Missouri lawmakers discussing nearly $1.3 billion in funding during governor’s special session, some asking for expanded call
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Lawmakers made their way back to the Capitol on Thursday to begin discussions on distributing nearly 1.3 billion dollars, most being federal CARES Act funding.
This special session was called by Governor Mike Parson last month, asking legislators to give him the authority to appropriate funding that has not been spent yet. The governor is asking for additional appropriation authority for 24 different program areas in the state budget.
Most of the discussion will be around $1.2 billion in federal dollars, mainly CARES Act funds which must be spent by the end of December on COVID-19 related expenses
Some of the items are nearly $76 million for school food service programs, $34 million for assistance to businesses/employees participating in the Shared Work Program, and $135 million for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and lab infrastructure.
The bill also includes about $12 million from the general revenue, $10 million to go to the national guard and $1 million for the witness protection program that was passed during the governor's last special session addressing violent crime.
The bill will go to the Budget Committee on Monday. It's expected to be given to the full house on Tuesday, who will then send it to the Senate. Because of scheduling, the Senate intends to complete its work by mid-month.
Local Republican House Representative Sara Walsh is on the Budget Committee and said she expects this to be a fairly quick session.
"At this point, a very smooth session and again, just merely giving the governor appropriation authority so he can spend moneys that are available largely related to COVID," Walsh said.
Democratic House minority leader Crystal Quade said she was happy to know now what Parson wants out of the session, but said there is a lot of confusion. She said legislators have already given the governor the ability to distribute CARES funding.
"Why are we just at this point now? We have been dealing with COVID for many months, we've seen record numbers and spikes, we heard from local health departments and hospitals that they are desperate for money," Quade said.
House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo sent a letter to Parson Thursday asking him to expand the session to address of COVID-19 liability of businesses. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce is also calling for action and said in a release more than 1,000 COVID-19 lawsuits have been filed against employers across the nation since March.
During his COVID-19 briefing, Parson said this is something he's wanted to address from the beginning of the pandemic, but he needs more information before expanding the call.
"What I can't do is go into a deal and it takes two months to get something done when we are up against session, we'll be talking to them about it," Parson said.
Walsh believes this is an important thing to be addressed, saying some of the businesses in her district are worried and doing what they can to keep their patrons safe. She said it could also be addressed during the regular legislative session coming up in January.
"Some protections from lawsuits for businesses in regards to COVID so we can get the economy going again is something I am supportive of," Walsh said. "I am very supportive of litigation reform in general, as well as supporting these businesses and preventing frivolous lawsuits."
Quade said this is the wrong time to focus on COVID liability for businesses as case numbers are going up and health officials are asking for more help, saying lawmakers need to take responsibility for where the state is.
"If we are going to be back here, spending taxpayer dollars to deal with COVID, I think we actually need to be dealing with COVID," Quade said.
She said her team is looking at additional things they think should be addressed while lawmakers are back in the capitol. She expects that to be finished in the near future.
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