Missouri Senate won’t meet next week, citing coronavirus concerns
The Missouri Senate will not return to work next week, adjourning for spring break early because of ongoing concerns surrounding coronavirus.
Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, tweeted Wednesday night that the Missouri Senate will not be in session next week “as we work to ensure the safety of our members and Capitol guests from the ongoing (coronavirus) realities.”
He promised a more detailed statement on Thursday.
“There have been no confirmed positive cases of (coronavirus) in the Capitol at any point,” Rowden tweeted. “Any statement to the contrary is false and irresponsible. I urge my fellow colleagues to be extremely mindful of the weight of their words.”
The tentative plan for the Missouri House, according to sources in both the House and Senate, is for representatives to finish up their work on the state’s $30 billion budget before adjourning for legislative spring break on March 20.
How quickly either legislative chamber will return following spring break remains unclear.
The constitution requires the budget pass both the House and Senate and be sent to Gov. Mike Parson by May 8.
Legislation must be finalized before the General Assembly adjourns at 6 p.m. Friday, May 15. After that, lawmakers or the governor would have to call a special session to conduct any legislative business.
House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, sent a letter to lawmakers and staff Wednesday afternoon filling them in on what policies the House has put in place new policies to help protect the health and well-being of those who work in and visit the Capitol.
Haahr’s letter also noted that a group of journalism students from the University of Missouri recently attend a conference in New Orleans where another attendee tested positive for coronavirus.
Five of the students were in the Missouri Capitol on Monday and Tuesday, Haahr wrote, and each was quarantined even though they have exhibited no symptoms.
“We have asked them to provide a thorough accounting of their time for the days they were in the Capitol, and we are currently in the process of reaching out to those they came into contact with during this time period,” Haahr wrote.
Pointing to the possible exposure of the journalism students to the coronavirus, the University of Missouris suspended all classes through Sunday. Classes will resume Monday, but online only.
