State Senator George Borrello and other members of the Senate GOP Conference on Tuesday unveiled a package of legislation designed to help "Reset New York's Restaurant and Hospitality Industry." The cornerstone of the legislation is a comprehensive bill sponsored by Borrello to provide relief to business owners and employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would do the following:
· Exempt small businesses from being penalized with higher unemployment insurance rates due to layoffs resulting from COVID-related, government-mandated closures; the exemption would extend for a period of one year from when they are permitted to return to full capacity.
· Prohibit Internet-based food delivery services from charging higher fees than they charged on or before March 1, 2020.
· Provide small businesses additional time to pay monthly sales and payroll taxes, as well as business and property taxes.
· Offer interest-free loans or lines of credit to small businesses.
· Provide a one-year extension for renewal of liquor licenses.
· Provide businesses a 90-day grace period to pay any fees or penalties due to state and local agencies.
Borrello says, "Unfortunately, our Governor does not seem to understand how important these restaurants, hotels, and their employees are to making our economy function. Using his executive authority, the Governor has put extremely damaging and burdensome restrictions on the industry without outlining any plan for how government will help reverse the damage it created. The Senate Democrats have been a voiceless non-entity in this situation, devoid of any plan of their own or proactive initiative to help. It's high time state government -- including the State Senate -- roll up our sleeves and begin to restart, rethink, and renew our commitment to restaurants and hospitality businesses to make our State thrive again."
Photo by State Senate George Borrello's Office
