Governor Mike Kehoe

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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*December 30, 2025*

*YEAR IN REVIEW: Governor Kehoe Reflects on 2025*

*JEFFERSON CITY, MO *– In 2025, the Kehoe Administration worked to advance a conservative, results-driven agenda focused on securing Missouri’s future.

Since taking office on January 13, 2025, Governor Mike Kehoe took action to turn priorities into results—strengthening public safety, expanding economic opportunity, supporting Missouri agriculture, and modernizing education and workforce development—all while holding state government to a higher standard of efficiency and accountability.

“Missourians are resilient and adaptable, and they expect their government to be the same,” said *Governor Kehoe*. “This past year presented real challenges for our state, but I am proud of how we lead and responded—by moving with purpose and common sense to deliver results that make our state safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

This year, Missouri experienced hundreds of storms, fires, tornadoes, and floods, prompting swift, coordinated response efforts across state agencies to deliver aid, accelerate recovery, and support impacted communities. These storms led to five federal disaster declarations, more than any other state.

Governor Kehoe also convened two extraordinary legislative sessions, calling lawmakers back to Jefferson City to address urgent disaster relief, tax relief, economic opportunity, and federal representation—ensuring Missouri could act when waiting was not an option.

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*2025 by the Numbers*


* *One international trade mission* to expand global partnerships and attract new investment
* *Five federal disaster declarations* that affected 41 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis
* *37 executive orders* signed to improve public safety, streamline operations, and respond to urgent statewide need
* *54* *bills signed into law* prioritizing public safety, emphasizing economic development, bolstering agriculture, strengthening education, and more
* *100+ agency administrative rules *cut and condensed to reduce the regulatory burden of state government
* *241 gubernatorial appointments* to fill boards, commissions, judicial seats, and county vacancies with qualified Missourians looking to serve their communities
* *7,420 new jobs* created through the work of the Department of Economic Development and partners
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The year 2025 brought progress and action on Governor Kehoe’s four key priority areas.

*Public Safety: Enforcing the Law and Securing Missouri Communities*

Public safety anchored Governor Kehoe’s agenda throughout the year, reflecting his commitment to enforcing the law and supporting those who protect Missouri communities. In partnership with the General Assembly and public safety partners, the Governor signed sweeping reforms into law and launched targeted executive actions to protect communities and support first responders.

Major actions included:


* Launching Operation Relentless Pursuit to strengthen intelligence-led policing and improve cross-jurisdictional coordination to arrest violent offenders, leading to more than 1,000 arrests and more than 1,800 warrants cleared to date (Executive Order 25-02)
* Establishing the Blue Shield Program, delivering $50,000 grants to more than 200 communities to strengthen local law enforcement and public safety efforts (Executive Order 25-03)
* Enforcing immigration laws, establishing a 287(g) partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to allow trained Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) troopers to assist in enforcing immigration laws and targeting criminal offenders (Executive Order 25-04)
* Directing the Department of Public Safety and MSHP to collect immigration status data for individuals charged with crimes in Missouri (Executive Order 25-05)
* Signing the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act, expanding education incentives and benefits for first responders and their families (Senate Bill 71)
* Championing major public safety legislation, benefitting law enforcement across the state and establishing a citizen board to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (House Bill 495)

*Economic Development: Promoting a Pro-Business Climate*

To keep Missouri competitive, Governor Kehoe advanced a pro-business agenda focused on lowering costs, reducing red tape, and attracting long-term investment.

Major actions included:


* Signing major tax relief with the historic elimination of income tax on capital gains, benefiting families across Missouri (House Bill 594)
* Repealing costly mandates on Missouri job creators and employers (House Bill 597)
* Strengthening Missouri’s energy infrastructure, protecting consumers, and supporting long-term economic growth (Senate Bill 4) 
* Keeping Missouri competitive, while still protecting the best interests of taxpayers with the Show-Me Sports Investment Act (Senate Bill 3)

*Agriculture: Standing with Farmers and Rural Missouri*

Agriculture remained a central focus of the Kehoe Administration. The Governor’s approach to ag policy is simple: farmers know best, and government should be a partner—not an obstacle.

Major actions included:


* Signing legislation to protect farmers and increase their health coverage options, preserve water resources, and strengthen rural infrastructure—reinforcing Missouri’s agricultural leadership and rural way of life (Senate Bills 79 & 82)
* Investing in the next generation of agriculture leaders with historic funding for Missouri FFA
* Refocusing Missouri SNAP to support the purchase of healthy foods and locally sourced agricultural products
* Securing more than $216 million in federal funding for healthcare in rural communities

*Education: Bolstering the Workforce of the Future *


* Investing in school choice with $50 million in historic funding to the MOScholars program
* Recommending an effort to rewrite to the school funding formula with the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force to ensure sustainable funding for the next generation (Executive Order 25-14)
* Evaluating the state’s career technical education system to strengthen the workforce pipeline with the Governor’s Workforce of the Future Challenge (Executive Order 25-16)
* Working to improve the regulatory environment for child care providers through an evaluation of current regulations (Executive Order 25-15)

*Government Efficiency: Delivering Service at the Speed of Business*

Governor Kehoe championed a culture shift inside state government—one focused on efficiency, accountability, and results rather than process for process’s sake.


* Prioritizing stakeholder engagement and administrative agency rulemaking focused on customer service and efficiency (Executive Order 25-13)
* Eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in state agencies and ensuring compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law (Executive Order 25-18)
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*Looking Ahead*

As Missourians look ahead to 2026, Governor Kehoe says the work of securing the state’s future continues—with a focus on public safety, economic growth, agriculture, education, and a state government that moves efficiently for the people it serves.

“Securing Missouri’s future means staying focused and staying accountable to the people we serve,” *Governor Kehoe* continued. “This year reminded us that growth comes from relationships, working together, and showing up for Missourians every day. We’re proud of what we were able to accomplish, but we're just getting started.”

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*Contact: Gabby Picard*

Communications Director

Mobile: 573-536-6566

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov


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