Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt help cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Isabel's House, the Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks. The nursery is the Junior League of Springfield's signature project and will provide a safe environment to protect children from abuse and neglect when their families face a crisis.

Gov. Matt Blunt applauds Missouri’s small businesses for their vital role in the creation of jobs for Missouri families as he marks the opening of a new business incubator at the Southeast Innovation Center. The center will help make it easier for new businesses to succeed.

Gov. Matt Blunt signs bills that further his commitment to enhancing the delivery of services for Missouri's children. The governor also signed two bills championed by Missouri students.

"I am committed to providing our children the tools they need to succeed and will continue to support policy and budget priorities that put Missouri children first. Missourians can be proud that this legislation continues our efforts to improve the Amber Alert system in Missouri, to ensure that Missouri students receive proper screening for vision problems and to improve the educational resources available to Missourians who are hearing impaired. I am also pleased that some of Missouri's students have made the trip to the Capitol to be here as I sign legislation they championed while learning about the legislative process."

Gov. Matt Blunt’s appointee, Derio Gambaro, is sworn by his father as the newest member of the State Board of Education.

Gov. Matt Blunt joins First Lady Melanie Blunt as she leads a team of more than 100 members in the Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®. The race raises support for breast cancer education, research, support and treatment.

Gov. Matt Blunt today visits with Missouri students to announce his successful effort to provide more than half a billion dollars in new funding to Missouri students and classrooms over the last three years.

"Education is the most important investment our state makes and is my highest priority. Today I am pleased to sign a budget that delivers to Missouri classrooms more than half a billion dollars in new funding over the last three years. I commend the members of the General Assembly who share my commitment to ensuring our children receive the world-class education they must have in order to reach their full potential."

Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt join the residents of Kahoka for a Flag Day Parade.

Gov. Matt Blunt met with workers at Handi-Shop Incorporated in Mexico where he signed House Bill 352 that will benefit more than 7,000 Missouri workers and strengthen opportunities for Missourians with disabilities to be active participants in Missouri's workforce.

"This legislation ensures that Missourians with disabilities will have opportunities to continue making vital contributions in their communities and access to jobs that will help them meet their full potential. Sheltered workshops employ some of Missouri's most dedicated workers and play an important part in educating and building skills for the employees."  

Gov. Matt Blunt signs House 680 designating the Big Bluestem as the official grass of Missouri. Students from Harry S. Truman Elementary School in Rolla suggested the grass be honored with the official designation and worked with Rep. Bob May to see their proposal through the legislation process.  Over the last four years, students in Christine Schmidtgall’s fourth grade attended hearings, tracked the legislation and testified for the bill.

Gov. Matt Blunt appoints former Democrat State Representative Derio Gambaro to the State Board of Education. The announcement took place at the Missouri Bakery.

Gov. Matt Blunt participates in a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the relocation of Express Scripts new headquarters on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The location will promote collaboration between Express Scripts, one of the largest companies headquartered in St. Louis, and the region's largest university. The collaboration was the first to utilize the Missouri Quality Jobs Act.

Gov. Matt Blunt signs House Bill 579 that will allow doctors, nurses and other licensed health care professionals protections to better serve Missouri families during declared disasters. Blunt called for this legislation in his State of the State address.

Gov. Matt Blunt and Branch attend the Cardinals game to help promote the INOBTR campaign, an education tool designed to educate parents and students about Internet dangers and threats. 

Gov. Matt Blunt presents a $150,000 check to the INOBTR (text shorthand for “I Know Better”) celebrity advocate Nick Lachey to help fight against online sexual predators.

Gov. Matt Blunt participates in the groundbreaking for the Highway Patrol's new Troop C Headquarters. The new state-of-the-art facility will improve efficiency, streamline operations and enhance public safety, while at the same time generating more than $1 million for Missouri taxpayers. The new facility is designed to meet current and future growth needs. The building will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and in addition to administrative offices and a communications center will house a memorial for fallen officers, an automotive service and storage area and an indoor shooting range.

Gov. Matt Blunt meets with Maggie Gross after signing House Bill 952 that enacts important safety measures in Missouri’s long term facilities. The legislation was passed in response to a November 2006 fire that took 11 lives at the Anderson Guest House. (Bill Greenblatt)

Gov. Matt Blunt signs House Bill 818 that expands health coverage for Missourians and includes a tax relief measure designed to help lower the cost of health insurance for families.