The Retail Advocate

The Virginia Retail Federation, the lobby arm of the Retail Merchants Association and the Retail Alliance of Hampton Roads, hosted a meeting on October 12th with Senator Mark Warner and members of the two organizations’ Board of Directors to discuss their concerns with the Health Care Reform legislation presently before the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Senator Warner stated, “The current health care system is not sustainable.” He felt that Senator Baucus’ bill may be the legislation to go forward and that he and a small group of moderate democrats would recommend a number of amendments, to include, 1. the legislation voted on would not add to the national deficit, 2. would drive health care cost down, 3. would not be a Government take over of the health care system, 4.would increase competition between insurance companies.

It was brought up during the conversation with Senator Warner that the Baucus legislation defined a full time employee as someone working 30 hours or more per week, currently 40 hours defines a full time employee. If this provision is not amended it may cause unemployment to increase.

On Wednesday, October 13th the Senate Finance Committee did pass Senator Baucus’ legislation on to the Senate floor, click here for full story from MSNBC, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33290417/ns/politics-health_care_reform. Senator Harry Reid has stated that he will combine the Finance Committee bill with the more liberal Health Committee bill.

There are many amendments to take place once the debate begins on the Senate floor. We will provide updates as more information comes available.

Prior to the October 12 meeting Retail Merchants arranged for a teleconference meeting with representatives from Congressman Eric Cantor’s Whip Office and Senator Warner’s office to provide an overview of the House of Representatives and the Senate legislation to the RMA Board of Directors and members of the Government Relations Committee. It was made clear that there are vast differences between the House and Senate bills.

House panel begins review of interchange fees

The House Financial Services Committee today takes up the issue of credit card interchange fees charged to individuals and merchants. Each time a consumer's card is swiped, 1.75% goes to the bank, 0.1% goes to the network (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) and 0.5% to 1% goes to the processor. BusinessWeek/The New Entrepreneur blog (10/7)

House debates credit card fee increases

Members of Congress said Thursday that they are open to changing credit card interchange laws, with Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., saying lawmakers should move up the date for new restrictions. Mallory Duncan testified before the House Committee on Financial Services on behalf of the National Retail Federation, saying the interchange system offers little or no oversight. CSP (10/9), The New York Times/Reuters (10/8), Google/The Associated Press (10/8), The Wall Street Journal (10/8)

Congress should approach health care like a carpenter

NRF's health care lobbyist, Neil Trautwein, says Congress should approach health care the way a carpenter works on a project: Measure as many times as it takes then get it done soon, and get it done right. While reform is needed, critical details, including employer mandates and how to pay for reform, must still be resolved. Read more.

Small shops will be exempt from emissions regs

The EPA said Wednesday that small businesses will be excluded from a new emissions rule because of the financial burden it would cause. "We know the corner coffee shop is no place to look for meaningful carbon reductions," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said. Reuters (9/30)

Member Events & More

Healthcare Solutions Summit

October 21st

The Westin Richmond
6631 West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23230

Keynote Presentation for Local Business Leaders & Invited nHealth Brokers
8:00–8:30 a.m. Check In & Continental Breakfast
8:30–10:00 a.m. Summit & Moderated Discussion

Healthcare benefit costs are soaring. Businesses are finding themselves forced to limit or drop healthcare benefits, and in some cases laying off employees to continue providing benefits to those who remain.

Keynote presenters Roy Ramthun, President of HSA Consulting Services and a former White House health policy advisor, and Greg Scandlen, founder of Consumers for Health Care Choices and Senior Fellow at the Heartland Institute, will speak about how Consumer Driven Healthcare and Health Saving Accounts are transforming the health care benefits marketplace. It’s a powerful message. This event is complimentary. Space is limited. CLICK HERE to Register by October 16th.

The Virginia Historical Society Brings Music from The Crooked Road to Richmond

October 17th , 7:30 p.m.

In conjunction with JAMinc, the Virginia Historical Society (VHS) will host an evening of folk and bluegrass music featuring Wayne Henderson, Helen White, and The Dixie Bee-Liners. Wayne Henderson and Helen White have been playing together for years and have toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe. Henderson is a National Heritage Award recipient for his luthier work and his renowned finger-style Appalachian guitar playing. White is an award-winning singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. Concert goers will enjoy Henderson’s lightning fast “pinch picking” with White’s fiddling, singing, and accompaniment on guitar. The Dixie Bee-Liners concerts are marked by a high-octane blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music. Known for their stunning harmonies, the six-piece band produces a healthy dose of original barn-burners, ballads, and instrumentals, as well as Appalachian standards and American classics. For more information about the concert:, click here.

Restorative Justice Call to Action

November 10, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Virginia Holocaust Museum, Richmond

How Grass Roots Activists Can Make Restorative Justice the Policy Norm in Virginia

Topics include:

What Action Must Activists Take for Policy Makers to Vote for Restorative Justice Laws? With Senator Emmitt W. Hanger Jr; Delegate Delores McQuinn and Activist Martha Rollins.
How a Bill Becomes a Law, League of Women Voters, Dulaney Collins
Why Restorative Justice is a Critical Policy Shift, Senator A. Donald McEachin

And much more. Click here for full program and registration information.

Federal Issues

Health Care Reform