By JEFF STITT
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A new year is upon us, and a few Mon Valley lawmakers say they’re aware 2020 was a rough year for Pennsylvanians.
Small businesses, families and individuals, municipalities, school districts, nonprofits and first responder agencies faced financial struggle in 2020 as a result of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
And while it’s advised not to ring in the new year with negative thoughts — the reality is that financial struggles caused by the pandemic are going to carry over into at least the early quarter of 2021.
State Reps. Bud Cook, Eric Davanzo and Austin Davis this week acknowledged the struggle and talked to the Mon Valley Independent about what their legislative plans are for 2021.
Davis, a McKeesport Democrat, and Cook and Davanzo, both Republicans, agree lawmakers need to focus on providing resources for small businesses in the wake of nine months of pandemic restrictions.
“I am hopeful for 2021 that we will come out of this pandemic and will really begin to rebuild our economy,” Davis said. “I think we have some rough days ahead of us but you can start to see light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully we can work towards some resolutions. I think you will hear similar priorities amongst Republicans and Democrats.”
But, the state representative admits that lawmakers from the two parties probably have different ideas of how to provide relief to the economy and that Democrats and Republicans will have to do their best to find common ground.
One of Davis’ top priorities is to help restaurant and bar owners.
“We have to make sure we are driving out resources to small businesses like restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, which are really the lifeblood of our economy,” he said.
Among Cook’s main goals is securing a “face-to-face” meeting with Gov. Tom Wolf to discuss the economic impact of his pandemic restrictions. He’s hoping Mon Valley restaurant, bar and small business owners and local leaders from the manufacturing sector could be invited to the governor’s table to discuss what they need to thrive.
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