Congress, Ohio General Assembly pass bills to help people in crisis

SANDUSKY — The U.S. Congress and the Ohio General Assembly both have approved legislation aimed at helping everyone get through the COVID-19 crisis. The U.S. House approved the federal measure on Friday; it was passed by the Senate earlier, and President Trump signed it. Meanwhile, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the new state law Friday. Here is a summary of how the two new laws will affect you: The national bill • Every American adult who earns up to $75,000 a year will get $1,200, although it is phased out above that, and those who earn $99,000 a year get nothing. Families also get $500 a year per child. The payments will be made into the direct deposit bank accounts tied to your tax returns, said Emmalee Kalmbach, a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Rob Portman. People who don't have direct deposit will get paper checks but may have to wait longer, she said. The timing for sending out the money isn't clear yet, but lawmakers such as U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, say they are pushing to get it sent as soon as possible. • Unemployment benefits are increased for four months, with benefits extended 13 weeks, and benefits are extended to many who usually don't qualify, including the self-employed, government workers and nonprofit employees. • $350 billion is made available for small business loans to companies with less than 500 employees. The loans effectively become grants if they are used to keep workers on the payroll, make rent or mortgage payments or pay utility bills. • There's also $500 billion of immediate tax relief for businesses of all sizes, including payroll tax deferral and the ability to immediately monetize tax losses. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said more information on help for business will be up soon at coronavirus.ohio.gov/businesshelp. • The measure also attempts to shore up the U.S. health care system by providing $150 billion to health care providers and hospitals and $4.3 billion for the CDC and health departments. Medicare payments to hospitals and providers are being increased. Portman said Friday during Gov. Mike DeWine's press conference that the help for the health care system may be the most important part of the bill, although it has received the least attention. The Ohio measure Here are some of the provisions of the law DeWine signed Friday: • If you already voted in the primary election, you don't have to do anything — your vote will still be counted. But if you didn't vote and you want to, you'll need to request an absentee ballot by downloading the form at voteohio.gov. Once you get your ballot, follow the directions. A "Frequently Asked Questions" document at voteohio.gov provides many details. • Ohio's deadline for filing a state income tax return was extended until July 15, matching the federal government's revised deadline. The deadline for estimated payments also is extended, and interest payments are waived. • The bill makes changes in the state's unemployment law to make it easier for people who have suddenly lost their jobs to get help. The usual one-week waiting period is eliminated, eligibility now includes COVID-19 related job losses and the work search requirement for getting money also is eliminated. • State and local government bodies are allowed to meet electronically, such as using video, but they must make sure there's a way for the press and public to also dial in and monitor the meeting. • The bill makes sure everyone will have water by banning water disconnections during the pandemic. • Various state licenses that would have come due are extended for 90 days. That includes driver licenses and car tags, said state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron. • Local school districts received flexibility on testing requirements, getting school lunches to kids, and other matters. Please see the full-length story on education changes by the Register's education reporter, Caitlin Nearhood.