State of the State…in Science Notes
By: Brittany Whitley, PhD, Executive Director
Last month, Governor Parson delivered the 2023 State of the State Address, which outlined his goals and priorities for the coming year. Our inaugural “State of the State…in Science Notes” highlights key parts of the speech that were related to Science Notes requested by Missouri lawmakers over the past two and a half years.
Quotes from the speech were taken from this transcript, provided by the Office of the Governor’s website. Selected quotes were chosen because of their similarity to a published Science Note and are not meant to represent the full scope of the Governor’s speech.
In October, we concluded a historic special session with the passage of the largest income tax cut in our state’s history.
Missouri Tax Overview gives a quick and accessible summary of the different types of taxes in Missouri.
During that same special session, we also secured opportunity and support for our state’s number one economic driver…agriculture.
We published a memo outlining Agricultural Tax Incentives in neighboring states as the General Assembly considered an agricultural tax incentive package (HB 3) during this fall’s special session.
Missouri Agriculture and Economy discusses the role of agriculture in our state’s economy.
Thanks to our efforts, nearly 70,000 under-served homes and businesses across our state NOW have broadband. BUT we know we can’t stop now. That is why we are investing an additional $250 million dollars to do even more.
Thirteen Science Notes discuss a range of broadband issues and solutions:
- Development. State-level policies, improvement districts, development task forces
- Mapping. Availability and granular mapping, access and adoption, internet speed
- Deployment. Deployment, vertical asset management, public-private partnerships and funding benchmarks, utility leasing
- Implications. Impacts of broadband access, telemedicine
This fall, we also hosted a roundtable about expanding broadband access in Missouri. Our expert panelists came from Missouri S&T (Dr. Casey Canfield), UMKC (Tony Luppino, JD), Missouri Department of Economic Development (BJ Tanksley), and the Missouri General Assembly (Rep. Louis Riggs, Hannibal).
But as I’ve said, we’ve set a new standard in this state. AND that includes a new standard of accountability for our students, teachers, and administrators across the state.
State K-12 Accreditation and Accountability Policies highlights state accountability mechanisms for public schools, including whether or not they utilize accreditation systems.
- Public School Accountability overviews Missouri’s public school accountability system (MSIP) and state strategies for improving low-performing schools.
- Charter School Accountability discusses the similarities and differences between accountability systems used in public charter vs. district schools.
Additionally, last year, in working with the General Assembly, we funded the Career Ladder Program. Nearly 140 school districts participated and over 11,000 veteran school teachers received an increase in pay.
Teacher Career Ladders describes Missouri’s career ladder program and research on how effective similar programs are in other states.
Teacher Recruitment & Retention provides a general summary of teacher recruitment and retention considerations, including teacher pay standards.
We know child care remains a struggle for many parents and businesses. Child care providers often have to limit their hours due to staffing shortages or increase their prices…this poses a real challenge to parents as they weigh the decision to work or stay home.
Child Care Access overviews existing limitations in child care access and possible state- and employer-based approaches to improve access to care.
Now…frankly, an area in which we are heartbroken to be failing is maternal mortality. Currently, Missouri ranks 44th in the United States for our abnormally high maternal mortality rate. This is embarrassing and absolutely unacceptable
Maternal Mortality and Health Disparities highlights the factors that contribute to maternal mortality, and how risks vary based on factors such as age, race, and income.
We have testified about Postpartum Medical Coverage for informational purposes at both Senate and House hearings. Last year, we hosted a roundtable discussion about maternal health disparities with expert panelists: Karen Harbert, MPH (MO Dept. of Health and Senior Services), Lora Gulley, MSW (Generate Health STL), and Ally Siegler, MPH (Missouri Foundation for Health).
This year, we are also proposing an additional $3.5 million dollars to increase the number of youth behavioral health liaisons across our state. This initiative will fund 27 liaisons to help our youth in crisis and receive the treatment they need.
State Support for Sustained Mental Healthcare and Behavioral Healthcare Deficits & Interventions overview a range of state approaches to address current behavioral healthcare needs.
- For a discussion of school-based programs specifically, see Mental Health Awareness Programs in Schools.
That’s why this year we are proposing $50 million dollars for school safety grants to further protect our children and our schools.
School Discipline and Corrections highlights how certain school disciplinary policies can increase the likelihood that students interact with the criminal justice system.
Charter Schools & Crime explores the limited connections between public school type and community crime levels.
Infrastructure, education, workforce development, health care, mental health, public safety…it’s not one or the other…it’s everything working together that allows a better future for our children and our families.
We have published several interdisciplinary Science Notes, especially at intersection of health, with:
- Public safety. Mental Health and Public Safety Funding, Mental Health and Reincarceration, Prison Nursery Programs, Menstrual Hygiene Products in Prisons
- Education. COVID-19 and K-12 Education, COVID-19, Mental Health, and Substance Use, Sex Education, No-Cost Period Products in Schools and Implementation, Breastfeeding in Schools, School Nurse Seizure Action Plans, Physical Activity in Schools
- Workforce. Rural Physician Grants, APRN Scope of Practice, Counseling Interstate Compact, Pharmacist Scope of Practice, Medical Licensure Reciprocity, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Recovery High Schools, COVID-19 and the Missouri Workforce,
Visit our website to search our entire database of over 200 Science Notes- always free, always nonpartisan.
