JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican Gov. Mike Parson in his State of the State address Wednesday proposed spending hundreds of millions of dollars to boost child care services and teacher wages.

Parson asked the GOP-led Legislature for $722 million to prop up child care centers and close to $22 million for matching grants to raise teacher salaries to a minimum of $38,000 a year.

He praised most Missouri schools for staying open throughout the pandemic and said teachers, such as his daughter, should be thanked and paid more.

“Missouri is currently ranked 50th in United States for starting teacher pay and half of our new teachers leave the profession by their fifth year,” he said. “This is unacceptable, and we must do better.”

Gov. Parson also covered:

• Workforce
• Infrastructure
• Agriculture
• Community development
• Health care
• Public safety
• Legislative priorities

During his speech, Gov. Parson also recognized special guests for their achievements and commitment to the people of Missouri:

• Michael McMillan – President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
• James Clark – Vice President of the Division of Public Safety and Community Response, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
• Pastor John Modest Miles – Pastor, Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church
• Janet Miles-Bartee – Executive Vice President, Local Investment Commission (LINC)
• Colonel Russell Kohl – Commander of the 131st Medical Group, Missouri National Guard
• Shanisha Alexander – Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Recipient, Bolivar Technical College
• Bryan Webb – Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Recipient, Bolivar Technical College
• Beth Houf – 2022 National Principal of the Year, Fulton Middle School
• Northland Career Center
  • Audrey Strope – Law Enforcement/Crime Scene Investigation Student
  • Nate Wassam – Law Enforcement/Crime Scene Investigation Student
• Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
  • Nicholas Hodges – Computer Networking and Security Student
  • Lydia Strickland – Graphic Design Student
  • Anwyn Suhr – Digital Media Student
• Carthage Technical Center
  • Olivia Bourgault – Health Sciences Student
  • Danny Darland – Health Sciences Student
  • Carly Simpson – Health Sciences Student
• Nichols Career Center – Jefferson City School District
  • Cody Elliot – Welding Student
• Pike-Lincoln Technical Center
  • Destyni Gabel – Building Trades and Construction Student
  • Haley Dowell – Auto Collision Student
  • Joel Mound – Diesel Technology Student
• Paris FFA Chapter
  • Chris Ebbesmeyer
  • Carlee Long
  • Kendall Mason
  • Miranda Billings
  • Katrina Thomas
  • Maggie Cummins
  • Baylee Wade
  • Morghan Crane
  • Josh Bondy – Advisor
  • Audrey Nobis – Advisor
• Colton Beck – Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper

Gov. Parson concluded today’s State of the State Address by recalling when Corporal Jared Schmitz made his final return home and he witnessed the true strength of Missouri: its people.

“When times are hard, Missourians move forward. When someone is down, Missourians lift them up,” Gov. Parson said. “These past years have been tough and dividing for a lot of people, but Missourians stay true; they give their best; and they always put others first.”

You can watch the State of the State address in the link below.