Labor Committee Takes Aim at Retailers and other Businesses
GAE Committee Considering California Style Privacy Bill
Committee Deadline Updates
CRMA Golf Outing Reminder
Retail News and Notes
- This has been a very busy couple of weeks at the State Capitol.
- Some committees have finished up their work, but others are still working and some of the big issues that we saw coming from the start of the session are now being acted on.
- CRMA is here at the Capitol working on your behalf, but we need your help. If you are receiving this email and are NOT a dues paying member of CRMA, please consider doing so TODAY.
- It’s easy to do, just go to our website, crmaonline.com, and follow the links to donate.
- CRMA is a strong and effective voice for ALL types and sizes of Retailers in CT. We need your help to keep our voice strong, so please consider joining us today.
Labor Committee Takes Aim at Retailers
- As we have mentioned in previous FF, two of the major issues that we expected to be taken up by the General Assembly would be a paid family medical leave act and an increase in the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour.
- The Labor Committee has in fact done that this week.
- Last week, the Labor Committee reported out 3 minimum wage bills, Senate Bill 2 (Sen D’s Bill) HB 5004 (House D’s bill) and HB 7191 (Governor Lamont’s bill).
- All three of the bills would increase the wage to $15 per hour but would do so in different time frames. Why the committee decided to report out 3 of the same bills is unclear, other than to be very clear that they intend to pass an increase in the minimum wage this year.
- And yes, it is unusual for the Committee to report out 3 similar bills.
- The Labor Committee has also taken action on 3 paid family medical leave bills SB 1(Sen D’s), SB 881 (Gov’s Bill) and House Bill 5003 (House D’s bill). All three of those bills will also have a direct impact on retailers and our employee’s.
- And yes, it is unusual that the Committee would send out 3 similar bills.
- As you can imagine, we will continue to work on both of these issues and we expect that a vote on them will come within the next 3 weeks or so.
- These bills are another example of why it is important for retailers to have a voice at the Capitol and why we urge you to become members. Added numbers gives us added strength to fight these bills.
- If you would like to learn more on how you can contact your local legislator and talk to them about the harmful impact both the minimum wage bills and paid family medical leave act will have on your bottom line, please feel free to email us at tim@ctretailnetwork.com.
GAE Committee Considering California Style Privacy Bill
- This week, the Government Administration and Election Committee raised for drafting and public hearing, SB 1108 AAC Consumer Privacy. This is a bad bill that CRMA strongly opposes.
- The bill is modeled after a similar bill that was hastily passed in California that would place huge burdens and restrictions on retailers of ALL SIZES, including smaller retailers that might have a web presence.
- The Committee will hold a public hearing on the bill on Monday and CRMA will present testimony in opposition.
- We encourage all members to review the bill. We understand that privacy and data security are highly sensitive issues and that retailers of all sizes have an obligation to protect customer data.
- We also know that legislation that is introduced, like what was done in California if not done properly can have a NEGATIVE effect on all the parties involved.
- Please stay tuned for updates on this bill.
Committee Deadline Updates
- As we move towards the end of March, we also draw closer to the end of Committee process.
- As you know CT’s legislative process is that bills first sent to the Committee that has jurisdiction on the subject, a public hearing then must be held, and the Committee must vote before the bill can be considered by either the House or the Senate.
- Here is a list of some Committee deadlines we are looking at: Keep in mind that the committee does NOT have to go to their deadline, and many don’t, they just can’t go PAST their deadline.
- Environment Committee – March 29th – although we are hearing they may finish on Monday, March 25th
- General Law Committee – March 26th – although we are hearing the same as Environment that they too might finish on Monday
- GAE Committee – April 3rd
- Judiciary Committee – April 12th
- Finance Committee – May 2nd
- Appropriation Committee – May 5th
CRMA Golf Outing Update
- Just a friendly reminder that the CRMA Golf Outing, an important fundraiser for the CRMA, will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at the Wampanoag Country Club.
- If you are interested in participating in this year’s event, please contact Cathy in our office at cathy@ctretailnetwork.com or visit our website, crmaonline.com.
- Any help you can give to this year’s event we would appreciate.
Retail News and Notes
- Connecting brands with retail space Storefront likes to call itself the Airbnb of short-term retail space. Since it was founded six years ago, the New York-based startup has become the world’s largest marketplace for brands to connect with retail store space across three continents. In this STORES magazine interview, Storefront CEO and co-founder Mohamed Haouache talks about the future of retail pop-ups. Read more.
- Amazon launches lower-priced Kindle with light Amazon is introducing its first sub-$100 Kindle reader that incorporates a light and other premium features. The company is also giving current Kindle users the option of sending in their old devices for gift cards and 25% off the new $90 Kindles.Digital Trends (3/20)
- Starbucks invests in future retail and tech innovation Starbucks is experimenting with its retail formats to tailor stores to the neighborhoods they serve, and the company is investing $100 million in a venture capital fund to back future retail tech innovations. “With an eye toward accelerating our innovation agenda, we are inspired by, and want to support, the creative, entrepreneurial businesses of tomorrow with whom we may explore commercial relationships down the road,” CEO Kevin Johnson said. Digiday (free content) (3/21)