April 9, 2021
When Andrea Grove opened her Harrisburg coffee shop, she budgeted a salary of $15 an hour for her employees.
That hourly rate is more than $7 above the federal and state minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and put Ms. Grove on one side of a years-long debate about whether the minimum wage should increase and, if so, by how much and how quickly.
Ms. Grove, who opened Elementary Coffee in 2014, ran into some of the problems business owners worry about when discussing a minimum wage increase. The $15 rate may limit the number of employees she can bring on board and it could prevent her from franchising the business or opening more locations across the state.
Legislative Corner: Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania & Wisconsin
NATIONAL REPORT Convenience stores face legislative and regulatory challenges from all levels on a daily basis.
Convenience Store News canvasses local trade associations and news sources to cover the latest issues affecting the channel.
This month, local lawmakers focus on paid sick leave in Philadelphia, CBD regulations in New York, biofuels in Iowa, pandemic liability protection in Wisconsin, and store security in Mississippi.
IOWA
Biofuels Legislation was introduced Feb. 8 in the Iowa state legislature to move the state to overall higher biofuel blends, including offering E15 statewide by 2025 and updating the E15 promotion tax credit to $0.03 per gallon year-round. It is estimated that the legislation would increase ethanol demand by more than 117 million gallons over the first five years.
Free Virtual Events to Promote Financial Capability Among Consumers
03/01/2021
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBs) will be hosting and participating in virtual presentations to help consumers understand their rights and make well-informed decisions about money.
“An important part of the department’s mission is to ensure consumers and business are well-informed about the financial marketplace,” said Tim Arthun, Deputy Secretary for Financial Services. “The department remains committed to consumer protection each and every day and this special line-up of events serves to promote financial capability and increase consumer awareness about scams and how to protect themselves.”
In 2020, Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market received PA FFFI funding for its stores in Kittanning and Saxonburg.
Grants are now available through the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (PA FFFI), a program that invests in new or expanding grocery stores and other healthy food retail outlets in underserved neighborhoods across the Keystone State.
Several private and public organizations are involved in the statewide initiative, which is overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, administered by The Food Trust, and supported by program partners Reinvestment Fund, Bridgeway Capital and Community First Fund. The PA FFFI provides one-time grants or loans to food retailers to boost the availability of healthy, affordable foods for those living in underserved areas.