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$30 million in loans or grants to restaurants harmed by the rescinded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.