NJBIA Lauds Senate Passage of Regional Reopening Bill
| NJBIA Lauds Senate Passage of
Regional Reopening Bill |
| NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs Christopher Emigholz issued the following statement regarding passage of the bill S-3093 today, which directs Gov. Phil Murphy to develop and implement a county-by-county plan to allow businesses to operate during a pandemic.
“NJBIA thanks the sponsors and the supporters of this bill, which moves New Jersey away from its one-size-fits-all model to benefit areas of the state that are less impacted by COVID-19. “This scalpel approach for safe reopenings, which was recommended by NJBIA and the New Jersey Business Council last year, has worked effectively in our neighboring states. It will enable counties that have fewer COVID-19 cases to avoid the restrictions imposed in places where case numbers are dramatically higher. “The color-coded reopening system will allow counties to make choices based on data and gives at least some businesses what they desperately need – a chance to survive. “New Jersey ended 2020 with 31.4% fewer small businesses open than it started the year with – and not a day goes by when we don’t hear of another establishment shutting down for good. Livelihoods in all corners of the state are at risk. We should be trying to save them when and where we can. “The legislation is also important because it provides transparency to the public health restrictions, and that will bring better predictability and planning, which are critical when operating a business. “We respectfully ask the Assembly to move this bill as quickly as possible to open the economy where it is geographically appropriate.” |
