NYSRA Update: COVID-19 Outbreak | April 20, 2020

Good News
  • Brian Ritter, the owner at Pier Fifty-Three Brick Oven in Huron NY, created a pay it forward program to help those in need and those who are helping others. Guests can call in and purchase a meal for first responders, health care workers, senior citizens, or someone who has lost their job. “It’s not only a way to bring in money to help his restaurant stay open, but it’s also a way to help those who are struggling and give to those who are helping. It’s good to see these people call in. It makes us feel good, makes them feel good, sometimes it just takes something like this to bring out the best in people,” he said. Read More: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/food-and-drink/restaurant-offers-pays-it-forward-meals-to-first-responders-health-care-workers/

Federal
  • In our ongoing assessment to provide data-driven updates on the state of our industry, the National Restaurant Association worked with NYSRA and the other state restaurant associations to gather input from over 6,500 operators nationwide. The results are stark:
  • Eight million restaurant employees have already been laid off or furloughed. This represents two out of every three restaurant jobs.
  • The restaurant/foodservice industry lost $30 billion in revenue in March and is on track to lose an additional $50 billion by the end of this month.
  • Four in ten restaurants have closed their doors, some with no hope of reopening.
  • Over 60% of restaurant owners say that existing federal relief programs – including the CARES Act – will not enable them to keep their employees on payroll throughout the downturn.
  • Assuming a gradual reopening of the economy in June 2020, we forecast sustained losses of $240 billion for restaurants by the end of the year.
  • The National Restaurant Association is using these results as an alarm call for Congress to provide a relief package that is specifically designed for our industry. The Policy team has crafted an industry "Blueprint for Recovery", which proposes the creation of a $240B Restaurant and Foodservice Industry Recovery Fund. The document is comprehensive in scope, containing additional initiatives that would allow us to weather this storm. Click to download their letter to congressional leaders, an infographic of the survey results, text of the "Blueprint," and a one-page summary.

State
  • Governor Cuomo announced the formation of the “Reimagine NY Task Force” which aims to re-build the downstate economy by investing in the public transportation, housing, safety and health systems while balancing social equality and the use of technology once NY PAUSE is lifted. The taskforce is made up of Westchester County Executive George Latimer, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.
  • Governor Cuomo again called for a $500 Billion federal package that would fund State governments without any restrictions. The Governor stated that without this funding, NYS would have to cut state aid by nearly 20% to schools, local governments, and hospitals.
  • Governor Cuomo called on the Federal government to pay a 50% bonus to increase hazard pay for essential public workers. No specific details were laid out on how this would be implemented.
  • NYS Insurance Fund (NYSIF) has extended the enrollment period for the PAYGO program until April 30th. NYSIF PAYGO is a simple and convenient way for eligible policyholders to pay their workers’ compensation insurance through approved payroll processors. Other advantages of PAYGO include:
  • Calculates premium payments based on actual payroll.
  • Calculates more accurate premium payments resulting in smaller audit adjustments
  • Improves Cash Flow
  • Eliminates writing checks. Payments are automatically deducted from your checking or savings account for each payroll period. This also helps in the oversight of missing a payment and avoiding a cancellation for non-payment.
  • Please note that you have until April 30th to enroll in PAYGO, and premium must be between $1K-$250K to be eligible. Also note that ADP Payroll is not an approved payroll vendor for NYSIF PAYGO. 
  • Any additional questions please feel free to reach out to Kevin Cook, Jennifer Romanski, or Sarah Cook.

NYC
  • Today, Mayor de Blasio announced that large public gatherings will be cancelled through June 2020. 
  • The New York City Council will hold a Remote Hearing following by a Stated meeting on Wednesday, April 22nd, beginning at 1:30PM. The proceedings will be streamed on the New York City Council website. 

Communications