April 27, 2020 - The Missouri House and Missouri Senate reconvened for the final three weeks of the 2020 Legislative Session, following an extended absence due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Donning masks, state representatives gathered to deliberate the state budget for 2021 which required major modifications from the original drafts prepared just weeks ago, due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak and associated stay-at-home orders by the state and local governments and fear of the general public.
Tight restrictions are in place to avoid contact between members of the public and the elected officials. People have been asked to stay away from the Capitol unless absolutely necessary.
The fate of nearly all legislation rests in the ability of the House and Senate to function over the next three weeks. Important legislation awaiting final resolution includes a bill reworking punitive damages claims, legislation establishing a prescription drug monitoring program in Missouri, and legislation addressing the taxation of internet sales.
Governor Mike Parson also announced the first phase of a plan to reopen the Missouri economy, effective May 4.
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