Team Retail Legislative Update

18 January 2013

Your weekly briefing on the bills in play during the Florida Legislative Committee Week concluded on January 18. FRF General Counsel Samantha Hunter Padgett runs down the status of legislation affecting implementation of PPACA in the state, e-fairness, the back-to-school sales tax holiday, wage protection, and misuse of portable gas cans. Click here to view the video.

Government Affairs

30 November 2011

Team Retail advocacy lowers your cost of doing business by letting lawmakers and regulators know the impact of their policies on the business environment.

The mission of FRF's Advocacy, Intervention and Political Team (AIP) is to maintain a favorable economic climate for retailers and their suppliers to grow and prosper. FRF’s AIP staff advocates and intervenes on behalf of the retail industry before the state's legislative, regulatory and judicial bodies, and engages in political activity to promote the free market and the interests of businesses large and small.

Florida retailers are responsible for collecting and remitting one of the state’s most important revenue sources – the sales tax. In the year 2012, Florida retailers collected and remitted nearly $20 billion in sales taxes for the state government alone. Retailers directly employ more than 1.7 million Floridians, making the industry an important engine for job growth. A healthy retail marketplace creates jobs and drives the growth of many other industries, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation, shipping, real estate and construction.

One of the highest priorities of the Florida Retail Federation this year is e-fairness legislation that would close the loophole that allows remote sellers to avoid collecting the sales tax on Internet sales. Florida retailers have been collecting sales taxes on their e-commerce all along, but several large out-of-state sellers have so far refused to collect and remit sales taxes. It’s time for this government-created competitive disadvantage to end, and we are advocating for legislation that would put state retailers on a level playing field with remote sellers.

Pictured in the capitol are (front from left): John Rogers, senior vice president, and Rick McAllister, president and CEO. Back row: Sherry Whitney, legislative team administrator; Melissa K. Joiner, director of government affairs; Samantha Hunter Padgett, general counsel; Randy Miller, executive vice president; and John Fleming, director of communications.


Retail Councils

24 November 2011

The Beauty Industry Council of the Florida Retail Federation represents all sectors of the cosmetology industry, including schools, salons, manufacturers and distributors. The purpose of the Council is to advocate for and advance the interests of the beauty industry. Members of the Council receive experienced representation and effective intervention in front of the legislature and regulatory agencies. The Council also provides convenient and cost-saving services to members of the beauty industry, such as continuing education for current and soon-to-be licensed professionals. Click here for more information on the Beauty Industry Council.

The Grocery Council of the Florida Retail Federation represents the major grocery chains operating in Florida along with hundreds of smaller independent chains and stores. Randy Miller, Grocery Council Executive Coordinator, is very active in lobbying on behalf of grocery retailers, and representing them in the regulatory process. The Council works to keep its members aware of legislative issues and events affecting the success of the retail grocery industry. Click here for more information on the Florida Grocery Council.

The Pharmacy Council of the Florida Retail Federation represents many of the major chain drug stores operating in Florida. Executive Coordinator Randy Miller leads this group in its efforts to protect the interests of these businesses in the legislative and regulatory process. Members include the major national chain pharmacies.  Click here for more information on the Pharmacy Council.

The Retail Beverage Council of the Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing the retail beverage industry in Florida's legislative and regulatory process. Scott Dick, Executive Coordinator, works with and for these members on issues affecting alcohol beverage retailers operating in Florida. Members include major national retailers along with many independent retailers of all sizes. The RBC has an annual Educational Seminar and Trade Show that is a successful effort to bring together all three tiers of the alcohol beverage industry. Click here learn more about the Retail Beverage Council.

The Retail Workforce Council of the Florida Retail Federation includes working with both Retail Centers in Florida (Florida State University and University of Florida) to ensure the curriculums are designed to properly prepare students for professional careers in the retail industry. Additional professional education and development projects will be considered by the Council as deemed appropriate within its Mission.  Click here for more information on the Retail Workforce Council.

The Florida Retail Federation Sustainability Council is comprised of Florida retailers that have identified environmental and sustainability issues as an important factor in the operation of their companies. Council members represent retailers of all sizes and types.  Executive Coordinator Samantha Hunter Padgett supports the Council as it fulfills its mission to educate individuals, businesses, and government for the purpose of making a tangible positive difference through the application of sound sustainable practices.  Click here for more information on the Sustainability Council.

The Tourism Council of the Florida Retail Federation is comprised of retailers who engage in tourism impacted retail and represents those members whose targeted market is primarily out of state tourism and in-state vacationers. The Council works to keep its members aware of legislative issues and events affecting the success of the retail tourism industry.  Click here for more information on the Tourism Council.

Important Input Needed - Member Survey

02 February 2011

Members,

Last week we deployed a grassroots survey that required your feedback on various political questions. Some of the questions asked if you have a personal relationship with an elected official on the state, county, or local level. If you have not taken the time to fill out the survey, please do so using the link provided.

Team Retail Survey

If you have already started the survey, but have not finished it, please use the same link above to begin from where you left off. The survey will automatically save when you close out of your browser.

Thank you!

If you have any questions, please contact Ashleigh Amburn, Legislative Communications Manager at (850) 222-4082.

More Articles...

  1. Public Service Commission Updates
  2. Political Action Committees
  3. Team Retail

Subcategories

Randy Miller, Lead Lobbyist

Executive Vice President
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Randy is responsible for coordinating all aspects of FRF's government affairs efforts.

Legislative Update 5-3-13

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Report on Pro-Growth Tax Reforms and Internet Based Sales

For many years sales subject to state sales taxes across the country, including Florida, have not been collected. Due to a 1992 Supreme Court decision, when sales occur over the Internet by a seller whose physical presence is outside of Florida, that retailer does not need to collect Florida’s state sales tax. The practical impact of this decision has been to leave billions of dollars of sales tax collections uncollected.

To read the complete report, click here: view report.

Tax Issue Updates