The Retail Advocate

For the Retail Industry, the 2009 session of the General Assembly could have been costly! Had it not been for the Virginia Retail Federation, the lobby arm of the Retail Merchants Association and the Retail Alliance, the cost of operating a retail store in the Commonwealth would have increased tremendously.

On December 17th the Governor announced the elimination of the Dealer Discount (the amount retailers retain for collecting and remitting the sales tax). Many retailers were not aware of the term “Dealer Discount” but quickly learned that the Dealer Discount is the amount they get to keep monthly for collecting and remitting the sales tax. (If you are not aware of how much you would lose click here to compute your potential loss.) Most RMA members save more than enough money to offset their membership dues and in many cases the savings were two or more times the cost of RMA dues.

A second cost savings to RMA members occurred when the VRF worked successfully to eliminate a budget amendment that would charge a $22 annual registration fee per measuring device, primarily scales and fuel pumps. For convenience store retailers, food markets, grocery stores and gas retailers, this would mean a $22 fee for every device. The VRF will work with agency representatives to achieve a more business friendly method of funding the Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures program.

A third cost savings to RMA members was accomplished when the VRF was successful in defeating legislation that would ban plastic bags that were not a minimum 2.25 ml thickness. The VRF defeated the ban bills by promoting and securing funding, through budget amendments, for three recycling pilot programs in Isle of Wight, Alexandria and Henry County. If the recycling pilot programs are successful they will be used as a model for other localities throughout the Commonwealth.

How much would it cost you to switch from your current plastic bag to one that is a minimum 2.25 ml thick? According to Elman Packaging, our packaging vendor, to switch from a .65 ml plastic bag to a 2.25 ml plastic bag would easily cost 2 1/2 times more.

State Issues

Governor’s recommendations failed

SB 1495 As passed both the House and Senate provided unemployment compensation to a military spouse who voluntarily left employment to accompany their spouse. This bill was amended by the Governor to include provisions that would provide unemployment compensation for part time workers seeking part time work and provide extended benefits to those on unemployment enrolled in career advancement training. The VRF opposed the amendment to extend unemployment benefits to part time workers who are laid off and are seeking part time work. Without a clear definition of part time worker and a definition of suitable work there would have been many opportunities for abuse of the benefit. The House rejected the Governor’s amendments but could bring back the concept as legislation for the 2010 General Assembly. With full deliberation during and careful crafting of the legislation to define part time and suitable employment, an expansion of benefits could be considered.

HB 2024 and SB 1411 allows insurers to offer & sell group health insurance policies to those without coverage, that contain no state mandated benefits. The legislation passed the House and Senate with a unanimous vote. However, the Governor amended the bill to include a number of mandates some of which were preventive care and two of which would have caused the premiums to equal in cost many existing insurance policies. The Senate and House rejected the two costly mandates, Mental Health and Drug Abuse, as well as the coverage for Diabetes.

Legislation followed by the VRF, by category

The links listed below contain all legislation followed by the VRF during the 2009 session of the General Assembly. We have segregated the legislation into categories of interest to retailers to enable you to view those of particular interest to your business.

Federal Issues

“Card Check” aka, Employee Freedom of Choice Act

You are invited to attend a rally on April 14th at the Omni Richmond, 1:00 p.m. to express your opposition to “Card Check.”

Employee Freedom of Choice Act is 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 employer and have your employee check a card agreeing to a union shop. When 51% of the employees for that location have signed a card check the employer has 90 days to negotiate a union contract.

The Virginia Retail Federation has joined a broad based coalition of business organizations to oppose the union-backed “Card Check” legislation. The coalition, Virginians for Workplace Fairness, invite you to attend a rally on April 14th at 1:00 p.m. to show your opposition to “Card Check.” The rally will be held at the Omni Richmond Hotel—James River Ballroom, 100 South 12th Street.

The purpose of the rally is to send a strong message to Senators Warner and Webb that the business community in Virginia opposes “Card Check.” We would like to have a large turnout of Retail Merchant Association members to participate in the rally. Remember, you don’t have to be a large employer to be negatively impacted by “Card Check.”

Please RSVP to George Peyton, 804-334-2932. There will be carpool opportunities from the RMA offices to the Omni. All are welcome.Back to top

Member Events & More

Midas of Richmond Blood Drive

April 11

Donate a pint of blood—get a FREE oil change!

11463 W. Broad St
10160 Hull St. Rd.
1400 Boulevard—Colonial Heights
5527 Mechanicsville Tnpk—

For more info: www.vablood.org or call 360-2211.

SHOP Local, BUY Local—RMA/RTD Special for RMA Members

Deadline Friday April 20.

Join us on a full page of RMA member ads geared to bring in customers and encourage local commerce! You receive two black &white ads—one on the Shop local Buy local page on Sunday April 26 and your 2nd ad on any day of your choosing within 6 days. Size: 3.56 x 3”. Cost for both ads - $550. To make a reservation, or if you have questions: contact Doris Ann Kane 649-6291 or local RTD Ad rep.

Puritan Cleaners + Central VA Food Bank = More Children Fed

Puritan Cleaners’ 100,000 Meals campaign officially is from April 19 to May 2. They are partnering with WRIC 8 and weatherman Matt DiNaro will be the spokesperson.

At last Friday’s FFF, this event was highlighted. The RMA member contributions helped provide 2000 meals and Puritan Cleaners’ match brought that total to 4000 meals! In just a few minutes, RMA members made a big impact in the lives of so many. CVFB was so glad to get the news and they too were thankful. Watch for continued news here, see the press release, and more information is available online at www.puritancleaners.com.

Exhibiting at Retail Marketing Expo?

Free preview for your company in Retail Partners newsletter!

There’s no cost to promote your Show Special in the 3rd Quarter Retail Partners. Send a brief paragraph with your contact info to Pat Vitsky no later than May 29. Advertising discounts are also available for Exhibitors. Email patricia@retailmerchants.com or call 804-662-5500. For exhibitor info, contact Jenny Price, jprice@retailmerchants.com or call 804-662-5500.

Glazer-Kennedy Marketing Group Meetings

Tuesday, April 28th, 7:30 am or 6:00 pm

The GKIC—Richmond Chapter offers you a unique opportunity to learn about a special type of direct marketing that goes against traditional, industrial type marketing that you see around every day. Our type of marketing is measurable, affordable, and effective and is the foundation of many very successful business owners in the Richmond area.

There is a monthly fee to belong to this group, however your first meeting is free so you can come out and decide for yourself if it's a good fit for what you are doing. If you are interested in learning new ways to attract new customers and clients - join our group!

Jepson Alumni Center, University of Richmond, 101 College Road, Richmond

For more information contact Tom Marshall, Chapter Director, at tom@gmofva.com. 800-909-7648. Register Online at www.GKICRichmond.com.

New Media Partnership

Richmond Media Group’s Targeted Solutions team has formed a new and exciting partnership with Urban Views Weekly, and they are now welcoming advertisers looking to broaden their market share by reaching thousands of new readers. Urban Views Weekly is the foremost authority on lifestyle, events and trends enjoyed by African-American consumers. They currently offer a special discount for Retail Merchants Association members—buy 4 weeks and get the 5th week FREE! For more information, please call 804-441-6255 or your Times-Dispatch representative.

VA Film Office announces 2009 VA Independent Film Festival to be Screened at the Byrd Theatre

April 26

The VA Film Office announced the twelve finalist films for the second annual Virginia Independent Film Competition and Festival. The competition is a statewide search for the best feature films, documentaries and short films by Virginia filmmakers. Films were submitted from throughout the state, and the finalist films represent a wide variety of geographical regions including Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, the Richmond area, and the Southwest. Entries were judged and winners chosen by professionals working in the industry.

Finalist films will be screened, and the winner in each category will be announced at a day-long film festival, sponsored by the Virginia Film Office and the Virginia Production Alliance, an organization that supports media production of all kinds in Virginia. It will be held at the Byrd Theatre on Sunday, April 26 from noon to 10:00 p.m. A new addition to this year’s festival is the Audience Choice Award, a prize given to the audience’s favorite film in each category. At the end of each of the three series, audience members will be given the opportunity to vote for the best film and a cash prize will be awarded.

All proceeds from the Festival will benefit the Virginia Production Alliance and its work on behalf of Virginia’s film, television, video and commercial production community. Admission to each of the screening series is $5.00 and an all-day pass is $10.00. Students with I.D. and Virginia Production Alliance members can purchase an all-day pass for $5.00. For more categories, schedule and more information, visit the Virginia Film Office Website at www.film.virginia.org.

Sales Tax Holiday May 25–31: Hurricane Preparedness Equipment

During this seven-day period, purchases of items designated by the Department of Taxation as hurricane preparedness equipment, including portable generators, will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Portable generators must be priced at $1,000 or less, and other eligible items must be priced at $60 or less for each item. For additional Sales Tax Holiday information, click here.

Virginia retailers saved $64 million!

The Retail Employer2009 General Assembly

“It Was All About the Money”

State Issues

Governor’s recommendations failed

Legislation followed by the VRF, by category

ABC Bills

Consumer Bills

Employment Bills

Environmental Issues

Financial Issues

General Retail Bills

Health Care Bills

Insurance Issues

Loss Prevention Issues

Taxation Bills

Transportation Bills

Utility Issues