KEY LEGISLATION:
MRA involved in electronic recycling discussions
In the past few years, the issue of recycling electronic
waste has been
discussed and enacted in various states throughout the nation. The Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality recently decided to consider this
practice in Michigan.
Such programs can be very burdensome to the retailer,
with some plans
requiring the retailer of electronic materials such as televisions and
computers to charge the consumer a fee or deposit when purchasing these
products. They may also require the retailer to "take back"
electronic
materials for recycling.
MRA will be participating in the initial discussions
that begin on March 27
in Lansing. The major stakeholders will be present to offer insight
on how
the state can encourage the recycling of these products without causing
too
many burdens on the various industries involved in their sale and manufacture.
More information on possible approaches that the state
will take will be
forthcoming from MRA as the discussions proceed. Comments from members
are
welcomed by MRA and can be sent to Eric Rule, director of Governmental
Affairs, at 603 South Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48933 or
errule@retailers.com.
Solid waste surcharge legislation introduced
A bill has been introduced in the House to add a $3
surcharge to each ton of
solid waste removed to a landfill. Bill sponsor Rep. Jerry Kooiman (R-Grand
Rapids) claims the legislation will encourage greater recycling of sold
waste.
Although the bill would appear to impact only the waste
management industry,
retailers—especially larger operations with distribution centers—could
see
their waste removal bills increase. The waste management industry likely
would not absorb the increased charge and would pass it on to the businesses
and residences they service.
MRA is part of a broad-based coalition that includes
the waste management
industry and is opposed to the bill. The Speaker of the House has indicated
he is opposed to the bill, but anything can happen during budget
negotiations.
Meeting set to discuss loophole closings and fees
MRA will participate in a meeting Monday with House
Speaker Rick Johnson and
other business groups to discuss the fees and loophole closings contained
in
Governor Granholm’s proposed 2003-04 budget. The specifics of many
of these
proposals will not be known until the actual legislation to implement
them
is introduced, and it is anticipated that as many as 70 bills will be
needed
to make the changes.
Two new Lottery games to help state budget
Also included in the governor’s budget is an additional
$50 million from two
proposed lottery games. They are: quick-draw Keno, which would be available
in bars and restaurants; and "break open" tickets, which would
be available
in retail establishments. Granholm said in a statement to reporters
that the
two games are the only gaming expansions she is considering to fix the
2004 budget.
Mortimer seeks open House seat
Former Rep. Mickey Mortimer (R-Horton) is throwing his
hat back into the
political ring after losing his Senate bid to Mark Schauer last November.
Mortimer is seeking to fill the vacant 65th district seat after Rep.
Jerry
Kratz passed away after only a few weeks in office.
Mortimer is considered a favorite going into the Republican
primary because
of his experience and name identification. The district has a Republican
base of roughly 56 percent. The special election is May 20, with a primary
being held April 22 if needed.
KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:
HB 4263, sponsored by Rep. Shelley Goodman Taub
(R-Bloomfield Hills), to
revise city and village principle shopping district to municipality.
HB 4262, sponsored by Rep. John Pappageorge (R-Troy),
to require city or
village to give notification of special land use to neighboring communities.
HB 4265, 4266 sponsored by Rep. Pappageorge,
to require notification of a
pending billboard application to neighboring communities.
HB 4267, sponsored by Rep. Dave Woodward, (D-Madison
Heights), to prohibit
sale or rental of certain video games to minors.
HB 4271, sponsored by Rep. Stephan Ehradt (R-Lexington),
to require
prescriptions for controlled substances written on forgery-resistant
paper.
HB 4271, sponsored by Rep. Ehardt, to require
illuminated door handles on
fire doors.
HB 4278, sponsored by Rep. Ehardt, to provide
for small employer health
market reform.
HB 4281, sponsored by Rep. David Farhat, (R-Muskegon),
to provide for
offering nongroup prescription drug coverage.
To view the content and current status of retail-related
bills, visit BillTrack,
MRA's legislative tracking database exclusively for members, at
www.retailbilltrack.com
If you are currently receiving Capitol F@cts by fax
and would like to receive
it via e-mail, please contact Kathleen Wilson at 517.372.5656 or
kawilson@retailers.com.
For back issues of online Capitol F@cts, visit MRA's main Capitol F@cts page.
Specific comments or questions regarding this bulletin
should be directed to:
Kathleen Wilson, Administrative Assistant to the Governmental Affairs
Office at
kawilson@retailers.com.
Michigan Retailers Association
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
517.372.5656
Toll-Free: 800.366.3699
Fax: 517.372.1303
govt_affairs@retailers.com
www.retailers.com
www.mallofmichigan.com
