Congressman Bill Johnson covers current tax reform and addiction with local companies

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Ohio Republican U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson talked to local businesses in Zanesville about the current tax reform.

Congressman Johnson had a roundtable discussion with several local businesses including Zemba, Varsity Title Services, and Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl. He said he wanted to hear from the businesses about how the tax change has helped their companies.

“Employees are making more money, orders are up, everybody’s got a feeling of optimism about America’s economic future as a result of the tax reform bill. The more money that’s in our economy, the more people invest, the more people buy, the more people save, that’s what grows America’s economy,” said Congressman Johnson.

Congressman Johnson also wanted to hear about any issues the companies are having. A major concern, being brought up by multiple business owners, was perspective employees not being able to pass a drug test. Congressman Johnson said money alone will not solve the opioid epidemic.

“It’s not something we can buy our way out of, arrest or, incarcerate out of, this is a cultural, societal problem. We’ve got to find treatment programs that really work. We got to find prevention programs that stop people from getting involved in opioids in the first place,” said Congressman Johnson.

Congressman Johnson said in order for there to be any change during the opioid crisis, everyone from the President to local officials to families need to work together to help people with addiction.