JEFFERSON CITY — In May, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson traveled to his hometown to attend an event celebrating more than 200 students who had made plans for life after high school.
The event in Bolivar was part of a growing program called rootED Missouri that puts college and career advisers in rural schools to help students make decisions about going to college or a trade school.
Less than two months later, however, the Republican chief executive wielded his veto pen and slashed $3.5 million in the state budget dedicated to the program.
The veto was among more than a half billion dollars’ worth of cuts Parson made to the $50 billion spending plan, raising ire among lawmakers who were tapping into a massive, post-pandemic surplus in state revenues.
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A spokesman for the governor did not explain why , only to remove its funding in late June.
“We don’t have anything to add regarding that veto outside the rationale explained in the veto letter,†said Johnathan Shiflett.
In his veto message, Parson said he was killing the funding to “help ensure the financial stability of Missouri beyond my administration.â€
Additionally, he wrote in a message to lawmakers, the program provided only one-time state funding to support an ongoing program, “which could possibly jeopardize the program’s future sustainability.â€
The decision marked the second time since 2021 that the governor had vetoed funding for the program, which was launched by wealthy financier Byron D. Trott, a Union, Missouri, native.
Trott is the founder of BDT & Co., a merchant bank that provides advice and long-term capital to help family- and founder-led businesses. His client list includes names familiar to ºüÀêÊÓƵans, including the Taylor family, the Kemper family, David Steward, and Emily Rauh Pulitzer.
Since his brainchild began in 2016 at six rural high schools, the public-private partnership has grown to at least 135 rural high schools across the state.
Trott, who also attended the Bolivar event and appears in photographs with the governor, announced at the time that he was also giving each of the graduates $500 scholarships, earning high praise from the school district.
“We were so thankful to host Governor Mike Parson, Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven and chairman of the rootED Alliance, Byron Trott, for the BHS Decision Day event,†the district said in a tweet.
At the event, of their hometown seniors.
“For Teresa and me, it’s all about helping the next generation to achieve their American Dream. Whether it’s going to college, joining the military, earning a credential, or going directly into the workforce, we want to make sure they have the tools to succeed, and rootEd Alliance helps us do just that,†the governor said.
The program also received rave reviews from Vandeven.
“Missouri succeeds when we not only prepare students to graduate from high school but help them pave their own path to success,†Vandeven said. “To do this, every student needs a strong plan and guided support. With the help of partners like rootEd Missouri, we are ensuring more students have access to that support. Today’s event is a testament to those efforts.â€
The program, which is expanding to other states, aligns with Parson’s ongoing push to expand the state’s workforce through investments in colleges, universities and programs designed to get more people trained in emerging technologies.
Participating schools have seen gains. In 2021, schools participating in rootEd Missouri saw college enrollment rates increase by 7.5% overall. Completion rates for applying for student loans also increased by 20%.
For now, however, it’s not clear what might happen with the program in the upcoming school year. The advisers hired in school districts may or may not choose to stay with the program in the absence of state funding.
Attempts to reach rootED officials for reaction Thursday were not successful.
The veto was among a number of controversial budget moves made by the governor in signing the spending plan.
Rep. Peter Merideth, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ, who is the ranking minority member of the House Budget Committee, about cuts made to spending in the city, including less money for public safety facilities.
Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, over the veto of money for water system improvements and other programs in St. Charles County.
Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the Capitol in September to consider overriding the governor’s vetoes.