The small business crisis is far from over. Due to the lack of a national plan from the Trump Administration to control the Covid-19 virus, many small businesses once again face increased social distancing orders that will diminish demand and likely lead to layoffs. We cannot compound the economic pain by allowing new stimulus efforts to fill the coffers of large corporations at the expense of small business or letting the enhanced benefits of millions of people disappear. Taking money out of their pockets will lead to decreased spending at local businesses as consumers focus on covering the basics like rent, food and utilities. The JPMorgan Chase Institute found that the enhanced unemployment benefits led to higher consumption nationally for those receiving unemployment benefits. Our small businesses cannot afford to let that go away.

The administration is failing to lead on containing the virus. It has bungled small business relief packages and politicized the wearing of masks, putting millions of small business owners and their employees at risk. This incompetence is jeopardizing our entire small business economy and the health of our small business workforce. We must not continue down this destructive path. We need legislation that puts money in the hands of people who will spend it at local small businesses. The future of our Main Street economies depend on it.