Craig Commends Passage of Covid-19 Relief Bills

Today, Assistant Minority Whip Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus) applauded the Senate passage of Senate Bills 108, 109 and 110, which address the financial impact of Covid-19 in the state of Ohio.
“Ohioans need assistance now for job retention, childcare, rent and utilities,” Craig said. “While there are many pressing matters for the General Assembly to consider, none are more urgent than providing immediate relief from the devastating impact our community has experienced in the last year. I fully support these bills and call upon the Ohio House to quickly follow suit in passing this much-needed relief.” These bills will pass on federal dollars that have been granted to Ohio to support Covid-19 relief efforts, including:

• $465 million for rent and utility assistance
• $150 million for small businesses
• $112.2 million to reimburse childcare providers related to COVID and encourage retention of the workforce
• $100 million for restaurants and bars
• $100 million to reimburse local governments and certain non-profits, including non-profit hospitals, for pandemic related costs
• $25 million for the lodging industry
• $20 million for indoor entertainment venues
• $10 million for new businesses
• $4.7 million to support local fairs
• $3 million to support costs of the two veterans homes in Ohio

“Thanks to the increasing number of vaccines being administered and Ohioans’ continued mask wearing and social distancing, we appear to be on the road to a sustained recovery,” said Craig. “However, we cannot turn a blind eye to the economic devastation and other hardships created by the pandemic, particularly in our less advantaged communities.”