Missouri House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith Archives

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.

Cody Smith: Missouri revenue has been strong enough to avoid withholds

January 14, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor will outline his legislative priorities and will release some details of his budget blueprint during Wednesday’s State of the State Address in Jefferson City.

Missouri House Budget Committee Chair Cody Smith, R-Carthage, speaks during a joint budget committee hearing on May 7, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Governor Mike Parson (R) signed a $29.7 billion state operating budget into law last summer, which included a three percent pay raise for state employees. It also included an $8 million retention pay plan aimed at wage increases for state Department of Corrections (DOC) staff.

State Budget Director Dan Haug will unveil the Parson administration’s budget blueprint to Capitol reporters, before Wednesday’s State of the State Address. The governor will deliver his State of the State Address at about 3 to a joint session of the Legislature.

One of the biggest things we’ll learn on Wednesday is whether Governor Parson’s proposed budget includes a pay increase for state employees. More than 14,000 state employees work in Jefferson City, making state government the town’s largest employer.

State revenues have been increasing.

Director Haug announced last week that net general revenue collections for 2019 fiscal year-to-date increased 5.2 percent compared to December 2018, from $4.31 billion last year to $4.53 billion this year.

Haug says Missouri’s individual income tax collections increased 5.1 percent for the year, from $3.1 billion last year to $3.26 billion this year. Corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections jumped almost 21 percent for the year.

House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, tells Missourinet that revenue has been strong enough to avoid withholds.

The state Constitution requires Missouri lawmakers to approve a balanced budget by early May.

Once the governor unveils his proposed budget, each agency and statewide elected official will testify before the House Budget and Senate Appropriations Committees. Those hearings traditionally go well into February.