Parson Calls For Higher Teacher Pay and Better Child Care Access in State of the State Address

Missouri Governor Mike Parson is calling for higher teacher pay and money to increase access for child care.

Parson outlined some of the ways he wants to spend nearly $2.8 billion in federal COVID-19 aid during his State of the State address on Wednesday.

Parson is asking the GOP-led Legislature for $722 million to prop up child-care centers. He wants another $22 million for matching grants to increase teacher pay to a minimum of $38,000 a year.

Parson also lauded the state’s coronavirus vaccination rate. About 73% of adults have received at least one dose, and 55% of Missouri’s total population is fully vaccinated.

Click here to see the complete speech by Governor Mike Parson. 

(Story from Ozarks First/Associated Press)