Rep. John Bell 9 (R-Johnston) says that he will continue to support small businesses during 'these challenging times.' | Courtesy Photo
Rep. John Bell 9 (R-Johnston) says that he will continue to support small businesses during 'these challenging times.' | Courtesy Photo
A North Carolina state representative praised his colleagues in the General Assembly for their actions to help small business owners who struggled after Gov. Roy Cooper ordered them to close due to concerns about spreading COVID-19.
Rep. Jon Bell (R-Johnston) posted a video report to his Facebook page on Aug. 17 from WRAL that featured some small businesses that have been impacted because of shut-down orders.
"... We've tried to find ways to help [small businesses] through the crisis — including approving $125 million in small business relief, creating [a] $15 million job retention grant program and waiving interest on income and business taxes," Bell said in his Facebook post.
State Republican lawmakers have assailed the Democratic governor for his executive orders and actions to manage the public health crisis and have used the Legislature to pass laws to force Cooper to allow still closed businesses, such as gyms, to reopen.
“It has now been over 150 days since Gov. Cooper shut [North Carolina] small businesses down. These folks are frustrated and deserve better,” Bell said in his Facebook post. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I promise to do all that I can to support them during these challenging times."
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