Posted: | December 18, 2020 10:18 AM |
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From: | Representative Joe Ciresi and Rep. Tina M. Davis |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | COVID-19 Local Restaurant Grants |
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many bars, restaurants, and catering halls are struggling to stay afloat. We must ensure the economic survival of these businesses that often-become landmarks in the communities in which we live, work, and raise our families. Our restaurants and bars can’t wait for the federal government to take action, and we can’t wait to see what – if anything – will come from the federal government to help these mom-and-pop establishments. This is why we will be introducing legislation to provide grants, not loans, to eligible bars, restaurants, and catering and banquet halls that are struggling, focusing the aid on the smaller community businesses that need the help more right now, rather than chains and national conglomerates. This bill will utilize funding from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, because these restaurants are in need of help now, and the consequences for our state will be much worse if they go under. There will also be a cap on assistance to ensure that as many local businesses as possible are helped. This legislation was introduced last session as HB 2791, and is changed to reflect the exhaustion of federal CARES Act funds and to increase the grant amount to $200 million. Our family restaurants and food establishments need economic support so they can be there for their employees, customers, and neighborhoods in the future. Please join us in co-sponsoring this crucial legislation. Prior Co-Sponsors (As HB 2791): CIRESI, T. DAVIS, KOSIEROWSKI, BRIGGS, GALLOWAY, HARKINS, McNEILL, LONGIETTI, SAINATO, MADDEN, DALEY, MALAGARI, ZABEL, MERSKI, KIRKLAND, KULIK, DELLOSO, HILL-EVANS, SCHLOSSBERG, KINSEY, McCARTER, ULLMAN, FREEMAN, NEILSON, KENYATTA, DONATUCCI, HANBIDGE, KRUEGER, OTTEN, BURNS, WILLIAMS, SNYDER, SANCHEZ, WARREN, DEASY, WEBSTER, KIM, PASHINSKI, DRISCOLL, SIMS, DERMODY, FRANKEL, HOHENSTEIN, ISAACSON, GOODMAN, DeLUCA, COMITTA, MULLINS, SAPPEY, FITZGERALD, HOWARD, ROZZI, INNAMORATO, SCHMITT, SHUSTERMAN, FIEDLER, KORTZ and MULLERY |
Introduced as HB538