Today’s update includes information on:

• Governor Parson’s issuance of a statewide stay-at-home order
• cancellation of upcoming events
• school district decisions
• Missouri Legislature's discussions on funding

SOCIAL

• On Friday, April 3, 2020, Governor Parson issued a statewide stay-at-home order, which will take effect today. The Order explicitly states that individuals currently residing within the state of Missouri shall avoid leaving their homes unless it is necessary. In addition, the Order includes specific guidance for staying home, social distancing, business, schools, and government buildings. Missouri joins 42 other states that have issued statewide stay-at-home orders.
• Fair Saint Louis and America’s Birthday Parade have been cancelled as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s major celebrations were to take place on July 2-4, 2020, but organizers look forward to celebrating “in the future when the time is right.” While it is upsetting to cancel these events, the Chairman of Fair Saint Louis stated, “The safety of [the] community is of utmost importance.”
• As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Missouri, California R-1 School District and Booneville R-1 School District announced on Facebook that they will continue distance learning through May 4th. The decisions are a result of continued isolation and social distancing encouraged by the Governor to stop or slow the spread of COVID-19. District officials have not yet announced a decision to cancel commencement.

 LEGISLATIVE ACTION

• The Missouri Legislature is set to reconvene on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, to map out a blueprint for the state to navigate COVID-19. The blueprint will help the state decide whether a massive supplemental spending bill is needed. One proposal for a supplemental spending bill will help cover costs incurred from the pandemic, which has affected residents from every corner of the state.

 TAXES

• As of April 4, 2020, Missouri’s GOP-dominated legislature had not passed a bill to collect online sales tax. Governor Parson’s $30.9 billion spending plan proposes that some funding come from taxing all online sales, consistent with 48 other states in America. However, the House is attempting to move in a different direction, putting the bill in a current stand-still.

 AGENCY WORKFLOW

• In an effort to create funding for damages done by COVID-19, the mayor of Brighton has imposed a hiring freeze and has also suspended the travel budget. However, Brighton's mayor is not the only one to take these actions. St. Louis Executive, Sam Page, has also issued a hiring freeze while suspending all spending unrelated to COVID-19. Efforts such as these are necessary for preparing for economic impacts caused by the pandemic.