KEY LEGISLATION:

MRA PAC-Supported Candidate
Wins Special Election Primary

State Representative Valde Garcia (R-St. Johns) emerged victorious from
Tuesday’s special election primary for the 26th Senate district. Involved in
a three-way primary that virtually ensured the victor a win in the
Republican district, Garcia cruised to a much easier victory than most had
predicted. The general election will be held on March 20, and if he is
indeed victorious, a special election date to fill Garcia’s house seat will
then be considered by Governor Engler.

Former state representative Martha Scott is assured of success in her effort
to fill the vacancy in the 2nd Senate district after winning the Democratic
primary. She faces no opposition in the general election.
In a tight race to fill the 33rd House district vacancy, Leon Drolett won a
narrow victory in the Republican primary. The district is considered a safe
Republican district.

Greater Oversight of Security Guards
Considered by Committee

Recent incidents involving possible use of excessive force by store security
guards have prompted legislative investigation into training for security
guards and the state’s role in enforcement. Testimony was taken on March 1
in the Senate Appropriations State Police Subcommittee regarding the
qualifications and training required of these guards.

Senator Phil Hoffman (R-Horton) chairs the subcommittee. In committee and in
private conversations with MRA, Hoffman said he at least wants to apply some
minimum standards to security guards in Michigan. He especially wants to
make sure that any security guards carrying guns are required at least to
pass a firearm safety course commensurate with guidelines in the recently
passed concealed weapons legislation.

MRA was not able to determine whether Hoffman would seek minimum
requirements and oversight only for private security firms or would seek to
extend regulations to businesses that hire their own in-house security
guards.

Expansion of Bottle Bill Once Again a Threat

Two bills have been introduced this session seeking to expand the state’s
"bottle bill" providing for recycling of various beverage containers. A
major cost and space issue for retailers, the bottle bill has been widely
credited with helping to clean up Michigan’s roadsides. But lawmakers feel
that other beverage containers, including water and fruit juice containers,
are now becoming a major refuse problem in Michigan.

Senator Burton Leland (D-Detroit) and Representative Mickey Switalski
(D-Roseville) have introduced legislation to include more containers in the
bottle deposit program. SB 223 would expand the present system to include
MRA has for years participated in the Michigan Recycling Partnership,
composed of retail and industry groups involved with recycling but cognizant
of the burdens the bottle deposit law imposes on retailers. The coalition is
formulating a strategy to defeat any proposal that may further adversely
affect the retail community.

Living Wage Legislation on Committee Docket

The House Committee on Employment Relations, Training & Safety will hold a
hearing on Wednesday, March 7, to take testimony on legislation seeking to
preempt local living wage ordinances. HB 4328 is sponsored by Rep. Andrew
Richner (R-Grosse Pointe Park).

Proponents of living wage laws claim that the current minimum wage is not
adequate to provide a suitable living. By raising the level, they claim that
minimum-wage workers will be more economically stable. Opponents of these
local ordinances, however, point to studies showing that by artificially
raising wages, those less-skilled workers are in fact passed over for
employment.

MRA is taking an active role in lobbying for this living wage preemption. To
assist in this effort, retailers throughout the state should contact their
local legislators urging them to support HB 4328.

KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:

HB 4346, sponsored by Rep. Patricia Birkholz (R-Saugatuck), to provide for
the sale and purchase of rights develop land and financing of the purchase
of such rights by local government and powers and duties for local
governmental officers and entities.

HB 4347, sponsored by Rep. Keith Stallworth (D-Detroit), to eliminate the
personal property tax for nonprofit businesses.

HB 4350, sponsored by Rep. Jack Minore (D-Flint), to provide an income tax
credit equal to the amount contributed in the tax year to a candidate for
elective office.

HB 4353. sponsored by Rep. Joseph Rivet (D-Bay City), to create and provide
procedures for voting by mail.

HB 4354, sponsored by Rep. Rivet, to require the availability of absent
voter ballots ad the distribution without a reason from the voter.

HB 4356, sponsored by Rep. Marc Shulman (R-West Bloomfield) to provide
fiscal year 2002 budget for the Department of Agriculture.

HB 4359, sponsored by Rep. Shulman, to provide fiscal year 2002 budget for
the Department of Community Health.

SB 259, sponsored by Sen. Burton Leland (D-Detroit), to allow voters to vote
via absentee ballot without providing a reason.

SB 260, sponsored by Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom (R-Temperance), to revises the
Election Law by establishing and providing procedures for a preferred voting
system for each county.

HB 4397, sponsored by Sen. George Hart (D-Dearborn), to revise the Campaign
Finance Act regarding limitations on the amount that committees and
individuals can donate to campaigns.

HR 40, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Cassis (R-Novi), to urge Congress to repeal
the federal excise tax on telephone and other communications services.

For back issues of Capitol F@cts on-line visit MRA's web site at http://www.retailers.com/capfax/capfax.html.

Specific comments or questions regarding this bulletin should be directed to:
Eric R. Rule, Director of Governmental Affairs at errule@retailers.com.
Michigan Retailers Association
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517.372.5656
Toll Free: 800.366.3699
Fax: 517.372.1303
govt_affairs@retailers.com
http://www.retailers.com
http://www.mallofmichigan.com

Click here to find more information about any of the bills referenced above.