Callender Supports Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Packages

April 15, 2021

State Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) voted to support several bills that offer significant COVID-19 relief. The pieces of legislation under House Bills 167, 168, 169, 170 all passed during today’s session.

“As we continue to work our way out of this pandemic, we understand that so many parts of our communities have been so heavily impacted due to COVID-19 and these bills are a step in the right direction to uplifting our state and all Ohioans,” Callender said.

The bills include the following appropriations for COVID-19 relief:

· House Bill 167 – $465 million in rental and utility assistance

· House Bill 168 – $300 million in support of small businesses, veterans, county fairs, and child care

$150 million for a small business grant relief program
$10 million for grants to new businesses
$120 million for Ohio's fairs, veterans’ homes and child care services

$4.7 million for county and independent fairs

$3 million for veterans homes

$112.2 million for childcare providers

$20 million for entertainment venues for loss of revenue due to cancelled events or performances

· House Bill 169 – $125 million in grants for bars, restaurants, and the lodging industry

$100 million to Ohio’s bars and restaurants
$25 million to Ohio’s lodging industry

· House Bill 170 - $1.04 billion in assistance for Ohio schools, the Ohio Department of Health for COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution, and to the Adjutant General to support the Ohio National Guard

$683 million for public schools
$154.8 million for private schools
$19 million for Educational Service Centers, Joint Vocational Schools, and Ohio’s County Boards of Developmental Disabilities
$173 million for the Ohio Department of Health for COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution efforts
$8 million for the Adjutant General to support the Ohio National Guard response

All the bills now proceed to the Senate for further consideration.