There are 2 important items on my desk this morning that will impact your dining and drinking activities. Along with the news, I’ll share what actions you might consider taking.
ITEM 1: Congress Proposes New Restaurant Rescue Bill
Source: Berman and Company, June 21, 2020
On Thursday, a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress that would provide $120 billion in grants to independent restaurants. To be eligible, restaurants must have yearly revenue of $1.5 million or less and can’t be publicly traded. Compared to funding through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), relief can be used for a wider array of restaurant expenses. Receiving a PPP loan would not disqualify a restaurant from applying for this funding.
This is obviously welcome news for the restaurants we love and support. It is, however, not yet law.
An email of support for the Restaurant Bill is a great place to start. Here’s a sample email you can tweak and send:
EMAIL SUBJECT: Act Now to Support Real Economic Support that Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive Act, or Restaurant Act!
Dear Senator/Representative [LAST NAME]:
As a regular patron of my neighborhood restaurants, I’ve seen first-hand the struggle restaurant owners are making to feed our communities. I am therefore writing to urge you to pass Real Economic Support that Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive Act, or Restaurant Act. The Restaurant Act is bipartisan (introduced by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.)) and would address the needs of small business that keep employees and their families out of hardship.
Please ensure that this vital support is maintained through Real Economic Support that Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive Act, or Restaurant Act!
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely, [NAME/TITLE/INSTITUTION]
Click here to find your member of the US House of Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives
and the US Senate: https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
ITEM 2: New Tariffs Proposed on European wine – including Champagne this time
The issue of tariffs on food and wine from Europe is in retaliation for Europe’s Digital Services Tax (DST) against large businesses like Google and Facebook. Italy, Austria, and several other countries have already imposed a digital-services tax on them. The European Union overall is also considering such a tax.
100-percent tariffs on all European wines are not a real possibility – however, as W. Blake Gary from www.wine-searcher.com writes, “a politically wounded and desperate President Trump might do absolutely anything.” The Administration also seeks the same tariffs in disputes related to the long-simmering fight over Airbus subsidies.
A comment to protest tariffs is a great step to take if you wish to enjoy bubbles this December and toast good riddance to 2020. Here’s where to visit and comment on the need to resolve these trade issues without hurting the small, family businesses consisting of farmers and producers that are needlessly involved in negotiable trade arrangements in entirely different industries:
https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USTR-2020-0022
Let me know if you take action!
Best,
David