Gov. Murphy vetoes bill to reimburse restaurants affected by change of indoor dining plans over summer

Gov. Phil Murphy has vetoed a bill that would have reimbursed restaurants who lost money after he changed plans over the summer for indoor dining.

News 12 Staff

Oct 20, 2020, 9:44 AM

Updated 1,512 days ago

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Gov. Phil Murphy has vetoed a bill that would have reimbursed restaurants who lost money after he changed plans over the summer for indoor dining.
The bill had unanimously passed the Senate and Assembly. The Senate voted for the bill 38-0, and the Assembly 77-0.
The bill would have provided $30 million in loans or grants to restaurants harmed by the rescinded reopening, funded by the state's federal CARES Act aid.
But the governor says restaurants and bars will be getting at least $35 million as part of the recently announced $100 million in new CARES Act funding for businesses.
The governor reversed course a few days ahead of reopening, after previously announcing indoor dining could resume July 2 at 25% capacity. He said restaurant and bar crowds around the U.S. were driving up coronavirus cases.
Bill sponsors said restaurants relied on the governor’s reopening plan when they purchased safety equipment, food, and hired staff, and the state should help them recoup their losses.