Missouri governor pushes rebuilding state’s workforce during State of the State address

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Parson wants to keep pushing on rebuilding Missouri's workforce. The governor emphasized the workforce during his state of the state address at the state capitol Wednesday afternoon.

The governor says there are more than 100,000 jobs still open across the state.

Missouri touts a 3.5 percent unemployment rate, which is below the national rate.

But Parson is sticking to what's been his core policy message since he took office - getting people to come work in Missouri.

Part of that includes money for job training programs at centers across the state but he's also focusing on getting people to work for the state itself.

It's Cole County's biggest employer, and Parson is proposing a pay raise.

He wants all state workers to make a minimum of 15 dollars an hour, and an immediate raise across the board.

"The success of our state relies heavily on these public servants, and we must ensure we are able to recruit and retain quality team members to serve Missouri. And that's why we are proposing an immediate 5.5 percent cost of living adjustment for all state employees, this is long overdue," Parson said during the State of the State address.