Representative McGirl Column 11/5/2020

November 05, 2020

The House of Representatives headed back to Jefferson City this week to elect our new leadership and to begin the second Special Session of 2020.

 Elections were scheduled to be held Wednesday for Speaker Pro Tem, Floor Leader, Assistant Floor Leader, Whip, Caucus Chair, and Secretary. Those elected will serve for the 101st General Assembly, which begins in January.

 Gov. Parson called the General Assembly back to work on a supplemental budget bill that will appropriate additional resources to respond to COVID-19. In calling for the legislature to convene, Parson said, “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. We look forward to working with the General Assembly to make sure these funds are distributed across Missouri as soon as possible.”

 The General Assembly passed the Fiscal Year 2021 state operating budget during regular session in May. Since that time, additional federal funding has become available to the state, including funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The supplemental budget will appropriate these funds for several items, including the School Nutrition Services Program, the Emergency Solutions Grant Program for homelessness prevention, job training grants, and child support payments, among others.

 The special session began Thursday with a technical session. Committee work on the bill will take place on Monday, November 9. The House will then meet on Tuesday, November 10 to discuss and vote on the bill.

I welcome your ideas, questions and concerns. You may contact me at the State Capitol as follows: (573) 751-2398 or by email: mike.mcgirl@house.mo.gov or by writing to Rep. Mike McGirl, 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 201-A, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.