The Retail EmployerJanuary 2009

• State Issues
• Federal Issues
• State Government Links
• RMA Government Links
• Change Will Happen: Workplace Law in the Obama Administration
• February First Friday Forum
• Member Power Hour
• January Chapter Meetings
• The Retail Authority: New Mentoring Roundtable Series

State Issues

• Staying on top of "The Hill"
• Grassroots action needed
• Other IMPORTANT issues of interest to retailers

Staying on top of "The Hill"

Retailers Beware! There is upcoming legislation that will cost you.

It hasn’t taken legislation from the General Assembly (which opens on the 14th) to send the Retail Community into a tail spin—it was the Governor’s proposed budget amendment that would eliminate the amount retailers retain for the collection/ remitting the state sales tax and complying with state tax code.  (Called “Dealer’s Discount”)

Retailers bracing themselves for a traditionally slow first quarter that may even be slower should not be hit now by loss of revenue received in compensation for collecting the sales tax for the Commonwealth.  In the Commonwealth a small retailer, under $62,501 per month in taxable sales, receives 3%. A Price Waterhouse Cooper study conducted in 2006 shows that a small retailer, one that has annual retail sales up to $1million should be compensated 13.47% of the sales tax collected.

The RMA/VRF’s legislative policy adopted by the RMA Board in December opposes any reduction to the “Dealer Discount”. THE VIRGINIA RETAIL FEDERATION, the lobby arm of the Retail Merchants Association and the Retail Alliance of Hampton Roads (VRF) are working on your behalf to OPPOSE THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE THE DEALER DISCOUNT. Back to top

Grassroots action needed

The VRF/RMA is asking you to contact your Delegate and Senator and ask for their no vote on the Governor’s elimination of the Dealer Discount. You can locate contact information for your Delegate and Senator by visiting www.retailmerchants.com and clicking on Government Relations, or by calling George Peyton at 804-334-2932.

Other IMPORTANT issues of interest to retailers

Plastic Bag Ban

The VRF will oppose legislation that bans plastic bags.  The VRF is a member of the Virginia Plastic Bag Coalition that has been working for over a year on the improper disposal of plastic bags and its impact to agriculture, the economy and the environment in general. The VRF will support a budget amendment that would fund a pilot program in Isle of Wight County, “Isle Be Green”.  This pilot program would include several educational tactics, which will increase awareness of the impacts of plastic bag litter to the community, environment and agriculture.  The focus will be on educating the citizens of the community, particularly school children, guiding them towards being more environmentally friendly.  The project will have a survey component to be sent to all citizens gauging their interest in recycling and the creation and distribution of educational materials.

Richmond Burglar Alarm Ordinance

The City of Richmond has moved a new Burglar Alarm ordinance to vote by City Council on January 26th. In order to cut down on the number of false alarms, the City of Richmond is introducing a new burglar alarm ordinance. There will be a fee for multiple false alarms (more than once in a 180 day period). There will be a $20 alarm permit fee and compliance requirements.

The Richmond Police Department responds to over 15,000 false alarms each year.  If the false alarms were cut in half by the enforcement of this ordinance, it would provide law enforcement more time to patrol the streets.

To view this ordinance click here.

• For all other legislation being followed, click here >>

Federal Issues*

Easier Unionization—Employee Freedom of Choice Act, "Card Check"

When Congress convenes this month the Employee Freedom of Choice Act will be back before Congress.  This legislation removes the secret ballot used in establishing a union shop in the work place and replaces it with a “card check”.  A card check would be as simple as a union advocate speaking with your employees, convincing them that the union can provide better wages and working conditions than their employee and have your employee check a card agreeing to want a union shop and when 51% of the employees for that location have signed a card check the employer has 90 days to negotiate a union contract. 

The secret ballot is used in electing presidents, state officials and local officials; it is the back bone of our democracy.  If passed this legislation would be disastrous to the Retail Industry. Your immediate attention is needed.  Contact Senator Mark Warner and ask him to vote no on the “Card Check” legislation. Senator Warner has been singled out to be a pivotal vote on this issue and as a Freshmen Senator he will get pressure from the Democratic controlled Senate to vote in support of the legislation. Please contact Senator Warner by phone at (202) 224-2023 or by email at mark.warner@markwarner08.com.

An important, special free meeting on this and other costly Federal proposals will be held on January 28 at the Richmond Convention Center.  Click here for complete information >>

Links

Change Will Happen: Workplace Law in the Obama Administration

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

With David E. Nagle and Joseph D. McCluskey of Jackson Lewis LLP

With increased Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, the Obama Administration has an extraordinary opportunity for an overhaul of federal workplace legislation.  Whether issues are addressed piecemeal, or assembled into a comprehensive labor and employment law reform package, we must anticipate change, and a lot of it. Click here for more information >>

Sponsored by the Greater Richmond Hotel/Motel Association, Retail Merchants Association, Richmond Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Richmond Convention Center and the Greater Richmond Chamber.

8:00–9:30 a.m

Location: Greater Richmond Convention Center
Lecture Hall
403 North Third Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Directions >>

Cost: No charge, free parking at 3rd & Marshall deck

VHTA (Va. Hospitality & Travel Assn) is hosting a similar event on Friday, January 23

Congressman Eric Cantor (Minority Whip) will take part in an informative media event to discuss the issue of “card-check” (Employee Free Choice Act).

When: Friday, January 23rd, 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Where: Commonwealth Park Suites
901 Bank St., Richmond, VA 23219

The card-check legislation that will be discussed and voted on this coming session in Washington, D.C. Unions will be targeting your business, small or large!

Even if you have a small business, you will also be affected.  If passed, this legislation will take away the option for a private-ballot election in which employees are asked to vote in favor of or against unionization.  Without the protection from private-ballots, employees and employers are left to face coercion from unions.  Unions don’t care how many people you have working in your business, they only care that those employees are unionized. Remember: card-check will affect every business in Virginia—no matter how small or large!

February First Friday Forum

Friday, February 6, 2009

COST–SAVING . . . TODAY

A Specially Scheduled First Friday You Can’t Afford to Miss

Click here for more information >>

Hear from a panel of experts on how you can save money now and budget effectively going forward.  Learn tips & strategies applicable to all types of businesses—with retail at the top of the list.  Bring a notepad – you will want to remember contacts, discounts, referrals, ideas, techniques, and actionable advice.  Also bring your questions on expenses and cost-saving experiences to share.

7:45–9:15 a.m.

New Location!: Westin Richmond Hotel
6631 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
804-564-6333
Directions >>

Cost: Members, $25; Non-members, $30

Member Power Hour

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Join us for breakfast, and meet a wide variety of other small business owners and managers.
PLUS:

• Learn how a RMA membership can benefit your business
• See how to take full advantage of RMA benefits & services
• Bring plenty of business cards and to network with other attendees
• Let attendees know about you and your business
• Just by coming, you could leave with a cool prize!
• There is no cost to attend, but reservations are necessary
• Please attend, and feel free to bring a friend, customer, client, or associate!

8:15–9:30 a.m

Location: Retail Merchants Association
Henrico Room
5101 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 662-5500
Directions >>

Cost: This is a FREE event, but reservations are required.

Contact: Len East at (804) 662-5500 or len@retailmerchants.com.

January Chapter Meetings

• Fredericksburg, January 21
• Amelia, January 22
• Goochland, January 27
• Powhatan, January 29

Check website for locations, times and to register: http://retailmerchants.com/chapter-meetings.asp.

The Retail Authority: New Mentoring Roundtable Series

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Ever wish you could sit down with a few RMA Board Members and pick their brains?

NOW YOU CAN—and there is no charge!

Round one of The Retail Authority will be meeting 8:00–9:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the first quarter, at the Retail Merchants Association office.

February 3—meet with Board Members Doug Elliott, Enzo’s; Duncan Thomas, Intermark Inc.; Sarah Paxton, La Difference Inc.; Franco Ambrogi, Franco’s Fine Clothiers; and moderated by Steve Barnett, Barnett’s Hallmark.

• Each roundtable is limited to the first 20 registered attendees.
• Attendees will be invited to submit three questions or a statement of what they expect to get out of the session.
• Each session will address a majority of the questions
• There will be time for additional questions and general conversation.

Location: Retail Merchants Association
5101 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 662-5500
Directions >>

Cost: No charge, but limited to the first 20 registered attendees.

Contact: If you have questions, please contact Julie Hill at (804)662-5500 or jchill@retailmerchants.com.

Upcoming Events

RMA Links

• Government Relations
• RMA Legislative Policy

The Retail Advocate is published the second week each month and whenever important issues affecting RMA members arise. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Contact:
George Peyton
(804) 662-5500
Fax: (804) 662-5507
e-mail

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