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 Friday
Facts - Archives -
Month of
February 2006
Current
Week
February 3, 2006
Governor Rell to Open 2006 Legislative Session with State of the State Address
CRMA Lobbyists Meet with Key Legislators to Preview Session
Legislative Committee to Hold First Meeting
Members Services Update
Retail News and Notes
• On Wednesday of next week, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell
is scheduled to give her annual State of the State address to
kick off the start of the 2006 Legislative Session.
• Some details of the Governor’s speech have leaked out, such
as her plans for a new commuter line from New Haven to
Hartford, but much of her plans remain under wraps.
• Our sources tell us that the Governor’s budget address will
include plans for spending some of the State Surplus (teacher
pension fund) as well as an announcement of reorganization of
State Agencies.
• Rell is also expected to call for additional changes in
lobbying and campaign finance laws.
• We will give you more details of the Governor’s budget
address as well as reaction to her speech in next week’s
Friday Facts.
CRMA Lobbyist Meet with Key Legislators
to Preview Legislative Session
• As we mentioned, in last week’s Friday Facts, CRMA lobbyists
were scheduled to meet with the Co-Chairs of the General Law
Committee, Sen. Tom Colipietro (D-Bristol) and Rep. Chris
Stone (D-East Hartford) this week.
• We expected to hear a rather modest agenda from the leaders
of that key committee this year and it turns out we were
right.
• After meeting with the Chairs, we got the sense that no big
issues have emerged from the General Law Committee – yet.
• They offered no guarantees however, that unforeseen issues
could emerge as the session gets underway.
• In fact, they informed us that with this being a very short
session, any issue that comes up will be dealt with quickly.
• So, retailers will have to be ready to react on short
notice.
Committee to Hold First Meeting on
February 9, 2006
• Despite the fact that the General Law Committee chairs are
lowering expectations for this session, there are still
opportunities for retailers to push for bills that help the
industry.
• As we have mentioned in past Friday Facts, the best conduit
for members to discuss legislative ideas and issues is our
Legislative Committee.
• The CRMA Legislative Committee is open to all members and
will be holding our first meeting of the year on Thursday
February 9th at 9:30 am.
• If you are interested in joining in on the call, please feel
free to contact Cathy in our office at 860-527-1044 or by
email at
cathy@crmaonline.com and she will add your name to our
list of committee members.
• If you have not joined the committee please consider doing
so. The CRMA Legislative Committee is here to serve our
members and we welcome all ideas and input.
Member Services Update
• The CRMA Bank Card program with
Global Payments
continues to offer members a great value for their membership.
• The CMRA/Global payments program offers members of all
sizes, low upfront discount rates and no hidden fees.
• If you are interested in receiving a free quote on your bank
card business, call Cathy in our office today!
• Also, if February is the time when you review your Workers
Compensation and Property insurance, before you make any
decisions, we urge you to contact us.
• CRMA can offer great rates and superior service for these
insurance products. If you have questions or want additional
information, we suggest you contact KC Cook at 1-800-211-4217
ext 229.
• KC is dedicated to serving CRMA members and would be happy
to help answer any questions you may have.
Retail News and Notes
• Federated raises profit forecast: Federated Department
Stores yesterday said it expects to earn greater profits from
a tax settlement and stronger sales at its department store
chains. The announcement came despite slower sales at its
Macy's and Bloomingdale's stores in January.
Chicago Sun-Times (2/3)
• Retailers post January numbers
Gift card redemption and mild weather gave many retailers a
boost in sales for January, with some stores in all categories
reporting surprise results.
The Philadelphia Inquirer/Associated Press (free
registration) (2/3)
• Super Bowl Sunday: Not Thanksgiving, but close
Supermarkets, restaurants, and electronics and home
furnishings retailers are gearing up for Super Bowl Sunday,
which is expected to draw $5.3 billion in retail sales,
according to a study by BIGresearch. Publix Super Markets and
Albertsons are among chains stocking up on beer, snack foods
and deli party platters to prepare for the shopping rush.
Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (free registration) (2/2)
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