Senator Caleb Rowden’s Legislative Column for the Week of April 13, 2020
If you have been following the state and local updates surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, you have certainly noticed the ways this pandemic has disrupted many aspects of our daily lives. You may have also noticed that state lawmakers and their staff have not been in the State Capitol for several weeks. The COVID-19 crisis has caused the 2020 legislative session to be put on “pause,” while our state grapples with the impact of the COVID-19 virus.
Last week, however, I joined my fellow colleagues as the General Assembly returned to the State Capitol in order to pass an important supplemental spending bill. House Bill 2014 provides more than $6 billion in additional funding to aid our state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the funding that makes up the $6.2 billion supplemental spending bill comes from the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, commonly known as the CARES Act. Below are a few examples of how the funds included in HB 2014 will be spent:
- $1 billion to local governments;
- $1 billion to fund the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency’s response to COVID-19, including funds to purchase personal protective equipment;
- $1.8 billion in spending authority for schools and meals for kids;
- $90 million for nursing homes;
- $47.5 million in hazard pay for prison and state hospital employees;
- $35 million for Area Agencies on Aging that fund services such as Meals on Wheels;
- $44 million to support hospitals, with an additional $4.5 million for rural hospitals and primary care;
- $20 million for childcare programs and providers; and
- $11 million for the Missouri National Guard to assist in their response to COVID—19.
As I said earlier, the bulk of this spending comes from the federal government’s $2 trillion relief package. That said, this does not mean the state needs to spend every dollar allocated through HB 2014. The supplemental spending bill simply gives the state the authorization to spend up to the appropriated amount. In addition, the legislation also includes language requiring the state to distribute federal funds to local municipalities within 10 days of receiving the funds from the federal government. Given the ever-changing dynamics of the virus, I believe this funding will play a critical role in helping our state’s departments and agencies continue to serve Missourians while addressing the unique challenges caused by the spread of COVID-19. It is important to ensure these departments and agencies have the funding they need to help our fellow Missourians during this difficult time, and I am glad the General Assembly was able to pass this important legislation.
I am here to serve you, and my office door is always open to your questions, concerns and suggestions. You can reach my staff at 573-751-3931, and you can visit www.senate.mo.gov/rowden for an array of legislative and constituent resources.