House Speaker Elijah Haahr Archives

Missouri Legislature gives final approval to absentee ballot legislation; photo ID requirement stripped out

May 15, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Absentee ballot legislation that expands voting by mail through the rest of 2020 is on its way to Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s desk, after receiving final approval from the House in Jefferson City on Friday evening.

State Rep. Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, speaks about absentee ballot legislation on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on May 15, 2020 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The final House vote was 121-24, and came with about 30 minutes to spare before the mandatory 6 p.m. adjournment.

State Rep. Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, who chairs the Missouri House Elections and Elected Officials Committee, is the bill sponsor.

There are two but separate options under the Shaul bill.

The first expands absentee voting to those 65 and older, or who are vulnerable to COVID-19. Elderly people are considered at greater risk. Notarization is not required for those 65 and older or who are vulnerable.

The second option expands voting by mail for everyone, but requires notarization.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican who campaigned on a platform of photo ID in 2016, tweeted his disappointment on Friday. He’s disappointed that the photo ID requirement was stripped out of the final bill.

But Secretary Ashcroft emphasized that his office will implement and follow the law.

The bill given final approval this evening also contains an emergency clause, which passed with bipartisan support. If Governor Parson signs it, it will be in effect for the August primary election.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, praises the bill, saying it is the result of compromise. Haahr tells Capitol reporters that the bill passed with bipartisan support, adding that it also faced criticism from lawmakers in both parties.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, agrees it’s a compromise. She says the bill on the governor’s desk will allow many Missourians who are concerned about the health risks from crowded polling places to cast an absentee ballot or to vote by mail.

And the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wants lawmakers to go further in the future. In a statement to Missourinet, the ACLU notes the measures approved by lawmakers will expire at the end of 2020.

“We are glad to see the Missouri Legislature act to expand the right to vote, we hope they will continue to do so in sessions to come,” the ACLU says, in the statement.

Missouri PDMP debate personal for Rehder: Don’t judge “unless you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins”

May 11, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Legislation that would create a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) is now heading to a Missouri House-Senate conference committee in Jefferson City, for negotiations.

State Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, speaks about her PDMP legislation on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on May 11, 2020 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Missouri is the only state in the nation without a PDMP, which is an electronic database that collects data on controlled substance prescriptions within a state.

While both chambers have approved PDMP this session, they’ve approved different versions. The Senate version contains a provision about fentanyl that isn’t in the House bill.

Monday’s House floor debate was emotional, as the bill sponsor delivered a passionate speech on why she believes PDMP is needed. State Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, urged colleagues to not judge people “unless you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins.”

“Many demeaning things have been said on this (House) floor over the years about those who are addicted,” Rehder says. “Things like, an addict will always get their fix, regardless of what we try to do to help.”

Rehder revealed to colleagues on Monday that her late mother and late sister were both sexually assaulted multiple times, and turned to prescription drugs for their pain.

She also says that many homeless veterans are addicted to some drugs, for their pain.

Not everyone in the House supported Rehder’s call to send the bill to a conference committee for negotiations.

State Rep. Justin Hill, R-Lake St. Louis, has privacy and other concerns about the bill. Hill, who’s been a vocal PDMP opponent, says House Republicans are divided 50-50 on the issue.

The Missouri House approved the bill in February by a bipartisan 95-56 vote, with every House Democrat voting for it. All 56 “no” votes came from Rehder’s fellow Republicans.

Hill opposes sending it to conference.

“And now we (the full House) are going to give our power to a select few to decide if this bill is going to be the bill that we pass this year,” says Hill.

State Rep. Tony Lovasco, R-O’Fallon, also urged against sending the bill to conference. He says 87 percent of Missouri is already covered by PDMP.

“Let’s have this discussion next year,” Lovasco says.

In the end, the House voted 110-33 on Monday to send Rehder’s bill to conference.

Time is the biggest factor now, and could be the biggest obstacle to the bill. The Legislature must adjourn by Friday evening at 6, under the state Constitution.

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, tells Missourinet he’s optimistic.

“It’s always a coin toss on any bill this time in session. Any Senator can easily stop a piece of legislation,” Schatz says. “But I do think any bill that is still moving could potentially pass. We put a lot of effort into this early in session, and it would be disappointing if it fails.”

Pro Tem Schatz supports PDMP, as does Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, and House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield.

Missouri House to vote on final approval of state operating budget on Wednesday

April 29, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri House is expected to give final approval to a proposed $34.9 billion state operating budget Wednesday in Jefferson City.

State Reps. Mike Haffner, R-Pleasant Hill, and Dean Dohrman, R-La Monte, (standing) discuss the state budget on April 27, 2020 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The House will gavel-in Wednesday morning at 10, and House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, tells Missourinet they’ll take up the budget at that time. He notes the Legislature must approve a balanced budget by May 8, under the state Constitution.

“It is the one constitutional duty of the Missouri General Assembly, and not only that but to pass a balanced budget and one that is on time,” Smith says.

The House voted to give initial budget approval on Monday. The proposed budget includes about $10 billion in general revenue, $14.5 billion in federal funding and another $10.3 billion in other funds.

The House Budget Committee’s ranking Democrat, State Rep. Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, spoke about the budget on the House floor on Monday. He expresses his frustration, saying the process has been rushed. Kendrick wants lawmakers to wait for a special session this summer.

“This (state operating) budget is being rushed. It’s being rushed in a pretty profound manner,” says Kendrick.

Kendrick says waiting until a special session this summer would give state lawmakers and the governor’s office a better forecast for state revenue projections. He emphasizes that he is not expressing frustration with Chairman Smith.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, also spoke on the floor on Monday. She also prefers waiting for a special session this summer to approve the budget, and notes Governor Mike Parson (R) made comments at recent media briefings indicating that was a possibility.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan and other leaders in the GOP-controlled Legislature say it’s important to keep state government funded and services operating without interruption.

The next fiscal year begins on July 1.

As for Chairman Smith, he tells Leader Quade the House will likely return to the Capitol this summer, for a special session on another supplemental budget.

“And what we are doing today (Monday) I think is taking a snapshot of where we are today, based on what we can know, which is not a great deal, of how the state budget will be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Smith says.

Lawmakers and staff members are being encouraged to wear their masks today, and to continue to practice social distancing protocols.

Missouri lawmakers to return to Jefferson City on April 27; they’ll practice social distancing (AUDIO)

April 15, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor believes it’s safe for state lawmakers to return to the Capitol in Jefferson City later this month, adding that the decision is up to legislators. The top leaders in the GOP-controlled Missouri Senate and House say lawmakers will come back on April 27.

State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis, speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on January 28, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Governor Mike Parson (R) responded Wednesday to a question from Missourinet during his daily media briefing, asking him about the COVID-19 health concerns raised by State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis.

“There’s still work to be done everyday here at the state, the state keeps going,” Parson says. “So I look for them to be back and I think they will but I think also they’ll take precautions to make sure people can be as safe as they can when they come back to the Capitol.”

Legislative leaders note they have until the May 8 constitutional deadline to approve the state operating budget.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, and other legislative leaders say lawmakers will continue to practice social distancing when they return, and that infection mitigation procedures will continue.

They also say it’s critical that lawmakers keep state government funded and services operating without interruption.

State Rep. Bob Bromley, R-Carl Junction, is screened for COVID-19 symptoms by a Capitol Region Medical Center professional on April 8, 2020 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Representative Aldridge has COVID-19 safety concerns, for the 163-member House and for staff and Capitol visitors.

“We haven’t really reached the peak of this COVID-19 outbreak for cases being reached, deaths being reached in the state and not also having enough tests to know exactly who has this potential virus,” says Aldridge.

Aldridge says the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects that Missouri will reach its peak deaths per day on April 29.

Legislative leaders say they’ll use the time between now and April 27 to monitor the trajectory of Missouri’s coronavirus cases.

Aldridge would prefer that lawmakers tackle the budget in a special session this summer.

“We could be entering something that we just don’t know, I mean no one knows, and I’m not blaming anybody,” Aldridge says. “But we don’t know what’s going to happen in the next couple of weeks, and Missouri is continuing to see an increase in COVID cases.”

State health officials say there are now 4,895 confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri, along with 147 deaths.

Pro Tem Schatz, Speaker Haahr and other GOP legislative leaders say the decision to move forward on April 27 was not an easy one. They say the General Assembly will continue with social distancing and that hearings and proceedings will be open to the public.

They’re still encouraging you to participate in the process remotely, when possible.

State lawmakers left Jefferson City on April 8, after approving a historic $6.2 billion emergency relief package to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has cost thousands of jobs across the state. Haahr notes it’s the largest supplemental budget in state history.

The House debate was unlike anything that’s ever been seen in the chamber, with Speaker Haahr wearing a mask and the chamber limited to ten people at one time. There were no visitors in the upper galleries, which normally are filled with schoolchildren, lobbyists and the general public.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis, which was recorded on April 15, 2020:

Haahr, Schatz working with governor on plan for Legislature to return to Missouri Capitol (AUDIO)

April 9, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri legislative leaders are working with the governor on a plan for when lawmakers can return to the Statehouse in Jefferson City.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, reads off the names of House members who were scheduled to come into the chamber and vote on the historic $6.2 billion supplemental budget on April 8, 2020 in Jefferson City. (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, tells Missourinet he had a discussion with Governor Mike Parson on Thursday, and met with Senate leaders earlier in the week.

“Obviously, we won’t be back next week, but we’re looking down the road at a potential return date, we haven’t hammered that completely out but we’re working on it,” Haahr says.

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, tells Missourinet he participated in Wednesday’s meeting with Haahr. The Speaker emphasizes it’s tough to set a date.

“The hard thing is, this thing (COVID-19 pandemic) sort of changes week-to-week, so even the best plans sometimes go awry, but we’re in the process of trying to figure that out specifically,” says Haahr.

Haahr says the Legislature has a constitutional duty to pass a balanced state operating budget. That deadline is in early May, and Governor Parson has indicated he may call a special session in June for the budget.

The Speaker also says there are some legislative policy items he wants to approve this session.

Meantime, Haahr says Wednesday’s passage of the $6.2 billion supplemental budget to battle COVID-19 “will go down in the record books”. It’s the largest supplemental budget in state history.

The House floor debate was unlike anything that’s ever been seen in the chamber.

“Presiding over an empty chamber with only a maximum of ten people on the floor at the time. Everyone in masks, everyone keeping at least six feet apart,” Haahr says.

There were no visitors sitting in the upper galleries, which normally are full of lobbyists, schoolchildren and the general public. Haahr thanks the House clerk, House staffers, his staff and legislators for making sure things worked in an orderly fashion.

House members came into the chamber to vote, four at a time. They never touched a door, because the back door in the chamber stayed open.

State health officials say there are now 3,539 confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri, along with 77 deaths. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) released the latest numbers today. Those numbers have increased from Wednesday’s number of 3,327 cases and 58 deaths.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, which was recorded on April 9, 2020:

Missouri lawmakers to tackle multi-billion dollar supplemental; senators to be given masks on Tuesday

April 6, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri Senate will return to Jefferson City on Tuesday morning to tackle the proposed supplemental budget, which includes billions of dollars to battle the coronavirus outbreak.

Missouri Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia

House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, tells Missourinet that the supplemental has increased to a proposed $5.8 billion.

The Senate will gavel-in Tuesday morning at 11, and the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a noon hearing. The proceedings will be unprecedented, due to the pandemic.

Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, tells Missourinet that every state senator and their staff will be given a mask on Tuesday. Because of the governor’s statewide stay-at-home order and health concerns, Rowden is urging the general public to stay at home and to view the proceedings on the Missouri Senate website.

“The goal is to protect the public, staff and members of the General Assembly present in the Capitol building,” Rowden says.

Rowden and House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, have been working with MU Health Care to ensure the safety of state lawmakers to get back inside the Capitol to vote.

The Capitol has been closed to the public since March 24, to help stop the spread of COVID-19. It closed after longtime State Rep. Joe Runions, D-Grandview, tested positive for COVID-19. Runions has since been released from the hospital.

Governor Mike Parson says the Capitol has been receiving a deep-cleaning everyday, since it’s been closed.

Leader Rowden says anyone visiting the Capitol this week will have their temperature taken, and will be questioned about their health, travel and known COVID-19 exposure. Visitors will only have access to the joint committee hearing room and the Capitol’s fourth floor visitor galleries.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, (left) talks to House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, in Jefferson City on February 12, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The public will not have access to legislators’ offices or the surrounding hallways, according to Rowden.

Rowden also says the roll call will be much slower this week.

“And people for the most part will probably be in their offices,” Rowden told Missourinet recently. “Their name will be called and we’ll give them plenty of time to come from their office into the chamber, cast their vote and then leave again. I think the House is going to do something fairly similar.”

The 163-member Missouri House is set to convene Wednesday afternoon at 1 at the Capitol.

“I am very skeptical because, at the end of the day, we don’t know who is coming in and out of that building (the Missouri Capitol) with the virus,” State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, tells the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch”. Hopefully everybody takes this thing serious and covers their mouths and their hands and tries to stay at a distance.”

State health officials say the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Missouri has increased from 2,367 on Sunday to 2,722 on Monday. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) also says Missouri now has 39 deaths, compared to Sunday’s number of 34.

The “Stay Home Missouri” order signed by Governor Mike Parson on Friday is now in effect. The order took effect at 12:01 this morning, and says Missourians shall avoid leaving their homes or apartments unless necessary. You can still go to work at certain jobs and can access essential services such as grocery stores, gas stations, the pharmacy and banks.

You also also still go outdoors to exercise, but must practice social distancing.

Legislators to return to Missouri Capitol to vote on supplemental for COVID-19 funding (AUDIO)

April 2, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri lawmakers will return to Jefferson City next week to vote on a key supplemental budget, which includes millions of dollars in federal funds to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Missouri Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, (left) talks to House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, in the House chamber on May 9, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, says senators will come back on Tuesday.

“We will get it done. I don’t envision it becoming a hyper-partisan thing by any means,” Rowden says.

Rowden and House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, have been working with MU Health Care to make sure it’s safe for state lawmakers to get back inside the Capitol to vote.

The Capitol has been closed to the public since March 24, to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The Capitol closed after veteran State Rep. Joe Runions, D-Grandview, tested positive for COVID-19. Runions has since been released from the hospital, and continues to recover.

Leader Rowden tells Missourinet that those entering the Capitol next week will have their temperature taken. They’ll also receive health questions.

“Taking temperature, asking questions making sure they’ve not been in any of the hot spots, that they don’t have any symptoms, etc.,” says Rowden.

He says they’re taking steps to mitigate risks for senators, staff and the public. The roll call will be much slower next week.

“And people for the most part will probably be in their offices,” Rowden says. “Their name will be called and we’ll give them plenty of time to come from their office into the chamber, cast their vote and then leave again. I think the House is going to do something fairly similar.”

The Senate is expected to return Tuesday morning. The 34-member chamber now has 31 senators, with three vacancies.

The 163-member Missouri House will gavel-in Wednesday afternoon at 1. House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, and Floor Leader Vescovo say it’s imperative that “the Legislature move without delay to keep Missouri’s government operating during this crisis and provide the needed resources to those on the front lines of the pandemic.”

The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says there are now 1,834 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Missouri, along with 19 deaths.

Governor Mike Parson announced this week that he’s withholding $180 million in state spending, to ensure a balanced state budget during the pandemic. The governor is warning that the state could see a $500 million budget shortfall between now and the end of June.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, which was recorded on April 2, 2020:

Missouri to receive federal guidance this week on $13 million in coronavirus funding

March 16, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s budget director testified Sunday in Jefferson City that he expects federal guidance early this week on what the Show-Me State can spend its coronavirus funding on.

Missouri House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, speaks during a marathon budget hearing on March 15, 2020 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Budget Director Dan Haug tells the House Budget Committee that Missouri is expected to receive at least $13 million in federal funding.

“Right now we do know that a portion of it (federal funding) will be passed through to the local health agencies,” Haug testifies. “We know that it can be used for for testing, laboratory services.”

Haug testified before the Budget Committee, during a marathon Sunday hearing that lasted into early Monday morning.

It’s rare for the House Budget Committee, or any legislative committee, to meet on a Sunday. House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, says the aim is for the full House to approve the state operating budget on Wednesday, with final House approval expected Thursday.

House members would then leave Jefferson City for their already-scheduled spring break, and the Missouri Capitol will be thoroughly cleaned at that time.

State health officials have confirmed Missouri’s fifth case of COVID-19, which is travel-related and involves a resident in southwest Missouri’s Greene County.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley tells Missourinet the federal funding will also go to more testing kits in Missouri.

House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, does not expect the state to have to tap into the “Rainy Day Fund” for the coronavirus. He notes the at least $13 million heading to the state is federal funding, part of an emergency $8.3 billion package signed this month by President Donald Trump.

“So we as a General Assembly are well-situated as we work through the process to be responsive to this, and we feel like the resources made available this time are a good start,” says Smith.

Lawmakers also learned Sunday that Governor Parson’s state of emergency declaration will also provide access to an additional $7 million, on top of the $13-million mark.

Missouri’s health director testifies the state is well-prepared for coronavirus

March 2, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s health director testified Monday afternoon in Jefferson City that he’s hoping for the best and preparing for the worst regarding the coronavirus.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams testifies before the House Special Committee on Disease Control and Prevention in Jefferson City on March 2, 2020 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director, Dr. Randall Williams, appeared before the newly-created Missouri House Special Committee on Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Williams testifies there have been no confirmed cases in Missouri. About 100 people have been self-monitoring, and Dr. Williams says the department has had fewer than 15 people under investigation, which includes testing.

DHSS says about 80 people in Missouri have been evaluated by epidemiologists.

Director Williams testifies that hand washing is the key thing to remember.

“When people ask me how good or bad this is, the answer I always give is I’m not going to speculate. I don’t know but I’ll tell you this,” Williams testifies. “If you will use good handwashing for 20 seconds, as described by the CDC.”

The CDC is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Williams also recommends avoiding touching your eyes or mouth with unwashed hands.

“We don’t have a vaccination, so that will not be available to us. We do not have antivirals that are readily available,” says Dr. Williams.

Director Williams testifies Missouri is well-prepared, noting DHSS has held daily meetings since January 27. He emphasizes that the United States has an excellent health care system, and also praises the preparation of Missouri’s health directors and providers.

Williams is not making a supplemental budget request right now, regarding the coronavirus. He tells the committee that the federal government will be offering the money Missouri will need. Williams doesn’t think DHSS will need general revenue.

During a Statehouse press conference on Monday, House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, told Missourinet that the Legislature will be ready if a request comes. Haahr notes he spoke about the issue earlier on Monday, with House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage.

“If money is needed, the ability to put that in the supplemental (budget) to get that money to the people who need it quickly,” Speaker Haahr says. “I know on the federal level, there has been quite a bit of discussion about the amount of money that’s needed. Obviously, it’s going to take some time to turn around a vaccine on this.”

Governor Mike Parson and DHSS Director Williams will meet with Cabinet members Tuesday afternoon in Jefferson City. The governor and Dr. Williams also plan a press conference.

State Rep. Jonathan Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, chairs the House Special Committee on Disease Control and Prevention. He’s a surgeon. State Rep. Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, is the ranking Democrat. Both lawmakers emphasize this is a bipartisan issue. Speaker Haahr agrees.

State Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove, D-Kansas City, who serves on the committee, has requested an unclassified briefing on the impact on the Missouri National Guard, specifically those who have been overseas. Representative Bland Manlove is a former intelligence analyst for the Missouri National Guard.

Missouri leaders to address coronavirus control, health director meets with White House

February 27, 2020 By Missourinet Contributor

Dr. Randall Williams (courtesy Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services)

Missouri’s health director will testify Monday in Jefferson City before a newly-created state House committee related to the new coronavirus. House Speaker Elijah Haahr announced the formation of the committee Thursday, saying state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams has briefed his office on the state’s response plan to protect Missourians’ health. Speaker Haahr says that the more information Missourians have, the better equipped the state will be to mitigate the virus’ spread.

Williams said in an agency statement released today, “Prior to the national health emergency being declared on January 31, our incident management team from DHSS had already begun daily meetings (on Jan. 27) as part of our normal preparedness and response duties. Part of our responsibilities also includes being an effective liaison to local public health departments who were briefed last week in Jefferson City with the latest information from federal partners.”

This week, Williams traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with his counterparts from around the nation to discuss preparations across our country with the acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and the Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.”

“I am pleased that our efforts here in Missouri are strategically aligned with our federal and national partners.”

The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory has been approved by the CDC to begin providing testing. The test uses real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to detect the virus which causes COVID-19, and it can provide same-day results.

“Our Missouri team has been working to educate and collaborate with a robust network of response organizations including the State Emergency Management Agency, all 16 State departments, the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory, clinicians, local public health departments, medical associations, hospital associations, airports, school nurses, student health departments at colleges, and others to provide timely and accurate information in preparation for the possibility of a future positive case,” Dr. Williams also said in the press statement.

Missouri DHSS has established a website at www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus to provide information and links to resources and education material on COVID-19.