LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2005-2006
• Taxes, Tax Exemptions, Fee Increases : The WGA OPPOSES any financial increase whether a tax increase, program fee increase, repeal of a tax exemption, or sales tax increase.
• Health Care: The WGA OPPOSES all state mandated benefit coverages. The WGA SUPPORTS tax exemptions and other forms of relief for businesses aimed at offsetting the continuously increasing costs of providing healthcare for employees.
• Minimum Mark-Up: The WGA SUPPORTS maintaining the minimum mark-up on gasoline, tobacco and other products sold at retail.
• Internet Tobacco Sales: The WGA SUPPORTS establishing a license for internet tobacco sales to level the playing field and collect excise taxes on tobacco. In addition, the WGA believes the legislation regulating internet tobacco sales must include language requiring strict age verification requirements that include signature upon delivery. • Product Liability: The WGA SUPPORTS legislation that improves Wisconsin 's product liability law by clarifying seller's liability, product issues and remedial measures.
• Methamphetamine Legislation: The WGA OPPOSES legislation that would establish unreasonable sales restrictions of cough and cold products that are in “safe harbor” packaging or would require OTC products to be kept behind the counter or under lock and key. In addition, the WGA OPPOSES maintenance of a register containing consumer information on cough and cold product purchases.
• Minimum Wage : The WGA SUPPORTS a statewide modest increase in the minimum wage that incorporates training and opportunity wages for unskilled employees. Also, the WGA SUPPORTS legislation that preempts municipalities from enacting a wage rate higher than the state's minimum wage.
• Soda Machine Rental: The WGA OPPOSES the provision that prohibits soda vendors from furnish, leasing or renting soda vending machines.
• Bartender's Licenses : The WGA SUPPORTS statewide uniformity in bartender's licensing which includes issuance every 2 years and repeal of the temporary license fee.
• Child Labor Laws : The WGA SUPPORTS revisiting child labor laws and would support modifying Wisconsin Statutes to reflect federal law and make it easier to understand.
• Sales and Use Tax Master List : The WGA SUPPORTS establishing a Sales and Use Tax Retail Advisory Committee and creation of a master list which identifies taxability of items in commerce.
This list is not an all-inclusive list of issues of concern to the Wisconsin Grocers Association, but represents the top priorities for the grocery industry.
JOIN THE WGA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Don't let important issues fade into the background! Get involved
in the legislative process!
Make your voice heard! Protect your bottom line!
What is the purpose of the Legislative Council?
To provide input & guidance to WGA on legislative
issues of importance to your business and the food industry.
To build and strengthen a grassroots network within the
WGA that will provide a strong voice when advocating the
best interest of our industry.
To establish relationships between the WGA and its members
and between WGA members and their elected officials.
Why should I join the Legislative Council?
To make your voice heard in state and federal government.
To protect your business from unnecessary government regulation
and excessive fees.
To guide the WGA to correctly represent the viewpoint
of its members on state and federal issues.
What is my commitment if I join?
To provide feedback and comments to the WGA verbally or
through written surveys aimed at developing legislative
positions.
To make contact with legislators on industry specific
issues by phone, fax or mail.
Attending two Legislative Council meetings per year -
a spring Grocers' Day at the Capitol and a meeting held
in conjunction with the fall WGA Convention.
To make a minimum financial contribution of $150 into
the Wisconsin Grocers Political Support Program or Political
Action Committee.
To recruit one WGA member to make a matching contribution
of $150 into the Wisconsin Grocers Political Support Program
or Political Action Committee.
Please contact Michelle at (888) 342-5942 to learn more
information or to find out how to join.
WGA Track Record
Prevented introduction of legislation creating a bottle deposit bill (2005)
Assisted in passage of legislation taxing internet tobacco sales. (2004)
Instrumental in passage of statewide minimum wage that prohibits municipalities from enacting a wage higher than the state. (2004)
Passed legislation that increases the penalties for theft of a shopping cart from $50 to $500 per cart (2004)
Passed legislation that allows retailers of same franchise to cooperatively advertise for liquor. (2004)
Passed legislation that removes the requirement to send bad check letters via certified mail. (2003)
Prevented an extended recycling surcharge from being placed on businesses. (2001)
Defeated efforts to repeal the minimum mark-up on gasoline (2001)
Passed legislation to allow wine tasting in grocery stores. (2001)
Received an exemption for grocery stores on a bill that would have required anyone who sells alcohol to be a licensed bartender. (2000)
Eliminated the personal property tax on computers and computer-related equipment. (2000)
Increased retail reimbursement for scratch-off lottery
tickets from 5.5 percent to 6.25 percent. (1998)
Supported legislation that would place the liability of
worthless checks on the issuer of the bad check. (1998)
Expanded the definition of retail theft to strengthen
the existing law. (1998)
Received an exemption for grocery stores on legislation
that would have required each store to keep a register on,
and ID people who purchase nitrous oxide containers. (1997)
Clarified the tax code relating to ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat
foods by exempting Lunchables and other related products
from the sales tax. (1997)
LEGISLATIVE REPORT CARD
The purpose of the WGA Legislative Report Card is to grade our
elected officials for their votes on important bills. These
grades can then be used by members of the Wisconsin Grocers
Association to make educated decisions during the 2002 elections.
For a copy of the 2005-2006 WGA Legislative Report Card click here.
*Rep. Samantha Kerkman Corrected Score Press Release click here.
For a copy of the 2003-2004 WGA Legislative Report Card click
here.
