Providing an Update on the State’s Response to COVID-19
Like many of you, I am closely watching our state’s response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These are trying times for all of us. As our state and community leaders work to stop the spread of this pandemic, I wanted to provide you with an update on the actions being taken by our state departments in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Closing of Schools
According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), all 555 Missouri school districts and charter schools have temporarily closed their doors due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus. The DESE Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) office applied for two waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in order to provide meals to children during school closures. These waivers were approved on Sunday, March 15. This will ensure children still have the ability to receive meals while their school is closed.
Municipal Elections
The governor recently signed Executive Order 20-03 which orders all Missouri municipal elections previously scheduled for April 7 to be delayed until June 2. It is vitally important to practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of the virus, so I believe postponing the upcoming municipal elections was the right choice.
Unemployment
Unfortunately, I believe the spread of COVID-19 will cause a lot of Missourians to lose their jobs or to be temporarily laid off. This has the potential to be a stressful time for many families as they could be left without an income. The Department of Labor has provided information on their website regarding workers’ compensation and a frequently asked questions guide on unemployment benefits to help individuals determine if they qualify.
Tax Filing Deadlines
On March 21, The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that federal income tax filing deadlines have been extended from April 15 to July 15, and any federal income tax payments due can also be deferred to July 15. In addition, the Missouri Department of Revenue’s deadline for filing your Missouri income tax returns has been moved from April 15 to July 15. Individuals and companies will also be allowed to delay payments originally due April 15 for three months.
Missouri Courts Proceedings
The Missouri Supreme Court issued an order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that suspends all in-person proceedings in all state courts through April 3, with a list of certain exceptions. Some of these exceptions include proceedings needed to protect the constitutional rights of criminal defendants and juveniles, proceedings related to emergency child custody orders, proceedings related to emergency mental health orders and proceedings directly related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. You can read the full list of these exceptions in the Missouri Supreme Court’s official order released on March 16.
Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers loans and other resources for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The SBA has approved Missouri’s request for assistance through the agency’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Please visit www.sba.gov for more information.
I will continue to stay updated on the situation surrounding the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and I will continue to provide as much information as possible regarding the actions being taken by federal, state and community leaders in response to this pandemic to the residents of the 14th Senatorial District. I believe there is no need to panic, but it is imperative we take this situation seriously and do our part to minimize the impact of this virus on our community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing;
- If soap and water is not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community;
- Stay home if you are sick; and
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Thank you for reading this legislative column. If you have any questions regarding anything going on in the Missouri Senate, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 573-751-4106. It is an honor and privilege to represent each of you in the Missouri Senate.