Gov. Michael Kehoe pushes Safer Missouri crime plan, fentanyl testing and tax-cut agenda in State of the State

Gov. Michael Kehoe told a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly that securing public safety is the foundation for the state’s future and outlined a package of executive actions and budget requests aimed at strengthening law enforcement and combating fentanyl.

Kehoe said his administration signed six executive orders on inauguration day to launch a “Safer Missouri” initiative that includes regional efforts to arrest dangerous fugitives, expanded collaboration with federal partners on illegal immigration and programs to encourage community support for law enforcement. “We will be relentless in our pursuit to make Missouri a place where it’s easier to be a cop than a criminal,” Kehoe said.

The governor asked lawmakers to fund several law‑enforcement priorities. He proposed expanding the Missouri Blue scholarship program for basic law‑enforcement training and asked for $10 million for a new “Blue Shield” program to assist local communities with equipment and training. He also recommended $2.5 million to support the sheriff’s retirement system for another year and funding for a new crime lab in Cape Girardeau to…