8. The federal major disaster declaration also makes available federal mitigation grants to improve infrastructure to prevent damage from future severe storms. Prior to the federal disaster declaration, Governor Parson declared a state of emergency in Missouri and activated the State Emergency Operations Plan, allowing state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to provide emergency services.