Providing the Funds to Stop a Pandemic
Sporting masks and getting temperature checks as they entered the building, lawmakers returned to Jefferson City this past week to pass a supplemental spending bill intended to help the state respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 7, the Senate’s Appropriations Committee met to discuss House Bill 2014, a supplemental budget bill that gives the state $6.2 billion in spending authority to respond to the coronavirus. The bulk of this spending authority stems from funding expected to come from a variety of federal aid packages, but also includes some funding from Missouri’s general revenue and other funding sources. That said, this does not mean all $6.2 billion is required to be spent. House Bill 2014 simply gives the state the option to spend up to those amounts. Given the ever-changing situation with the coronavirus, I believe the supplemental spending bill ensures the state has the resources needed to address the serious challenges caused by the virus. The bill also includes some oversight provisions that will allow the state to track how these funds are used.
So what is included in HB 2014? Below are some of the highlights of the supplemental budget bill:
- Up to $1 billion to help local governments across the state. The legislation requires the state to provide local governments with this funding within 10 days of receiving it;
- Up to $1 billion in funding for the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency which can be used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Up to $90 million to help nursing homes;
- Up to $20 million in funding for childcare; and
- Up to $11 million in funding for the National Guard.
On April 8, the full Senate convened to pass HB 2014. Since the Senate made changes to the spending bill, the proposal returned to the House of Representatives. Also practicing social distancing and other safety precautions, the House approved the Senate’s version of the bill and sent it to the governor for his approval.
By providing more funding to our local governments and those on the frontlines battling this pandemic, I am confident this supplemental budget will help our state tackle the coronavirus. I want to thank all those medical professionals, first responders and other essential workers who are doing what they can to keep our state safe and healthy.
Please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.