LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Kevin Daley was joined by members of two local American Legion posts from his district Tuesday afternoon to testify in support of legislation before a Senate committee.
Mike Pergande, who serves as the adjutant and building/bar chairman for American Legion Post 18 in Bay City, and Jim Smith, immediate past commander of American Legion Post 457 in North Branch, traveled to Lansing to testify in support of two bills sponsored by Daley that would provide relief to certain community organizations that suffered as a result of the COVID-19 closures.
“Mike contacted my office after getting his most recent license renewal in the mail and said he thought it was unfair they were forced to close for most of 2020 yet had to pay full price for that license, and were expected to pay full price for this year’s license as well,” said Daley, R-Lum. “I happen to agree with him and we continued the discussion and got the ball rolling on this legislation.”
Senate Bills 125 and 126 would help support local businesses by prorating or crediting certain state license fees for times licensees were unable to use their license as intended due to the pandemic and resulting orders.
The bills would not charge large bingo halls license fees for 2021 if applicants held a license in 2020. The bills would also prorate club liquor license fees for the time licensees were unable to offer indoor service due to orders issued through the governor or the state health department.
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Editor’s note: A print-quality version of the above photograph is available by clicking on the image or by visiting the senator’s website at www.SenatorKevinDaley.com. Click on “Photos” under the In the News tab.
Photo caption: State Sen. Kevin Daley, R-Lum, is joined by Mike Pergande of American Legion Post 18 in Bay City (right) and Jim Smith of American Legion Post 457 in North Branch, who traveled to Lansing to testify in support of two bills sponsored by Daley that would provide relief to certain community organizations that suffered as a result of the COVID-19 closures.