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The Republican chief executive spent much of his speech to state legislators touting his administration’s accomplishments, from upgrading 250 of the state’s worst bridges to boosting teacher pay.

And Parson took a shot at state Sen. Bill Eigel, who is running to replace him as governor. Though he didn’t mention the Weldon Spring Republican by name, the governor alluded to Eigel’s slogan — “Jeff City needs a reckoning” — in his speech.

Parson said the state was ranked 42nd for growth in gross domestic product when he took office, but is now 23rd and in the top five in the Midwest.

“That’s a real reckoning here in Jeff City,” Parson said. “That’s not all talk and all hot air. That is a true reckoning of growth, opportunity that Missourians have come to expect from this administration and state government.”

Parson has indicated support for Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe in the governor’s race over Eigel and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

Eigel and allies have stalled Senate confirmation of Parson’s gubernatorial appointments in a fight with fellow Republican senators.

Parson told lawmakers he supports a plan filed by state Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, and state Rep. Cameron Parker, R-Campbell, that would guarantee “stricter punishments for exposing children and minors to fentanyl.”

Some of Parson’s remarks put on display clear partisan divides.

Parson said he was proud to report that there were zero annual elective abortions in Missouri after a law took effect in 2022 that banned abortions except in medical emergencies.

Democrats remained seated and stone-faced as Parson spoke on abortion, President Joe Biden’s handling of the southern border, tax cuts and rolling back government regulations.

Parson also pitched lawmakers on a nearly $53 billion budget blueprint for the fiscal year that begins in July.

Included in the proposal is an additional $52 million for the state’s child care subsidy program. He also promoted legislation by Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, and Brenda Shields, R-St. Joseph, to create three new child care tax credit programs.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said she was pleased Parson wants to address improving the amount of child care available in order to get more people in the job market.

“We could ensure that every Missouri child has access to child care and quality education no matter where they are from,” Quade said. “This is something we’ve been talking about for a very long time. Missourians are fed up with ineffective Republican leadership in Jefferson City. They are demanding change.”

The governor proposed fully funding the state’s K-12 education funding formula, requesting an additional $121 million more to public education. That would bring base funding for K-12 education to $3.7 billion.

He also proposed a $33 million increase to higher education funding, a 3% boost for four-year, community colleges and State Technical College of Missouri in Linn.

Parson also wants to transfer $14 million from a fund for Interstate 70 improvements to plan for upgrades of Interstate 44, which crosses the state from ӣ����Ƶ to Joplin.

The governor proposed giving state employees a 3.2% cost-of-living increase. In addition, state workers would receive an additional 1% raise for every two years of continuous service, up to 10%.

The administration also wants $4 million for grants that will allow school districts to boost minimum teacher pay to $40,000 per year.

Also included in the budget request is $182,000 to enforce Parson’s executive order restricting foreign ownership of farmland.

Parson, the former lieutenant governor, took over as governor on June 1, 2018, following former Gov. Eric Greitens’ resignation.

In office, the Republican has focused attention on workforce development initiatives and infrastructure investments.

He secured $2.8 billion last year for an expansion of Interstate 70. Parson said Wednesday construction was scheduled to begin this summer in Columbia.

Parson last year also secured $56 million for expanded pre-kindergarten, and another $80 million to raise child care provider subsidies.

Parson’s administration in December announced completion of the state’s “Focus on Bridges” program, which the governor pitched in his first State of the State address in 2019, aiming to address 250 of the state’s worst bridges.

Alyse Pfeil and Kurt Erickson of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.