‘That number is zero.’ MO Gov. Parson touts abortion ban as campaign seeks to overturn it

Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday promoted Missouri’s abortion ban during his final State of the State address, as abortion rights supporters launch an aggressive campaign to restore access to the procedure.

Parson’s final State of the State came as he embarked on his final year in office – and it marked an effective victory lap after nearly six years after he took over following the resignation of Gov. Eric Greitens.

“When I came to Jefferson City, nearly 8,000 elective abortions were performed annually in Missouri. As I stand before you today … I’m proud to report that number is zero,” Parson said, according to prepared remarks..

Parson signed legislation in 2019 that allowed Missouri to swiftly ban nearly all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022. Under state law, abortions are now only allowed for medical emergencies.

Even before the Supreme Court overturned Roe, Republicans had largely whittled away abortion access in Missouri. Just one clinic – in St. Louis – performed surgical abortions before the court decision.

A coalition of abortion rights supporters, under the name Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, are now gathering signatures to place a state constitutional amendment on the ballot later this year. The proposal would guarantee abortion rights in the state constitution, but give lawmakers the authority to regulate the procedure after the point of fetal viability.

GOP lawmakers want to place their own constitutional amendment on the ballot this year – potentially earlier than an abortion measure – that would raise the threshold for passing a constitutional amendment. Lawmakers have acknowledged they fear a majority of voters would support an abortion rights measure.

“Missouri’s cruel and restrictive ban on abortion is tying the hands of doctors and preventing necessary care,” Iman Alsaden, an advisor to Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and the chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood Great Plains, has previously said.

On Wednesday, Parson unveiled a $52.7 billion budget recommendation that includes nearly $26 billion in federal funds. It includes a host of separate proposed investments in child care, education, transportation and other areas.

And the governor, a former Polk County sheriff, called for harsher punishments for individuals who expose children to fentanyl.

“The fentanyl crisis is here and is tearing families and communities apart. Children dying from fentanyl is 100% preventable,” Parson said.

Critics of stiffer penalties, including some health care professionals and Democrats, have pointed to the nation’s history of criminalizing users of drugs such as “crack” cocaine which disproportionately affected minorities. Parson vetoed a sweeping bill last year that included stronger penalties due to unrelated provisions.

Parson officials say they have built a record of massive achievement that crosses partisan lines during his time in office – pointing to significant spending on highways, education, workforce development and other measures. At the same time, he has signed a series of bills while in office – a measure that triggered a near-total abortion ban, legislation aimed at thwarting most federal gun laws, restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors – that have angered Democrats and some independents.

“To summarize … it’s all about putting people first,” Parson said. “Ladies and gentleman … that’s been the focus of this administration. We’ve planted the seeds today for a better Missouri tomorrow.”

Parson now faces a turbulent Missouri General Assembly this year as he seeks to pass a final budget. A hard-right contingent of lawmakers who call themselves the Missouri Freedom Caucus have in the first few weeks of session thwarted action in the Senate.

The gridlock, coming in a legislature dominated by Republicans, has raised questions about whether even the basic responsibilities of governing – like passing a budget – may take extraordinary efforts this year.

Parson didn’t directly address the gridlock, but called for selflessness. “In Missouri, our economy is strong, our democracy is strong, our people are strong … and we can keep it that way … If we continue to put people first,” he said.

The governor’s budget proposal includes a focus on issues such as expanding access to child care and increasing teacher pay. His administration recommends $51.7 million to increase subsidy rates to child care providers.

Parson also recommended $4 million for a grant program to boost teacher starting salaries to $40,000 from $38,000 per year and pay increases for veteran teachers as teacher pay in Missouri ranks among the lowest in the country. Roughly 7,100 teachers across the state make less than $40,000, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The proposed budget also includes a 3.2% cost-of-living increase for state employees across the board. It also recommends a 1% salary increase for every two years of continuous service for employees who work in certain care facilities, such as Missouri Department of Mental Health hospitals.

The pay increase comes as a constellation of issues, including staffing woes and bed shortages, have plagued state-run mental health facilities, resulting in hundreds of Missourians who are stuck in jail waiting for beds to open up.

Months after Parson and Missouri lawmakers approved a $2.8 billion expansion of I-70, the Republican governor is now pushing to expand I-44, the highway that runs from St. Louis to Joplin. Parson recommended $14 million to be used to expand the highway, using interest from the I-70 project.

The budget also highlights Parson’s long focus on workforce development and recommends $314.7 million to infrastructure projects that support the training of workers. One of the projects includes the University of Missouri-Kansas City Health Sciences District.

Parson also recommended roughly $182,000 for the Department of Agriculture to enforce an executive order that blocks companies and citizens of China, Russia and other foreign adversaries from buying farmland near military installations.