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Current Week  

     April 8, 2005

Play or Pay Bill Awaiting Action by Finance Committee
Capital News & Notes
Legislative Reception Update
CRMA Golf Classic
Retail News & Notes: Featuring a CT Retailer and CRMA Board Member

• As we move thru the first week of April and the committee process comes to a close, their remains a number of issues that are still pending.

• Among the many issues that the Finance Committee has before them is a Connecticut version of a play or pay health care bill.

• Earlier this week, we sent a Special Edition Facts on this bill, S.B. 1147 AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, to members urging them to contact the members of the Finance Committee.

• We want to again urge all members to contact members of the Finance Committee and tell them to vote no on this bill.

• The Finance Committee has until April 25th to act on this bill. There is still time for you to take a few minutes to call, write or email members of the Finance Committee.

• The link below will take you to a list of Finance Committee Members and their contact information:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/MemberList.asp?comm_code=FIN&doc_type

• Or, call us today if you need contact information for the members of the Finance Committee, (860) 527-1044.

Capitol News and Notes

• In addition to the play or pay bill, a number of other issues are still on our radar screen.

• Early next week, the CRMA Legislative Committee will have a special conference call to discuss S.B. 652 AN ACT REGARDING THE RETURN POLICY OF RETAIL STORES

• This call is open to all members. If you are interested in joining the call, please contact our office and we will give you the conference call number and access code.

• File freeze legislation remains active. On April 26, 2005, the Banks Committee will be holding an informational hearing on ID theft, which is sure to discuss file freeze.

• When more information about this hearing is released we will notify you.

• In addition to the play or pay legislation, the Finance Committee still has a number of important tax bills before them that will impact the business community which they must act on before their April 25th deadline.

• We are working with other business organizations in opposing these bills, which we feel will have a severely negative impact on the business climate in CT.

• We will keep you up to date on the progress of those bills.

CRMA Legislative Reception

• With all the stuff going on at the capitol, our annual Legislative Reception is going to be a very important event. You will not want to miss it.

• Invitations including the details of the event will be in the mail next week, but the bottom line is this:
       DATE: May 18, 2005
       TIME: 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
       PLACE: the State Capitol’s Old Judiciary Room.

• It is free of charge and is open to all retailers. PLEASE TRY AND ATTEND THIS YEARS EVENT. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE INDUSTRY AND FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

Golf Classic Update:

• Attention Golfers: With the Masters Tournament this weekend, everybody will soon get the golf bug again, and our Golf Classic is a great way to work on your game while helping the Association.

• You know the details, but incase you need a reminder here they are again:
     DATE: June 18, 2005
     TIME: 9:00 A.M. Registration, 10:00 A.M. Shotgun Start
     PLACE: Blackledge Country Club, Hebron, CT.

• Sign up today – better yet sign up a foursome today for this year’s event by calling Cathy in our office at 860-527-1044.

• The CRMA Golf Classic helps the Association with its bottom line. It is an important and fun event and we hope all members will join us on June 18, 2005

Retail News and Notes
 Retail Innovations -- Conn. chain puts accent on honesty
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. -- Honesty is the best policy for retailer Better Bedding. The regional bedding specialty powerhouse, based here, continues to operate with the same values established by its founder, John T. Wholley Sr., a former manufacturer’s representative who sold bedding to furniture and department stores. A testament to the enduring values at the company came from the UConn Family Business Program, which named Better Bedding the 2004 Connecticut Family Business of the Year in the small business category. -- Furniture Today, 4/1/2005 6:43:00 AM http://www.furnituretoday.com/article/CA514295.html??text=better%20bedding

 Discount retailers attract first-time brides
Target's Club Wedd now ranks as the most popular bridal registry option, which along with other discount retailers, accounts for one-third of all bridal registries. Second-time brides are less likely to register, but one industry analyst sees this as an opportunity for retailers. St. Petersburg Times (Fla.) (4/4)

 Best Buy to end rebates
The nation's leading electronics retailer said it will phase out mail-in rebates over the next two years following customer and vendor complaints about the process. "I think it's possible they can make it happen,'' said Mike Gatti, executive vice president of the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association. Instead Best Buy will focus on programs such as its "Reward Zone," which offers consumer discounts after an upfront fee. St. Petersburg Times (Fla.)/Associated Press (4/1)