Legislative News
UPDATE: April 19, 2010
State
Spring has sprung, offering good news to state lawmakers. Virginia is experiencing a slight increase in sales tax revenues which will offset some of the harsh budget cuts.
With the beginning of a new season, state legislators will convene to digest Governor Bob McDonnell’s budget amendments. April 21 is “veto session,” a day-long event at the Virginia General Assembly. The governor not only offers budget amendments, but has the power to veto any budget line item that he and his staff agree is not in the best interest of the Commonwealth. Rumor has it that Governor McDonnell will propose amendments, but will not offer any vetoes.
Due to efforts of the Virginia Retail Federation (VRF), there is also some good news for retailers. On March 23, VRF staff hand delivered a letter to the governor outlining the association’s position opposing Accelerated Sales Tax Payments. The letter also thanked the governor for working with the VRF to restore some portion of the Dealer Discount for small merchants.
However, VRF staff requested that the governor “amend this (Dealer Discount) section of the budget and add language that would require the Department of Taxation to convene a series of meetings with representatives from (the governor’s) office, the Department of Taxation and representatives of the retail industry to determine a fair retail industry level to receive full Dealer Discount during the next budget cycle.”
As a result of the VRF’s efforts, Governor McDonnell has amended the budget language to begin phase out of the Accelerated Sales Tax in 2013 rather than 2015. Moreover, he offered an amendment that makes Dealer Discount Elimination temporary for retailers who lost the state allowance for sales tax collection. The letter also resulted in a meeting of impacted retailers with the Department of Taxation on April 27. Retail Alliance members who would like to attend the meeting or participate in a conference call should contact Margaret Ballard, ; 757-406-9431.
Federal
Now that President Obama’s Health Care Reform legislation is the law of the land, retailers can learn more about the requirements at the National Retail Federation (NRF) web site, http://www.nrf.com. Scrolling down through the home page, Retail Alliance members will find the Washington Retail Insight and an article concerning the new costs and mandates under the health care act.
In the body of the article, click on the timeline which provides exceptional information about implementation of the act and requirements for businesses of all sizes. Later this summer, after the regulations have been written and approved, watch for a Retail Alliance Health Care Reform seminar tailored to the specific legal information needed for compliance.
Contact Us
Susan L. Milhoan, CAE
Retail Alliance
President/CEO
Nancy C. Thomas
Retail Merchants Association
President / CEO
Margaret Ballard
Retail Alliance
Vice President of Advocacy
George C. Peyton
Retail Merchants Association
Vice President of Government Relations
Virginia Retail Federation
5101 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23230
