Latest news with #HouseCommitteeonSmallBusiness
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Matunuck Oyster Bar could operate outdoors this summer under new legislation
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — State lawmakers are attempting to pass legislation that would allow the Matunuck Oyster Bar to open back up on a limited basis. The South Kingstown mainstay went up in flames last month and has been closed ever since. The cause of the fire has since been deemed accidental in nature. Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski introduced legislation Friday that would allow the restaurant to set up outdoor seating in the parking lot across the street, which is owned by Matunuck Oyster Bar's Perry Raso. Hagan McEntee's legislation is set to be reviewed by the House Committee on Small Business next Tuesday. Sosnowski's companion legislation will also be discussed Tuesday in the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government. SEE ALSO: Rhode Islanders distraught by fire at beloved oyster bar The goal of the legislation is to keep the restaurant up and running throughout the busy summer months. The legislation would allow the restaurant to establish a mobile kitchen and serve patrons at outdoor tables. 'The award-winning Matunuck Oyster Bar is a beloved part of the South Kingstown and Rhode Island community and everyone was devastated when the fire broke out a few weeks ago,' Hagan McEntee said. 'Its success elevates the town and both locals and tourists alike have made this restaurant a true destination in Rhode Island.' 'This legislation is the least we could do to help weather the difficulties resulting from the fire, including keeping some of the restaurant's workers employed during the busy summer season,' she continued. Specifically, it amends the 'Take It Outside' law that allowed food service establishments to operate outdoors during the pandemic. The proposed change would allow restaurants to provide temporary outdoor dining service 'any time a building or other structure used as a food service establishment is rendered uninhabitable by virtue of a casualty,' such as a fire or flood. MORE: Fundraisers launched for Matunuck Oyster Bar If passed, the restaurants would be allowed to do so for 18 months 'or until the building is fit for occupancy.' The current proposal notes that the legislation would sunset and expire on June 30, 2027. 'Our community was heartbroken by the fire at Matunuck Oyster Bar, and so many people have rallied behind Perry Raso and his employees during this difficult time,' Sosnowski said. 'The fact that this happened on the cusp of the busy summer season is particularly devastating for Perry, the restaurant's workers, and our entire community.' 'As this cherished establishment works to rebuild, it's important we do everything we can to support that process and the many people who rely on the restaurant for their livelihood,' she added. 'Utilizing the successful approach of the 'Take It Outside' law is a common-sense step that will help immediately.' The proposed legislation requires municipal approval before it can be considered by lawmakers. The South Kingstown Town Council is scheduled to consider a resolution of support for it on Monday. RELATED: Matunuck Oyster Bar fire appears accidental House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson have already expressed 'strong support' for the legislation. Shekarchi said Raso was the one who came up with this 'creative approach.' 'I pledged my strongest support to expedite this process with the House,' he said, adding that he will also work with the Senate and town to 'make this happen quickly.' Lawson stressed that she also plans on ensuring the passage of this legislation. 'While the news of the fire was truly devastating, the way Rhode Islanders have responded to support Perry and his employees has been extraordinary,' Lawson said. 'Along with our partners at the State House and in South Kingstown, we will continue working to support everyone impacted as the restaurant rebuilds.' Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top Republican urges new SBA chief take 'DOGE' actions against Biden-era electioneering, COVID loan claims
EXCLUSIVE: The top Republican on the House Committee on Small Business is calling for President Donald Trump's new Small Business Administration (SBA) chief to do what he says the Biden administration wouldn't – and provide answers on alleged taxpayer-funded electioneering in swing states and the failure to actively recoup fraudulent or misappropriated COVID relief funds. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, chair of the House Committee on Small Business, told Fox News Digital Thursday his committee has sounded the alarm on how the Biden administration "moved the [SBA] far away from its intended mission: serving Main Street America." Williams recalled how the House Small Business Committee had been "stonewalled" in multiple requests for information on how the SBA was working under a 2021 Biden executive order on "promoting access to voting" when it forged a "memorandum of understanding (MOU)" with Michigan election officials. In the committee's letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler sent Thursday, the panel will note Trump rescinded the Biden order, but remains "deeply troubled by the lack of transparency from the Biden-Harris SBA and looks forward to working with you to determine what impact this may have had on the 2024 election." Watchdog Group Sues Feds For Records On Its Electioneering Work The letter will also alert Loeffler to several Biden-era rule changes they believe present an "immediate threat" to its small-business-lending portfolio. Read On The Fox News App As for allegations the previous SBA leadership punted on recovering misallocated COVID aid, the letter invokes Trump's DOGE endeavors and floats a project to investigate fraud and recover the funds, which they characterize as a prime example of how Loeffler can assist that cause. "It is estimated that across the SBA's COVID-19 lending programs, approximately $200 billion went to potentially fraudulent recipients," the letter said, while also noting the Biden SBA "unilaterally decided" to suspend delinquent disaster loan and PPP collections for loans under $100,000. "The Committee is interested in determining the Biden-Harris SBA's rationale for this decision and seeks to understand the impact this had on the ability of law enforcement to track and prosecute fraud," the committee wrote. House Small Business Panel Releases Report On Biden Agency's Alleged Electioneering Last year, Williams issued a rare committee subpoena for staff travel calendars and more information from the SBA seeking to discern whether or how taxpayer money was potentially being spent to register voters in heavily Democratic areas in Michigan under the MOU. Democrats on the panel, however, have long criticized the GOP majority's machinations: "Unfortunately, with [these Michigan/MOU] subpoenas, Republicans have rejected these principles to pursue a partisan inquiry," ranking member Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., told Fox News Digital. While the Biden-era SBA maintained they did nothing wrong, Williams persisted in trying to conduct congressional oversight of the alleged electioneering. Similar could be said for the committee's efforts to probe the SBA's position on recouping the problematic COVID aid amounts. "The Committee looks forward to working with Administrator Loeffler and the Trump Administration to return credibility and transparency to the SBA," Williams said Thursday. "Together, we will ensure small businesses have a voice in our government and bring the Golden Age of America to Main Street."Original article source: Top Republican urges new SBA chief take 'DOGE' actions against Biden-era electioneering, COVID loan claims
Fox News
20-02-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Top Republican urges new SBA chief take 'DOGE' actions against Biden-era electioneering, COVID loan claims
EXCLUSIVE: The top Republican on the House Committee on Small Business is calling for President Donald Trump's new Small Business Administration (SBA) chief to do what he says the Biden administration wouldn't – and provide answers on alleged taxpayer-funded electioneering in swing states and the failure to actively recoup fraudulent or misappropriated COVID relief funds. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, chair of the House Committee on Small Business, told Fox News Digital Thursday his committee has sounded the alarm on how the Biden administration "moved the [SBA] far away from its intended mission: serving Main Street America." Williams recalled how the House Small Business Committee had been "stonewalled" in multiple requests for information on how the SBA was working under a 2021 Biden executive order on "promoting access to voting" when it forged a "memorandum of understanding (MOU)" with Michigan election officials. In the committee's letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler being sent later Thursday, the panel will note Trump rescinded the Biden order, but remains "deeply troubled by the lack of transparency from the Biden-Harris SBA and looks forward to working with you to determine what impact this may have had on the 2024 election." The letter will also alert Loeffler to several Biden-era rule changes they believe present an "immediate threat" to its small-business-lending portfolio. As for allegations the previous SBA leadership punted on recovering misallocated COVID aid, the letter invokes Trump's DOGE endeavors and floats a project to investigate fraud and recover the funds, which they characterize as a prime example of how Loeffler can assist that cause. "It is estimated that across the SBA's COVID-19 lending programs, approximately $200 billion went to potentially fraudulent recipients," the letter said, while also noting the Biden SBA "unilaterally decided" to suspend delinquent disaster loan and PPP collections for loans under $100,000. "The Committee is interested in determining the Biden-Harris SBA's rationale for this decision and seeks to understand the impact this had on the ability of law enforcement to track and prosecute fraud," the committee wrote. Last year, Williams had issued a rare committee subpoena for staff travel calendars and more information from the SBA seeking to discern whether or how taxpayer money was potentially being spent to register voters in heavily-Democratic areas in Michigan under the MOU. Democrats on the panel, however, have long criticized the GOP majority's machinations: "Unfortunately, with [these Michigan/MOU] subpoenas, Republicans have rejected these principles to pursue a partisan inquiry," Ranking Member Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., told Fox News Digital. While the Biden-era SBA maintained they did nothing wrong, Williams persisted in trying to conduct congressional oversight of the alleged electioneering. Similar could be said for the committee's efforts to probe the SBA's position on recouping the problematic COVID aid amounts. "The Committee looks forward to working with Administrator Loeffler and the Trump Administration to return credibility and transparency to the SBA," Williams said Thursday. "Together, we will ensure small businesses have a voice in our government and bring the Golden Age of America to Main Street."
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House committee hearing to examine Trump's impact on small businesses
Alexandria Owens House Committee hearing to examine Trump's impact on small businesses | Morning in America The House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing to examine how President Trump's re-election has created a surge in optimism from small businesses and how the committee and the Trump Administration… House committee hearing to examine Trump's impact on small businesses | Morning in America The House Committee on Small Business will look into ways President Donald Trump's reelection has affected small businesses and how the committee and the Trump administration can reduce the challenges of overbearing government, excessive regulations and high inflation. Rep. Tony Wied, R-Wis., says most small-business owners believe Trump's policies will better the economy and help small businesses thrive. #smallbusiness #Trump #tariffs
