Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association

Washington D.C. Trip

Members Trip to the Capitol

In June of each year retailers, wholesalers, and state association executives from across the United States converge on Washington, D.C. for the Washington Public Policy Conference hosted by the Food Marketing Institute, National Grocers Association and Food Industry Association Executives. The Conference provides attendees a unique opportunity to attend meetings and important briefings on current legislative issues that will have an impact on their businesses. Most importantly the conference provides an opportunity for retailers, wholesalers, and state association executives to meet face to face with their elected Members of Congress. All members are invited to join TGCSA President, Jarron Springer during these events. Call 800-238-8742 for information on how you can attend next year.

2007 Washington Photos

2007 Washington D.C. Trip

On June 11-13 retailers, wholesalers,and state association executives from across the United States converged on Washington, D.C. for the Washington Public Policy Conference hosted by the Food Marketing Institute, National Grocers Association and Food Industry Association Executives. The Conference provided attendees a unique opportunity to attend meetings and important briefings on current legislative issues that will have an impact on their businesses. Most importantly the conference provided an opportunity for retailers, wholesalers, and state association executives to meet face to face with their elected Members of Congress.

Member participation is vital to the industry’s legislative success in Washington. With the change in control of the Congress it is vital that our elected Members of Congress hear from the industry. The Washington Public Policy Conference provided the forum to do just that! TGCSA members participated again this year in the conference. TGCSA representatives included TGCSA Chairman David Burnett, Houchens Food Group; David James, E.W. James & Sons; Steve Smith, Bob Southerland and Israel O’Quinn, Food City; Bill Townes, Mitchell Grocery; Tim McGurk and Kathy Hanna, Kroger; and TGCSA President Jarron Springer.

TGCSA members met with the Tennessee Congressional delegation on important issues affecting the grocery industry including credit card interchange fees, country of origin labeling, union “card check” legislation and the death tax.

Credit Card Interchange Fees
A resolution passed in 2007 by the Tennessee State Legislature asking Congress to hold hearings concerning interchange fees was hand delivered by the attendees to Tennessee’s Senators and Congressmen. The Antitrust Task Force of the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on interchange fees and other anti competitive practices of VISA and MasterCard and their impact on consumers on July 19, 2007. TGCSA member and FMI chairman, Steve Smith, Food City, testified at the hearing.

Country of Origin Labeling
Attendees ask the Tennessee delegation to support replacing the current mandatory country of origin labeling with a market driven system that minimizes cost and paperwork, enhances the market value of the product, while creating an efficient mechanism for getting information into the hands of consumers.

Union “Card Check” Legislation
This legislation would have compromised the right to private ballot and free election. Attendees opposed this legislation and it failed to pass on June 26, 2007.

Death Tax
For many years family-owned retailers and wholesalers have asked for permanent repeal of the death (estate) tax. TGCSA attendees once again explained the detrimental nature of such a tax on family-owned businesses and their ability to compete.

Please join us next year for this event. TGCSA sets one-on-one meetings with each Tennessee Senator and Congressman and your attendance and support is critical. It’s fun and informative. You are the face of the industry and you will make a difference. Contact Jarron Springer at 615-889-0136 or 800-238-8742 for details.