Missouri lawmakers approve $6 billion COVID-19 emergency funding bill
A $40 million emergency funding package initially approved by Missouri lawmakers last month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic ballooned to roughly $6.2 billion on Wednesday.
Exactly how much of that money will ultimately find its way to Missouri remains unclear.
The increase reflects federal funding state officials hope to receive from the stimulus plan passed by Congress last month in response to the still-unspooling economic and social consequences of COVID-19.
The emergency funding package, approved Wednesday by Missouri House and Senate members who donned masks and had their temperatures taken before they entered the state Capitol, grants Gov. Mike Parson the authority to spend any federal COVID-19 funds as they become available.
Parson said he plans to sign the bill as soon as possible.
It provides for around $1 billion in spending for cities and counties; $1 billion for the state’s emergency management agency; and $300 million for K-12 public schools.
Missouri’s public universities and colleges, which saw their finances slashed by Gov. Mike Parson last month, would also see a funding boost. The University of Missouri System in particular is allocated to receive $138 million.
It also includes $20 million for child care and $40 million for food banks and Meals on Wheels.
Dan Haug, Parson’s budget chief, told senators on Tuesday that the state expects further guidance on the funding from the federal government in the weeks ahead, likely after Easter.
Some entities — such as Jackson County, hospitals and higher education institutions — will be able to apply directly to the federal government for funding, so that money may not need to be administered through the state.
In what Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Dan Hegeman called a “belt and suspenders” approach, the emergency funding package approved Wednesday is designed to grant the governor excess spending authority so lawmakers won’t have to return to the Capitol again during the pandemic if federal money comes in beyond estimates.
“Not all these dollars will come down and be spent by the state,” said Hegeman, R-Andrew County, “but there is a considerable amount of money and a considerable amount of authority to address the ongoing crisis with COVID-19.”
Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, said the bill gives Parson enough flexibility to drawn down as much federal money as possible.
“He has more discretion than what is normal,” Rizzo said, “but we are not in normal circumstances.”
This bill represents the “best case scenario for pulling down federal funds,” said state Rep. Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia.
Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, called the funding package a “leap of faith.”
“The guidance from the federal government hasn’t been issued,” he said, “so we’re placing a lot of faith in our governor.”
COVID-19 precautions
Both the House and Senate have been adjourned for weeks because of the COVID-19 outbreak, and whether or not they will return before the session ends at 6 p.m. May 15 is unclear.
The state’s $30 billion budget must be sent to the governor by May 8 but remains unfinished. A stack of bills lawmakers considered priorities entering the 2020 session are also incomplete.
Complicating their return is the fact that one legislator -- state Rep. Joe Runions of Grandview -- tested positive for COVID-19 last month, causing many others to self-quarantine during the legislative break.
The top priority for lawmakers was returning to the Capitol to approve the emergency funding bill as quickly as possible. If the COVID-19 outbreak prevents them from reconvening in time to meet the budget deadline, they will have to return before July 1 for a special session, said Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia.
“The future is to be determined,” Rowden said. “Our caucus has some divergent opinions on how to move forward, and we have to be mindful of that. We’re watching the numbers and the world around us and what’s happening.”
As for whether anything beyond the budget could be debated, Rowden said that remains to be seen.
“I think we’ll be back before May 15,” he said.
Rizzo said it would be irresponsible for lawmakers to return to Jefferson City for anything other than coronavirus-related legislation or the state budget.
As legislators returned to work, they faced heightened precautions to keep them and their staff safe.
The public was discouraged from attending proceedings. Those who did — including lawmakers — were greeted by medical professionals from Capital Region Medical Center who took their temperature and asked about their health before they entered the building.
Most lawmakers wore masks, and procedures were put in place to encourage social distancing.
One senator, Democrat Gina Walsh of St. Louis County, was unable to travel to the Capitol this week because she is self-quarantining after possible exposure to the virus.
The 163-member Missouri House asked legislators to stay in their office unless they wished to speak on the funding bill. They were called into the chamber in groups of four to cast their votes.
During the opening prayer that began Wednesday’s proceedings, state Sen. Jill Schupp, D-St. Louis County, summed up the atmosphere.
“Today,” she said, “we stand together by standing apart.”
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 3:52 PM.
