Senator Portantino Statement on the Golden State Stimulus Package

Senator Portantino Statement on the Golden State Stimulus Package

Sacramento, CA – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Canada Flintridge) issued the following statement on the passing of today’s Golden State Stimulus Package:

“I am very pleased to be a principal co-author of the legislative economic relief package which brings speedy and much needed financial relief to individuals, families and businesses suffering unprecedented economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Californians earning less than $30,000, as well as others, who were excluded from previous federal stimulus programs, will receive $600 in one-time relief. The agreement also includes increased support – through grants, tax cuts, and fee reductions – for our small businesses who have been devastated by the pandemic. It builds on previous programs, providing an additional $2.1 billion in grants for small businesses. Heavily impacted service industries, including thousands of restaurants, bars, cosmetology businesses, will receive $115 million in fee reductions for two years.

A key provision of the small business relief effort for which I pressed was to keep those small businesses that have applied for financial relief in the system so this infusion of money can quickly be allocated to them. One of the bills in the package establishes the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program within the California Office of Small Business Advocate to provide grants to qualified small businesses for post-pandemic economic assistance.

The actions taken by the Governor and Legislature are critical in helping Californians recover from the devastating effects of this pandemic.”