February 07, 2022 | First CRA Newsletter of the New Year
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Message from the President
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Your California Retailers Association is off to a strong start for 2022. As we look to the next few months ahead, we will be busy. Here is what we are watching:
- Potential Vaccine Mandate
- CalOSHA ETS and what becomes permanent
- The Governor’s announcement on his “endemic plans”
- Supply Chain and Goods Movement
- Retail Theft and ORC (look for an exciting CRA announcement on this issue soon)
- Predictive Scheduling
- Environmental Sustainability issues
- Privacy
I cannot stress strong enough how important your company’s voice matters and I encourage subject matter experts to engage in our committees and work groups.
In addition, CRA is actively following the political landscape in California (more in the newsletter below). Lots of changes at the state and local level, in addition to congressional races and statewide campaigns. We also have a full ballot of initiatives that we are tracking. If you are not engaged in our political committee, I encourage you to engage. Many folks who start in California polices end up in Washington, D.C. as Speakers, Minority leaders or even Vice President! By engaging with CRA’s political committee you can invest in relationships now.
As always, do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need additional information on issues in California.
Rachel
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Legislative, Budget & Political Updates
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Legislative Update
Monday, January 31st was the constitutional deadline for all measures introduced in the prior year to advance out of the first house. Among the measures considered, a CRA-supported measure to enhance transparency on online marketplaces advanced as well as a gender-pricing or “pink tax” measure, which CRA has remained neutral. We were successful in halting measures to expand mandatory paid sick leave from three days to five and in halting a single-payer healthcare bill that would have led to massive tax increases including payroll, income and a gross receipts tax.
CRA-Supported Measures Advancing to the Assembly
SB 301 (Skinner) SUPPORT. This measure, patterned after the INFORM Act proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives, passed with unanimous support from the committee. It will require online marketplaces to include verified contact information for third-party sellers with product listings. SB 301 moves to the Senate Floor with zero No votes so far. CRA sent a floor alert urging a yes vote on the bill. Read the letter here, also available on CRA's member portal. The Prosecutors Alliance also shared their support for the bill via Instagram.
Measures of Concern to Retailers Advancing to the Assembly
AB 1287 (Bauer-Kahan) NEUTRAL. The Legislature’s latest gender-pricing or “pink tax” measure advanced to the Assembly Floor with no amendments. We had anticipated possible amendments from the committee that would boost fines under the bill, but ultimately none were adopted. CRA has been actively engaged in conversations with the author on this bill, and as it is tailored to match the New York statute and contains no private right of action, we remain neutral.
AB 1067 (Ting) NO POSITION. This is a “spot bill” related to the issue of beverage container recycling. Assemblymember Ting is hoping to pull together stakeholders in an effort to reform the state’s “Bottle Bill” program that would include relief for retailers from the increasing pressure of store take-back requirements in the wake of the collapsing domestic market for recycled cans and bottles. CRA has taken no position on the bill yet, but will continue to engage with this author and others in the hope of obtaining relief for increasingly burdened grocery, pharmacy, and other retailers covered under the program.
CRA-Opposed Measures That Failed in the Assembly
AB 1119 (Wicks) OPPOSE. This measure would have added any individual with “family responsibilities” as a protected class under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The bill also would have required reasonable accommodation of such employees, potentially including additional time off requests and unexpected schedule changes. These requirements would have been subject to FEHA’s private right of action for enforcement.
AB 95 (Low) OPPOSE. As written this bill would have required employers to grant paid time off for bereavement leave up to 10 days. The author had agreed to amend the bill to make those days unpaid and to remove the bill from the Labor Code to avoid PAGA implications. It is our understanding that he will introduce a new bill on this topic next month.
AB 1400 (Kalra) OPPOSE. This measure establishes a $400+ billion system of state-run health care, replacing all private health insurance and financed by substantial increases in payroll and income taxes as well as a 2.3% gross receipts tax, which would be devastating for low-margin industries like retail. Currently 94% of Californians have health coverage and a majority of the remaining uninsured are undocumented adults who would be eligible for Medi-Cal under Governor Newsom’s Budget. Read the opposition letter CRA sent to the Appropriations committee here, also available on CRA's member portal.
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The California Retailers Association is going to be featured in an upcoming issue of Business View Magazine. The 6-8 page feature is going to be the keynote feature for the Innovation, Pivots, Development & Growth; California Retail Throughout Covid series.
There is an opportunity for CRA member companies to be featured within this series at no cost to you or the association.
We have been working with one of their research directors, Mike Luchetta, who will be conducting preliminary (off the record) interviews with businesses to determine who they will move forward with.
Business View Magazine is a global leader in multi-platform Business to business profiles, news and opinion with more than 840,000 subscribers across North America. To view a current issue please visit their website at www.businessviewmagazine.com.
If interested, feel free to reach out directly to Mike Luchetta of Business View Magazine at 239-309-0368 ext. 407 or via email at mike@businessviewmagazine.com for additional information.
We look forward to shining a light on all things retail for 2022!
Check out below the latest round of media mentions for CRA since our last newsletter was published.
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In Case You Missed It...
ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME
Police shootings, deadly road rage trial and a free pass for shoplifters?
Dan Abrams Live on NewsNation Now
Region sees uptick in retail crime
Pacific Coast Business Times
Editorial: Our View: It’s time to take retail crime seriously
Pacific Coast Business Times
SB 301 Dealing with Retail Theft Rings, Passes Senate on a 34-0 Vote
The Davis Vanguard
States Want Online Marketplaces to Police for Stolen Goods
CPA Practice Advisor
California Retailers Association Releases Statement in Response to Governor Newsom’s 2022 State Budget Proposal
Los Angeles Post
PORK/PROP. 12
California judge delays enforcement of part of new bacon law
Associated Press
Also appeared in:
California grocers win brief reprieve from new bacon law
Courthouse News Service
Prop 12 Enforcement Delayed for Some Stakeholders
The National Law Review
Court Issues a Stay of Enforcement for Proposition 12 Provisions
AgNet West
California Judge Rules Prop. 12 Enforcement Should Be Temporarily Halted on Whole Pork Sales
Successful Farming
No bacon in California? Restaurants, grocers try to make sense of new pork-products law
The Fresno Bee
California Restaurants are Spared a Possible Pork Shortage—at Least for Now
Restaurant Business Magazine
Calif. Court Halts Prop 12 Enforcement
Progressive Farmer
SUPPLY CHAIN
What’s really going on with empty grocery store shelves in the Bay Area?
San Francisco Chronicle
BALLOONS
Encinitas may ban helium-filled balloons
ABC 10 San Diego
Encinitas to consider banning helium balloons
Encinitas Advocate
COVID-19
CRA President and CEO Rachel Michelin Speaks with CBS Los Angeles Addressing the Impact of the Latest COVID-19 Surge on Small Business Owners
CBS Los Angeles
Here’s how San Francisco North Bay businesses are tackling the omicron threat
The North Bay Business Journal
OTHER TOPICS
California Retailers Association CEO Discusses Results of Holiday Shopping Season KTXL Fox 40 Sacramento
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CRA Outreach & Activities
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CRA Announces 2022 Board of Directors
The CRA team welcomes new and returning members to the 2022 Board of Directors. CRA will be busy this year advocating for the retail industry in California by tackling ongoing challenges facing our state and nation’s business economy including Organized Retail Crime, supply chain disruptions, environmental sustainability and COVID-19. With the support of this board, we look forward to working with the Governor’s Administration, state, and local policymakers and other stakeholders on issues important to California’s consumers, economy, and workforce.
Officers:
Nick Johnson, Target (Chair)
Larry Carr, Albertson's/Safeway (Vice-Chair)
Chelsea Minor, Raley's
Cindy Laubacher, CVS Health
Francisco Uribe, The Home Depot
Executive Committee:
Dan Lopez, Best Buy
Jonathan Choi, DART Container Corp.
Blair Reinarman, Gap Inc.
Steve Thomas, Kohl's
Chuck Miller, Macy’s
Joel Baise, Walgreens
Danielle Hohos, Williams Sonoma
Kevin Loscotoff, Walmart
Directors:
Brenda Palomino, Amazon
Tom Tucker, Autocare Association
David McKinney, AutoZone
David Sherwood, Daniel's Jewelers
Stephenie Shah, Diageo
Meredith Preloh, Lowe's
Fran Inman, Majestic Realty Group
Lupe de la Cruz, PepsiCo
Jermaine Smith, Rite Aid
Michael Diamond, Scotts Miracle Grow
Kent Kauss, Sempra Utilities
Stephanie Sheridan, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Kent Knutson, Tractor Supply Company
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CRA is working with the California Highway Patrol to share Organized Retail Crime busts on social media and other communications channels to highlight the work of the statewide task force.
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Monthly Policy Calls Return
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The CRA team held its first monthly policy call of 2022 with the association's policy call committee. The following includes the planned 2022 monthly policy call calendar covering this year's legislative session (dates are subject to change). For CRA members' designated contacts who are not regularly receiving these policy call reminders and calendar invites, please email cra@calretailers.com to be added moving forward. Policy calls are held on Fridays at 10:00am PT.
- February 25
- March 25
- April 22
- May 27
- June 24
- August 26
- September 23
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Last Call to Join a CRA Committee, Task Force or Work Group for 2022
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We know 2022 will be another very busy year for CRA advocacy and education efforts. To ensure your company's voice is included in policy and regulatory decisions at the state and local level and to maximize your member benefits with CRA, sign up for a Committee, Task Force or Work Group today. CRA wants to be as inclusive and responsive to our members as possible, but we need your help and expertise. We welcome CRA members participation on these organizational structures to assist the CRA team with the best policy strategy moving forward.
If you or any of your subject matter colleagues are interested in participating on a committee, task force or work group, please send an email to cra@calreatilers.com.
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CRA members get access to CRA's exclusive online member portal, which contains coalition letters, floor alerts, regulatory comments and testimony that California Retailers Association authored or signed on to during previous Legislative sessions as well as the latest updates on the 2021-2022 legislative session. The portal also contains newsletter, news alert archives and important association governance documents for your reference. If you have not yet received your login credentials and access instructions please email cra@calretailers.com. We are also available to answer any questions you may have regarding portal navigation.
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Follow CRA on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instgram to stay up to date on the latest developments in statewide and local legislation and policies, regulations, relevant industry and member related news and association events.
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