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April 28, 2006

Legislature Looks to Wrap Up Next Week
Capitol News and Notes
CRMA Golf Classic
Retail News and Notes


• The Connecticut General Assembly continues plodding along as it moves closer to an adjournment date of May 3rd.

• As we close out the last full week they can meet, once again the CGA has taken up very little in the way of business.

• They did however pass a major transportation initiative that would pump more money into transportation projects throughout the State including new rail lines and other mass transportation plans. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-27013036.apds.m0119.bc-ct-xgr--apr27,0,4996624.story

• For CRMA, we continue to keep a watchful eye on bills, but more importantly amendments that are added to bills that would impact retailers.

Capitol News and Notes

• Quite honestly it has been a rather boring session.

• The House and Senate Leaders seem pretty intent on killing bills and seem to want to end the session by doing as little as possible.

• We are not complaining about that.

• However, there are a number of bills that did die this year that we are certain will be back next year, so we must continue to keep our ear to the ground.

• As we head into the weekend, there is talk that budget discussions are going well and that there may be a budget by the end of the week and a possible vote on Saturday.

• CRMA had a great Legislative Reception this week. We thank all of our members who attended.

• Our event was very well attended by members of both chambers and both sides of the aisle.

• Thank you again ICSC for your sponsorship.

• CRMA’s Legislative Committee will hold its last committee meeting on Tuesday of next week at 9:30 am EST. We hope all members can join us.

CRMA Golf Classic

• Our Annual Golf Classic is being held on Tuesday June 13th this year!

• Please visit our website for more information and registration forms. CRMA needs your help to make our event a success.

• Please consider purchasing a foursome, or a tee sign for this year’s event. It is for a good cause and your support is always appreciated.

Retail News and Notes

• Powerful New Player At Foxwoods By JEFFREY B. COHEN / Courant Staff Writer Gambling giant MGM Mirage and the owners of Foxwoods Resort Casino are teaming up to bring Las Vegas to Ledyard, infusing the state's older casino with new customers, new glitz and new money. The agreement announced Tuesday - under which the new hotel and... http://www.courant.com/hc-foxwoods0426.artapr26,0,7366368.story  

• Retailers add prominent health care lobbyist to government relations team
The National Retail Federation announced the appointment of prominent Washington health care lobbyist E. Neil Trautwein as Vice President and Employee Benefits Policy Counsel. Trautwein will head NRF's work on health care, pensions and other benefits-related legislation and regulatory issues, developing both short-term tactics and long-term strategy aimed toward helping retailers provide workers with competitive benefits while controlling costs. Click here for more information.

• Wendy's names franchisee as COO Dave Near is stepping into the role of COO at Wendy's International, a move some say is designed to improve relations with franchisees. Near was the president of Wendy's Franchise Advisory Council, and he is the son of prominent Wendy's franchisee Jim Near, who died 10 years ago. Nation's Restaurant News (free registration) (4/24)
 

April 21, 2006

Connecticut General Assembly Moves Closer to Adjournment Date
Tax on Jobs Healthcare Bill Dies in Finance
E-Waste Bill Dies in Committee
Other Capitol News and Notes
CRMA Legislative Reception Set for Next Week
CRMA Golf Classic Update
Retail News and Notes

• The CGA moves closer to an adjournment date, but they seem in no hurry to get any business done. That is not such a bad thing.

• As we close another week in April, there are only 8 days left (they will probably be in for a Saturday session next week) for the legislature to act on the numerous bills before them as well as adopt a budget and tax package before their scheduled adjournment date of May 3rd.

• For CRMA this has been an interesting session, as we have played more defense than offense.

• The past two weeks our defense has been pretty good as we were successful in defeating two major pieces of legislation.

• As we discuss below, those bills were real threats this session and we are happy they are behind us.

• We can, however, absolutely count on them being back before the General Assembly next year.

• For a full run down on all the bills and issues we are following please join the CRMA Legislative Committee conference calls. Our next call is scheduled for Thursday April 27, 2006 at 9:30 EST.

• Feel free to call our office at 860-527-1044 or email for more information.

Tax on Jobs Healthcare Bill Dies in Finance

• As we have mentioned in previous Friday Facts’, CRMA was facing a major threat this year in the area of health care.

• The CGA has introduced legislation this year (Senate Bill #462 “An Act Concerning a Fair Share Health Care Surcharge”) that singled out retailers and would have forced them to pay a $2.50 surcharge per employee per hour worked.

• The bill’s title was called Fair Share Health Care, and we thought it was not fair to retailers and we worked very hard against it.

• We are happy to report that our efforts were successful – for now – as the bill was sent to the Finance Committee and was defeated.

• The inaction of the Finance Committee to call the bill for a vote meant that the bill can not advance anymore this session and that is a good thing.

• However, the supporters of the bill have vowed to look for anther bill that they can amend to keep the issue alive.

• We need to remain vigilant in opposing this legislation and we encourage all members to reach out to their State Senator and Representative to tell them not to support this approach.

• It is unlikely that the supporters of this legislation will get an amendment called this year and even less likely that if such an amendment is called that it will get debated and passed by both chambers before the session adjourns.

• But, this is only good for this session. Next year, all bets are off.

• We will face this issue again. That is why we need to keep up the pressure with legislators so that they know that retailers in CT will not stand for a bill that singles them out and forces them to pay a tax on jobs!

E-Waste Bill Dies in Committee

• CRMA lobbyists were also busy this week in defeating another bill before the Finance Committee – SB 196 “An Act Concerning the Recycling of Electronic Devices”.

• This bill would have placed an advance recovery fee on all consumer electronic devices sold in CT.

• We want to thank one of our member company’s representatives who came into town and worked side by side with us on this issue.

• Together we spoke to virtually every member of the Finance Committee and convinced them that this approach was not the right one in dealing with recycling of consumer electronics.

• Thankfully, the Finance Committee co-chairs agreed with us and never called the bill for a vote, thereby killing it for the year.

• This issue will also be before the General Assembly next year and we will continue to keep a close eye on it.

• We want to thank all of our members who sent emails and letters to the Finance Committee. It made a big difference.

Other Capitol News and Notes

• Late last night the State Senate passed a school nutrition bill that among other things bans any soft drinks in schools. Its fate remains unclear in the House.

• One thing that is clear is that Sen. President Don Williams (D-Brooklyn) is pulling out all the stops to see that it does pass.

• Budget negotiations are slowly progressing. The governor’s office, lead by the Governor herself do not seem to be in any hurry to make mid term adjustments.

• Speaking of the Governor, she is back from visiting her daughter in Colorado after the birth of her first grandchild.

• The House is in session today, on Friday, but has yet to work late into the evening which is very common during a short session.

• Speaker Amann is doing his best to keep sessions on time and out early.

CRMA Legislative Reception Set for Next Week

• By now you have received an invitation to attend our annual Legislative Reception that is being held on Tuesday April 25th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the Old Judiciary Room of the State Capitol.

• We hope you can attend and bring a friend. This reception is a small but very effective way members can meet their local legislators on their turf.

• We also want to thank the CT Chapter of the ICSC for their generous sponsorship and support for this event.

CRMA Golf Classic Update

• Don’t forget the 5th Annual CRMA Golf Classic that is being held this year on June 13, 2006.

• We encourage all members to attend or buy a tee sign or donate a raffle prize.

• The Golf Classic is an important fundraiser for us and we hope all members will make an effort to help us this year.

• Call Cathy in our office for more information


Retail News and Notes

• Nike tries to tackle Adidas on soccer field
Nike is using the occasion of the World Cup to challenge Adidas-Salomon in the one category in which the swoosh does not currently dominate: soccer. Nike's "Joga Bonito" campaign ("play beautiful," in Portuguese) trumpets the finesse displayed by the world champion Brazilian team, which wears Nike, as opposed to the rougher game favored by the Adidas-wearing Germans. Slate (4/19)

• Selling health in everyday products
Cadbury Schweppes brand 7Up is touting itself as "100% natural" in a new series of ads announcing a revamped recipe that eliminated an artificial preservative from the formula. Consumer products, such as chewing gum, coffee and chocolate candy, increasingly are being marketed using science-based health claims. USA TODAY (4/20)

• Retailers to meet with House Republican chairwoman
The National Retail Federation will hold the latest in NRF's annual series of Retail Education Events this week when Ohio retailers meet with House Republican Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, in Columbus on Friday. Retail Education Events are informational meetings held with local retailers in lawmakers' home congressional districts to help Congress understand the importance of the retail industry to the economy. NRF held a similar event with Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn., last week and will hold another with Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., in June. Click here for more information.