Governor of Missouri Archives

WATCH: Governor signs prescription drug monitoring bill

June 7, 2021 4:39 PM ABC 17 News Team

Missouri will end its status as the only state without a prescription drug monitoring program once the bill becomes law.

Gov. Parson announces 15 appointments to boards and commissions

June 3, 2021 6:26 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced 15 appointments to various boards and commissions. Six of the appointments are either from the Mid-Missouri area or to a Mid-Missouri institution. Spencer Bartlett, of Jefferson City, was appointed to the Administrative Hearing Commission.Kristina Bernskoetter, of Jefferson City, was appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board.Eric

Missouri shifts to local vaccine focus as state National Guard completes drawdown

June 1, 2021 6:57 AM Zach Boetto

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri’s National Guard is set to complete scaling back its help at vaccination sites across the state Tuesday. This comes as demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has significantly decreased in recent weeks. As of Tuesday, 74,939 vaccines had been administered in the last 7 days. Since the state began vaccinations, 4,538,144

Cole County courthouse in Jefferson City

Three people file lawsuits against Missouri over lack of Medicaid expansion

May 20, 2021 2:43 PM Matthew Sanders

The plaintiffs from Fenton, St. Louis and Springfield filed a lawsuit Thursday that seeks to force state leaders to expand the program to cover low-income working adults. The lawsuit names the Missouri Department of Social Services, which runs the state’s Medicaid program, MO HealthNet, along with several social services officials.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Was Gov. Parson right to stop Medicaid expansion?

May 18, 2021 1:54 AM ABC 17 News Team

Parson said his administration is pulling back its plans to expand eligibility in the government health care program. The governor said without funding from the legislature, the state constitution’s prohibition on unfunded mandates means he can’t expand eligibility.

Missouri state workers head back to the office for in-person work Monday

May 17, 2021 5:26 AM Zola Crowder

Gov. Mike Parson has directed all state workers to return to work in person Monday, with no mask or social distancing requirements.

Multiple bills passed by lawmakers now waiting to be signed by Governor Parson

May 15, 2021 7:14 AM Meghan Drakas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) This week, the Missouri legislature passed multiple bills which are now waiting for further action from Governor Parson. Senate Bill 51: Establishes Provisions Relating to Civil Actions Arising from COVID-19 Pandemic Missouri lawmakers passed Senate Bill 51 which would give protection to businesses and hospitals from being sued over exposure to COVID-19,

Missouri passes COVID-19 liability shield for businesses

May 14, 2021 8:40 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers have approved new legal protections against coronavirus lawsuits as one of the final actions of their 2021 session. The bill passed Friday would shield hospitals, manufacturers and other businesses from lawsuits over alleged wrongdoing during the pandemic. The bill now goes to Gov. Mike Parson, who made it

Missouri lawmakers pass several bills ahead of Friday’s session deadline

May 14, 2021 5:38 AM Zola Crowder

Missouri’s legislative session ends Friday at 6 p.m., and several bills passed this week are now awaiting Gov. Mike Parson’s signature.

Missouri lawmakers vote to keep lottery winners secret

May 13, 2021 3:55 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers have passed legislation that could keep the names of state lottery winners secret. State House members Jay Mosely said Thursday that the intent of his bill is to keep winners from being harassed or threatened. The bill, which won final approval Wednesday, would make it a misdemeanor crime

Governor says no to expanding Medicaid without funding

May 13, 2021 9:20 AM Zachary Farwell

According to Governor Mike Parson’s Office, the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) submitted a letter Thursday morning to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to withdraw its State Plan Amendments for MO HealthNet expansion.

Missouri Senate votes to limit use of chokeholds after Governor threatens veto

May 13, 2021 5:40 AM Zola Crowder

If signed by Parson, the bill would allow police to only use chokeholds if they or someone else are in serious danger.

Missouri lawmakers ask for special session on election laws

May 12, 2021 10:22 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A small group of Missouri lawmakers are asking fellow Republican Gov. Mike Parson to call a special session on state election laws. Republicans in a House elections committee on Wednesday wrote to Parson for help. Lawmakers face a Friday deadline to send bills to the governor’s desk. The seven lawmakers

Parson says he is ready to sign gas tax increase into law

May 12, 2021 11:58 AM Chanel Porter

The bill now heads to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk.

Missouri lawmakers pass bill to increase gas tax for the first time in decades

May 12, 2021 5:18 AM Zola Crowder

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Republican lawmakers in Missouri have passed a bill to raise the gas tax for the first time since the 1990’s. Now, it’s headed to Governor Mike Parson’s desk. The GOP-led House voted Tuesday 104-52 to raise Missouri’s 17-cent gas tax by 2.5 cents a year until it hits 29.5 cents per

Parson threatens veto of police reform bill over subpoenas

May 11, 2021 3:33 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Mike Parson is threatening to veto a wide-ranging law enforcement reform bill because of a provision that would give the Legislature the power to issue subpoenas requiring people to testify before committees. The governor says the provision gives lawmakers too much power. In the past, House members accused the

Missouri lawmakers pass statewide prescription drug database

May 11, 2021 3:29 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri is closer than ever to joining every other state in having a statewide prescription drug database to flag possible opioid misuse. The House on Tuesday voted 91-64 to send Gov. Mike Parson legislation that would create such a program. Parson has said he supports prescription monitoring programs. The proposal

State budget approved by the House and being sent to the Governor for approval

May 7, 2021 7:42 PM Meghan Drakas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The state budget has been passed by the House and will move onto Gov. Mike Parson’s desk and needs to be signed by July 1, the beginning of the state’s fiscal year. The state budget will need to be passed for 2022. The anticipated budget will be around $35 billion dollars.

Syringe being filled with coronavirus vaccine

THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports hospitalizations up due to coronavirus

May 6, 2021 9:42 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back for updates related to the coronavirus pandemic in Missouri.

Missouri state workers ordered to return to office by May 17

May 5, 2021 11:36 AM Leila Mitchell

Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday directed all state workers to return to their offices for in-person work no later than May 17.