Since the CARES Act funding was dispersed and Mississippi received its $1.25 billion to help during this pandemic, there has been a lot of controversy at the Capitol.
Who should have the authority to spend this money? Should it be up to Governor Reeves or the Legislature?
Last Friday, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn brought in members of the House and Senate to create an amendment on SB 2772.
This amendment would take away spending authority from the Governor and give it to the legislature.
The one thing they were able to find some agreement on is how the CARES Act funding should be spent.
“We know who needs this money,” Reeves said, “I believe that the three of us and other legislators can work to get this money to the people who need it most.”
Lt. Governor Hosemann said he plans to ask his Senators to hold this bill (SB 2772) as they come up with a plan on how the money will be split – this essentially will give them all more time. If this were not to be done, the bill would either be vetoed or go into law tonight at midnight.
Hosemann also went on to say that he wants Mississippians to know they are all here to work on solutions during this coronavirus pandemic.
“We will work to allocate these dollars to people as quickly as humanly possible,” Hosemann said.
Speaker Gunn thanked the Governor for working together and coming together to find a solution.
All three agreed that the priority lies with small businesses and they will be the first to receive funding.
Lawmakers will start working on a plan starting this afternoon.
The post Reeves, Hosemann and Gunn Come Together To Reach An Agreement for Spending $1.25 Billion of CARES Act Funding appeared first on News Mississippi.