State of the State Address Highlights Continued Focus
on Higher Education and Workforce Development
Gov. Mike Parson delivered the State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 18. During the speech, Parson highlighted his continued focus on workforce development and infrastructure, the state’s overall success during the past year, and his recommendation for investments across Missouri.
As part of his remarks, Parson provided an overview of his FY 2024 budget proposal, which will continue record levels of funding for higher education and workforce initiatives, if approved. The proposal includes recommendations to make further investments toward public higher education institutions’ capital improvements and a 7 percent core funding increase which would bring institutional operating core budgets to $1.082 billion — the most significant higher education core investment in the state’s history.
The executive budget can be found here. Highlights for higher education and workforce development activities include:
- 7 percent core increases to public higher education institutions; this is an $11.3 million increase for community colleges, $592,481 for State Technical College of Missouri, and $58.8 million for public universities
- Over $270 million in capital project investments for public higher education institutions
- $38.3 million for MoExcels, the fourth year of funding used to facilitate the development of employer-driven workforce education and training programs in high-demand occupations
- $3 million toward Apprenticeship Missouri. Missouri ranks third in the country for completed apprenticeships; this investment will allow for a stable funding stream to continue building on a critical model for Missouri's citizens and employers.
- $2.5 million toward a P20W Research and Data System with the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development’s (DHEWD) Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. This request would create a system that allows users to analyze de-identified data and make informed decisions that support successful transitions through education and training into the workforce.
- $2.2 million to continue modernizing the job centers across Missouri
- $1 million for the Rural Economic Vitality Initiative
- $800,000 increase to the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program to address workforce needs by encouraging adults to pursue a certificate, degree, or industry-recognized credential in a workforce area designated as high-demand; Parson recommended all other financial programs receive FY 23 level funding. This investment will fully fund each of the programs.
- $123,345 for cost of living salary adjustments and employee benefit cost increases for staff of the State Historical Society
- 8.7 percent pay increase for all state workers
Budget Hearings Next Week on Higher Education and Workforce Development
Next week, the House and Senate will hold the following hearings:
- House Subcommittee on Appropriations—Education
- Monday, Jan. 23: 10:30 a.m.
- Topic: An Overview of Missouri’s Public Higher Education Institutions by Council on Public Higher Education, Missouri Community College Association, and the University of Missouri System
- House Budget
- Monday, Jan. 23: noon
- Topic: Office of Administration and Departments presentation regarding the emergency supplemental budget, regular supplemental budget, and the American Rescue Plan Act budget
- Senate Appropriations
- Tuesday, Jan. 24: 8 a.m.
- Topic: Overview of the Governor’s FY 24 Budget Recommendations
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, DHEWD will present the governor’s FY 24 budget recommendations and provide an overview of the department. The hearing will begin following the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s presentation at 8 a.m.
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