A proposed state law would compensate owners and reimburse businesses if their business was affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Under the bill, owners would get paid if their occupancy or hours of operation were limited or if the government forced them to shut down altogether. The bill was drafted after a Wichita gym owner filed a lawsuit against the state saying he should be reimbursed for the weeks he was forced to close last year. If it becomes law, owners could get money, an income tax credit, or have their property taxes reimbursed. Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell said if it is passed, the bill could potentially require counties to set aside $25 million for the payments. He said that’s more than a quarter of the county’s budget. He said in order to come up with that much money, the county will have to use reserve funds, possibly raise taxes or cut services.
Source: KSN-TV
