On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, Missouri legislators passed orders to restrict state and local governments from abusing their power during a pandemic. There are two-fold repercussions that attempt to protect individuals as well as businesses’ rights.
Emergency Orders
The first legislation was limiting emergency orders that restrict businesses, churches, schools, or gatherings to 30 days. This takes effect unless extended by a local body. This bill would also become law as soon as Governor Parson signs it. This means it would affect pandemic restrictions still in place in St. Louis County. This would also affect future health orders.
Local Restrictions
Lawmakers in Jefferson City also passed a bill punishing local communities that continue to hamper businesses. Senator Koenig from St. Louis County who sponsored the bill, explained it this way,
If a county shuts down a business, then they (the business) don’t have to pay taxes while they were shut down [1].
Alongside that, theaters and concert venues took a hard hit last year. This bill provides a tax break for tickets and concessions during a nearly two-year period beginning August 28 extending through June 30, 2023 [2].
Meanwhile, Missouri coronavirus cases have declined greatly from last winter and many local areas have dismissed their harsh restrictions. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt did file suit against St. Louis County seeking a court order to remove the strict restrictions in place there.
Notes:
- ^https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/missouri-lawmakers-pass-limits-pandemic-restrictions/63-c4d2c055-43bc-48ca-8b9e-5649ab4beb88 (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/missouri-lawmakers-pass-limits-pandemic-restrictions/63-c4d2c055-43bc-48ca-8b9e-5649ab4beb88 (go back ↩)
