Mississippi lawmakers are heading home after suspending the legislative session due to the Coronavirus. As MPB's Desare Frazier reports, the vote to leave was delayed over funding for certain workers.
Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn says after speaking with the state health officer Monday evening, they decided to suspend the legislative session because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
"In light of the president's statement that groups of 10 or more be avoided. Dr. Dobbs called us and said we think it might be a good idea for the legislature to consider suspending business for a period of time," said Gunn.
Yesterday the House voted to suspend the deadlines for passing legislation. They also approved a measure authorizing local governments and school districts to provide leave with pay to employees. Democrat Minority Leader, Robert Johnson of Natchez, offered an amendment to provide unemployment benefits to service workers and others who don't have paid leave.
"It's a place where they can go and get unemployment coverage. This just added the people who maybe disadvantaged as a result of this virus. It added them to that category. That's all it did," said Johnson.
The amendment failed. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann says the federal government is providing monies for certain workers forced to remain home.
"The federal government is taking over the payment of unemployment compensation benefits. They are also appropriating $1 billion to Worker's Compensation for future use," said Hosemann.
The bill to suspend the session will go to the Senate today where Hosemann says it will pass. The legislators are expected to return April 1.