Prepared and Distributed by The Midwest Hardware Association, Inc.
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Governor Evers Calls for Taxpayer Refund in Annual State Address
By Misha Lee, MHA Wisconsin Lobbyist
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Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) delivered his fourth annual State of the State address this month before a joint session of the Republican controlled state Legislature. In the Governor’s address, he called on the Legislature to convene a special session to take up his plan to return a portion of the state’s $3.8 billion projected revenue surplus back to taxpayers. Evers’ proposal would direct about $1.7 billion of the surplus towards tax relief, as well as additional education and childcare spending.
Evers’ annual address was delivered in-person in the State Assembly Chambers of the Wisconsin Capitol as has been the longstanding tradition prior to the pandemic. It was the final address of Governor Evers’ first four-year term in office while he gears up to run for a tough reelection fight this November.
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Energy Pricing Increasing on Illinois Retailers
By Alec Laird, MHA Illinois Lobbyist and Vice President, Government Relations for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association
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Due to the Illinois Clean Energy and Jobs Act (“CEJA”) of 2021 retailers should expect higher energy prices. The legislation included a Renewable Energy Adjustment (“REA”) charge. The purpose of the "Renewable Energy Adjustment" (REA) charges is to provide for the recovery of all of the costs associated with the purchase of renewable energy credits to meet the State’s renewable energy resource standards. These charges are applied to businesses buying their electricity either through a supplier or from one of the three Illinois utilities. Businesses operating in Ameren Illinois and ComEd electric territories are starting to see the impact of a rate increase effective beginning with the February 2022 Monthly Billing Period. At this time, there is no change to MidAmerican's current Illinois PRE charge.
Additionally, under consideration is the process that will be used for allowing funds collected to be used for the procurement of renewable resources by those customers meeting all requirements set by the Illinois Power Agency (IPA), the Illinois Commerce Commission and the applicable law to be a Self-Direct Customer. Among items under consideration are (1) establishing of Self-Direct Customer applications and reporting, (2) determining bill credit levels and the process of review, (3) approval and timing of receipt, and (4) how determination of applicants’ compliance will be handled. The expected charges are included in the graph below.
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Additionally, the table below provides the estimated increase a sampling of Illinois retailers can expect to see on an annual basis.
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If you'd like to place an ad, please contact Sam Schmidt at
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Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
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With the recent events taking place, government agencies, such as the FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are reinforcing concerns about violent extremist activity in the United States. According to the FBI, violent extremists often seek to use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) made from common household products which are typically found at our local retail stores. Would you and your employees recognize suspicious activity? Would you and your employees know how to report suspicious activity?
CISA, the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, and businesses of all types are joining forces in a national IED awareness campaign called Operation Flashpoint. The objective of Operation Flashpoint is to build bomb attack prevention awareness in communities across the U.S. Businesses receive free guidance, educational videos, and training through in-person outreach and CISA’s Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP). See the BMAP fact sheet for more information. Any business, regardless of size or type, interested in participating in Operation Flashpoint may visit https://www.cisa.gov/bmap or email [email protected] to learn how to participate.
Regardless, if your business participates in Operation Flashpoint or not, if you or your employees observe suspicious activity, you can confidentially report the information to 1-855-TELL-FBI (1855-835-5324) or contact local law enforcement (for emergencies, please dial 911).
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Sales Trends December 2021
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Here are the most recent Illinois, Minnesota-Dakotas, and Wisconsin hardware store sales trends, gathered from association members using the MHA's monthly accounting services. The figures derived for each region include sales data from the following number of stores:
Illinois - 22 stores
Minn.-Dakotas - 14 stores
Wisconsin - 53 stores
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Forklift Workshop DVD Training
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The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to have formal and practical training and evaluation for all forklift operators. Once initial training is conducted, employers must then evaluate each operator at least once every three years. The Forklift Workshop DVD Training can help you meet OSHA forklift training requirements.
The Forklift Workshop DVD is an innovative approach on education new and veteran operators on proper forklift safety procedures as required by OSHA. The workshop contains everything necessary, such as a 35 minute DVD, trainer’s tools on CD- ROM, operator’s handbook, quizzes, forklift poster, and more!
Testimonials
“The Forklift Workshop DVD is a handy tool. It includes basic information to help train new forklift operators and provides a heads up on possible safety issues. The video and material provided make training quick and easy.”
Mike, Manager
United True Value
Oconto Falls, WI
“We purchased the forklift training DVD system after a surprise OSHA visit as a necessity. Among the things we were fined and cited for was failure to have a formal and well-documented forklift training program. We purchased the forklift DVD training program from the Midwest Hardware Association to become compliant and avoid additional penalties.”
Matt Johnson
Johnson's Hardware & Rental
Mora, MN
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