Maryland
On February 8, ICSC members in Maryland visited the state capitol in Annapolis to meet with lawmakers to discuss transportation infrastructure and organized retail crime (ORC), as well as other issues related to the Marketplaces Industry.
The legislators, many of whom hold key roles on committees that oversee judicial and transportation policy, were receptive of ICSC’s concerns regarding ORC and thankful for ICSC’s support of expanding transportation in the state. Later that evening, ICSC hosted a reception with state and local elected officials, where members networked and met legislators who were newly elected in November.
Maryland’s 445th session of General Assembly convened on January 11 and is scheduled to end on April 10.
Left photo: Delegate Pam Queen (D-Montgomery County), Richard Solomon (Velocity Capital, LCC), Jason Miskiri (Society Lounge) and Brian O’Looney (Torti Gallas + Partners). Right photo: Roger Gerst (CBRE), Delegate Mark Edelson (D-Baltimore City) and Delegate Chris Tomlinson (R-Carroll and Frederick Counties).
Texas
ICSC members held their “Day at the State Capitol” in Austin, Texas on February 15.
Attendees advocated on behalf of HB 1826, sponsored by Rep. Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie), which would require the comptroller to appoint an ORC task force to study and make recommendations related to the issue. The task force would include representatives of brick-and-mortar stores, online retailers and law enforcement. Members also discussed a variety of property tax issues.
The Texas Legislature operates under the biennial system, convening its regular sessions in January of odd-numbered years. The maximum duration of a regular session is 140 days.
Texas ICSC members with Rep. Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie), sponsor of HB 1826.
Washington
The annual “Washington Retail Day” was held on February 15 in Olympia and jointly attended by members of ICSC, the Washington Retail Association (WR) and the Washington Business Properties Association (WBPA).
Issues addressed included ORC, rent control and treatment of capital gains.
Following the meetings, ICSC co-hosted a reception attended by state legislators to continue discussing topics impacting the Marketplaces Industry.
The Washington legislative session began on January 9 and is slated to end on April 23.
Brian Atherton (Seyfarth Shaw, LLP), Michael Foley (MC Construction Consultants), William Shadbolt (WBPA), Rick Parks (TRF Pacific, LLC), Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, Pete Jacobson (WBPA), Brian Flynn (PMF Investments), Tim Jackson (PMF Investments) and Chester Baldwin (WBPA).
Upcoming “Day at the State Capitol” Events
Tallahassee, FL: February 21 -22
Click here for more information.
Denver, CO: March 1
Legislative Briefing and Reception co-hosted with NAIOP and BOMA. Click here to RSVP.
For more information on State GR Committees or state capitol events, contact Jim Hill at jhill@icsc.com.