OCEAN — Following the release of their latest small business-focused TV ad, “Coming Back,” Democrats Vin Gopal, Eric Houghtaling, and Joann Downey are highlighting their legislative achievements fighting for Monmouth County’s small businesses during the pandemic and into the future.

“Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with our local businesses to help them survive the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gopal, Houghtaling, and Downey said. “While the most severe impacts of the pandemic may be behind us, we understand we still have a tremendous amount of work to do to help the small businesses that act as the lifeblood of our economy not only recover, but thrive. We are committed to helping reduce the cost of doing business in New Jersey and eliminating bureaucratic red tape that hinders small business growth.”

Below are some of the candidates’ top legislative achievements to promote local business growth:

— Took the lead engineering a swift, decisive legislative response to the COVID-19 pandemic, securing more than $400 million in relief for small businesses.

— Created the LD11 Recovery Council, which convened business stakeholders from across the district to present the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and foster actionable solutions.

— Introduced legislation that would provide a tax credit to employers who rehire staff who were laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Sponsored and introduced legislation designed to promote business development throughout the state, including bills that provide financial and technical assistance to entrepreneurs who open small businesses and create a comprehensive statewide economic development plan.

— Proposed legislation that would create a task force assigned to study the impact of the state’s minimum wage increase on small business while also providing tax credits to certain employers for rising costs associated with the minimum wage increase.

— Reformed liquor license laws to help mom and pop bars and restaurants attain liquor licenses.

— Wrote legislation to expand outdoor dining opportunities across the state.

— Wrote legislation to allow bars and restaurants to offer “cocktails-to-go.”

— Restored funding to the Urban Enterprise Zone program, which provides tax relief to qualifying businesses in Long Branch and Asbury Park.

— Successfully sponsored a bill that designates the first week of October as Manufacturing Week in New Jersey to highlight the impact manufacturing has on the state’s economy.

Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, and Assemblywoman Joann Downey are running for re-election to serve the 11th Legislative District, which covers 18 municipalities within Monmouth County.

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