Friend of the Grocers
DICK RINEHART, son DOUG and daughter MICHELLE LAKE of Dick’s Fresh Market in River Falls, joined WGA’s BRANDON SCHOLZ to present the first of 26 Friend of the Grocers Awards. This one went to State Senator SHEILA HARSDORF (R-River Falls).
Harsdorf has been a strong supporter on WGA issues and frequently connects with grocers like Dick, Doug and Michelle in her district to understand how legislative proposals impact the grocery industry. While she didn’t get points for it, Harsdorf’s son works at the grocery store.
On a tour through the store, Dick proudly introduced the many members of his family who work at the store including daughter LISA and her husband BRIAN and Michelle’s husband KURT; and how he is transitioning the business to the next generation. Of the many features in the store, Dick noted that his dairy case sold Polka Dot Dairy which is totally BGH-free milk.
WISCONSIN GROCERS ENDORSE WALKER/DAVIS
TO LEAD WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin Grocers Association Board of Directors has voted to endorse Scott Walker for Governor and Brett Davis for Lieutenant Governor at their most recent Board meeting in Milwaukee.
"The WGA Board is a good representation of the retail food industry and contains representatives of warehouses, distributors/suppliers, chain store operators, single store owners and the manufacturing industry,” said Board Chairman Brad Brooks from Affiliated Foods Midwest. “While discussing the race for Governor and Lieutenant Governor from the different perspectives, the Board agreed that Walker and Davis were the right choices for the grocery industry in Wisconsin, the best candidates to lead Wisconsin and represent all of our mutual interests."
WGA President Brandon Scholz said, “This wasn't an easy decision for our board. We incorporated input from our members around the state into the board discussion. However, both Scott Walker and Brett Davis are past recipients of the ‘Friend of Grocers’ award and their past support of the grocery industry had already been proven during their tenures in the State Assembly.”
WGA Board Member Dave Spiegelhoff, Director of Operations for Spiegelhoff’s Supermarkets, supported the decision to endorse Walker and Davis and said, “The Walker/Davis team will bring to Wisconsin what has been missing for a long time--a common sense approach to issues and the philosophy to not spend what we don’t have.”
"With the economy the way it is and no improvement in sight, we need the government to stay out of our businesses and out of our cash registers," said Scholz. "Scott Walker and Brett Davis understand that and will get the job done!"
WISCONSIN GROCERS ENDORSE
REID RIBBLE IN 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) Board of Directors has voted to endorse Reid Ribble to represent Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"The WGA Board is a good representation of the retail food industry and contains representatives of warehouses, distributors/suppliers, chain store operators, single store owners and the manufacturing industry,” said Board Chairman Brad Brooks from Affiliated Foods Midwest. “While discussing the race for U.S. House from the different perspectives, the Board agreed that Reid Ribble was the right choice for the grocery industry in Wisconsin, the best candidate to lead Wisconsin and represent all of our mutual interests."
WGA President Brandon Scholz added, “Reid Ribble has a grasp of the goals and purposes of our organization and understands the issues important to Wisconsin’s grocery industry.” Scholz finished by saying, “With the economy the way it is and no improvement in sight, we need the government to stay out of our businesses and out of our cash registers and as a businessman Reid Ribble understands that.”
Regarding the endorsement, Ribble said, “I am honored to have the support of Wisconsin Grocers Association. WGA members are worried about the direction of the economy, and whether or not they will be able to keep their jobs or make payroll. They want a Congressman who understands that. As a small business owner of 30 years, I completely understand their problems and will work hard to make sure they can keep their businesses running right here in Wisconsin.”
NEW FEDERAL GIFT CARD LAW
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 22, 2010
In 2009, President Obama signed the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights which included significant changes to gift cards. The Federal Reserve recently provided a mandated analysis on the law and has clarified a few of the provisions. The original law contained the following:
- No dormancy fees, inactivity fees or service fees unless there has not been activity for 12 months;
- Not more than one fee can be charged per month;
- The card must clearly state:
- That a dormancy fee, inactivity charge or fee, or service fee may be charged;
- The amount of such fee or charge;
- How often such fee or charge may be assessed; and
- That such fee or charge may be assessed for inactivity;
- The purchaser must be informed of the charges prior to purchase.
- If the card contains an expiration date, it cannot be for less than 5 years from date of purchase
The Federal Reserve’s clarifications include:
- “Service fee” includes recurring account maintenance fees and activity-based fees, such as per transaction, balance inquiry, ATM, and reload fees. Therefore, the law does not allow any balance inquiry fees, reload fees, “per transaction” fees, or maintenance/service fees to be charged in the first 12 months, OR whenever the card is actively in use. After 12 months of inactivity, an issuer will have to choose between debiting either the maintenance/service fees OR any other “activity-based fee” in the same month.
- The law prohibited expiration dates unless there are “policies and procedures in place that provide consumers with a reasonable opportunity to purchase a card that has an expiration date that is at least five years from the date of purchase.” This can be done by: having procedures that prevent the sale of card with less than 5 years validity; making cards available with at least 5 years and 6 months remaining on the card.
If there is an expiration date on the card, then the funds on the card cannot expire until more than five (5) years after the date of last load of funds, OR the date on the card, whichever is later.
- These rules do not apply to programs or cards such as a loyalty, award, or promotional gift card; cards not marketed to the general public, or issued in paper form only.
- The Final Rules mandate the compliance date of August 22, 2010, applying to any covered gift certificate, store gift card or general-use prepaid card sold to a consumer on or after such date, or provided to the consumer as a replacement.
Click here for a link to the actual bill language.
Click here for the federal reserve analysis.
If a retailer has further questions on how the gift card law may affect their specific gift card program, we must recommend that you discuss the provisions with an attorney. The WGA can provide the factual information included in the final bill, but we are not lawyers and therefore cannot provide a legal opinion or specific legal interpretation.
Government Affairs
Legislative Programs
WGA reviews, analyzes and monitors more than 200 pieces of legislation annually. Each year, approximately one of every ten pieces of all proposed legislation directly affects the grocery industry.
WGA actively supports or opposes these bills. To effectively pass legislation or change a bill, hundreds of hours are spent meeting with legislators, attending committee hearings, testifying and
building coalitions with other affected industries. We’ll keep you up to date on pending legislation and regulatory actions that will affect your bottom line.
Legislative and Regulatory Agencies
WGA monitors and provides assistance to retailers and suppliers on concerns with regulations or regulatory agencies at the local, state and federal level. There are more than 20 different state and federal agencies that have a direct impact on the retail food and grocery industry.
The WGA works with these agencies who enforce these statutory codes and regulations:
• Alcohol & Tobacco Compliance
• Child Labor/Labor Workforce Regulation
• Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
• Employee/Employer Compliance/Complaints
• Food Safety
• Health Care/Prescription Drugs
• ID Liquor Sales
• Labor/Workforce Regulations
• Local Signage Regulation
• Lottery Sales and Reimbursements
• Minimum Mark-up
• Minimum Wage
• Payroll and Employment Taxes
• Pharmacy
• Privacy Issues
• Recycling Requirements and Surcharge
• Sales Tax and Use Tax Issues
• Telecommunications
• Utility Issues
• Unemployment/Workers Compensation
• WIC
• Workplace Safety