Liz Welch was sent the letter on Wednesday. Tate Reeves was appointed interim director of Department of Finance and Administration. This agency distributes state funds according to the directives of the Legislature. David McRae, the state treasurer, received the letter as well. After Reeves had claimed over a number of weeks that he only had the authority to disburse $1.25 million sent by the U.S. Congress to the state to address costs and other issues related to the coronavirus, the Legislature’s two presiding officials took the unusual step of sending the letter. This money is part the $2 trillion Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), which was passed in March. Hosemann and Gunn sent the letter to inform them that the Mississippi Legislature will soon be in session to plan the constitutional allocation of these funds to meet Mississippi’s immediate needs and future requirements in response to the COVID-19 economic and health crisis. “You are to keep the entire account…until you receive instructions from the Legislature through its appropriation process regarding the distribution of state funds.” DFA letter from Legislative Leadership 4.29.20. (Text) Mississippi Today reported Wednesday that the Legislature could be back at the Capitol as soon as Monday to address the issue. Due to safety concerns regarding COVID-19, the Legislature was forced to resign in March. The original plan was for the Legislature to return on May 18. Since 2004, Welch has been Reeves’s top secretary. This includes his two terms as state treasurer. During Reeves’ two terms as lieutenant governor and secretary of the Senate, she was responsible for the day to day operations of the Senate. Welch is currently serving as interim director of DFA since January when Reeves began his tenure as governor. This means that her name has not yet been submitted to the Senate for confirmation. Reeves said that he has the power to spend the funds, but he also stated that he would work with the Legislature to do so.