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Rep. Sobecki, House Dems recognize National Small Business Week

Urge action on Democratic legislation to support small businesses and entrepreneurs during the pandemic
September 25, 2020
Republican Newsroom

COLUMBUS –As National Small Business Week comes to a close, State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) continues to call for action on House Democratic legislation to support small businesses suffering as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small businesses comprise roughly 98 percent of all Ohio businesses and employ half of the state’s private-sector workforce. 

“My district is full of small businesses, and each play an important role in our community. These small businesses are struggling, and House Leadership needs to keep us in session so we can help them,” said Rep. Sobecki. “As Ranking on the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee, part of my job these past 2 years has been to learn what issues are important to small and local businesses across the state and what we can do to help spur economic growth. Small businesses are essential to Ohio’s economy, and we need to do more to help them during this pandemic.”

House Democrats have introduced a number of bills to help businesses navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

  • House Bill (HB) 596 sponsored by Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton): To protect consumers and small business owners from collections efforts by creditors and debt collectors until after the COVID-19 emergency has subsided;
  • HB 589 sponsored by Rep. Jeffrey Crossman (D-Parma) and Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake): To allow business interruption insurance to cover certain pandemic- related losses;
  • HCR 26 sponsored by Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid): To urge Congress and the President to prohibit internet service providers from terminating internet service to residential customers and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • HB 609 sponsored by Rep. West: To create a temporary tax amnesty program;
  • HB 380 sponsored by Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland): To require private owners to pay construction contractors within 30 days;
  • HB 745 sponsored by Rep. West and Rep. Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park): To delay the deadlines by which liquor permit holders must renew their liquor permits.

Throughout the 133rd General Assembly, House Democrats have also passed two priority bills to expand job training and workforce development opportunities in Ohio. HB 2, sponsored by Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown), created the TechCred program, and HB 4, sponsored by Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon), cut red tape for credentials and certificates for Ohio workers.