NOVEMBER 1, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced four appointments to various boards and commissions and filled three county office vacancies. 

Kerry Casey, of Chesterfield, was appointed to the State Board of Education. 

Ms. Casey is a Vice President at EXEGY, a global leader in financial market data, trading platforms, and predictive signals. She has served in this capacity since 2009 and leads global sales operations and enablement for EXEGY. Previously, she was Senior Vice President Customer Administration for Thomson Reuters. Ms. Casey serves on the Board of Directors for the Knowledge Is Power Program St. Louis (KIPP STL), Lift for Life Gym, and the Patriot Training Foundation. She also has been a Big Sister in her local Big Sister/Little Sister program and has previously served on the organization's local advisory board. Ms. Casey earned a certificate in Executive Leadership from the University of Michigan School of Business as well as a certificate in Business Process Reengineering from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Tom Gorsline, of Macks Creek, was appointed as the Camden County Public Administrator. 

Mr. Gorsline has served as a Detective for the City of Osage Beach Police Department since 2013. He served as a Patrolman for the Police Department for seven years prior to his promotion to Detective. Mr. Gorsline is the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 101 and is a member of Kids Harbor, Missouri Coalition for Mental Health, the International Crisis Intervention Team, and the Missouri Crisis Intervention Team. He holds certifications in hostage and crisis negotiation, crisis intervention, and peer support. Mr. Gorsline earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Eastern Gateway Community College and graduated from the Missouri Western State College Police Academy.  

Florence Hill, of Bellefontaine, was appointed to the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners. 

Ms. Hill has worked for CIGNA since 2003 and is currently an Operations Lead Analyst. Previously, she worked as a programmer for Vestcom Inc. Ms. Hill attended St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and has continued her education through on-the-job programs with the University of Missouri– St. Louis. 

Shannon Landers, of Sikeston, was appointed as the New Madrid County Circuit Clerk. 

Ms. Landers has served as Chief Deputy Clerk and Principal Court Clerk for New Madrid County since 2012. Prior to her promotion as Chief Deputy Clerk, she served as a deputy clerk for the Office for more than 25 years. Ms. Landers holds a certificate in Court Management from the Missouri Court Management Institute and National Center for State Courts as well as a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Southeast Missouri State University. 

Denise Smith, of Ellington, was appointed as the Reynolds County Collector. 

Ms. Smith has served as Deputy Clerk in the Reynolds Country Clerk's Office since 2013. Prior to joining the Reynolds County Clerk's Office, she was the Assistant Night Shift Manger for Town and Country. 

Roger Walleck, of Columbia, was appointed to the Workers' Compensation Determinations Review Board.

Mr. Walleck has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry and is currently the Chief Underwriting Officer and Corporate Leader of Underwriting for Missouri Employers Mutual. Previously, he was the Chief Underwriting Officer for Meadowbrook Insurance Group. Mr. Walleck holds professional designations in Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Insurance Services (AIS) from the Insurance Institute of America. He earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from Northern Illinois University. 

Katie Jo Wheeler, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Administrative Hearing Commission. 

Ms. Wheeler recently served as Deputy Director for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a position she held since 2018. Prior to becoming Deputy Director of DNR, she served as General Counsel for the Department. Ms. Wheeler is certified with the Missouri Bar and has completed The Missouri Way Advanced Management Training program. She received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Baylor University and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Columbia School of Law. 

OCTOBER 29, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson ordered U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at all government buildings statewide on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from sunrise to sunset in honor of Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Bailey J. Tucker.

"We are saddened that Hospital Corpsman Tucker's life was cut so tragically short. The citizens of Missouri express our appreciation for our fellow Missourian's honorable service and sacrifice to this nation," Governor Parson said. "Teresa and I extend our condolences and will be praying for Bailey's family and friends during this difficult time." 

Hospital Corpsman Tucker was a graduate of Parkway North High School and joined the United States Navy in December 2019. He was stationed at Naval Air Station North Island, California, where he served as a Search and Rescue Medical Technician for Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8.

On August 31, 2021, Hospital Corpsman Tucker was killed in the line of duty when the helicopter he was aboard crashed while conducting at-sea training off the coast of California. 

The flags will be held at half-staff on the day Hospital Corpsman Bailey Tucker is laid to rest. To view the proclamation, click here. 

OCTOBER 29, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson granted 18 pardons and commuted two sentences 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 are being sent to the individuals.

In the interest of privacy, the Governor's Office will not immediately release the names of the individuals granted clemency so that appropriate communications can be made to families. The information will be made available once families are notified.  

OCTOBER 28, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that he has issued Executive Order 21-10 to protect the individual rights of Missourians against overreaching federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates. 

Governor Parson released the following statement regarding the Order:

"As the Governor of the State of Missouri, I stand with concerned Missourians and will do all I can to stop federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates." 

"When President Biden announced his initial plans to force unconstitutional vaccine mandates, we immediately began aligning state resources for legal action. While we hoped the Biden Administration would recognize these mandates as the abuse of authority that they are, they have not, and we must now use every tool we have available to fight this federal intrusion."

"The Constitution and its historical interpretations clearly leave public health decisions to the states. The federal government has no authority to issue COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The Biden Administration acting alone to dictate and mandate health requirements represents the kind of federal power grab the founding fathers warned us against." 

"In the State of Missouri, public health decisions are left to the people to either make their own personal decisions or speak through their elected representatives in the General Assembly. The Biden Administration's vaccine mandates undermine and deny Missourians their right to make personal health decisions and to speak through their elected representatives."

"More than three million Missourians are fully vaccinated. Nearly 70 percent of Missourians 18 and older and nearly 90 percent of Missourians 65 and older have initiated vaccination. Missouri's weekly positivity rate has decreased to 6.4 percent and the number of COVID-19 patients in Missouri hospitals has dramatically declined. Missourians are using common sense and our numbers have improved without federal mandates."

"Let me be clear, we continue to encourage all Missourians to get vaccinated. We can support vaccination without supporting mandates. We are issuing this order to protect our system of government and the individual rights of Missourians to make their own health care decisions."

"Never before since our nation's founding has a president unilaterally forced vaccinations onto the American people. Due process is a foundational principle of our democracy, and this unprecedented and dangerous action threatens our system of government and the individual freedoms we enjoy."

Executive Order 21-10 orders and directs the following actions to oppose the Biden Administration's overreaching federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates:

• All agencies, boards, commissions, and other entities within the executive branch of state government are directed to cooperate fully and timely with the Attorney General of the State of Missouri in litigation on behalf of the State of Missouri against any federally imposed COVID-19 vaccine mandate or requirement.
• No agency, board, commission, or other entity within the executive branch of state government shall compel any individual to receive the COVID-19 vaccine according to federal vaccine mandates if the individual objects for religious or medical reasons.
• No agency, board, commission, or other entity within the executive branch of state government shall penalize individuals or businesses for non-compliance with federally imposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates if the individual objects for religious or medical reasons.

To view Executive Order 21-10, click here.

OCTOBER 26, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson released the following statement in support of the Missouri School Boards Association's (MSBA) decision to leave the National School Boards Association (NSBA): 

"We applaud MSBA's decision to withdraw from NSBA. Missouri parents value local control, and when it comes to our children's education, parents have a right to know what is being taught and to have their voices heard. Recent actions by NSBA to paint parents as radicals and solicit unwarranted action by the Biden Administration shows a clear disconnect with Missouri Schools."

"In Missouri, we have strict laws to hold those accountable who harass or threaten school personnel. Our highly-trained local law enforcement are more than capable of handling these situations and do not need the DOJ or FBI injecting federal bureaucracy into our local matters. MSBA and its members have also fostered productive and successful relationships with local law enforcement to prevent these circumstances."

"We appreciate MSBA standing up for our students, teachers, and parents alike and recognizing that Missouri will play no part in criminalizing concerned parents. This action shows Missouri schools take parents' First Amendment rights seriously and will protect Missourians' abilities to speak freely and petition their local school boards. The state looks forward to working with MSBA in the future to continue advancing quality K-12 education and promoting a transparent school system." 

OCTOBER 26, 2021

Jefferson City — Governor Mike Parson has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome lighted purple beginning at sunset on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, until sunrise on Thursday, October 28, 2021, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

“We light the Capitol purple to bring awareness to victims of domestic violence and show our commitment to supporting survivors and our vulnerable citizens,” Governor Parson said. “Today and everyday, we must all do our part to raise awareness about the causes of domestic violence and how to intervene and prevent it.”

In 2020, approximately 78,842 hotline calls were answered, or 205 hotline calls per day, in Missouri by domestic violence programs for individuals who needed support and someone to talk to. 

Earlier this year, Governor Parson signed HB 432, which established unpaid employment leave and reasonable safety accommodations for employees who are victims of domestic violence, among other provisions. 

If you or someone you know is in need of care or support, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 

To view Governor Parson's Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation, click here.

OCTOBER 26, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson ordered that U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at all government buildings statewide on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, from sunrise to sunset in honor of Missouri State Representative Thomas P. Hannegan. 

"We honor and thank Representative Hannegan for his contributions to the people of the 65th district and the entire state of Missouri. He leaves behind a strong legacy of public service and advocacy," Governor Parson said. "Tom worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents, and thanks to legislation he sponsored more military service members will have greater access to job opportunities across the state. Teresa and I are praying for Tom's family and friends during this difficult time."

Representative Hannegan was elected to his first two-year term in the Missouri House of Representatives in November 2016. He represented northern St. Charles city and eastern St. Charles county. During his tenure in the Missouri House, he sponsored HB 273, which reduced occupational barriers for members of the military and opened up additional job opportunities for Missourians, among others provisions. 

Representative Hannegan served as the Chairman of the Missouri House of Representative's Local Government Committee and a member of various others, including Children and Families, Special Committee on Criminal Justice, and Joint Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Awareness. 

The flags will be held at half-staff on the day Representative Hannegan is laid to rest. To view the proclamation, click here. 

OCTOBER 22, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed First Assistant Attorney General Cristian M. Stevens to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. Mr. Stevens will fill the vacancy created by the Honorable Judge Robin Ransom's appointment to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Cristian M. Stevens resides in the City of Kirkwood with his wife and three children and has deep generational ties to the State of Missouri. He currently serves as the First Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri and supervises both the civil and criminal divisions of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Stevens was formerly an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. He was also an Associate Attorney at the law firm of Bryan Cave and clerked for the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Mr. Stevens earned a bachelor's degree as well as his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Columbia, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Missouri Law Review.

OCTOBER 22, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced a $750,000 interest-free loan to the city of Hannibal to ease the impact of excessive wholesale electricity and natural gas costs associated with the February 2021 extreme weather event. The loan was made possible through the Municipal Utility Emergency Loan Program.

“The Municipal Utility Emergency Loan Program provides municipal utilities and commissions the opportunity to recover from the high costs associated with the extraordinary cold snap we experienced in February,” Governor Parson said. “We were happy to create this program that has aided our cities and towns and helped Missourians avoid excessive month-over-month utility bill increases. This $750,000 emergency loan to the city of Hannibal will lessen the financial impacts for the city and its residents. "

The loan program was established when Governor Parson signed legislation on May 13, 2021, to provide $50 million for interest-free emergency loans. The program is administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy and serves municipal electric and natural gas utilities, as well as municipal utility commissions, by providing loans for wholesale electric or natural gas costs incurred as a result of extraordinary prices from February 10-20, 2021. Approximately 53 municipalities have applied individually or through municipal utility commissions since the department began accepting applications on June 2.

When the unusual cold snap occurred in February of this year, prices for wholesale natural gas and electricity rose as demand increased and production stopped at some facilities in the United States. These increased prices severely impacted Missouri communities.

“We’re honored to be able to assist Missouri utilities that experienced unprecedented energy prices earlier this year,” said Dru Buntin, Director of the Department of Natural Resources. “The priority has been to meet the needs of our communities and provide financial stability for municipal utilities and their customers. We are grateful to the Governor for acting so quickly to work with the legislature to secure funding.”

The combined amount requested in applications to date totals approximately $41 million. Funding is still available. To learn more about the Municipal Utility Emergency Loan Program, contact Daniel Dahler with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-522-3371.

OCTOBER 21, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced that more than three million Missourians have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series. Missouri reaches this milestone upon the successful conclusion of the COVID-19 vaccine incentive program, MO VIP, that Governor Mike Parson announced on July 21, 2021. 

In total, more than 66,500 adults and minors were vaccinated and entered to win upon the launch of MO VIP. Although the full impact and positive residual effects of the program are immeasurable, nearly 480,000 Missourians initiated vaccination since July 21 when the MO VIP campaign began. Federal and state data show that 58 percent of Missouri’s eligible population (age 12 and up) has completed vaccination, while 66 percent have initiated vaccination by receiving a first dose.

Additionally, approximately 68 percent of Missourians 18 and older have initiated vaccination, and over 88 percent of Missourians 65 and older, the most vulnerable, have received at least one dose.

"We are proud of all our team members who helped make MO VIP a success, and more importantly, we appreciate the thousands of Missourians who are stepping up to protect themselves and their loved ones," Governor Parson said. "Our data clearly shows that vaccinations are making a difference and decreasing viral activity in Missouri. We are on the right track, and thanks to now three million Missourians, we are significantly reducing the threat COVID-19 poses to our state." 

During the summer months, Missouri was the first state to experience an outbreak of the Delta Variant, and most other states have now experienced significant outbreaks of the highly transmissible variant. Since the summer peak, Missouri has continued to experience an overall decline in cases, deaths, and hospitalizations related to this virus

Daily cases are half of what they were one month ago, and Missouri's positivity rate has decreased to 6.8 percent. Outbreaks within Missouri long-term care facilities are also lessening. Currently, 139 homes have active COVID-19 cases, down from 229 one month ago.

Monoclonal antibody treatments have also greatly aided the state’s health care capacity since Governor Parson announced additional resources to support the healthcare system in August. Hospitalizations in all regions of the state have been trending downward since the beginning of September. During the last week of August, six state-contracted monoclonal antibody infusion treatment sites began operations throughout the state. Nearly 3,500 patients have undergone successful treatment for COVID-19 and greatly reduced their risk of severe illness or hospitalization.

"Not only are we winning our fight against COVID-19, but Missouri is nearing full economic recovery," Governor Parson said. "Our unemployment rate continues to drop and sits at 3.8 percent for the month of September, compared to 3.7 in March 2020, and every month, we are seeing businesses announce hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in investment. Missouri is strong, and we continue to move forward."