If this newsletter is not displaying correctly please click here or paste the following link into
your internet browser: http://www.retailmerchants.com/newsletter-retail-advocate/2009-02-04.htm
The Retail Advocate

The Retail EmployerGeneral Assembly 2009 Weekly Update—Week #3

Virginia Retail Federation

Staying on Top of the Hill: Week Ending January 31, 2009

To illustrate what your membership in the Retail Merchants Association is worth, just figure what you would lose if the dealer discount was lost. If you only retain $25 dollars per month for the dealer discount, most members will save more than their annual dues!

Here’s what we’re working on for you at the General Assembly:

As the General Assembly reaches its last full week prior to crossover there are a number of bills the VRF continues to lobby that have great significance to the retail industry, Elimination of the Dealer Discount, HB 2383 and SB 987, and the increase in the Felony Threshold, SB 1422. The bills to eliminate the Dealer Discount were heard on Tuesday, February 3rd and the increase in the Felony Threshold legislation is not yet on the Senate Courts of Justice docket. Elimination of the Dealer Discount would mean lost dollars to you every month.

The VRF has worked closely with the House and Senate Committees that will consider the elimination of the Dealer Discount and have found bi-partisan support to avoid elimination of the dealer discount for most retailers. The VRF continues to lobby to keep the Dealer Discount for all retailers. There were a number of meetings on Monday, February 2nd with Senators and Delegates to discuss how the dealer discount could be maintained.

The Senate Finance Committee voted on Tuesday, February 3rd to adopt an accelerated sales tax payment for those retailers who have $50 million dollars of annual taxable sales. This option will keep the Dealer Discount in place for all retailers.

The Accelerated Sales Tax Payment is a one-time revenue generator. The VRF legislative policy adopted by the Board opposes the use of the Accelerated Sales Tax payment, however, in order to keep the Dealer Discount for all retailers and protect the best interests of the majority our members, the VRF supports the Accelerated Sales Tax Payment over a reduction or elimination of the Dealer Discount.

The House of Delegates has not released their plan to address the Dealer Discount. However many Delegates have expressed their desire to keep the Dealer Discount for retailers. There also have been objections raised by a number of Delegates for the adoption of the Accelerated Sales Tax as a means of obtaining additional revenue.

The VRF will continue to work with members of the House Appropriations Committee to keep the Dealer Discount in place for its members.

We thank those who have taken the time to call their Delegate and Senator and members of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. The House
Appropriations Sub-Committee will hear HB2383 no later than Tuesday, February10th. If you have not called members of the committee please call each Sub-Committee member and voice your support for maintaining the Dealer Discount: Landes (Chairman), Ingram, May, Jones, Lingamfelter, Ware, O., Shannon, Bowling. The grassroots voice as well as a strong lobby presence will work to preserve the dealer discount.

Smoking Ban

There were a number of bills passed by the Senate Committee on Education and Health to ban smoking. The bills would ban smoking in restaurants or in all public places. Senator Ken Stolle introduced SB 1382 that would ban smoking in restaurants, however if there was one bill that many restaurant owners would prefer it would be this bill. SB 1382, would provide many exemptions favorable to restaurants and private clubs; a list of exemptions are found in 35.1-24.1. There also are a number of bills introduced in the House that ban smoking and they may be heard only by the full General Laws Committee. If this happens there will more than likely be a smoking ban bill that passes committee and reaches the House floor for vote. This will be the first time a smoking ban bill makes it to the House floor for vote.

Alcoholic Beverage Control list of waivers

SB 1258—Introduced by Senator McDougle, this bill has now passed the Senate and will be heard after crossover by the House of Delegates. HB 2051—Introduced by Delegate Gear, has passed General Laws sub committee and will be heard by the full General Laws Committee this week. Both bills would require the ABC Board, by regulation, to establish a schedule of offenses for which any penalty may be waived upon a showing that the ABC licensee has had no prior violations within three years immediately preceding the date of the violation.

Plastic Bag Ban

All legislation that would have banned plastic bags or would have charged consumers for the use of plastic bags has now been stricken or failed for the session. The VRF worked with the patrons and asked that they support the pilot program planned for Isle of Wight County. This pilot program is supported by a large coalition made up of environmentalists, farmers, waste haulers, local government officials and business groups. The Coalition was organized by the Retail Alliance of Hampton Roads in reaction to plastic bag ban legislation introduced during the 2008 session of the General Assembly.

Post Labor Day school opening

SB 1266—Introduced by Senator Vogel, this bill passed the Senate Education and Health Committee, however, the bill was re-referred to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee where the bill failed. The VRF opposed the legislation due to the fiscal impact the legislation has on its Hospitality industry members.

Bills that have failed

Bills that have passed their committee or final action has not been taken

Back to top
Copyright ©2009 Retail Merchants Association. All Rights Reserved.