Auction items needed to fund scholarships By Jan Teague, President/CEO
This year the Council for State Retail Associations is having an auction during its annual meeting event to raise funds for future political networking among all state associations. Sharing political trends, understanding what is happening in the various states and why - these are critical discussions that help us defend our states from bad legislation.
Many state association executives are not able to afford the costs to attend. Scholarships are provided to these state association executives. All states are being asked to help generate auction items to fund these scholarships to help during these hard times. I thought that some of you might want to lend a hand.
Got a condo we could auction for a week's stay? Perhaps you have access to memorabilia? Electronics? Gift baskets? Gift Cards?
We would appreciate your participation and would, of course, recognize it appropriately.
The Washington Retail Association's review of key retail-related legislation and voting from the 2009 Legislative session is available to members now.
The Law Review and Voting Record summarizes 118 bills of prime importance to retailers and the retail industry. Most of the bills the Legislature approved and the Governor later signed take effect on July 26 of this month.
The report reviews how each of the 147 state legislators voted on key bills of importance to retailers. It assigns a point value to how closely a legislator's voting record matched WRA's position on key legislation affecting the industry.
An e-mail version of the report went to WRA members earlier this week. To obtain a printed copy, contact Jim Szymanski, Director of Public Affairs, at 360-943-9198, Ext. 12 or at jim.szymanski@retailassociation.org.
Pharmacy robberies heading for record in state
Pharmacy robberies are the latest challenge law enforcement officials face in the growing problem of organized retail theft.
Criminals in search of the drug oxycontin and other pain relievers are increasingly becoming more violent and armed with weapons as they confront pharmacies to steal drugs, said Jason Moulton, loss prevention director for Safeway's Seattle division.
There have been 60 such pharmacy robberies statewide this year, equaling last year's state record amount with a half a year left. At the current pace of pharmacy robberies, such crimes could double the state record amount to 120 by year's end, Moulton said.
"They just keep hitting (pharmacies) until they get caught," Moulton told a group of 50 retail security personnel at a meeting in Renton last week. Moulton mentioned one incident at a Walgreens in the state during which the robber used an assault rifle to force pharmacy personnel to give him drugs.
Moulton called upon state elected officials to consider a prescription monitoring program that might reduce the number of prescriptions, and ultimately, crimes from users who become addicted to pain medication.
Criminals also are applying a new retail twist to credit card fraud, Moulton said.
Criminals either manufacture a fake credit card or steal a legitimate card to obtain retail gift cards, and then obtain cash as refunds for items they buy with the gift cards, Moulton said. In many cases, stores do not require a receipt before giving a refund for an item, Moulton said.
Organized retail crime is an estimated $34.8 billion annual problem, according to a study done this year for the National Retail Federation.
This past legislative session, the Washington Retail Association was instrumental in shaping a bill that will result in an organized retail crime task force to operate in the state. WRA also backs three bills pending in Congress that would define organized retail crime as a federal offense and require more cooperation from online auction operators to cooperate with retailers and police in crime investigations. WRA favors a national approach to dealing with organized retail crime.
Environmental conference scheduled in Seattle
WRA is co-presenting an environmental conference and luncheon in Seattle later this month with the Washington Policy Center.
Climatologist Pat Michaels of the University of Virginia will address those who attend the event, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 23 at the Westin Seattle hotel.
The event will feature panel discussions on eco-fads, new environmental regulations and market-based environmentalism. Michaels, past president of the American Association of State Climatologists, will speak about climate change and science refuting the impetus for climate change legislation and policy.
Tammie Hetrick, WRA's Vice President Retail Services, is cooperating with Labor & Industries to speed the time within which workers injured on the job report their injuries to their employers.
Hetrick reported progress after a meeting she attended last week regarding expanding an L&I pilot program aimed at shortening the time between injuries and when they're reported to employers.
Progress on the matter is important because it could speed the time within which injured employees return to work, Hetrick said. Also, speedier returns to work mean employers get more benefit from the wages they pay, she said.
Lag times for reporting injuries had been as much as 25 days, Hetrick said. In such cases, employers typically learn about worker injuries from insurance companies rather than the injured employee, Hetrick said.
After working with L&I the past several months, the lag time for reporting injuries has been reduced to 7 days, Hetrick said.
"Our goal is to further reduce that to three days or less," she said.
State posts tax law changes online
The Department of Revenue has posted online a summary of tax-related legislation approved during the 2009 Legislative session.
The summaries are meant to help businesses become aware of changes to the state tax system. The 2009 summary covers 43 bills.
The 2009 Legislature enacted several bills related to the workplace.
During the past session, lawmakers passed bills ranging from requiring construction workers to carry specific licenses and permits to the job to protecting workers from human trafficking violations.
It may be challenging for businesses to keep up with the volume of legislation considered and passed by the Legislature.
To address that need, L&I has summarized a variety of workplace-related bills so that employers may keep up on changing requirements. To review new laws, their effective dates and requirements, visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/AboutLNI/Legislature/Default.asp?WT.svl=3. Source: Labor and Industries
Free business fair coming in September
The 13th Washington Small Business Fair is scheduled on September 12 at Renton Technical College.
The free event aims to assist new and existing small businesses to grow and survive the recession.
The fair requires no pre-registration. Speakers will be unpaid and no private vendors or selling will be allowed during the event.
Seminars range from understanding taxes to business planning and from marketing to starting a Website. A list of exhibitors is expected to be posted at the fair's Website, www.bizfair.org, early in July. You can also visit the site for directions to the college and updates about the fair.
The Washington Retail Association participates on a planning committee and will exhibit at the fair. There is no single fair sponsor but organizations such as the Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and various state government departments participate in the planning.
About 50 exhibitors participate annually at the fair, attended by up to 1,000 visitors. Business networking is encouraged during the event.
WRA shares safety tips
The July 4th weekend is a great time to remember personal and pet safety tips from Patti Vernie, WRA's claims and safety advisor.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council of Fireworks Safety advise:
*If your city or town allow fireworks, buy only from reliable retailers and make sure an adult is present when using fireworks.
*Only ignite fireworks outside and make sure water is handy in case of fire.
*Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks and store them in a cool, dry place.
*Never throw fireworks at anyone of carry them in your pocket.
*Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
The 4th is also a time to ensure the comfort and safety of your pets. The sights, sounds and commotion of the holiday can be startling and upsetting to dogs, cats and horses.
Frightened animals should be kept inside and sedated, if necessary.
Vernie can assist WRA members in creating a safer workplace. She is available to visit companies and make recommendations on improving workplace safety.
For more information on how WRA can improve workplace safety awareness, contact Vernie at 360-943-9198, Ext. 21 or at patti@retailassociationservices.com.
Meetings scheduled to review tax changes
The Department of Revenue has scheduled public meetings in Seattle and Olympia later this month to review a new law on the taxation of digital goods.
Beginning July 26, sales and use tax will be due on digital products ranging from downloaded music to streaming video. House Bill 2075 defines digital products as goods and services transferred electronically and includes certain exemptions for businesses and consumers.
The meetings:
*On July 14, at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, 19010 First Avenue South, in Burien, from 10 a.m. to noon.
*On July 15, at the Department of Revenue, 4th floor executive conference room, 1025 Union Avenue, Olympia, from 10 a.m. to noon
Simply put, the bill requires retailers to charge sales tax for online digital products and services. These could include downloaded music and movies or automated services that are transferred electronically, such a photo sharing or car history report services.
For more information, the Department of Revenue maintains a digital products Website. To visit, click here.
Source: Department of Revenue
Worker benefits rise in July Employer UI tax rates will drop next year
Weekly unemployment benefits will rise for new claims starting on Sunday.
Benefits are rising, in part, because the average annual wage in the state increased 3.4 percent last year, to $46,256, according to the Employment Security Department. The state uses average annual wages to compute unemployment insurance benefits.
As a result of the increases, weekly benefits will rise to a minimum $133 and a maximum $560, starting on Sunday, the department reported.
In addition, temporary state and federal economic stimulus packages will increase unemployment checks through the end of the year. With stimulus amounts added, minimum weekly unemployment checks in the state will be $225 for most claimants while the maximum amount will rise to $630 through the balance of the year.
The Legislature approved the temporary benefit increase during the 2009 session.
The Washington Retail Association played a pivotal role in working to permanently reduce employer unemployment insurance tax rates, beginning next year. WRA achieved its top 2009 priority in backing a bill that requires unemployment insurance benefits to be charged back to employers in the same amount that benefits are paid out. The bill contained permanent tax breaks both in the experience rating and social costs.
Source: Employment Security
The Washington Retail Association, WRA, is a 501 C 6 trade association formed to advocate for Washington State’s retailers at the local, state and national level. Since 1987, the WRA has protected Washington's retailers from unreasonable taxes, fees, regulations and legislation. The efforts of the WRA benefit all Washington state retailers and help fuel statewide economic growth.
