The Minnesota Legislature this week approved a tax bill that will increase the cigarette tax by $1.60 per pack and also increase the tax on other tobacco products. The state projects that the tax increase will raise $434 million in new revenue over the next two years (fiscal years 2014-15). With Minnesota’s increase to $2.83 […]
Tag: legislation
Posted in, California Perspective, West
Relationship Building Critical During Busy Legislative Sessions
by Ron Fong/CGA president and CEO Special to The Shelby Report The California Legislature is in full swing and despite talk of legislators taking it slow and not introducing a number of bills, this session is shaping up to be one of the busiest in quite some time. California Grocers Association (CGA) staff is sifting […]
Posted in, National
Grocers Gather In Washington To Advocate On Industry Issues
Grocery retailers, wholesalers and food industry state association executives representing more than 30 states assembled in Washington, D.C., today to urge Congress to act on pro-business reforms that impact the bottom lines of supermarket retailers and wholesalers. Members of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) […]
Posted in, Southwest
Food Workshops Scheduled In New Mexico
New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers and food processors are invited to attend one of three workshops across the state to help them better understand how new federal food safety legislation could impact their business. New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the Southwest Border Food Safety and Defense Center at New Mexico State University (NMSU) are […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
WGA’s Grocers In The Capitol Day Includes Obamacare Discussion
The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) and some of its members were in Madison on Wednesday for the 2013 Grocers in the Capitol Day event. Dan Schwartzer, deputy commissioner of insurance for the state, discussed Obamacare and what employers, including grocers, need to do to prepare for 2014. WGA members asked dozens of questions and lined […]
Posted in, National
Industry Applauds Renewable Fuel Standard Reform
An array of agriculture, business, environment, hunger, taxpayer and public interest groups hailed U.S. Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) for introducing the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act. Their response to Wednesday’s press conference held at the House Triangle, reiterated the devastating impact the Renewable Fuel Standard […]
Posted in, Industry News, Southeast
Tennessee House Approves Sales Tax Decrease On Groceries
The Tennessee House has unanimously approved a proposal to cut the state’s sales tax on groceries. The Memphis Business Journal reports that the proposal was put forward by Gov. Bill Haslam. If approved by the Senate, Tennessee’s sales tax on groceries will decrease from 7 percent to 5 percent. The decrease is expected to cost […]
Posted in, National, West
CGA Hires New Government Relations Manager
The California Grocers Association (CGA) has hired Dane Hutchings as its government relations manager, effective immediately. In this position, Hutchings will be responsible for bill tracking and analysis, regulatory analysis, member relations and grassroots development. In addition, he will work with CGA members to develop positions and draft advocacy messages and represent the organization before […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Northeast
Industry Supports HB 790 To Reform Pa.’s Alcohol Sales System
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), the state’s advocate for food retailers, applauds the Pennsylvania House Liquor Control Committee for moving House Bill 790 forward in support of reforming Pennsylvania’s alcohol sales system. PFMA urges all members, associates and their customers to ask their lawmakers to support HB 790. “Visit FreeMyBeer.com today and send a […]
Posted in, National
Legislation Addressing Overreach Of Proposed Menu Labeling Regs Gets Support
The National Grocers Association (NGA) released the following statement supporting the introduction of a bi-partisan bill, House Resolution 1249 The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2013, by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement the chain restaurant menu labeling provision under the […]
Posted in, National
NGA Releases Tax Reform Principles To Congress
The National Grocers Association (NGA) today released the results of a tax survey of its members in a report entitled “Principles of Tax Reform for the Independent Grocery Sector.” The report is being shared with members of Congress, including members of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee who are undertaking comprehensive […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Southeast
Report: Grocery Store Wine Sales In Tenn. At Critical Juncture
The bill to change the Tennessee law that restricts wine sales reaches a critical juncture this week. The Memphis Business Journal reports that Tennessee lawmakers in both House and Senate committees will hear a bill that will allow wine to be sold in supermarkets. The bill could hang on a single vote. “It could fall […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Northeast, Suppliers, Whole Foods
Consumer Being Hoodwinked By Credit Card Surcharge Bill
by Linda Doherty/NJFC President The New Jersey Legislature has fast tracked legislation that would prevent retailers from charging credit card transaction fees to consumers and yet credit card companies and big banks can continue the predatory practice of charging retailers exorbitant credit card fees. A few things are curious about this rush to legislate. Not […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Northeast
Sheetz Lauds Governor For Modernizing Pennsylvania Liquor Laws
Sheetz Convenience Restaurants support Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s efforts to modernize the state’s liquor laws, stating in a news release that until now there has not been a state leader willing to push for change since Prohibition. The chain of more than 437 stores continues to endorse the idea of reforming the way alcohol is […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
GMO Food-Labeling Bill In New Mexico Voted Down
A New Mexico Senate bill that would have changed food-labeling practices has died on the Senate floor. Albuquerque Business First reports that Senate Bill 18, which would have required companies to label genetically modified food as such, was voted down late last week when the Senate voted not to adopt a committee report. “Even though […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Midwest
Minnesota 2013: Democrat Control Of House, Senate Could Impact Grocers
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Grocers are “subtle partners within their community,” says Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). The words “Consumers, Careers & Communities” are prominently displayed on the MGA website, and though she knows they hate to do it, Pfuhl wishes grocers would do a bit better job touting what they […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Status Quo The Result Of Election 2012
If you live in one of the 2012 battleground states, you are probably thankful that Election Day has come and gone. Your phone has stopped ringing, your mailbox is not overflowing with political flyers and you can watch television without being bombarded with ads for candidates and causes. A record $6 billion was spent in […]
Posted in, National
Industry Reacts To FDA’s Release of Proposed Food Safety Regs
Industry leaders from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh are reacting to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) release of proposed food safety regulations. FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin “The proposed rules—Preventative Controls for Human Food and Produce Safety—are important components to […]
Posted in, National
La. Ag Commissioner Responds To Congress’ Farm Bill Extension
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM, has responded to Congress’ Farm Bill extension: “While Congress worked on passing the fiscal cliff bill over the New Year holiday, those in the agriculture industry eagerly anticipated movement on the expired Farm Bill. A short-term extension of the bill blocks milk and bread prices […]
Posted in, National
NGA President Lauds Passage Of Taxpayer Relief Act
Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (NGA), has released the following statement regarding the passage of the Taxpayer Relief Act: “NGA applauds Congress and the president for averting an economic disaster, albeit at the 13th hour, with the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act (House Resolution 8). The bill, […]