Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Missouri lawmakers will be heading back to Jefferson City after the Nov. 3 election. Gov. Mike Parson has called a special session to deal with federal coronavirus funding.
“COVID-19 has had an overwhelming impact on our state, and while we have made great progress, this additional funding will be critical as we continue to respond and work through the recovery process,” Parson said. “We look forward to working with the General Assembly to make sure these funds are distributed across Missouri as soon as possible.”
According to the state auditor’s website, Missouri has been given nearly $3 billion in federal CARES Act funding. The state has allocated out about $1.7 billion of the money.
READ: Gov. Parson praises Missouri National Guard for Covid response
“The supplemental budget contains funding for several items, including school nutrition service programs, job training grants, emergency solutions grant program for the homeless prevention,” Parson said.
The governor said the supplemental budget will also include funding for a domestic violence grant and child support payments. Parson said he’s spoken to legislative leaders in both chambers, about the special session. Both House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, and Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, say they’ve spoken to the governor about the special session. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, told Missourinet Wednesday evening that the amount of the supplemental budget has yet to be determined.
The governor said that since the Legislature approved the $35 billion state operating budget in May, additional CARES Act funding has been made available to the state, and the funding will provide additional resources to respond to COVID-19. Lawmakers are scheduled to begin the session November 5.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
