Today’s update discusses:

• State income tax exemption of federal stimulus checks
• Clay County’s emergency order requiring face masks
• Platte County’s face mask requirement
• Possible restoration of restrictions in the St. Louis area

 EXECUTIVE ORDERS

• Governor Parson has signed Senate Bill 676, which exempts from state income taxes federal stimulus check money received during the pandemic. According to Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, who sponsored the bill, “at a time when Missouri residents are struggling to recover from economic hardships, it’s important that they keep every dollar possible.” In addition to this, the bill also establishes a new timeline for property assessment notices and requires county assessors to conduct a physical inspection before increasing a property’s assessment by more than 15%.

HEALTH

• Health officials in Clay County (which encompasses part of Kansas City) have issued an emergency order requiring face coverings as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. The order, set to begin this Sunday, will require masks in “all indoor areas of public accommodation” within the county. As of now, the order is set to remain in place until August 23, 2020. The order also includes the Clay County recovery plan, which provides guidance for continuing to reopen safely.
• The health department in Platte County (which is adjacent to Clay County in the Kansas City area) announced that face coverings will be required because cases continue to increase. Face coverings will be required in all indoor and outdoor locations where people cannot maintain 6 feet of distance. In addition, businesses may refuse to serve anyone who will not wear a mask.
• St. Louis officials have been discussing the possibility of restoring some restrictions due to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases in the state. According to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, “COVID numbers continue to not look very good,” and she contemplates making some changes again. According to officials, they will continue to watch for rising hospitalizations and positive cases and make a decision in the coming weeks.