Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe Archives

Missouri’s governor says federal unemployment programs have incentivized people to stay out of the workforce; Democrats criticize Parson directive

May 12, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Saying that there’s a labor shortage across Missouri, Governor Mike Parson (R) has issued a directive to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) to end all federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Missouri’s House Democratic Leader is blasting the decision.

Governor Mike Parson meets an employee at Quaker Windows in mid-Missouri’s Eldon on May 6, 2021 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Governor Parson made the announcement during a Tuesday afternoon briefing at the Statehouse in Jefferson City, telling Capitol reporters that businesses are struggling from labor shortages. He says they’ve resulted from excessive federal unemployment programs.

“While these federal benefits provided necessary financial assistance during the height of COVID-19, they were intended to be temporary. Continuing these programs only worsens the workforce issues we’re currently facing,” Parson says.

This will also impact pandemic emergency unemployment compensation. Under the governor’s directive, the maximum unemployment checks in Missouri will decrease from $620 to $320 per week. He emphasizes that the additional $300 per week from the federal government was intended to be temporary.

Governor Parson says Missouri’s unemployment rate is now 4.2 percent, and that the state is now first in the nation in small business wage growth. The governor says there are currently more than 221,000 job postings statewide.

“It’s time that we end these programs that have incentivized people to stay out of the workforce. This is an important step towards returning to normalcy, and strengthening our economy,” says Parson.

Under the directive, the state will also deny federal program funding that extended pandemic benefits to gig workers, like Uber and Lyft drivers.

He says there are labor shortages across the state.

“I’ll tell you, all you got to do is get out and drive down the road anywhere in Missouri and there’s “help wanted” in every location in the state of Missouri, whether it’s a small business or big businesses,” Parson says.

Parson was joined at the Statehouse briefing by Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R), who says that from Sarcoxie to Hannibal and everywhere in between, business owners are worried about the shortage of employees. Kehoe praises the governor’s decision, describing it as bold and decisive.

As for DOLIR, Director Anna Hui says that during the 2008 recession, the federal unemployment supplement was $25 per week. The federal supplement during the COVID pandemic has been $600 and later $300 per week, respectively. You can read Director Hui’s letter to federal labor officials here.

The governor’s directive will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, June 12.

U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-St. Louis) is blasting Governor Parson’s announcement, saying he’s hurting people. Congresswoman Bush tweeted on Tuesday.

Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) is also critical of the governor’s directive.

“Contrary to what the governor claims, the free market – not some federal boogeyman – is primarily responsible for Missouri’s tight labor market. When there are more open jobs than available workers, businesses must increase wages to attract prospective employees, particularly in industries with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure. That’s how supply and demand works. If companies provide a livable wage, applicants will respond. The notion that Missourians are refusing to work so they can temporarily collect $300 a week is an offensive right-wing myth,” Leader Quade says, in a written statement.

Friends of the United Kingdom Caucus highlights Missouri’s $2 billion economic relationship with the UK (AUDIO)

April 23, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A bipartisan group of more than 30 Missouri lawmakers has created the nation’s first “Friends of the United Kingdom” Caucus, which highlights the relationship between the Show-Me State and the UK.

State Rep. Derek Grier (R-Chesterfield), who chairs the Missouri House Economic Development Committee, chairs the new caucus. He says Missouri has a tremendous partnership with the UK.

State Rep. Derek Grier (R-Chesterfield), who chairs the Missouri House Economic Development Committee, speaks at the first meeting of the “Friends of the United Kingdom” Caucus on April 20, 2021. House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann (R-O’Fallon), right, and State Rep. Doug Richey (R-Excelsior Springs) listen (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

“And we have really kind of a special relationship with them. And particularly this year, being the 75th anniversary of that historic talk that Winston Churchill did in Fulton, Missouri,” Grier says.

He’s referring to Winston Churchill’s famous 1946 “Iron Curtain” speech at Westminster College, which drew about 30,000 people to mid-Missouri’s Fulton. Then-President Harry Truman joined Churchill at that event, and they also participated in a Jefferson City parade.

Chairman Grier says Missouri’s economic relationship with the UK exceeds $2 billion annually.

“We have I think over $330 million worth of exports that go to the UK every year, and we import about the same. Have over 50 UK companies that are based in Missouri that employ over 26,000 people,” says Grier.

Those companies include GSK, Unilever and WPP. More than 25 Missouri companies have a presence in the UK, including Hallmark and Emerson.

The “Friends of the United Kingdom” Caucus held its initial meeting this week in Jefferson City, although several people participated via zoom. A number of Missouri lawmakers watched and participated in the Missouri House Lounge. Grier was in the Capitol’s “zoom room”, which is in the basement.

“The UK Ambassador to the U.S. Karen Pierce was with us on that call to show her support for the efforts that we’re making. We had (British) General Consul Alan Gogbashian who was also on the call, and we had our lieutenant governor,” Grier says.

Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe participated in the meeting.

Grier also emphasizes that the caucus is bipartisan, noting that State Rep. Tracy McCreery (D-Olivette) is the co-chair. McCreery is the Missouri House’s senior member. Grier describes McCreery as a champion for economic development and jobs.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Derek Grier (R-Chesterfield), who chairs the Friends of the United Kingdom Caucus. The interview was recorded on April 22, 2021:

Kehoe: initial report about COVID deaths in Missouri veterans homes mentions air flow systems (AUDIO)

November 5, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The lieutenant governor says the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) has released an initial report about the increasing number of COVID deaths in Missouri veterans homes, since September.

Governor Mike Parson addresses the Missouri Legislature in 2019, as Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe listens (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R) tells Missourinet that the initial report was issued a few days ago, and that some of the MVC’s recommendations are financial.

“In some of these homes that are suffering, the air flow systems in some of these (veterans) homes contribute to viruses spreading, not just the coronavirus but other potential viruses, so trying to get these positive-negative air flow systems figured out in the homes will be the bigger challenge,” Kehoe says.

The MVC says 87 veterans living in state veterans homes have died from COVID, since September 1. That includes 12 deaths in the past 12 days at the home in northwest Missouri’s Cameron.

“They’ve (MVC) come up with a list of some short-term things we can implement immediately, and I know the (Veterans) Commission and the Veterans administration is working on that as we speak,” says Kehoe.

Lt. Governor Kehoe says the top priority for both he and the governor is protecting veterans living in state veterans homes. Kehoe emphasizes that the state’s veterans homes suffer some of the same challenges that other long-term care facilities do.

“It’s a vulnerable population,” Kehoe says. “You have employees and vendors in those homes that actually go out and maybe have another job, or go out to their families and could contract the virus and bring it back in.”

Kehoe says the MVC is working to implement procedures to stop any leaks like that. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says 75 percent of Missouri’s COVID deaths happen in nursing homes.

MVC says Cape Girardeau’s state veterans home has had the highest number of deaths since September, with 29. Cameron is second with 22. There have been 19 deaths at the St. James facility, nine at Mount Vernon, seven in Warrensburg and one in Mexico.

MVC spokesman Jamie Melchert says all of MVC’s veterans homes are following best practices for fighting COVID, as prescribed by the CDC and the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). He says that includes daily testing, using PCR and antigen testing. It also includes proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfecting and enhanced training in those areas.

Melchert says infection control inspections and additional infection control training procedures are in place at all facilities.

He also says Armstrong Teasdale’s external review is continuing, noting they’re conducting interviews at all seven homes and at the commission’s Jefferson City headquarters.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, which was recorded on November 3, 2020 in Jefferson City:

Kehoe praises Missouri’s recovery plan; emphasizes importance of expanding COVID-19 testing capability (AUDIO)

May 6, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s lieutenant governor is pleased with the state’s “Show Me Strong Recovery Plan,” and says residents are ready to return to work. Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R) says the state has safely re-opened.

Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe (right) applauds as Governor Mike Parson delivers his State of the State Address on January 15, 2020 in Jefferson City (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

“This is a gradual, phased-in opening, but it really does set the tone for us moving forward both economically, socially, etc.,” Kehoe says.

He notes that expanding the COVID-19 testing capacity is a top priority for Governor Mike Parson, and is one of the four essential pillars of the plan.

Kehoe says the state now has the capability of performing about 50,000 tests each week, between the state health lab in Jefferson City and at least 15 private labs and participating health care institutions.

The deadly coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on Missouri tourism, impacting attractions, hotels and restaurants across the state. It’s impacting Branson, the Lake of the Ozarks, St. Louis, Kansas City and many smaller communities.

Kehoe, who serves on the state’s Tourism Commission, says they have voted to form a special task force.

“We’ve put together 16 companies from around the state that are both private and public, so we have everything from state parks to the Aquarium in St. Louis to convention and visitors bureaus in Kansas City,” says Kehoe.

Other representatives include the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and convention and visitors bureaus at the Lake of the Ozarks and Springfield. Kehoe says Missouri’s tourism industry is ready to highlight state tourism assets, and emphasizes the importance of keeping visitors and employees safe.

Governor Parson traveled to Bass Pro Shops in Springfield on Monday morning, to discuss the re-opening. Bass Pro is one of the biggest companies in Springfield.

Parson and Kehoe also note that another pillar in the recovery plan is the expansion of reserves of personal protective equipment (PPE), by opening public and private supply chains.

As of Friday evening, Parson says the state had ordered about $40 million worth of PPE and had already shipped two million pieces of PPE to local partners, including 300,000 N95 respirator masks, 450,000 face shields and 200,000 surgical masks.

The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says there are now 8,916 confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri, along with 377 deaths.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, which was recorded on May 4, 2020:

Kehoe: seeing restored Ceres at Missouri Capitol this weekend is “once in a lifetime gift”

December 5, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri officials are set to unveil a renovated statue that normally sits atop the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, and you’re invited to see it happen on Friday afternoon.

Attendees view the bronze statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, after she was brought down from atop the Missouri State Capitol in November 2018 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at Missouri House Communications

The Office of Administration (OA) plans to unveil Ceres Friday on the Capitol’s south side, next to the media parking lot. The ten-foot, four-inch sculpture of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and grain, was taken down from the Capitol in November 2018 for the first time since being installed in 1924.

The statue was placed in a flatbed trailer in the Capitol parking lot for public viewing last November, and a large crowd attended the event. One of those who attended was Jefferson City resident John Tandy, who described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“I doubt if I’ll get to see her restored again in another one hundred years. It’s fantastic. It’s a moment in time that you can’t miss,” Tandy told Missourinet at the November 2018 event.

Crews used a 550-ton crane secured by Chicago-based Bulley and Andrews Masonry Restoration to remove the sculpture last November. Bulley and Andrews is the main contractor performing $50 million in renovation work on the Statehouse, including the $400,000 spent to restore Ceres.

It’s all part of the Capitol’s construction project to bring the building’s structure back to serviceable condition and address deteriorating stonework on the Capitol facades, dome and drum, which was finished in 1917.

OA says Ceres will be unveiled to the Capitol Press Corps Friday afternoon at 3, and public viewing will begin at 3:30 p.m. Ceres will remain on the Capitol’s south side, near the media parking lot, until Monday morning, when she will be taken down. That location is right across the street from the Missouri Supreme Court.

State officials will be providing floodlights and staff to monitor Ceres during public viewing, which will give you an opportunity to see the statue in the evenings.

“Ceres is a treasure for the state of Missouri and the State Capitol. She represents the strength of our farmers and agricultural community. Having her back home and on display will be a once in a lifetime gift for viewers to enjoy this holiday season,” Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said, in a written statement.

During the restoration, Ceres underwent a laser cleaning treatment to safely remove contaminants, while also preserving her natural color. OA says she will be lifted up to the top of the Capitol during the week of December 16, 260 feet in the air.

Libla: a user tax for Missouri transportation is still a conservative position (AUDIO)

October 8, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The chairman of the Missouri Senate Transportation Committee supports a gasoline tax increase, saying that our roads and bridges must be funded adequately.

State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, speaks on the Missouri Senate floor on January 10, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Senate photographer Harrison Sweazea)

State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, chairs the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety committee. He tells Missourinet we’ve funded roads and bridges for 95 years in Missouri with a gas tax.

“Back in the day when I first became a Republican, a user tax was a conservative Republican position,” Libla says. “And I still believe so today. I think those who use the roads should help pay for them.”

Missouri’s 17-cent per gallon gas tax has remained the same since 1996. Voters rejected a proposed ten-cent gas tax increase in November.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R) notes Missouri has the seventh-largest infrastructure system, but ranks 49th in funding.

Libla, who represents eight southeast Missouri counties, emphasizes that local officials help to decide key projects.

“We have planning commissions all over this state, so it’s not just a few people deciding where a new road or a new intersection goes in or a new four-lane or whatever,” says Libla.

He says transportation is critical for both urban and rural residents, noting Missouri’s $88 billion agricultural industry is the state’s top industry.

Meantime, Chairman Libla says the heavily-traveled stretch of Highway 50 between California and Sedalia in mid-Missouri needs to be four-laned. He says it’s similar to some highways in his sprawling district.

“It’s two-lane, you have some people wanting to drive the speed limit, you have some who want to drive 15 mile (per hour) under it. And you get a lot of backup, people get impatient, so on and so forth,” Libla says.

The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) included the Highway 50 project from California to Sedalia in the August 2014 ballot measure known as Amendment 7, which was defeated at the polls. At that time, MoDOT estimated it would cost $122 million to four-lane that stretch.

MoDOT also notes that the central district planning partners have identified the next segment of Highway 50 as an unfunded priority. The segment, which is from California to Tipton, would cost about $44 million.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, which was recorded at the State Fair in Sedalia on August 15, 2019:

Kehoe: “We’ll see what Missourians think is the appropriate response” on transportation (AUDIO)

October 3, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The state’s lieutenant governor says Missourians will have to decide whether a gasoline tax increase is needed.

Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe (left) and Governor Mike Parson wave to supporters at Jefferson City’s Memorial Park on September 23, 2019 (photo courtesy of Kehoe campaign)

Missouri’s 17-cent gasoline tax has remained the same since 1996. Last November, voters rejected a proposed ten-cent gas tax increase.

At his campaign announcement last week at Jefferson City’s Memorial Park, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R) told the audience that a long-term solution is needed for transportation. Missourinet asked him that night if a gas tax increase is on the table. Kehoe says Missourians will have to decide that.

“As you know, our Hancock Amendment prohibits the Legislature from coming up with that solution, that’s probably a good thing most days,” Kehoe says. “So we’ll see what Missourians think is the appropriate response.”

Missourians approved the Hancock Amendment in 1980. It’s named after the late Springfield businessman Mel Hancock, who was elected to Congress several years later. The Hancock Amendment essentially requires voter approval before taxes can be increased by lawmakers, beyond a certain annual limit.

Kehoe says a long-term solution is needed, for the safety of Missouri families and for the reliability of our businesses.

“When you have the (nation’s) seventh-largest infrastructure system and you’re 49th in funding, it doesn’t take long to figure out you need a long-term solution. We’re all willing to listen to what Missourians think is the most reasonable approach to that, and then we’ll figure it out,” says Kehoe.

Lieutenant Governor Kehoe campaigned for Proposition D, the proposed gas tax increase, last fall. He spoke in September 2018 at the 84th annual Missouri Municipal League (MML) conference in Branson.

“What the mayors here (at the Branson conference) understand is they couldn’t run their city budgets and Missourians couldn’t run their household budgets if they didn’t have any extra income for 22 years straight,” Kehoe said that day.

The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has said that if voters had approved Proposition D, it would have generated about $288 million annually in new road and bridge funding.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, which was recorded on September 23, 2019 at Jefferson City’s Memorial Park:

Kehoe focuses on Missouri transportation and agriculture in 2020 race (AUDIO)

September 24, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s lieutenant governor has made it official, announcing Monday evening in Jefferson City that he’s seeking a four-year term in November 2020. Mike Kehoe (R) made the announcement before a few hundred people at Memorial Park.

Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe (left) and Governor Mike Parson wave to supporters at Jefferson City’s Memorial Park on September 23, 2019 (photo courtesy of Kehoe campaign)

“Tonight, I stand before you knowing that more work remains,” Kehoe says. “After careful thought and prayer, Claudia (Kehoe’s wife) and our family have decided that we are going to run for lieutenant governor in 2020.”

Kehoe was appointed to the post last June by Governor Mike Parson (R), after Parson was sworn-in as governor following Eric Greitens’ resignation. Kehoe served in the Missouri Senate from 2010-2018, representing a mid-Missouri district. He was the Senate Majority Leader from 2016-2018.

Kehoe says his campaign is about leadership, values and common sense. He says one of his top priorities is veterans’ issues. He notes Missouri has 450,000 veterans, the fifth-highest in the nation.

He’s also pledging to focus on transportation and agriculture, if he’s elected in 2020. Kehoe tells the audience that there are obstacles in Missouri transportation.

“Great strides were made this year with the leadership of Governor Parson and the members of the (Missouri) House and Senate,” says Kehoe. “But a long-term solution needs to be found that’s acceptable to all Missourians, for the safety of our families and the reliability of our businesses.”

State lawmakers approved the governor’s $350 million bridge bonding plan this year, which is aimed at repairing or replacing 250 deteriorating bridges.

However, Missouri’s 17-cent gasoline tax has remained the same since 1996. Voters rejected a proposed ten-cent gasoline tax increase in November.

Kehoe notes Missouri’s $88 billion agricultural industry is the state’s top industry.

He also emphasizes life issues.

“And what greater opportunity is in this world than the promise that exists with every newborn child. That’s why protecting innocent life is my number one priority. Every child, born and unborn,” Kehoe says, to loud applause from the audience.

Kehoe is emphasizing family and Christian values. Governor Parson joined the lieutenant governor on-stage. Parson predicts victory for Missouri Republicans in 2020.

No Democrats have announced that they’re running for lieutenant governor, at this time.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, which was recorded on September 23, 2019 at Jefferson City’s Memorial Park: