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Current Week  

November 7, 2008


Election Victories Increase Democrats Majority in Both Chambers
Legislative Leaders Selected
Washington Election Update
CRMA’s Annual Awards Luncheon
Retail News and Notes

• On Tuesday this week, we witnessed the historic election of Illinois Senator Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.

• CT voters overwhelmingly supported President Elect Obama handing him a decisive win over the gallant and honorable Sen. John McCain.

• Along with the Obama sweep came increases in the number of Democrats in the CT General Assembly.

• CT Democrats picked up 8 additional seats increasing their majority to a veto proof 114 seats to 37 for the House Republicans.

• In the State Senate, Democrats picked up 1 additional seat, so that they too have a super majority of 24 Democrats to 12 Senate Republicans.

• As we mentioned in last week’s FF, there were some upsets along the way, but for the most part, on the state legislative front, it was in the words of Sen. Minority Leader John McKinney, a ‘tsunami’ that took away any chance that Republicans had to cut into the Democratic Majority.

Legislative Leaders Selected

• All four caucused are expected to elect their respective leaders by the end of the week. In fact some have already done so.

• Senate Democrats have already re-elected Sen. Don Williams (D-Willimantic) and Sen. Martin Looney (D- New Haven) as President Pro-Tem and Majority Leader.

• Sen. Republicans have also acted swiftly by re-electing their leadership team. Sen. McKinney (R – Fairfield) is back as Sen. Minority Leader.

• On the house Side, House D’s caucused last night and elected Chris Donavan (D- Meriden) as their new Speaker of the House and Dennis Merril (D- Storrs) as their new Majority Leader.

• House Republicans are expected to re-elect Larry Cafero (R- Norwalk) as Sen. Minority Leader.

• No word yet on Committee Chairs, we should have some more information about that in next week’s FF.

Washington Election Update

• With the election of Senator Obama as the next President, Democrats also increased their majority in both the House and the Senate.

• CT contributed to that increase with the upset victory of Jim Himes over incumbent Rep. Chris Shays. Shays was the only Republican member of the House left from New England.

• CT’s two United State Senators will remain in the news for the next few weeks.

• Senator Christopher Dodd, has indicated that he wants to stay as Chair of the Financial Services Committee while Sen. Lieberman is not sure if he will be welcomed back into the Democratic Caucus; not to mention return as chair of Homeland Security, due to his very visible support of Sen. McCain.

• We are hearing that Sen. Dodd is working hard to keep Lieberman in that spot, feeling that Sen. Lieberman’s seniority and clout is important for the State.

• In the House, we mentioned Himes’s upset over Shays, but there may be more CT players in the news.

• With the announcement this week that the new President has selected Rahm Emanuel as Chief of Staff, that leaves an opening as Democratic Caucus Chair.

• First District Rep. John Larson, (D – East Hartford) is actively running for that spot. He is currently Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus.

• That is an important and influential spot in the House Democratic Caucus. We will have to keep an eye on Larson’s run.

CRMA’s Annual Awards Luncheon

• Our Annual Awards Luncheon is now less than one week away.

• If you have not sent in your registration for this year’s event, there are still some spots available. Please send your registration now!

• CRMA is very proud to honor Stew Leonard’s as our 2008 Retailer of the Year.

• Also, please plan on coming early to participate in our Legislative Panel Discussion with the four top legislative leaders.

Retail News and Notes

•  J.C. Penney readies for new "Americana" line
J.C. Penney's launch of its new American Living brand of apparel, accessories and home furnishing products, which was developed in partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren's Global Brand Concepts, will be priced more in line with Macy's, the company's chief marketing officer said. A new advertising campaign announcing the line is planned during the Academy Awards broadcast in February. Forbes/Associated Press (9/10)

•  Blockbuster COO to leave company
Blockbuster has announced that Nick Shepherd, the company's senior executive vice president and COO, will leave his post at the end of the month, remaining in a consultant role through Dec. 31. The company also appointed two former 7-Eleven executives, Keith Morrow and David Podeschi, to new management roles. American City Business Journals/Dallas (9/11) , The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (9/12)

• Judge says no to NYC calorie-labeling rule
U.S. District Judge Richard Holwell overturned a proposed New York City health regulation Tuesday that had been contested by the restaurant industry. The rule would have required more than 2,000 restaurants in the area -- including quickservice chains such as McDonald's and Burger King -- to post calorie counts on their menus. The judge ruled that the city could mandate nutrition labeling but that this regulation was pre-empted by a 1990 federal law. "Chain restaurants will continue to voluntarily provide nutritional information through brochures, posters, tray liners and on the Internet to help customers make educated decisions about what they choose to eat," said National Council of Chain Restaurants President Jack Whipple. Forbes/Associated Press (9/11) , The New York Times (9/12) , The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (9/12)