Mike Parson Inaugurated as Missouri's 57th Governor

On Monday, January 11th, on the State Capitol's south lawn, Mike Parson was inaugurated as Missouri's 57th Governor, beginning his first full term in the office. Parson served out the remainder of Eric Greitens' term when he resigned after being indicted in 2018. Ahead of the governor's swearing in at high-noon following the toll of the bells at St. Peter church, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, Secretary of State John R. Ashcroft, and Attorney General Eric Schmitt also took their own oaths of office. Fr. Secrist snapped a few photos from atop the steeple of St. Peter Church.

The first week of Missouri's 2021 legislative session was relatively uneventful. In the House, members spent time debating an ethical issue and selected members for respective committees. Public hearings in the House will begin the week of January 25th, as the House will not be in session next week due to COVID-19 spread in the Capitol. In line with Speaker Rob Vescovo's (R-Arnold) priorities for the 2021 session, the House Children and Families Committee passed HB 429, which would allow Missourians who serve as foster parents for at least six months to receive a tax credit to cover the cost of the process, capped at $2,500 per taxpayer or $5,000 for married couples. HB 430 would offer a $10,000 tax credit to anyone facing non-recurring adoption fees and expenses. Read more about this bill here.

The Missouri Senate will be in session next week and the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear bills designed to offer COVID-19 liability protection for businesses. Stay tuned for more legislative updates from the MCC throughout the session.

photo via Governor Parson's Flickr