Bucks County GOP House Delegation Supports Hospitality Industry Grant Proposal

A pizza shop operating during the pandemic.
Credit: spurekar

The Bucks County Republican state House of Representatives delegation has agreed to co-sponsor a bill that would create a grant program for the state’s hospitality industry during the pandemic.

The proposed legislation, which would be introduced in the new term in January, was crafted by State Rep. Todd Polinchock, of Chalfont. It is supported by State. Rep. Frank Farry, of Langhorne Borough; State Rep. Wendi Thomas, of Northampton Township; State Rep. Craig Staats, of Quakertown; State Rep. Meghan Schroeder, of Warminster Township; State Rep. Shelby Labs, of Doylestown; and State Rep. Kathleen “K.C.” Tomlinson, of Bensalem.

The proposal calls for the state to create a grant program that would dedicate $500 million in upcoming federal COVID-19 assistance for hospitality industry businesses impacted by mitigation measures.

Prior to the pandemic, the hospitality industry in the state employed more than 550,000 people. Since March, tens of thousands of these employees were laid off, according to a memo circulated is Harrisburg last week seeking support for the proposal.

“We need to support the entirety of the hospitality and tourism industry as they try to survive this crisis. Therefore, I am introducing legislation that will create a grant program for businesses impacted by COVID-19 and the resulting shutdown orders. This program will dedicate $500 million in forthcoming federal assistance for Covid relief to grants that can be used to bring this once vibrant industry back to life when this crisis passes,” Polinchock said in his memo.

“This is another fantastic option coming at the most difficult time of this pandemic,” said Rui Lucas, of the Restaurant and Bars COVID Respond Association. “It is needed now more than ever.”

The proposal comes as the state is under its second COVID-19 mitigation period that has halted indoor dining. The latest set of measures was put in place by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration as COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state jumped.

“The way the administration has handled the COVID-19 shutdowns has been arbitrary, allowing hundreds of people in big box stores while crippling many local businesses that are the lifeblood of our communities,” Farry said. “While we support the need to keep people safe and to operate while following all the medical guidelines, we believe our restaurants were doing just that.”

Tomlinson said the lawmakers understand that shutdowns without government relief cannot continue.

Two Democratic lawmakers, including State Rep. Tina Davis, of Bristol Township, plan to propose their own grant program for the restaurant, bar, and catering and banquet hall industry.