With a historic budget surplus and federal funding, Parson outlined plans to invest in higher education and other projects across Missouri. He proposed investing a total of $600 million across higher education institutions with $470 million to fund top capital improvement projects.

Gov. Mike Parson presented his plan during the 2022 State of the State address at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Parson proposed permanent funding for the MoExcels project with $31 million allocated for Missouri colleges and universities. SEMO received funding from the MoExcels project in the past, but in 2021, they did not receive the $1,961,308 requested for cybersecurity expansion. Parson recommended funding the expansion this year.

Parson also proposed a $20 million investment into area career and technology centers across the state. Students attending the Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center, where SEMO and other area colleges offer courses, would benefit from the funding.

CCTC students Nicholas Hodges, Lydia Strickland and Anwyn Suhr attended Parson’s address. Parson recognized them as examples of students who would benefit from the funding.

Beyond his educational initiatives, Parson also praised his administration’s response to COVID-19, stating 75% of all Missourians over age 18 had received a vaccine and 94% over the age of 65 were protected from the virus.

Parson also proposed spending hundreds of millions of dollars on infrastructure projects such as wastewater management, storm water systems, updated bridges and roads — among other areas. He proposed to spend $400 million to expand broadband to rural and underserved urban communities.

Other areas of proposed spending include agriculture, public safety, health care and state parks. View the governor’s press release here.