LaRe's Bill to Expand Restaurant Revenue Generation Heads to Governor's Desk
COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives today concurred with Senate Amendments to House Bill 669, legislation sponsored by State Representatives Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Township) and D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) that will allow the sales the to-go alcohol sales.
Also known as the Business Expansion and Safety Act, the bill will provide bars, restaurants, breweries and wineries with greater flexibility when it comes to to-go alcohol sales. In order to benefit from the legislation and have the potential to bring in more revenue during the pandemic, participating bars, restaurants, breweries and wineries must be qualified permit holders.
“The Business Expansion and Safety Act allows for our local businesses the opportunity to make up for the loss of business that occurred during the beginning of the pandemic,” said LaRe. “As a government leader, it’s crucial for us to provide our communities with way to adapt to new situations, and in this current case, a pandemic. House Bill 669 will allow for businesses to maximize their revenue generation.”
The legislation passed out of the Ohio House on June 10 and out of the Ohio Senate today, September 23. The legislation contains an emergency clause and will be effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature.
LaRe also voted in support of legislation during today’s session that will bring over $4.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds to the 77th House District.
House Bill 614 appropriates $650 million in CARES Act funding to counties, municipalities and townships to fund COVID-19 pandemic-related expenses. This CARES funding for counties, municipalities and townships is in addition to the $525 million provided earlier this year.
The funds throughout the 77th House District, which total exactly to $4,114,021, will be distributed as follows:
Baltimore Village: $108,251
Buckeye Lake Village: $541
Canal Winchester City: $32,973
Lancaster City: $1,459,628
Millersport Village: $38,702
Pickerington City: $795,237
Pleasantville Village: $34,558
Reynoldsburg City: $34,774
Rushville Village: $11,135
Thurston Village: $21,766
West Rushville Village: $5,153
Greenfield Township: $195,890
Liberty Township: $190,845
Pleasant Township: $206,917
Richland Township: $67,423
Violet Township: $729,796
Walnut Township: $180,431
The legislation also improves Ohio’s unemployment compensation system, which was overwhelmed by the sudden increase in claims filed due to COVID-19. Included in the improvements to the system is the creation of the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council.
-30-
For more information, contact Rep. LaRe’s office at (614) 466-8100 or rep77@ohiohouse.gov