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The Retail Advocate

The Retail EmployerGeneral Assembly 2009 Weekly Update—Week #1

Virginia Retail Federation

Staying on Top of the Hill

The challenges of the 2009 Session of the General Assembly started in December for the Retail Industry.  On December 17th the Governor presented his proposed budget and included in his proposal was the elimination of the “Dealer Discount.”  (The “dealer discount” is provided to retailers for collecting/remitting the Sales Tax to the Commonwealth and complying with the State Tax Code.)

The two pieces of legislation, SB 987  introduced by Senator Colgan and HB 2383 introduced by Delegate James Scott, have been introduced to eliminate all “Dealer Discounts.”

The Virginia Retail Federation, the lobby arm of the Retail Merchants Association and the Retail Alliance are lobbying in opposition to any changes to the “Dealer Discount.”  Your Grassroots Actions are needed to defeat this legislation and protect the Dealer Discount.  You need to take three actions:

  1. Contact your Delegate and Senator today and ask for their no vote on the Governor’s elimination of the Dealer Discount, HB2383 and SB 987. Also, call Senator Colgan, (804) 698-7529 and Delegate James Scott, (804) 698-1053 and let them know you oppose their legislation.  To locate your Senator and Delegate’s contact information visit www.retailmerchants.com and click on Government Relations and then click on Find your legislator,  or call George Peyton 804-334-2932.
  2. Spread the word to your retail neighbors; encourage them to join the Retail Merchants Association and join in the fight to keep the Dealer Discount.
  3. Join other Retail Merchant Association and Retail Alliance members at the State Capitol on Thursday, January 22nd.  In-order to have all members at the Capitol at the same time the RMA and RA have chartered buses that will transport members to the Capitol.  Buses will leave the RMA offices, 5101 Monument Ave at 10:00 a.m. and take members to the Capitol.  Members will be provided buttons to wear stating their opposition to any changes in the Dealer Discount.  This will be an opportunity for members to interact with Delegates and Senators and voice their opposition.  Buses will depart the Capitol by 12 noon to transport members back to the RMA.  The two hour investment will help protect the monies you retain for collecting, remitting and complying with the State Tax Code.  For more information call George Peyton @ 804-334-2932 or Julie Hill at 804-334-2921.
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Other Issues

Plastic Bag Ban 

There are a number of bills that ban the use of plastic bags, other than bags that are 2.5 ml or thicker, that the VRF will oppose.  The VRF has worked with a large coalition since the spring of 2008 addressing the use of plastic bags.  During the 2008 session of the General Assembly Isle of Wight County had legislation introduced that would ban plastic bags.  In response to that legislation the VRF had the legislation carried over.  The VRF formed a coalition made up of retailers, environmentalists, waste haulers, county officials, recyclers of plastic bags and other associations. The recommendation of the coalition was to support a pilot program for Isle of Wight County that would include an emphasis on education, recycling awareness and the protection of the environment. To finance the pilot program the VRF has initiated a budget amendment that will fund the pilot program. Once the program is determined to be successful the pilot program will be offered to localities throughout the Commonwealth.

Increase in the Felony Threshold

Two bills have been introduced that would raise the felony threshold from $200 to $500.

  1. Senator Chap Peterson has introduced SB 1132 , this bill would simply change the $200 threshold to $500.
  2. Senator Ken Stolle, has introduced SB 1422 and this bill would increase the threshold to $500, however; Senator Stolle has offered additional measures to help minimize the negative impact of the increased threshold.  He has proposed a new class 1 aggravated misdemeanor that would mean that anyone stealing between $200 and $500 would be charged with the new misdemeanor and if found guilty the sentence could not be suspended entirely.  Presently a judge could suspend the entire sentence.

The VRF has opposed any increase in the felony threshold, however; if faced with the increase being approved, the VRF would prefer the Sen. Stolle bill that does provide a jail sentence for those convicted.Back to top
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