Philip Gunn, House Speaker, compared managing the Legislative session to “calling an audible at the line of scrimmage.” He was also involved in a COVID-19 epidemic that affected him and his Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann was infected and it was like “calling an audible to the line of Scrimmage.” “… It’s been quite a session.” The Legislature directed large amounts of $1.25 Billion in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act pandemic relief funds to Tate Reeves. This included hundreds of millions of grants to small businesses and healthcare providers. Gunn stated that the 2021 legislative session, which will begin in January, would be “return in three months” to tie it up. Already, lawmakers have begun to set a budget of approximately $6 billion for the next year. On Thursday and Friday, the lawmakers redirected CARES Act funds that were not used for small businesses, hospitals, or other programs to new directives. These include: Federal law requires that CARES Act funds be spent by the end the year. Funds that are not applied for or awarded by December 15th will be directed to Mississippi’s Unemployment Trust Fund. This fund has been severely depleted by the recession and pandemic. To support this important work, make a regular donation to celebrate our Spring Member Drive.