Government

Government

The Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) is an advocate on behalf of the retail industry at the Minnesota State Capitol. MnRA analyzes proposed laws and regulations and testifies before committees and agencies to guarantee that the retail voice is being heard. MnRA also lobbies and educates government and the general public on the retail industry and the concerns and priorities of retail business in the marketplace.

Below are some of the issues that MnRA covers on behalf of retailers.

E-Waste: Thousands of old TVs and Computer monitors are scrapped each year in Minnesota. Minnesota law prohibits the placement of these products into land fills after July 1, 2005. Should retailers be forced to take back old TV and computer products? Should consumers be required to pay a fee in advance to dispose of the old products? The 2005 legislature is likely to pass legislation to deal with worn out electronic waste.

Health Care Reform: Health care premiums continue to rise each year faster than the rate of inflation. Many retailers are searching for solutions to lower costs or are being forced to either drop health care coverage for employees or dramatically raise premiums for their employees. MnRA will work in the 2005 session to lower health care costs to make coverage for employees more affordable.

Legal Reform: Class action lawsuits against retailers are often misguided and far too easy to initiate. The cases often bring large settlements to law firms with small portions of the settlement going to the customers involved in the class. The cases often do consumers more harm than good. MnRA will back legislation to reform the misuse of this law.

Medical Malpractice Reform: Medical malpractice is pervasive and plays a large part in the increasing cost and unavailability of medical treatment. Medical malpractice law needs to be changed in order to limit the number of lawsuits as well as the excessive awards.

Statute of Limitations: Lawyers can bring lawsuits against retailers up to six years following alleged wrongdoing. MnRA will work to set the statute of limitations to 3 or 4 years instead of the current 6 years.

Meth: The production and misuse of methamphetamine is a serious problem. Retailers want to participate in resolving the problem by passing reasonable legislation to help restrict the sale of over the counter drugs which are sometimes used to for meth production.

Minimum Wage: Attempts were made in the 2004 legislative session to increase the minimum wage from $5.15 and hour to $6.65 per hour. The 2005 legislature will attempt to increase it even more.

Privacy: Legislators have often tried to impede the information flow regarding customer data. Information is the life blood of a modern society and retailers need the ability to share information internally to better serve their customers. Attempts will be made once again to interfere with the business and customer relationship.

Taxes: Expanding the sales tax, increasing commercial property tax or adding special tax assessments on retail are raised each legislative session. MnRA will continue to fight increased tax burdens on business and its customers.

Regulation of Gift Cards: The sales of gift cards increased 29 percent in 2004. MnRA will oppose attempts to have government regulation of the sale and use of this popular gift venue.