Fowler Supports Substantial, Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Packages
State Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Geneva-on-the-Lake) 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 the most recent House session.
“I was happy to stand with my colleagues in support of these bipartisan pandemic relief plans,” said Fowler Arthur. “Due to mandates and shutdowns, we’ve seen so many impacted by COVID-19 and it’s critical that we provide the necessary assistance to get them back on their feet.”
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 indoor 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.