Gov. Matt Blunt visits Ridgewood Middle School to highlight the schools nationally recognized character education program.  

"Education is my highest priority and the importance of character is among the most valuable lessons we can teach our children. Helping children understand the importance of character and integrating character education into the school day helps ensure our students are prepared to succeed academically and professionally, as well as personally." (Bill Greenblatt)

Gov. Matt Blunt today addressed a rally of Missouri families who came to the Capitol to help bring attention to Autism Spectrum Disorders.  The group held a Capitol rally and applauded the governor’s recommendation to more than double funding for autism diagnosis and treatment. The governor is pictured with Samuel Luetkemeyer who introduced him during the rally.

Gov. Matt Blunt urges the House to pass legislation to enhance protections for sexual assault and domestic violence victims.  At a Capitol ceremony Blunt marked Crime Victims’ Rights Week and stood with women’s and community groups in support of Senate Bill 429. 

Gov. Matt Blunt today launches an historic energy sharing initiative projected to save Missouri taxpayers an estimated $8 million. The cooperative effort will generate steam to heat the Jefferson City Correctional Center. The partnership launched today will create renewable energy and heat using byproducts from the Jefferson City Landfill.

Gov. Matt Blunt presents a proclamation in remembrance of victims of workplace injuries, disease and fatalities. Pictured with the governor from left to right are Allen Dillingham, director of the Division of Labor Standards at DOLIR; Roberta Broeker,chief financial officer at MoDOT; Robert Simmons, safety manager at the Division of Labor Standards at DOLIR; Luana Gifford with Missouri AFL-CIO; Herb Johnson, secretary/treasurer with Missouri AFL-CIO; Rod Chapel, director of DOLIR; Leon Lawson, safety manager at the Division of Labor Standards at DOLIR; and Steve Dunn, safety manager at the Division of Labor Standards at DOLIR.

Gov. Matt Blunt and Speaker Rod Jetton again called for an end to the unfair cut on Social Security benefits. The Senior Tax Justice Act would eliminate state tax on Social Security benefits. The plan today earned the endorsements of the Silver Haired Legislators, Association of Retired Missouri State Employees, Missouri Kidney Program and the Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Gov. Matt Blunt presents a proclamation to the Freedom of the Road Riders declaring May 2007 as Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Gov. Matt Blunt discusses the state's focus on campus security with University of Missouri-Kansas City educators and safety officials and names Michael Boxler, Missouri Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), to serve on his Campus Security Task Force. Blunt formed the task force to evaluate Missouri's campus emergency response plans and ensure close communications between higher education and public safety communities.

Gov. Matt Blunt announces a new Campus Security Task Force to examine the safety and security at Missouri's higher education institutions and to help ensure a more powerful partnership between school administrators and the public safety community. The task force will focus on initiatives to improve safety standards and heighten security within buildings and facilities on campus.  Mark James, Director of Public Safety and Dr. Robert Stein, Commissioner of Higher Education will serve as co-chairs. Pictured with the governor is Dr. Stein.

Gov. Matt Blunt joins more than 15,000 runners for the St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend. The governor, together with two state teams he mobilized as part of the CEO Wellness Campaign, compete in the four-person Marathon Relay.

Gov. Matt Blunt attends the National Rifle Association's annual conference opening session where he signs legislation securing Missourians' right to bear arms during an emergency.

"I am very pleased to sign legislation approved by Missouri's legislature to ensure that every single Missourian can keep their firearm during times of emergency. This important legislation guarantees that law abiding citizens' freedom to bear arms will not be taken away, especially during an emergency. I applaud the Senate and House, and the bill's sponsor, Senator Engler, for passing this important legislation."

Gov. Matt Blunt visits Giant Steps of St. Louis, an Autism care and education facility, to discuss his plan to help Missouri families facing autism by more than doubling the state's funding for autism diagnosis and treatment. The governor's visit to Giant Steps comes during National Autism Awareness Month. (Bill Greenblatt)

Gov. Matt Blunt is joined by Department of Corrections Director Larry Crawford and Probation and Parole Board Chairman William Seibert in highlighting the state’s investment in global positioning satellite (GPS) technology as a tool to track paroled offenders. Tough new sexual predator laws the governor signed dictate that the tracking technology will ultimately be used statewide to help protect children from sexual predators.

Gov. Matt Blunt participates in the Line of Duty Memorial Service honoring the lives and memories of Missouri’s fallen firefighters. Today's memorial service honored the memory of Captain Alan Leake who died while on duty last April.

Gov. Matt Blunt launches the Missouri Mentor Initiative to encourage state employees to participate in mentoring programs such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters.  The governor created the innovative program to help expand the number of adult role models for children. The pilot project will provide state employees with flexibility to invest in Missouri students during school hours.

Gov. Matt Blunt participates in a Support Your Troops Rally honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces.

Gov. Matt Blunt participates in "A Grateful Nation Remembers" -Veterans Recognition Ceremony in the House Chamber to honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our armed forces as well as the veterans who served our country in uniform.

Gov. Matt Blunt announces that with the collective efforts of Missouri officials and business leaders, St. Louis earned the distinction of being named Yellow Pages official headquarters, preserving nearly 700 Missouri jobs at Yellow Pages. St. Louis had faced very stiff and competitive competition from Atlanta, Georgia, to earn the headquarters. (Bill Greenblatt)

Gov. Matt Blunt, First Lady Melanie Blunt and Branch host the annual Easter Egg Hunt for children with developmental disabilities on the front lawn of Missouri’s Governor’s Mansion.  Thumbelina, the world’s smallest horse, was featured in the festivities. Also on the Mansion grounds children enjoyed face painting, a petting zoo and pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Gov. Matt Blunt and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Rod Chapel view a photo display honoring the Women Ordnance Workers of the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant. The display is coordinated by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the National Archives-Central Plains Region to honor working women during World War II.

Gov. Matt Blunt today held a ceremonial bill signing for Senate Bill 339 which creates the Fairness in Public Construction Act to help safeguard taxpayer dollars and protect employee wages.

"I applaud Senator Mayer and the other Senate and House members for their work to pass the Fairness in Public Construction Act. Missourians can be pleased with the compromise legislation that will help ensure Missouri taxpayer dollars are used wisely on public construction projects.  The legislation also assists Missouri workers by increasing the penalty for an employer that does not pay the prevailing wage rate to its employees."

Gov. Matt Blunt welcomes Canadian Consul General Georges Rioux to the Governor’s Office. Canada was Missouri’s top export recipient in 2006.

 "My administration will continue to build relationships with our existing trade partners and to open new markets for Missouri products."