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NJFC
News & Views from Trenton |
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| March 16, 2007 |
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Last Chance to Order Tickets for the Night of Distinction Have you ordered your tickets for the Annual NJFC Night of Distinction Reception? Be sure to join us on March 22, 2007 at the Sheraton Meadowlands beginning at 6:00 pm sharp as we recognize this yearıs distinguished class of honorees. Back by popular demand, this yearıs reception will be highlighted by a Texas Poker Exhibition for CASH PRIZES! To register, please call the Food Council offices before it is too late at (609) 392-8899. NJFC Discusses Dairy Issues with Governorıs Office This week, NJFC met with the Governorıs Office to register the industryıs serious concerns with recent action by the Department of Agriculture to impose emergency rules on Dairy. NJFC is strongly opposed to the Departmentıs demand for data collection on store records and reports as they relate to dairy pricing at the retail level. Requiring retailers to provide this data is an intrusion on proprietary company information and could be subject to the Freedom of Information Act thus making individual business practices available to competitors. Furthermore, the Department attempts to require stores and dealers to provide last yearıs data as well. This reporting requirement will cost business between $5,000 to $10,000 to develop a reporting system to comply with the regulation. Lastly, NJFC suspects that the Department of Agriculture will use this private and proprietary information to impose future milk price controls on the industry. What lawmakers must remember is that the dairy system is ruled by the Federal Order system and that pricing for goods is a cyclical process. Manipulation of this system and mandating price controls or surcharges will create a sever imbalance in the system. NJFC will continue to work on behalf of the members with the Governorıs Office to develop alternative solutions to assist dairy farmers in New Jersey, such as S-2467, which appropriates money to the NJ Agricultural Re-engineering Program to assist dairy farmers. Federal Pseudo-Ephedrine Sales Training for Retailers As a reminder, new U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requirements mandate training of certain store level associates involved in the sale of over-the counter (OTC) cough and cold medications containing pseudo-ephedrine, pursuant to the ³Combat Methamphetamine Act of 2006.² NJFC reminds members that while current employees should already be certified with the DEA, new employees and replacement workers must also be certified. The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has made available a training and certification tool that helps retailers maintain electronic records of compliance for store associates. The program provides online training designed for supermarkets and is in full compliance with DEA requirements. To make the FMI training available to you company, visit the FMI Store Website at www.fmi.org/store. If you have any questions, please contact the training program manager, Kim Roberts at (202) 220-0720. Date Change for North Jersey Economic Growth Forum As announced in last weekıs edition of the News & Views, NJFC invites you to take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to participate in a session where Corzine Administration members will speak about the future of New Jersey and gather input from the business community. The State Chamberıs Platform for Progress Coalition and Governor Corzineıs Office of Economic Growth will host three forums this spring to provide the Administration with opportunities to speak directly with the business community about the Economic Growth Strategy for New Jersey. Please note the new date and location for the North Jersey forum below. Forum Schedule
There is no cost to attend the forums, but you must RSVP in advance. For more information please contact NJFC at (609) 392-8899. Anti-Business Plant Closing Pre-Notification Bill Sent to Governorıs Desk This week, the State Senate passed the onerous Plant Closing Pre-notification bill, opposed by NJFC and business groups throughout the state, by a vote of 24-12. If signed by Governor Corzine, employers with 100 or more workers would be required to provide 90 days notice if the employer terminates 50 or more employees in any 30-day period. Most importantly, this bill includes a generous severance pay provision for employers that fail to meet the notification requirements in the legislation. Employers must pay one week of severance pay for each year the employee was with the employer per day of notification missed. NJFC believes this bill sends the wrong message to employers looking to expand in the state and provides a disincentive for business looking to move into New Jersey because it will handcuff employers from making decisions best for their business. Register Now for the NJFC Night of Distinction Featuring Photos Galore Don't forget to check out our library page to view photographs from our events including our recent Loss Prevention Conference & Exhibition. |
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