Republicans in the state Senate and those running to serve in the chamber on Wednesday released a package of proposals to boost women in business in New York. 

The proposals come amid National Small Business Week and during a rocky time for smaller employers amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which has devastated small businesses. 

“Republican women know that it’s key to continue creating greater opportunities for women in business, whether it's ensuring the availability of childcare, paving the way to new educational opportunities where we are underrepresented or by eliminating red tape in the certification process for our women-owned business certifications in New York," said Sen. Pam Helming, the Republican who chairs the Republican's campaign finance arm.

"Opportunity empowers us to keep moving forward in the small business world, in politics and in everything we want to achieve.” 

The plan includes a proposed family relief act for boosting child care expenses and reimbursements to child care providers to incentivize reopening safely. 

They also want a permanent increase in the state dependent care tax credit by 50% with the goal of providing direct relief to families who struggle to pay for child care. 

And the package calls for making it easier for women-owned businesses to be certified, boost educational opportunities for women, and a call for releasing more CARES Act funding for personal protective equipment for small businesses.