It is time to start gearing up for the 2018 General Assembly Session which begins January 10, 2018. This year is a long session lasting 60 days. Your VRF team will be at the Capitol every day during this time period representing the voice of retail in Virginia. In 2018 we expect to encounter many… [Read More]
Public Policy
Legislative Update: 2018 General Assembly Session
December 5, 2017 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, Economy, Public Policy
Legislative Update Q3 2017
July 2, 2017 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, Economy, Public Policy
New Virginia Laws Effective July 1, 2017 Several new laws, which impact the retail industry, came out of the 2017 General Assembly Session. Most of these will go into effect July 1, 2017. Below is a list of new laws that impact our members. Sales Tax Nexus Storage of inventory in the Commonwealth of Virginia… [Read More]
Virginia Retail Federation Helps Expand Online Sales Tax Collection
March 23, 2017 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Public Policy
The Virginia Retail Federation (VRF) has successfully helped further level the playing field in Virginia between brick-and-mortar merchants and their online peers. During the 2017 Virginia General Assembly session, VRF advocates and their coalition business partners fully supported Governor Terry McAuliffe’s legislative proposal to require out-of-state online merchants using warehouses or fulfillment centers in Virginia… [Read More]
Virginia Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Sales Tax Holiday
August 5, 2016 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Press Releases, Public Policy
Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday, a landmark bill passed in 2006 by the Virginia General Assembly, will treat consumers to tax-free shopping August 5-7, 2016. The Virginia Retail Federation, the statewide advocacy arm of Hampton Roads’ Retail Alliance and Richmond’s Retail Merchants Association, initiated and garnered support for the original Back-to-School Tax Holiday from the General… [Read More]
5 Reasons Why State Advocacy Rocks
May 7, 2016 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, News Articles, Public Policy
When people think of advocacy, they tend to think of efforts inside the Beltway. But if you want to get things done, you shouldn’t forget to include some action on the state level, say some experts. If you want proof, the 113th Congress passed 352 bills and resolutions, while the state legislatures passed more than… [Read More]
Legislative Forum Re-cap
November 15, 2015 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, Public Policy
During the month of September we held two Legislative Forums for our members. We had a panel of Hampton Roads Senators at one forum and a panel of Hampton Roads Delegates at the other. Our legislative participants included Senator Alexander, Senator Cosgrove, Senator Wagner, Delegate Davis, Delegate Lindsey, Delegate Taylor, and Delegate Villanueva. We are… [Read More]
2015 NRF Retail Advocates Summit
September 20, 2015 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, Public Policy
VRF representatives attended the 2015 National Retail Federation (NRF) Retail Advocates Summit in July. This was a great opportunity for the Virginia retail voice to be heard in Washington. We had several members attend and meet with members of congress on many important issues. VRF representatives met with Congressman Brat, Congressman Rigell, Congressman Scott’s Staff,… [Read More]
Opportunity for Small Business – Tax Exemption in Norfolk
August 25, 2015 by Filed Under: Advocacy, News Articles, Public Policy
Contributed by Ron Batliner, Jr., Chief Deputy Commissioner of Revenue Norfolk Commissioner of Revenue’s Office http://www.norfolk.gov/revenue/ Norfolk City Council created a new exemption for new businesses that have gross receipts of $1,000,000.00 or less. The exemption is available for businesses that locate in Norfolk after January 1, 2016. The exemption exists in the year that… [Read More]
Legislative Update July/August 2015
July 10, 2015 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, Public Policy
VIRGINIA SALES TAX HOLIDAYS COMBINED This is a reminder that, effective July 1, 2015 all three of Virginia’s Sales Tax Holidays will be consolidated into one holiday. This year, the new combined Sales Tax Holiday will be held August 7-9, 2015 and will apply to items previously covered under the Hurricane Preparedness, Back to School,… [Read More]
The Corner Post: Funding the War of 1812 – BPOL
July 5, 2015 by Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles from Retail Angles, Corner Post, Public Policy
In the War of 1812, the United States took on the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain, in a conflict that would have an immense impact on the young country’s future. Causes of the war included British attempts to restrict U.S. trade, the Royal Navy’s impressment of American seamen and America’s desire to… [Read More]