$47 million in Additional Restrictions Announced by Governor
On Monday, April 20, Governor Mike Parson announced additional FY20 expenditure restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Missouri state budget. Included in those restrictions were the following higher education items:
- $146,864: State Technical College of Missouri appropriation for deferred maintenance
- $244,634: Crowder College nursing program expansion
On April 1, $170 million in GR was restricted by Governor Parson. Of the $170 million, public colleges and universities’ core and special appropriations accounted for approximately $80 million of those restrictions.
Governor Parson Signs FY20 Supplemental Legislation
On Tuesday, April 21, Governor Parson signed HB 1511 & 1452 which allows professional license reciprocity for military spouses. In a press release, Governor Parson shared that, “military spouses face considerable challenges when they relocate with their active duty partner, and finding a job in their licensed profession should not be one of them [and] this legislation will now ease that burden and improve the quality of life for military families living and working in Missouri.”
Additional professional reciprocity legislation could be considered during this session.
Missouri Lawmakers Return Next Week
Lawmakers are set to return to Jefferson City on Monday, April 27. It is expected that Rep. Cody Smith (R-Carthage) will introduce several amendments to the budgets passed by the House Budget Committee last month. The amendments will likely erase more than $700 million from the FY21 budget, including new decision items proposed by Governor Parson earlier this year.
Once the House passes its version of the FY21 budget, the Senate Appropriations Committee will quickly turn its attention to the final House measure and could continue its work into the weekend, if necessary.
Other “top priority” legislation may be considered during the final weeks of session. Some legislation rumored for consideration would address COVID-19, punitive damages, additional licensing reciprocity, and crime.
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