(From Rep. Ingrid Burnett, D-Kansas City)I am headed back to Jefferson City today as the Budget Committee is scheduled to take up the $1.28 billion supplemental budget bill requested by Republican Gov. Mike Parson. Then, tomorrow, the bill will go to the House for approval to send on to the Senate.
This is Missouri’s first lame-duck session – one held after a general election but before new lawmakers take office – since 1970.
Parson has said that the session is necessary to reallocate federal coronavirus relief funds. There is some question whether that’s true, though, since we already provided the governor broad authority to allocate those funds when we passed the original FY 2021 state budget.
Nonetheless, the Senate doesn’t plan to consider the measure until the week before Thanksgiving. Just before the session got underway, House Majority Leader Rob Vescovo, D-Arnold, asked the governor to expand its scope to include legislation to provide businesses with legal immunity from lawsuits relating to COVID-19. Then, at a news conference a short time later, Parson said he would be open to doing so if lawmakers can quickly reach a consensus on the highly controversial issue.
There is also speculation that the Republicans will try to use some of the Cares Act Funds for school vouchers. The state constitution prohibits lawmakers from considering legislation in a special session that hasn’t been requested by the governor. The Budget Committee Hearing will be livestreamed from the House Chamber at noon.
Two other House committees will also be meeting today. The Children and Families Committee will meet at 10:30 to discuss unlicensed youth residential facilities operating throughout the state. and the Special Committee on Criminal Justice will meet at 2:00 to discuss police reform ideas.
Two other House committees will also be meeting today. The Children and Families Committee will meet at 10:30 to discuss unlicensed youth residential facilities operating throughout the state. and the Special Committee on Criminal Justice will meet at 2:00 to discuss police reform ideas.
This link will take you to information about how to livestream the Children and Families Committee meeting. This link will take you to information about how to livestream and/or participate via teleconferencing or in person for the Criminal Justice Committee. Please note additional procedures are in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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