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HOURS UPON HOURS—COUNT THEM
And we did. So far, since January 14, Virginia Retail Federation has logged over 690 hours fighting for the rights of small business. VRF helps legislators understand and be aware of your needs & struggles. VRF watches out for unfair legislation and taxes or regulation that could cost you more. Can you spare the time and energy to lobby on the hill? That’s why VRF is here—for YOU.
The Retail EmployerGeneral Assembly 2009 Weekly Update—Week #6
The Virginia Retail Federation (VRF) is the advocacy arm of the Retail Alliance and the Retail Merchants Association representing retailers throughout the Commonwealth.Staying on Top of the Hill: February 25, 2009
With less than a week remaining in the 2009 session of the General Assembly the VRF lobby team continues to work on issues that will affect retailers’ bottom line.
Dealer Discount
This issue will now be decided by the budget conferees representing the House and Senate. The Senate proposal would create an accelerated sales tax option that would be reviewed during May 2010 to determine if the accelerated payment is necessary. This proposal only affects those retailers with $50 million or more in annual sales. Most retailers would not be impacted by this proposal.
The House proposal is very fluid at this moment. Last week we reported that the House had a proposal that included an $800 cap on the amount each retailer could receive monthly and a bi monthly sales tax payment for those retailers with $20 million or more in annual sales. When speaking with House Budget Conferees we have found them extremely reluctant to support an accelerated sales tax payment to plug the hole in the budget. We also have been told that there are a number of other options being looked at by the House.
Smoking Ban Waiting for Governor’s Signature.
The Smoking Ban in Restaurants will go into effect December 1, 2009. The ban prohibits smoking in restaurants, however, please click here for details on exceptions.
Consumer Protection Act (prohibits the sale of recalled children’s products)
This bill prohibits the sale of, or manufacture for sale, a children's product the supplier knows was recalled by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The bill exempts second hand toys or children products.
The RMA has added this link http://www.cpsc.gov/ to the RMA website to enable members to view products that have been recalled.
ABC Penalty Waivers
This bill will be good for all retailers who sell alcohol products. The bill allows the ABC Board to create a list of violations that may be waived for those abc retailers who have no prior offenses within the last 5 years.
The VRF will work, on its members behalf, with the ABC Board when the schedule of offenses are developed and will request that prior to the adoption of the list by the ABC Board that RMA members have the opportunity to review the proposed schedule of offenses.
- For a complete list of legislation remaining in the 2009 session of the General Assembly that the VRF is following, click here.
- To view legislation followed by the VRF that has now failed, click here.
Member News & Events
Interactive Activity from Charlottesville
Andrea Wynne is excited to be sending you the link to a media piece on our very own Charlottesville Warehouse District. You can turn through pages by clicking the bottom corners, utilize live links to interactive information and read something about the history of our wonderful town. Please take a moment to look especially at page 3 and check out my interactive ad. We hope you enjoy this and if you do, please pass along the email to your friends so we can let everyone know that they need to come over and check out this up and coming location in Charlottesville!
http://content.yudu.com/A139p4/WHDIntroFeb09/
Andrea Wynne Fine Furnishings & Accessories
310 2nd St., SE, Unit A, Charlottesville
434-963-7674 · 434-227-0842
Earth Day is Coming!
Richmond's Earth Day celebration will be held on Saturday, April 18th from 10am-4pm in Old Manchester, just south of the Mayo Bridge--from the James River to ArtWorks. There is no cost for nonprofit organizations have a booth at this event. Contact Sandra Booth at sandynum3@gmail.com for an application or for more information visit www.earthdayrichmond.org. Richmond's Earth Day celebration is held in concert with the James River Fish Festival, and has music, food, art, educational displays, recycling and lots of earth friendly products and activities.
The next Earth Day planning meeting is Tuesday, March 3, 6:30pm at ArtWorks, located at 320 Hull Street. Your involvement is most welcome.
Bill Conkle, MA, CPRP, CPSI, Park Planner
VA Dept of Conservation & Recreation
804-786-5492
804-371-7899 (fax)
InLight Richmond 2009
1708 Gallery invites emerging and professional artists, national and international, working in all media and disciplines to submit proposals for InLight Richmond 2009, the second annual exhibition of contemporary public art inspired by light. InLight Richmond 2009 will take place on the weekend of September 25-27, 2009. Downtown Richmond will once again be transformed by the art projects presented in various public spaces—sidewalks and walls, storefronts and buildings, etc.
Preferences will be given to proposals that involve, investigate, interpret, or are inspired by light, either as a medium or as an abstract idea. Existing work, as well as proposals for new projects will be considered. The work will be selected by guest juror Adelina Vlas, Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Awards include $1500 Best in Show; $1500 Best in Green; $500 People's Choice Award. Deadline is March 31, 2009. Entry fee is $30. For more information and to submit proposals, please visit: InLight 2009. Please share this opportunity with other artists.
Powhatan Native People Winter Pauwau '09
Saturday, February 28
Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Gymnasium
2501 Academy Road
Powhatan
7:00–10:00 p.m. (ish
Doors will open at 6:45
Program will begin at approximately 7:15 p.m.
Cost: $5.00 per person
Dance Party/Fundraiser for the Byrd Theatre Foundation
Saturday night, April 25, 2009, 7:00 to 11:30 p.m.
In the Roosevelt Room of the Renaissance Conference Center, 107 West Broad Street, Richmond
Lisa Schaffner, emcee, with:
- Kelli Moss and MoDeBree
- Pat Gregory and Hoosier Daddy
- Lil Ronnie and the Grand Dukes
Tickets in advance $33 each or $60 for 2
Contact: Jim Gordon jim.jbgordon@gmail.com
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The Retail Advocate is published the second week each month and whenever important issues affecting RMA members arise. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
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(804) 662-5500
Fax: (804) 662-5507
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