Gov’t Affairs News: Welcome back, fall session begins
Welcome back!
Legislators returned from summer break this week and session will continue into mid-late December. The legislature will take its normal 2-week hunting break over the Thanksgiving holiday. All indications point to the fall session being fairly light.
A strong retail showing
Michigan Sales
After a sluggish start, we are now at the mid-point of a Pure Michigan summer and from all reports coming into our Lansing-based “world headquarters” it’s been favorable for many of our members.
Emergency backup plan makes for smoother ride
John Mayleben, CPP, is a consultant to Michigan Retailers Association and is MRA’s retired senior vice president technology and new product development. He is a national expert on electronic payment processing and was the first person in Michigan and among the first in the nation to receive the Certified Payments Professional (CPP) designation from the national Electronic Transactions Association.
Another one (in 76 million) bites the dust
by Tom Scott, MRA Senior Vice President Communications and Marketing
Note: Publisher Jim Hallan invited Michigan Retailer Editor Tom Scott to use his column for a farewell on the eve of retirement after 24 years with MRA.
Gov’t Affairs News: summer break, budgets, and more
Legislature leaves for summer break
This week the legislature adjourned for its annual summer recess. Well, mostly. Each chamber designates one session day in July and August in order to take up any urgent business that may arise during the break.
Coming soon: a 20 percent tax on consumer goods?
Imagine paying an additional 20 percent tax on many of the products you sell. It would be a budget-busting expense for most retailers. But that’s exactly what will happen if Congress passes a Border Adjustment Tax (BAT) as part of its larger tax reform plan.
Striking a balance when monitoring workplace
by William J. Hallan, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
Balance is not easy to achieve. Especially when it comes to maintaining employee privacy while also protecting your business interests.
Gov’t Affairs News: Concealed carry, “Tobacco 21,” and more
Gov’t Affairs News: swipe fee victory, alcohol reforms and more
Swipe fee victory in Congress
Earlier this week we learned that leaders in Congress removed language that would have repealed debit swipe fee reform (often referred to as the Durbin Amendment) from a bill that makes broad reforms to the Dodd-Frank banking laws.
Gov’t Affairs News: Supreme Court changes, budgets and more
Michigan Supreme Court changes
The past two months have seen a number of changes to the makeup of the Michigan Supreme Court. Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday named Court of Appeals Judge Kurtis Wilder to the Michigan Supreme Court.