MAY 25, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced two appointments to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Kathie Conway, of Wentzville, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Ms. Conway was elected to the Missouri House of State Representatives in 2010 and served until she was term limited in 2018.  Prior to to her election as State Representative, Ms. Conway was an investigator for Sedgwick Claims Management Services in the St. Louis area. She was also an investigator for the Missouri Real Estate Commission in addition to other independent investigation work throughout her career. She earned her Bachelors of Science in law enforcement administration from Western Illinois University.

William Villapiano, of Houston, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Mr. Villapiano has been a Minister with Faith Fellowship since 1984. He was also the President of Houston Ministerial Alliance for 19 years. He is an ordained minister through the Association of Faith Churches and Ministers International (AFCM). Mr. Villapiano serves as the Chairman of AFCM's Executive Committee, leading a team that oversees regional directors and ministers from across the United States, Canada, and international missionaries. 

MAY 18, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, after receiving the legislation from the General Assembly, Governor Mike Parson signed HB 2909 into law, approving the proposed boundaries for Missouri's eight congressional districts. 

"Today, we signed into law a congressional map that meets our constitutional requirements," Governor Parson said. "This past session, we saw a few individuals' political posturing obstruct key pieces of priority legislation and promote inefficient and ineffective government. It's unfortunate so much time and productivity were lost just to receive a map with the same partisan split that was proposed six months ago. These past months could have been better used by county clerks implementing a new map and preparing for upcoming elections."

HB 2909 maintains the current partisan split in Missouri's congressional districts, six Republican leaning districts and two Democratic leaning districts. Under the congressional district map, district populations are equally proportional and district boundaries are contiguous, the two core conditions required by the Missouri Constitution.

HB 2909 contains an emergency clause and went into effect immediately upon Governor Parson's signature. The boundaries created by the law will be used for the 2022 midterm elections to determine Missouri's Congressional Delegation for the 118th Congress of the United States.

For more information on HB 2909, click here. To view the congressional map, click here. 

MAY 16, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of a public website to help guide access to Missouri's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The website, moarpa.mo.gov, enables visitors to learn about how ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds are being spent in Missouri. The website will also provide information on how Missouri organizations, non-profits, municipalities, businesses, communities, and other entities can apply for the State’s ARPA funds.

“We want to use this historic funding to make responsible investments that best serve Missourians," Governor Parson said.  "This website provides a one-stop shop to see how these funds are being spent and also how to apply for funding. We owe it to the people of Missouri to be transparent in our spending efforts and ensure these funds are used in the most effective ways possible.”

There are certain categories of allowable spending under federal regulations for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The eligible categories of spending include projects or programs that support public health expenditures; address negative economic impacts caused by COVID-19; replace lost public sector revenue; or invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.  

While some funding has been appropriated for fiscal year 2022, the Missouri General Assembly truly agreed upon and finally passed HB 3020 on May 6, 2022, which allocates a majority of Missouri’s State Fiscal Recovery Funds for specific purposes. Governor Parson has until July 1, 2022, to take action on the bill. Once the budget is finalized and implementation of the funding begins, additional information will be added and maintained on the website. Until that time, the information on the website will be somewhat limited.  

As of today, the only grant programs accepting applications are the water, wastewater, stormwater, and lead service line inventory grant programs. The remaining grant programs will begin accepting applications after July 1 and into the fall.  

Signed into federal law on March 11, 2021, ARPA includes funding for states and local governments to mitigate the negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic (State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds).  Missouri was allocated approximately $2.7 billion in State Fiscal Recovery Funds under ARPA.

Per federal law, all ARPA funded programs and grants must be allocated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.

To view the state's new website for ARPA funding information and opportunities, click here. 

MAY 13, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed Megan Julian as Associate Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit. She will fill the Associate Circuit Judge vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Heather Cunningham as Circuit Judge.

Ms. Julian, of Des Peres, currently serves as Treatment Court Commissioner of the 21st Judicial Circuit. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

MAY 13, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson signed a second supplemental budget bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, HB 3015, that was passed by the General Assembly last week. The bill allocates supplemental funding for grant programs and operations across state government, including K-12 school programs, domestic and sexual violence victim services, water and wastewater services, child abuse prevention programs, and health care projects, among others.

"This budget bill allows state government to continue supporting Missourians and creating opportunity in our state," Governor Parson said. "These funds are critical for victims of domestic and sexual violence and our K-12 schools. We thank the General Assembly for getting this legislation to my desk."

HB 3015 totals over $851 million, including over $110 million in general revenue, nearly $383 million in federal funds, and more than $357 million in other funds. 

For more information on HB 3015, click here. 

MAY 12, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced four county office appointments.

Amanda Kuehn, of Ste. Genevieve, was appointed as the Ste. Genevieve County Public Administrator.

Ms. Kuehn previously served as the Deputy County Clerk for Ste. Genevieve County since 2020. Prior to working for the County Clerk’s Office, she served as the Deputy Public Administrator for Ste. Genevieve County for 8 years. Ms. Kuehn has also been a social worker for Cape Girardeau, St. Louis City, Jefferson County, and Perry County. She earned a Bachelor of Science in child development from Southeast Missouri State University.

Dustin Stanton, of Centralia, was appointed as the Boone County Treasurer. 

Mr. Stanton has co-owned and operated Stanton Brother's Eggs since 1999. Mr. Stanton has served as the President of the Columbia Farmers Market, Co-Chair of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness & Bioscience Committee, President of the Boone County Farm Bureau, and Liaison for the Boone County Extension Council Liaison. He was named the United States Department of Agriculture's National Risk Management Award Winner in 2010, earned the National FFA American Star in Agribusiness in 2014, and was recognized as the University of Missouri President's Student Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015. Mr. Stanton graduated from the University of Missouri–Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture business management.

Gretta Tripp, of Eagle Rock, was appointed as the Barry County Treasurer.

Ms. Tripp has been the owner of Mz Trippo’s Cleaning since 2002. For a period of time, while owning her business, she worked at Mercy Medical Clinic as a Certified Medical Assistant. Ms. Tripp earned an Associates of Arts in general studies from Crowder College.

Sarah Turner, of Stockton, was appointed as the Cedar County Circuit Clerk.

Ms. Turner has served as the Deputy Clerk for Cedar County since 2008 and has 14 years of training and service experience. She has also volunteered her time to several local organizations, including the Farm Bureau Board, W.I.N.G.S. Refuge, Cedar County Elections, and various cleanup projects throughout Cedar County.

MAY 11, 2022

Jefferson City — For the month of April 2022, Governor Mike Parson granted 14 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. Notifications have also been provided to families. 

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. 

4-30-2022 Pardons.pdf

MAY 5, 2022

Jefferson City — In honor of Missouri’s fallen law enforcement officers, Governor Mike Parson has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome and Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial to be lit blue from sunset on Friday, May 6, 2022, until sunrise on Sunday, May 8, 2022.

“We will light the Capitol blue in honor of our state’s fallen law enforcement heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow Missourians,” Governor Parson said. “Their courage, honor, and service to our communities will never be forgotten.”

The annual ceremonies honoring fallen Missouri law enforcement officers will be held at the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds of the Capitol overlooking the Missouri River.

The 2022 Candlelight Vigil will be held on May 6 at 8 p.m., and the Memorial Service will take place at 10 a.m. on May 7.

“The blue light on the Capitol dome and the memorial is a beautiful reminder of the debt we owe to all in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate price for their selfless service to the citizens of our state,” Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten said. “They and their families will always be remembered.”

The names of 11 law enforcement and corrections officers who died in the line of duty during 2021 and four recently confirmed historical line of duty deaths have been added to the memorial’s Wall of Honor in advance of this year’s ceremonies.

Pictures of the dome lighting will be available on Governor Parson's Flickr page. 

MAY 4, 2022

Jefferson City — Governor Mike Parson has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome lighted green beginning at sunset on Thursday, May 5, 2022, until sunrise on Friday, May 6, 2022, in recognition of Children’s Mental Health Week.  

“We must talk about mental health and the importance of having resources available for our men, women, and children who are hurting,” Governor Parson said. “Our administration, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health, is committed to sharing resources and providing treatment to those struggling with mental health. I want to remind anyone who is out there struggling to reach out: you are not alone.” 

Last week, Governor Parson proclaimed May 2022 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Missouri. Approximately one in six children and youth have a diagnosable mental illness, and 50 percent of those with lifetime mental health challenges first experience symptoms by age 14.

“The month of May is a great time to shine a light on the importance of mental health for children, youth, and all citizens of Missouri,” said Department of Mental Health Director Valerie Huhn. “We look forward to seeing the Capitol dome lighted green for mental health awareness.”

For more information on available mental health resources, please visit https://dmh.mo.gov/.

Pictures of the dome lighting will be available on Governor Parson's Flickr page. 

MAY 2, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson confirmed that the State of Missouri will carry out the sentence of Mr. Carman Deck on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Missouri.

"Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed," Governor Parson said. "The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Deck's sentence according to the Court's order and deliver justice."

Mr. Deck was tried and convicted for the heinous execution-style murders of two innocent elderly victims during a robbery in 1996. Mr. Deck fully admitted to his callous offenses in verbal, written, and recorded statements to law enforcement. In three different proceedings, separate juries have recommended Mr. Deck’s death sentences. Mr. Deck'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.