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     March 30, 2007


Sen. President’s Health Care Bill Advances out of Committee
Beware of Bankers Bill
Other News and Notes from the State Capitol
Member Services Update
Retail News and Notes


• On Monday of this week the Public Health Committee reported out of its’ committee SB 1, AAC The Health First Connecticut Initiative. This bill is Sen. President Don Williams’s (D- Brooklyn) priority health care initiative.

• The bill would make some changes around the edges of Health Care in CT without tackling the big issues - yet.

• His bill includes things like increasing reimbursements to doctors and hospitals on medicade cases and funding federally qualified Health Care Centers.

• It also establishes a health care panel to “examine and evaluate policy alternatives for providing health insurance coverage for individuals residing in the state who are uninsured or underinsured”.

• And the panel is supposed to study “employer mandates for coverage and a state wide single payer health care system”.

• We spoke with Sen. Williams’s staff about his bill and his ideas on health care and we came away certain that Sen. Williams will be very active and involved on this issue.

• In addition to this bill, he is holding a series of town hall like meetings on health care throughout the state to talk to citizens about his ideas for health care.

• Sen. Williams’ bill, which we will review in great detail as well as monitor closely throughout the session, is a strong signal to us that the Democratic Majority in the Senate will make passing some kind of a health care bill in this session a priority.

• Whether it is this bill or some combination of this bill and others that are out there, (our last count had at least 13 bills dealing with health care) health care will soon take over center stage at the State Capitol.

• For CRMA, which includes among its members the very large retailer as well as the very small retailers, being involved in the health care debate is one of our top priorities.

• That is why we have set aside each Wednesday at 3:00pm to discuss the latest information about what is happening on health care at the Capitol.

• We hope that all members of the Association will join us on our Wednesday calls because this issue, whether it gets settled this year or next year, is very important to retailers.

• If you are interested in joining us or finding out more about our conference calls please call our office today, 860-527-1044.

Beware of Bankers Bill

• In previous Friday Facts we have talked about a bill that the CT Bankers Association introduced that would force RETAILERS to PAY bankers for the cost of reissuing a credit or debit card that has been canceled due to a security breach.

• We wanted to take time again this week to urge members to contact their State Representative or State Senator and tell them to vote no on this outrageous bill.

• SB 1089, “An Act Encouraging the Safekeeping of Consumer Information”, is currently moving thru the process after the banker friendly Banks Committee reported it out.

• Retailers of ALL SIZES are subject to this bill and you know all too well that the current system, put in place by MasterCard and Visa and the Banks, is stacked against retailers.

• Bankers claim among other things that retailers do not pay fines or penalties if a security breach happens and that, as you know, is completely incorrect.

• In fact, we understand that many retailers, including a very small retailer in upstate New York, have been fined and in the case in New York it cost that retailer his business!

• Retailers must ensure that they are PCI compliant a very, very, important point in this debate and if they are not then they are subject to severe penalties.

• Also, another important component of this debate, that bankers do not want to talk about, is the fact that bankers ALREADY GET REIEMBURSED BY VISA/MASTER CARD IF A CARD IS CANCELLED AND REISSUED.

• And, bankers take a huge amount of the processing fees that RETAILERS PAY when a customer pays by credit or debit card.

• We could go on more and will with members of the General Assembly, but it is important that if any member of the General Assembly comes into your store or if you know them that you tell them how horrible SB 1089 is for retailers.

• We will fight this bill with everything we have, because we feel so strongly that retailers are at the mercy of banks and Visa/MasterCard today and that this bill is simply a money grab on the part of the bankers.

• Call us today if you would like more information, 860-527-1044.

Other News and Notes from the State Capitol

• On Monday, the Public Health Committee passed another horrible bill that we are fighting, SB 686, “AAC Access to Health and Nutritional Information in Restaurants”. Also known as a Menu Labeling bill.

• This bill would require that all of QSR members include the calorie counts of all the various meals they serve in their stores.

• That bill is also supported strongly by the Sen. President but we will work to try and defeat it.

• The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing this week on excessive late fees, SB 6070, “An Act Prohibiting the Recovery of Excessive Late Fees in Consumer Credit Transactions and Concerning the Repossession of Motor Vehicles in Bankruptcy Cases”.

• We will oppose this bill and urge members to call our office for more information about who to contact regarding this bill.

• There remains a host of other bills that we are following and we hope that you will join us for our bi-weekly conference calls to review their status.

• The call is open to all members.

• Please call Cathy in our office for more information. Cathy can be reached at 860- 527-1044 or by email at cathy@crmaonline.com

Member Services Update

• With spring upon us the summer months will soon be here.

• With that comes the possibility of heat waves that will put pressure on the electric grid.

• CRMA urges all members to consider our Demand Response Program with Consumer Power Line that allows members to earn money while curtailing energy during these heat waves.

• Call us today or have your Energy Manager contact us for more information on ways that you can participate in this very important and exciting program.

• Also, we are working closely with colleagues in the Northeast Region along with our credit card processor Global Payments in developing an educational piece on how retailers can stay PCI compliant. Look for something from us on that soon.

• Remember being PCI Compliant is very important and we urge you to ask your IT consultant or manager whether you are PCI compliant today.

• Finally, don’t forget our Annual Golf Classic that will be held June 26, 2007.

• Invitations are in the mail. Please consider helping us this year.

Retail News and Notes

• Study: Long check-out lines can mean lost sales. Shopper satisfaction decreases as the length of time waiting in the check-out line grows, a recent study found. One in 10 consumers who left a store without buying something cited the wait at the check-out line as a factor in their decision not to make a purchase. Brandweek (free registration) (3/29)

• Apple offers discount as album-buying incentive. The introduction of iTunes changed the way people buy music in more ways than one. Because most people now purchase single songs through Apple's online store, the company has launched Complete My Album, which offers consumers the option to buy the remaining songs from an album at a reduced price if they've already purchased at least one of the album's singles. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (3/30)

• Starbucks aims to keep the "coffee joie de vivre" alive two new calorie- and flavor-packed confections, Dulce de Leche Latte and Dulce de Leche Frappuccino, represent more than just the latest drink concepts emerging from Starbucks' marketing machine. Chairman Howard Schultz is asking his senior team to return to the company's roots, and to keep the "coffee joie de vivre" alive. BusinessWeek (4/9)

 

March 23, 2007

E-Waste Bill Moves Out Of Environment Committee Along With Other Bills
Menu Labeling Bill Looming In Public Health Committee
The Curious Case Of Health Care
CRMA’s 6th Annual Golf Classic
Member Services Update
Retail News & Notes


• We are very pleased to report this week that CRMA lobbyists were successful in persuading the Environment Committee to report out of committee a pro-retailer E-Waste bill.

• The Committee, by a vote of 26 to 4 passed HB 7249, “ACC the Collection and Recycling of Covered Electronic Devices” and sent the bill to the Finance committee.

• We are thrilled that Environment took this action but we also know that the fight on this bill is far from over.

• The next action on this bill will be in the Finance Committee so we will regroup right away and prepare for that Committee.

• In the meantime, if any member has any questions about this issue, please contact us today.

E-Waste Bill Moves Out Of Environment Committee Along With Other Bills

• The Environment Committee was busy on Wednesday.

• In addition to the E-Waste bill, they also reported out of committee, SB 1289, “AAC the Expansion of the Beverage Container Redemption Provisions.”

• This bill would expand the Bottle Bill to include carbonated water, fruit juices and sports drinks among other things. It passed on a 22 to 8 vote.

• The vote out of Environment was not unexpected. If there is one committee at the General Assembly that would pass an expanded Bottle Bill it would be the Environment Committee.

• However, we know this is not the end of this bill. There are other Committees it could go to including the General Law Committee.

• We will keep you up to date on this important bill.

• Also, on Wednesday the Committee reported out a Global Warming Bill, SB 1432, “AAC Global Warming”.

• CRMA is concerned about this bill; especially section 7, which would require that retailers place a surcharge of .10 cents on the sale of all incandescent light bulbs.

• This bill is also headed to the Finance Committee.

Menu Labeling Bill Looming in Public Health Committee

• CRMA is working hard on trying to defeat a menu labeling bill SB686, “AAC Access to Health and Nutritional Information in Restaurants” that is now before the Public Health Committee.

• We have met with a number of members of the Committee as well as legislative leaders to express our concern on this bill. We will continue to press hard against it and urge members to contact the Public Health Committee to tell them to vote no on it.

• Public Health has until Monday March 26, 2007 to vote on this bill.

The Curious Case Of Health Care

• As you know, we have been monitoring and talking to a lot of legislators about the so called health care reform in CT.

• And there have been a number of ideas and actual bills that have been floated about and reported out of Committees.

• In fact, the Public Health Committee may be the latest Committee to act on a health care bill before their deadline on Monday.

• Yet, with all this talk there seems to be no real sense of where this debate is headed.

• And that has us nervous.

• Yesterday, for instance, we spoke to three of the four legislative leaders at the Capitol, and came away certain that something was going to happen this year, but more certain that nobody knows what that something will be.

• So, that is why we need to stay on top of this issue and it is why we need your help.

• We hold weekly special conference calls to talk health care.

• We need members to join in on that conversation so that we can report what we hear and you can share with us what might work and what may not work.

• Please call Cathy in our office today for more information about these special calls and how you can participate, 860-527-1044.

CRMA 6th Annual Golf Classic

• On to more important subjects – like Golf.

• Next week invitations will be in the mail to members and friends regarding our 6th Annual Golf Classic.

• This year the event will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 and will once again be at Blackledge Country Club in Hebron, CT.

• More details will be in the invitation but please mark this date in your calendar today.

• Thank you for your consideration in helping us this year. It is a very important fundraiser for the Association and we know how many of these events members get invited to.

• Please call us today for more information and for ways that you can help make this event the best ever.

Member Services Update

• Since the start of the year, we have been turning our attention to finding the best way to help members lower their energy costs.

• We are currently reviewing proposals for a supplier that can give members lower, more predictable rates and services. We hope to have an announcement to make in this area in the very near future.

• But, in the meantime, we have a great, innovative and money EARNING Demand Response Program that our members can take advantage of today.

• If you are interested in learning how to EARN money, real dollars, by curtailing power at certain times during the year, please call us today at 860-527-1044.

Retail News & Notes

• Home Depot to test new store formats Home Depot is building its largest retail location ever -- a 225,000-square-foot store -- in Union, N.J. The new store is part of the company's plan to test both a super sized store and a mini-store format in its effort to increase market share on both sides. The smaller stores, ranging from 35,000 to 50,000 square feet, are set to provide an "intimate" neighborhood hardware store atmosphere and will debut in the San Francisco Bay area. Journal and Constitution (Atlanta) (free registration)(3/23)

• Whole Foods pledges $10 million to family farm loan program Whole Foods Market hopes to boost the number of locally grown organic food sources for its Midwestern stores through a program that offers loans to family farmers and artisanal producers. The food retail giant will lend up to $10 million nationwide to farmers "who are looking to expand production or move into this kind of niche," said Jim Slama, president of Sustain, the nonprofit organization that will administer the program in the Midwest. Chicago Tribune (free registration) (3/23)

• Nike hints at major changes this year Mark Parker, Nike president and chief executive, noted that the company had a soft year with some specialty mall retailers, but has plans to revamp the shopping experience with the help of leading retail partners. "We're grabbing the opportunity to ... take Nike and our industry to someplace new, where consumers have experiences that are physical and digital and mobile," Parker said. The Miami Herald/Associated Press (3/23)

 

March 16, 2007

General Law Committee Wraps Up Work for the Year
Other Capitol News & Notes
Members Services Update
Retail News & Notes

• The Legislature’s General Law Committee met Tuesday of this week to wrap up its business for the year. The Committee deadline for acting on bills was Tuesday March 12, 2007.

• For CRMA Members the Committee took action on a number of important bills including one of our priority bills.

• On Tuesday the Committee gave a favorable vote to SB 1300, “AAC Interior Designers”. This bill was a priority bill for CRMA as we attempted to have the CQRID examination recognized by the State.

• The Committee agreed with us - sort of.

• They inserted substitute language that recognized CQRID, but instead of naming persons who passed CQRID as Residential Interior Designers, titles them as Residential Interior Decorators.

• Although we are happy they passed the bill out of committee, we still need to work on it.

• There were two other bills General Law acted on, SB 1230, “An Act Requiring Notice to Credit Card Holders Prior to a Credit Line Reduction”, and HB 6877, “ACC Credit Scores and Free Yearly Credit Reports”, that we also will keep close track of as they move thru the process.

• One final and important note on the action of the General Law Committee on its Joint Favorable (JF) deadline day.

• Under the rules of the General Assembly all bills must be physically handed in to the lawyers of the General Assembly (Legislative Commissioners Office) by 5:00 pm on the day of the Committee deadline. If they are not submitted on time, they are technically dead for the year.

• On Tuesday almost all the bills on the Committee agenda, including SB1230 and HB6877 were not handed in to the LCO office by the 5:00 pm deadline, thereby making them all technically dead for the year.

• However, there are ways the Committee can still act on bills and they are most likely going to figure out a way to get those bills back in play.

• But, it is sure to put a crimp into the process for these bills for the rest of the session.

• If members would like a listing of the bills that have been reported out of General Law please contact our office ASAP. Also, if members are keeping track of bills and are wondering if they have not made it, please contact us as well. We can update you on what is alive and what has died for the year.

Other Capitol News and Notes

• One more note on the General Law deadline mix up; the fault lines for this have caused some real tension between the co-Chairs of the Committee and that may have impact on a lot of bills from here on in.

• The Energy Committee also had its deadline on Tuesday and favorably reported out SB 1373, “ACC Electric Rate Relief”. Again, we urge all members to review this bill carefully and let us know your thoughts.

• The Environment Committee deadline for reporting out bills is March 23rd and we are hearing word that the Sen. Chair of the Committee, Sen. Finch, may be coming around on the E – waste bill we have been supporting – HB7249, “ACC the Collection and Recycling of Covered Electronic Devices”.

• We will continue to work on Sen. Finch and will keep you up to date as well.

• CRMA continues to have serious problems and issues with SB 1089, “An Act Encouraging the Safekeeping of Consumer Information in Retail Establishments”.

• This week the Sen. Chair of the Banks Committee asked that we review an amendment that he is considering.

• We have sent that out to our Legislative Committee to review and will get back to the Chairman after we have fully vetted the amendment.

• However, we are very skeptical that this amendment will help retailers.

• The community banks continue to claim that retailers are to blame for security breaches and because of that retailers should reimburse the banks for the cost of canceling and reissuing cards.

• We oppose that and will continue to fight it.

• The Judiciary Committee will be holding a public hearing on Friday on HB 7327, “AAC Civil Actions Related to the Long-Term Consumption of Food Products”.

• This bill is an Obesity Tort Reform bill that was introduced on our behalf for our QSR members.

• Finally, our Legislative Committee met this week and our next scheduled conference call is on Wednesday March 28, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

• If you are interested in participating, please call Cathy in our office at 860-527-1044.

Member Services Update

• We are very pleased to report that we continue to make progress in our efforts to form a Retailer’s Only Self Insured Workers Compensation Program.

• We are nearing completion of our study and will soon be sending the information out for a more complete actuarial study.

• We are still seeking members who are interested in participating in this group. Please contact us today for more information.

• The CRMA/Global Payments bank card program is always available to members and is a great resource to help members lower their bankcard cost.

• Our program features low up front pricing as well has NO HIDDEN FEES.

• As you know many programs offer great up front savings but have a number of hidden fees that drive up the cost for members. Our program with Global Payments offers members the best overall program for bank card services.

• Please call Linda Chapin, NE Regional Manager for Global Payments at 877-767-7841 for a free review of your current bank card statement so that we can show you how we can save you money!

Retail New and Notes

• Best Buy to shed work schedules entirely? Best Buy's "results oriented work environment," or Rowe, philosophy allows the majority of its corporate employees to work without a traditional schedule. The company plans to pilot the concept on the sales floors of its retail stores as well. CNNmoney.com/Business 2.0 (3/15)

• Steps to protect your debit card Customers are worried about the safety of debit cards, putting them at greater risk than credit cards, in the wake of recent breaches in retail transaction security. Many consumer groups recommend the use of credit cards over debit, although a growing number of banks are offering "zero liability" protections to promote debit cards. The Wall Street journal lists tips for safer debit card use. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (3/15)

• Fido and Fluffy get green, too Pet Essentials, a natural pet supply store in Washington, D.C., that sells organic pet food and toys made of renewable materials will rebranded as GreenPets in the next month and open six new GreenPets stores in the next 18 months. The Washington Post (3/14)



March 9, 2007


Bankers Pushing Security Breach Bill That Would Shift The Cost To Retailers
Energy Committee Holds Hearing on Big Energy Bill
Other Capitol News & Notes
Member Services Update
Retail News & Notes

• In this week’s FF we lead off with a bill that we wish we didn’t have to alert you to, but must. Because it is that important!

• Early this week the Banks Committee reported out of its Committee SB 1089, “ACC Encouraging the Safekeeping of Consumer Information in Retail Establishments”.

• This bill, which was introduced on behalf of the Community Banks and the Connecticut Bankers Association, would allow Banks to charge retailers for the cost of canceling and reissuing credit cards after they have been cancelled due to a security breach.

• CRMA is vehemently opposed to this bill.

• As retailers you know the credit card process as well as anybody, and you know that the fees that retailers pay to banks for the right to accept credit cards are already high.

• You also may know that banks already have in place arrangements with Master Card and Visa to get reimbursed for their cost when they cancel and reissue cards.

• They just don’t like the amount they are getting reimbursed and want retailers to make up the difference.

• We have been asked by the Chairs of the Banks Committee to try and “work with the Bankers” and we will, but we urge members to review this bill and be on alert if we need you to contact your State Legislator.

• Please remember that this bill could impact ANY SIZE Retailer.

• Any Retailer that holds customer information is subject to being hacked into and therefore could be liable under this bill.

• Hopefully we can work something out with the Banks. Like getting them to withdraw the bill.

• Please stand by for more on this bill in the weeks ahead.

Energy Committee Holds Hearing On Big Energy Bill

• Early this week the Energy Committee held a public hearing on its major bill of the session, SB 1373, “AAC Electric Rate Relief”.

• We sent this bill out to our Legislative Committee and our Energy Committee this week but we wanted to highlight it again this week.

• We think this bill is good for competition in the retail energy market and may have some other initiatives that could help retailers, so we are looking at it closely.

• Because CRMA members are very big energy users, the Committee is interested in our view on this bill. We hope all members will review it closely.

Other Capitol News & Notes

• The General Law Committee is wrapping up its work by holding Committee meetings to report bills out of Committee.

• They held a meeting yesterday and reported out our Loss Prevention Bill SB 1306, An Act Concerning Retail Theft, without our substitute language.

• Committee staff acknowledged that the bill needs more work, but the Committee Chairs wanted to move so that we have more time to work on it.

• They also reported out – HB 7209 “AAC Consumer Reporting Agencies and Public Record Information Reporting” We urge members to review this bill as well.

• General Law will hold its last Committee meeting to report out bills next Tuesday.

• The Environment Committee held another hearing on e-waste legislation on Tuesday of last week.

• We were invited by the committee to testify and think the overall testimony was in our favor. There is still a lot more work to be done on this issue – we are in favor of a producer responsibility e-waste bill – and we will keep close tabs on it.

• Attention: quick service restaurant members! The Public Health Committee has a menu labeling bill before it that we hear has some strong support from the Sen. President’s office.

• We may hold a special conference call on that issue next week. Look for more details on this issue.

• Finally, our next Legislative Committee conference call is scheduled for next Wednesday March 14, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

• If you are interested in joining in, call Cathy in our office for more information 860-527-1044.

Member Services Update

• As we mentioned the Legislature is considering a number of changes to the deregulated energy market and they are also very interested in conservation and demand side reductions.

• CRMA has a great program to offer members on the demand side.

• CRMA and Consumer PowerLine have teamed up to offer members a great chance to EARN MONEY by participating in our Demand Response program.

• Please call us today for more information. It is a great program that can really put money into member’s pockets.

Retail News and Notes

• Leaving February chill behind, retailers look to March
Major retailers including Wal-Mart and Federated Department stores reported weak February sales this year, due partly to cold and stormy weather. Upscale department stores and Target posted stronger-than-expected comparable-store sales figures, however, and some retailers expect the Easter holiday to boost March results. TThe New York Times/Reuters (3/8)

• BJ's will change mix of products, attract customers with bargains
The CEO of BJ's Wholesale Club, the country's third-largest retail warehouse club, hopes to spur a turnaround after a disappointing fourth quarter. Plans to revamp the wholesale club include reducing the number of BJ brands to make more room on shelves and replacing low-profit items like flat-panel televisions with more profitable jewelry and apparel items. Yahoo!/Associated Press (3/7)

• Saks turns focus back to core customers, and Wall Street's happy
Saks Fifth Avenue is looking to regain momentum with its original core customers: wealthy women ages 35 to 55. Over the last few years the company has unsuccessfully targeted younger women with expensive sportswear and various promotions, and Wall Street firms are betting that the refocusing strategies of CEO Stephen Sadove will succeed -- and possibly attract a buyer. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)/Bloomberg (free registration) (3/7)
 

March 2, 2007


General Law Holds Hearings on CRMA Priority Bills
Environment Holds Hearing on E Waste Bill
Other Capitol News and Notes
ICSC to Sponsor CRMA Legislative Reception Again This Year
Member Services Update
Retail News and Notes

• This was another busy week for CRMA at the State Capitol.

• The General Law Committee held public hearings on two of our priority bills.

• On Tuesday of this week, General Law heard testimony on SB 1306, An Act Concerning Organized Retail Theft.

• As we have mentioned before in this space, passing an ORT bill has been identified as one of our priorities for this year and the public hearing that General Law held was an important step in the legislative process.

• Now, it’s up to the Committee to decide if they want to give the bill a favorable report. The General Law Committee has until March 13, 2007 to make that decision.

• In the meantime, we will continue to lobby committee members as well as keep members up-to-date.

• So, next week on Tuesday March 6, 2007, at 4:00 pm EST, we will be hosting another special conference call of our LP committee to discuss this bill.

• Also, we will be discussing SB 1227 “An Act Concerning the Return Policy of Retail Stores”. If you are interested in participating on this call, please call Cathy in our office for more information.

• On Thursday of this week, the General Law Committee held a public hearing on CRMA’s other priority bill.

• The passage of SB 1300 “An Act Concerning Interior Designers” would allow CT to recognize the CQRID examination.

• This bill will have a little bit more of an uphill fight than ORT, primarily because the interior design community is opposing us vigorously.

• They feel that the CQRID examination would confuse consumers (hogwash – we say) and diminish their status as interior designers.

• It is clear to us that the Committee will not pass SB 1300 as drafted. It will look to substitute language to establish a tiered system with the definition of Interior Designer as having to pass NCIDQ, and the definition of new residential Interior Designer as having to pass CQRID.

• But, we also believe the committee is concerned about the use of the word “designer” and may be looking to substitute decorator in its place.

• We will keep a close eye on it, but if members have any questions or comments about the bill, please contact us.

• Again, the General Law Committee deadline for reporting bills out of Committee is March 13, 2007.

Environment Holds Hearing on E Waste Bill

• On Wednesday of this week the Environment Committee held a public hearing on three major recycling bills.

• Two of those bills dealt with recycling of electronic devices, such as televisions and computers.

• One, HB 7249 “An Act Concerning the Collection and Recycling of Covered Electronic Devices”, which we support, is a manufacturer’s responsibility bill.

• The other bill, SB 1225, “An Act Concerning the Recycling of Electronic Devices”, is an Advanced Recovery Fee bill, modeled after California, where retailers are forced to charge a fee at the point of sale.

• CRMA is working hard on trying to advance HB 7249.

• We think this bill, which was also endorsed by the Council of State Governments, is the fairest way to ensure that a good recycling plan for electronic devices is put in place.

• The third bill, SB 1289, An Act concerning the Expansion of the Beverage Container Redemption Provisions, would expand the bottle redemption program to all products, not just soda and beer, including water bottles and would increase the deposit amount from 5 to 10 cents.

• Typically once a Committee holds a Public Hearing on the bill, it prepares for full vote by the Committee before its deadline.

• In this case the Environment Committee will do these three bills all over again in a special informational hearing they are holding next week, March 6, 2007.

• CRMA will be there again, and has been invited by the Committee to give comments of these bills.

• We will update you on how that went in next week’s FF.

Other Capitol News and Notes

• We mentioned above the deadline for the General Law Committee, which is March 13, 2007, other important Committee deadlines are:

• Banks Committee-March 8, 2007
• Energy Committee-March 13, 2007
• Environment Committee-March 23, 2007
• Finance Committee-April 20, 2007
• Insurance Committee-March 15, 2007
• Judiciary Committee-April 13, 2007
• Labor Committee-March 15, 2007
• Public Health Committee-March 26, 2007

• Finally, the Health Care debate in CT is percolating just below the surface and will soon come to a boil.

• The Money, Finance and Appropriations Committee, along with the Judiciary Committee, will soon take center stage.

ICSC to Sponsor CRMA Legislative Reception Again This Year

• We are very, very pleased to once announce this week that the International Council of Shopping Centers has once again agreed to sponsor and co-host our annual Legislative Reception.

• We appreciate all that ICSC does for us in this regard as our Legislative Reception is becoming the go-to event during the Legislative session.

• This year our reception will be held Wednesday May 24, 2007 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the State Capitol’s historic Old Judiciary Room.

• Please mark that date in your calendar and please try to attend.

Member Services Update

• Let CRMA be your Health Insurance Broker!

• With all the talk about health care cost, one of the best ways to help you and your company sort out what is the best plan with the best coverage for your employees, is to let the professionals at CRMA do the hard work for you.

• Call us today for a free analysis of your group health needs. We will do the leg work for you and give you choices as to where to place your group, no matter what the size, that fits your budget. Call us at 860-527-1044.

Retail News and Notes

• Federated name change will reflect emphasis on branding. Federated Department Stores may get a more recognized name soon: Macy's Group. Stockholders will vote in May on the name "that more accurately reflects the transformation of our business in recent years," CEO Terry Lundgren says. USA TODAY (2/27)

• Retail members: Complete health care survey and get survey results free with health coverage costs at or near the top of every retailer's agenda, NRF has established a special CEO Health Care Reform Task Force to respond to the threat that rising health coverage costs poses to our industry. NRF and the CEO task force have developed a special health care reform survey in order to best support our efforts to reform health care in a retail-friendly manner. Composite results will be shared only with retailers who completed the survey. NRF retail members are asked to complete this Web-based survey no later than March 30. Read more information or take the survey

• Green can equal green for quickservice chains- The popularity of "green buildings" has extended into the quickservice industry, with a McDonald's in Savannah, Ga., touting several green offerings that led to significant energy savings. The Green Building Council says green interior elements lead to increased retention and performance of workers, and advocates say the green-building model can work well at quickservice restaurants across the U.S. QSR Magazine (2/28)