Government Affairs

For over 40 years, the VRA has been the voice of retailing to legislators and other elected officials, presenting the retailer's perspective before the Vermont legislature and state administrative agencies. Every year, hundreds of bills are introduced in the legislature that can have a huge impact on a business's operations and bottom line. The VRA opposes legislation which would place unnecessary burdens and costs on your business.

This is achieved through testimony before committees, lobbying individual legislators, and organizing grassroots efforts. We also have legislation introduced and shepherd it through the legislative process that will promote your business and improve your ability to be competitive.

When our members need accurate information on state specific questions, they call the VRA. We know how to protect your interests because we advocate for the retail industry every day. By joining forces with other retailers in Vermont, our members increase our strength through numbers. Our members' voices are heard. You can't be at the statehouse every day to watch out for your interests, but we can.

All members of VRA receive the Downs Rachlin legislative report every week during the legislative session. Members also receive weekly updates on Health issues through the Blue Cross Blue Shield legislative report.

Congressional Delegation

Senator Patrick Leahy
433 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4242
http://leahy.senate.gov/

Senator Bernie Sanders
SRC-2 United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5141
http://sanders.senate.gov/

Representative Peter Welch
1404 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4115
http://welch.house.gov/contact.shtml

Federal Government

US Senate (www.senate.gov)

US House (www.house.gov)

Thomas (thomas.loc.gov/) - a web site with federal legislation and some federal government links

US Government Guide (www.firstgov.gov)

State Government

State of Vermont Home Page (http://vermont.gov)

Office of the Governor (www.vermont.gov/governor)

Vermont Legislature (www.leg.state.vt.us)

Tax Department (www.state.vt.us/tax/)

Department of Labor (http://www.labor.vermont.gov)

National Retail Organizations

National Retail Federation (www.nrf.com)

International Mass Retailers Association (www.imra.org)

Food Marketing Institute (www.fmi.org)

State House Reports

The Latest State House Report (during the Leglsative Session)

For over 30 years, the VRA has been the voice of retailing to legislators and other elected officials, presenting the retailer's perspective before the Vermont legislature and state administrative agencies.Every year, hundreds of bills are introduced in the legislature that can have a huge impact on a business's operations and bottom line. The VRA opposes legislation which would place unnecessary burdens and costs on your business.

Click here to read the latest edition of the STATE HOUSE REPORT (During the Leglsative Session).