LETTER: State Rep. Candidate Alec DiFruscia Says It’s Time To Reopen The Economy, Support Small Businesses

Dear Editor,

Over the course of the past few weeks, cases of the coronavirus here in Massachusetts have steadily declined. Governor Baker and his team acted swiftly and decisively at the beginning of the outbreak, and we achieved our goal: flattening the curve. Now, it’s time to re-open the economy and begin our steep climb out of this economic downturn.

As of 2019, small businesses operating in Massachusetts made up 99.5% of all businesses in the state and employed 1.5 million people. These businesses are the anchor of our community. They help families make rent and mortgage payments, car payments, tuition and more. The longer we keep “non-essential” businesses locked down, the less and less likely it becomes for them to return at all.

Take a look at the businesses that have been allowed to either stay open or re-open – they have all been able to find ways to keep their employees and customers safe in a way that works for them. Why not give all businesses that opportunity?

There are some common sense steps the Legislature can take to increase economic activity and help small businesses bounce back. Permanently reducing the sales tax to 5% will make our retailers more competitive with businesses across the New Hampshire border. Temporarily suspending the meals tax for 90 days will encourage families to go out to eat and enjoy local restaurants.

Since March, over 1,000,000 Massachusetts workers have filed for unemployment benefits. Leaders at the State House need to do everything in their power to get these people back to work. It starts with fully re-opening our economy and trusting in the innovation and ingenuity that small businesses are built on.

Sincerely,

Alec DiFruscia
Republican Candidate for State Representative, 19th Middlesex
Tewksbury

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