|
Sponsors
|
 Friday
Facts - Archives -
Month of March 2008Current
Week
March 28, 2008
State Budget Numbers Make Legislative Leaders Nervous
Sales Tax Free Weekend Faces Uphill Fight
Capitol News and Notes
Member Services Update
Retail News and Notes
• This past week the Connecticut General Assembly’s Money
Committees, Appropriations and Finance, sent direct and
in-direct messages to those of us watching that the state of
the State’s economy is heading into some lean times.
• On Wednesday the Appropriation’s Committee adopted a budget
along party lines. With the Democratic majority hailing this
as the first time in recent memory in which their numbers are
lower than what the Governor has called for.
• However, the Administration is very skeptical of the numbers
with Secretary Generio claiming the numbers used by the
Democrats are part of a “shell game” and that the majority
party is not using accurate numbers while adopting the budget.
• However, the fact that both sides are going back and forth
over reductions in spending does show how much they are
concerned about the overall health of the economy.
• Recently, the Governor noted that the decline in state tax
revenue is “frightening”.
• And apparently the Finance Committee agrees with her because
this week they too sent a strong message that no tax cuts
should be expected when they refused to eliminate the real
estate conveyance tax that the State Realtors have been so
strongly supporting.
• At the Tuesday Finance Committee meeting to review the real
estate bill and other bills, Senate Chair of the Finance
Committee Senator Eileen Daily, mentioned to members of her
Committee that the “state cannot afford any reduction in
revenue at this time”.
• So, the bottom line on the bottom line is that we should not
look for any major spending increases, which is good, but even
the elimination of the business entity tax is in jeopardy.
• Of course, this just represents the first stop in the long
budget process. The next key date: April 15th, tax day. After
those numbers come in we will get a more accurate picture as
to the state of the State’s finances.
Sales Tax Free Weekend Faces Uphill
Fight
• For CRMA, our plan to have the State enact a Sales Tax Free
Weekend now faces an uphill fight.
• But, we are not done fighting, and will continue to remind
legislators that consumers are facing tremendously high fuel
costs and that during a slow down in the economy a sales tax
break is a great way for the government to give consumers a
break during tough times.
• The Finance Committee has until April 3rd to act on this
issue.
• However, we do not expect that this will be included in the
bills they pass. Our guess is that this issue will be in or
out when the final budget numbers are negotiated. Sometime
AFTER April 15th.
Capitol News and Notes
• On Monday the Judiciary Committee finished its work for the
year but not before passing a bill we have been working on
since last session, SB 704 “AN ACT CONCERNING THE RELEASE,
SALE AND ACCURACY OF CONVICTION INFORMATION”.
• We are pleased this bill got out, and now have to move it
along quickly due to its May 1st effective date.
• All quiet on the health care front, although we have to
remember it is an election year and House Majority Leader
Donavon’s pooling bill is still out there.
• With the Finance Committee finishing its work next week, and
with Appropriations done as well, we now enter the final stage
of the process when both chambers have debates on the various
bills that have made it thru the process.
• For us it is a good time to regroup and figure out where we
have to fight next. So, to that end, please join us on our
next legislative call scheduled for next Wednesday April 2,
2008 at 10:00 am EST.
• If you are interested in joining us on this call, please
call Cathy in our office for more information.
Member Services Update
• We are generating some new business with our energy supply
program with Integrys.
• A number of Retailers responded to a mailing we sent
outlining our program and are interested in hearing more about
it. If you would like to save money on your energy cost, call
us today and we will give you a free quote.
• Finally, we encourage all members to visit our website, for
more information about the Association and about the number of
programs that we offer members.
• The CRMA Foundation has partnered with Castle Branch to
offer CRMA members 15% off background check services when you
mention the CRMA Foundation in your correspondence with them.
• For more information on Castle Branch please go to
www.castlebranch.com.
• To get started, please contact Charlie Kessler at
1-888-723-4263 ext 7118. Don’t forget to mention the CRMA
Foundation to receive the 15% discount on your services!!
Retail news and notes
•
Amazon emerges as Apple's chief music rival
Elimination of digital-rights management for music downloads
may not have spurred greater sales, but the
copy-protection-free trend has helped accomplish a key
music-industry goal: provide a strong rival to Apple.
Amazon.com has emerged as Apple's top competitor.
USA TODAY (3/25),
WebProNews (Lexington, Ky.) (3/26)
•
Sears to sell appliances at more Kmart stores
Sears Holdings plans to sell appliances in more of its Kmart
stores and also plans to open more dealer locations this year.
Reuters (3/26)
•
New York & Co. reports thriving Web sales
Clothing retailer New York & Co. reported Internet sales of
about $22 million in its first year as a Web merchant. The
company launched the e-commerce site in November 2006.
Internet Retailer (3/25)
March 14, 2008
CRMA Testifies Before Finance Committee to Expand Sales Tax
Holiday
Other News and Notes from the State Capitol
CRMA Legislative Reception
Member Services Update
Retail News and Notes
• This week the CRMA testified before the General Assembly’s
Finance Committee advocating for an expansion of the State’s
Sales Tax Holiday.
• Both CRMA President Tim Phelan and CRMA Board Member Milton
Rosenberg of Bernie’s, urged the Committee to consider a tax
holiday similar to that which is currently in place in
Massachusetts.
• The Massachusetts holiday is only a two day event but
includes all items under $2,500. CT’s holiday is for a week
and is limited to clothing and footwear under $300.
• The Connecticut General Assembly is considering a number of
so-called economic stimulus plans or tax payer relief plans.
We used that opportunity to make a push for this new type of
tax holiday and are hopeful that the Committee will act
favorably upon it.
• We will keep you updated on its progress but keep in mind
that Finance has until April 3, 2008 to act on Bills.
Other News and Notes from the State
Capitol
• There are a number of ‘lead in toys’ and ‘recall of toys’
bills flying around. Our sense is that the number of bills
will be whittled down to one big bill.
• There is a similar dynamic taking place with privacy bills
as well.
• The Judiciary Committee is considering a private right of
action bill if someone is a victim of ID theft.
• Add this concept to the bills that we know are already out
there and it becomes one big pile of privacy bills. Again, we
think this issue will be narrowed down, and our sense is that
if any bill gets passed this session it will begin with SB 30.
• There were a number of hearings early this week, but with
the Big East Tournament also taking place the pace of the
building slowed down a bit on Thursday during the UCONN game.
• It will pick up again on Friday when both the Environment
and Finance Committees have meetings.
CRMA Legislative Reception
• A date has been set for our annual Legislative Reception.
• This year the event, which again will be sponsored by our
friends at the ICSC, will be held April 23, 2008 from 5:00 –
7:00 pm in the Old Judiciary Committee Room.
• We will be sending an invitation to members next week.
Please mark this date on your calendar and join us for a
causal meeting with your local legislators.
• We have had a number of legislators comment on how much they
enjoy meeting with our members and it has become one of the
best attended receptions of the year.
Member Services Update
• The CRMA Foundation has partnered with Castle Branch to
offer CRMA members 15% off background check services when you
mention the CRMA Foundation in your correspondence with them.
• For more information on Castle Branch please go to
www.castlebranch.com.
• To get started, please contact Charlie Kessler at
1-888-723-4263 ext 7118. Don’t forget to mention the CRMA
Foundation to receive the 15% discount on your services!!
Retail News and Notes
•
Shoppers assemble outfits in 3-D
Emerging 3-D technology is seeping into online retail shops,
allowing customers to pair up different items of clothing on a
model to see how they look or simulate interactions with sales
associates by communicating through avatars.
E-Commerce Times (3/11)
•
Banana Republic to open Monogram store
Banana Republic will debut a standalone Monogram concept store
April 7, in New York's Greenwich Village. The store will offer
pricier, sophisticated men's and women's collections.
Display & Design Ideas (3/10)
•
Fashion designers shift retail alliances
Some big names in fashion design are making moves between
retailers -- and the leapfrogging could lead to confusion for
customers. Isaac Mizrahi soon will leave Target to serve as
creative director for Liz Claiborne, Dana Buchman is moving
from high-end retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman
Marcus to Kohl's, and Tommy Hilfiger has announced an
exclusive deal with Macy's.
The New York Times (3/8)
March 7, 2008
ORC Bill Advances out of Committee
Committee Deadline’s Approaching
Privacy Bills Require Special Conference Call
Member Services Update
Retail News and Notes
• We are very pleased to report this week that one of CRMA’s
priority bills was unanimously passed out of the General Law
Committee.
• HB 5761 “An Act Concerning Organized Retail Theft”, which
creates a definition of Organized Retail Crime and imposes
penalties against those that commit this new offense, will now
move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
• This bill, which CRMA’s Loss Prevention Committee members
have worked on for two years, is a very important tool in
combating the growing problem of Organized Retail Crime.
• If you are interested in learning more about this issue or
wish to participate in discussions about this bill, please
call our office at 860-527-1044 for more information.
Committee Deadline’s Approaching
• With the short session come cramped schedules and tight
deadlines.
• For instance the Banks Committee has already finished its
work for the year on Wednesday of this week.
• For us, the General Law Committee will finish its work on
Tuesday, March 12, 2008.
• Here are deadlines for other Committees that we have issues
before:
• Environment Committee – March 17, 2008
• Labor Committee – March 13, 2008
• Insurance Committee – March 13, 2008
• Judiciary Committee March 24, 2008
• Finance Committee – April 3, 2008
• As you can see these committees move fast in a short session
and because of that we have decided to hold weekly Legislative
Committee calls.
• Our next Legislative Committee call will be held on
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Please call our
office for the call in number.
• We promise to be all “powered up” and ready to go on the
call.
Privacy Bills Require Special Conference
Call
• One of the early trends of this session is the number of so
called privacy bills that have been filed.
• We know that the Governor has made SB 30 one of her priority
bills for the session. We also know that the General Law is
dealing with issues surrounding the use of Social Security
Numbers.
• And we just found out yesterday that the Judiciary Committee
has raised a private right of action privacy bill.
• So, in order for us to make sure we have all of our ducks in
a row on this issue, we will be holding a special conference
call to discuss all of these bills as well as talk a little
about the “politics” behind these bills.
• That special privacy call will be held on Thursday March 13,
2008 at 10:00 am EST.
• A notice will go out to all members of our Legislative
Committee, but will be open to all members. If you are
interested in participating in this call please call Cathy in
our office at 860-527-1044.
Member Services Update
• A quick note to members that we are still working hard on
trying to develop a Retailer’s only Self Insured Workers
Compensation Group.
• If members are interested in participating in this effort,
we welcome your support.
• Please call us today for more information on that program.
• Also, please keep in mind that your Association has the best
overall bank card program for all members. Please call Cathy
today for more information about the range of services that we
offer members on their bank card needs.
• We need your support for these programs! It is important
that we have strong non dues programs to keep the Association
moving forward!
• Thank you for your consideration of these programs.
Background Check Services
• The CRMA Foundation has partnered with Castle Branch to
offer CRMA members 15% off background check services when you
mention the CRMA Foundation in your correspondence with them.
• For more information on Castle Branch please go to
www.castlebranch.com.
• To get started, please contact Charlie Kessler at
1-888-723-4263 ext 7118. Don’t forget to mention the CRMA
Foundation to receive the 15% discount on your services!!
Retail News and Notes
•
Westfarms Mall Undergoes Improvements - Connecticut
News Story ...
Management at the Westfarms Mall
says the blank storefronts are good ... who said the expansion
of stores at the mall in Farmington is good for the economy.
...
www.wfsb.com/news/15490010/detail.html - 76k -
Cached -
Similar pages
•
Facebook picks up Google exec as COO
Veteran Google executive Sheryl Sandberg will take the
position of chief operating officer at social network Facebook,
reporting directly to founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Sandberg served as Google's global online sales and operations
VP for six years, and helped develop and launch the automated
keyword ad sales tool, AdWords.
International Herald Tribune
(3/4)
,
USA TODAY/Associated Press (3/4)
,
The Wall Street Journal (free content) (3/5)
•
A Life Where 'Or Plastic' Isn't An Option,
since their debut in supermarket checkout lines in 1977,
plastic shopping bags have become the tote of choice. Back
then, plastic seemed like a good option: a way to stop cutting
down so many trees to make all those paper bags. But they are
also starting to look like the quintessential environmental
nightmare.
http://www.courant.com/
|
