A bill package aimed at fighting the state’s high unemployment rate passed the Senate. The four-bill package includes bills that would would encourage small businesses to hire those who have been out of work for 30 or more days by providing them with a credit on their payroll taxes and one that would provide loan guarantees for private market rate loans of up to $250,000 to small businesses that commit to increasing their full-time employee level by 10 percent or 1 employee if the business employs less than 10 employees.
