Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
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CHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE BRANCH “The passage of the 19th amendment was a critical moment in our nation’s history not only because it gave women the right to vote, but also because it served as acknowledgement of the many significant contributions women have made to our society, and will make in the future. As the voice of the people of my legislative district, I know I stand upon the shoulders of the efforts of great women such as Susan B. Anthony and the many others who worked so diligently to advance the suffrage movement.” Representative Sara Walsh (R-50) OFFICE OF GOVERNOR 35 Michael L. Parson Governor Appointed June 1, 2018 Term expires January 2021 MICHAEL L. PARSON (Republican) was sworn in The governor’s proposal to improve economic as Missouri’s 57th governor on June 1, 2018, by and workforce development through a reorgani- Missouri Supreme Court Judge Mary R. Russell. zation of state government was overwhelmingly He came into the role of governor with a long- supported by the General Assembly. Through time commitment to serving others with over 30 these reorganization efforts, government will be years of experience in public service. more efficient and accountable to the people. Governor Parson previously served as the The restructuring also included several measures 47th lieutenant governor of Missouri. He was to address the state’s growing workforce chal- elected lieutenant governor after claiming victory lenges. in 110 of Missouri’s 114 counties and receiving Governor Parson spearheaded a bold plan to the most votes of any lieutenant governor in Mis- address Missouri’s serious infrastructure needs, souri history. presenting a bonding package of $301 million to address more than 200 bridges in critical need Governor Parson served six years in the U.S. of repair or replacement throughout the state. Army and as the Sheriff of Polk County from By improving Missouri’s infrastructure, Gover- 1993–2005. He served in the Missouri House of nor Parson aims to increase access to transport- Representatives from 2005–2011 and in the Mis- ing goods throughout Missouri, across the nation souri Senate from 2011–2017. and around the world. Using the state’s rivers, As a member of Missouri’s General Assembly, interstates, highways and airports, Missouri will Governor Parson sponsored and co-sponsored be able to expand into new trade markets around several landmark pieces of legislation including the United States and the world. Missouri’s Castle Doctrine, which strengthened Governor Parson has also received several 2nd Amendment rights, and the Missouri Farm- honors and awards while in office. In 2017 as ing Rights Amendment, a piece of legislation that lieutenant governor, he was inducted into the changed the Missouri Constitution to guarantee Missouri Farmers Care Hall of Fame. In 2018, all Missourians the right to farm and ranch. he was awarded the Missouri Times Statesman of During Governor Parson’s first year in office, the Year, named Biz 417 Person of the Year and he pledged a “fresh start” as well as greater gov- named on Ingram’s 50 Missourians You Should ernment accountability and transparency for all Know list. Missourians. Governor Parson began his admin- Governor Parson and First Lady Teresa live in istration focusing on, and ultimately achieving, Bolivar. Together they have two grown children historic bipartisan progress on two priorities: and six grandchildren. He was raised on a farm workforce development and infrastructure. in Hickory County and graduated from Wheat- From day one, workforce development has land High School in Wheatland, Missouri. He is been a major focus for Governor Parson. In many a small business owner and a third-generation ways, Missouri’s economy is strong – incomes are farmer who currently owns and operates a cow up, taxes are down and new markets are opening and calf operation near Bolivar. up for trade. Since January 2017, Missouri’s un- employment rate has fallen and remains at near- historic lows. 36 OFFICIAL MANUAL Office of Governor State Capitol Jefferson City 65102 Telephone: (573) 751-3222 / FAX: (573) 751-1495 https://governor.mo.gov/ AARON WILLARD DREW ERDMANN Qualifications Chief of Staff Chief Operating Officer The chief executive officer of the state of Mis- souri must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years and a resident of Missouri for at least 10 years before being elected governor. The governor is elected to a four-year term during the same year as a presidential election and may seek re-election to a second four-year term. No person may hold the office for more than two terms. Responsibilities The governor appoints the members of all ROBERT KNODELL CHRIS LIMBAUGH boards and commissions, all department heads Deputy Chief of Staff General Counsel in state government and fills all vacancies in pub- lic offices unless otherwise provided by law. The board members of Missouri’s state universities and colleges are appointed by the governor. The governor also selects the members of the Supreme and Appellate Courts of Missouri from names submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission. The governor appoints members to certain elec- tion boards, the Kansas City police board and the Board of Probation and Parole. Most appointments require the advice and consent of the Senate. The governor addresses the General Assem- bly on the State of the State and recommends changes or other actions to be taken. A budget is submitted by the governor to the General As- JULIE BAKER JUSTIN ALFERMAN sembly within 30 days after the General Assem- Chief Deputy General Counsel Legislative Director bly convenes. The budget contains the governor’s estimates of available state revenues and an item- propriations bill. Upon signing the appropriations ized plan for proposed expenditures. bill, appended to it is a statement of the items or All bills passed by both houses of the legisla- portions of items to which there are objections ture are submitted to the governor for consider- and such items or portions will not take effect. ation. The governor must return the legislation to The governor may control the rate of expenditure the house of its inception within 15 days after re- in other areas whenever the actual revenues are ceiving it. The governor may either approve a bill, less than the revenue estimates upon which the making it law, or return it to the legislature with appropriations were based. objections. When the legislature is adjourned, the governor has 45 days in which to consider a bill. The governor may object to one or more items Additional Duties and Powers or portions of items of an appropriations bill The governor performs many other duties as- while approving other items or portions of the ap- signed by the constitution, statute or custom. For OFFICE OF GOVERNOR 37 KAYLA HAHN KELLI JONES KYLE AUBUCHON TAMMY ALLEE Policy Director Communications Director / Boards and Commissions Executive Assistant to the Press Secretary Director Governor example, the governor issues writs of election to fill vacancies in either house of the General As- sembly. The governor also has the power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, but this does not include the power to parole. In addition to other duties, the governor is a member of a number of boards and commissions, such as the Board of Public Buildings and the State Board of Fund Commissioners. Moreover, the governor is the conservator of peace throughout Missouri and is commander- in-chief of the state’s militia. The militia may be called out to execute laws, suppress threats of EMMA VINCENT SHARI CHILDS danger to the state and prevent and repel invasion. Chief of Staff to the First Lady Mansion Director cated advocate for special needs children, making Executive Department Missourians more aware of the role these children The executive department consists of all state can play in society when given the opportunities. elective and appointive employees, except those The First Lady, responding to a request from of the legislative and judicial departments. the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, worked with Second Lady Claudia Kehoe to reinstate the Missouri’s First Lady Missouri Mentorship Initiative, allowing 300 Mis- souri state employees to mentor students. As the wife of Missouri’s 57th Governor Mike Parson, Teresa Parson brings to her role as First As First Lady, Teresa has made the Governor’s Lady the experience of being a mother, grand- Mansion, which she calls the People’s House, mother, businesswoman, volunteer and advocate. more accessible to the public through a variety of After working 40 years in the banking industry, events and special occasions. Teresa retired to continue serving her community. Teresa Parson is the proud mother of two chil- She has served on the boards of the 30th Circuit dren and six grandchildren. When in her home- Juvenile Detention Center, A+ Program, Indus- town of Bolivar, where she grew up on a cattle trial Development Authority, Bolivar Educational farm with her three brothers, the First Lady spends Advancement Foundation, Bolivar Chamber of time with her lifelong friends and worships as a Commerce and has volunteered for the American member at the First Baptist Church. Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Like her husband, Teresa Parson has a strong commitment to education. She and Governor Par- Missouri Governor’s Mansion son work with at-risk high schoolers as co-chairs The Missouri Governor’s Mansion, which will of the Board of Directors for Jobs for America’s celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2021, serves as Graduates-Missouri, Inc. (JAG-Missouri). Together the official residence of Governor Mike Parson they highlight the importance of education to the and First Lady Teresa Parson.