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December 2, 2011
Below is the report from MarkTate of Jackson-West Consulting from our October 24, RAMW Board meeting atColumbia Firehouse in Alexandria, VA which contains important legislativeinformation impacting Virginia businesses:Virginia Delegate DavidAlbo’s address to RAMW Board:ABC regulationsincluding ABC advertising laws and Happy hour promotionsDelegate Albo addresseda number of changes in the ABC regulations and state code and the ongoingregulation review being done by the Virginia ABC board. Reviewingthe restrictions on distilled spirits outdoor advertising and the changes thatoccurred last...
February 9, 2011
Corkage Law Passes In Virginia House78-18…With A Nudge From RAMWFebruary 22, 2011- With the passage in the Virginia House ofDelegates, SB1292, aka The Corkage Bill, will now go to the Governor’s officefor final signature. There is every indication that the Governor will sign thisBill.Corkage, which is common in many jurisdictions across the country including theDistrict of Columbia, will allow restaurants the choice of offering corkageservice to their patrons. This optional service will allow patrons to bringwine into an ABC licensed establishment for consumption on the premises...
January 21, 2011
Janauary 21, 2011 - Letter Sent to Virginia Department of HealthThe following letter was sent to the Virginia Department of Health in response to a bill presented in the Virginia State Legislature. The bill, at this point, has been “passed by” in committee and will not move forward. Dear Gary, With the introduction of House Bill 1927, which mandates the posting of a restaurant’s latest inspection report in a prominent location, we feel compelled to reach out to the Virginia Department of Health and express our concern on behalf of our Northern Virginia members. The...
October 15, 2009
FormerRAMW Public Policy Advisor Patrick Horn testifies in front of theVirginia General Assembly's Committee on Local Government, outlining the problems for restaurants stemming from Arlington’s proposal to franchise waste hauling services. Date: Feb 2005.Issue Status: The problematic 2005 proposal was eventually vetoed by Governor Tim Kaine.PDF File
September 9, 2009
Below are some of the recent legislative issues in Virginia that RAMW has worked on, all of which have important implications for Northern Virginia restaurants. As always, we strive to recognize all RAMW members' concerns regarding public policy, and strongly advocate for our members' interests to public employees and elected officials. VA Smoking Ban In February 2009, the Virginia General Assembly passed a statewide ban on smoking in all restaurants and bars in Virginia (HB 1703). Smoking will still be allowed on certain outdoor patios and in separate ventilated rooms....
November 5, 2008
Meals tax cooked, school bonds pass By Elizabeth Coe Source: Loudoun Times-Mirror TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 2008 Voters in Loudoun County overwhelmingly turned down the proposed meals tax Nov. 4, which would have added asmall tax to food and beverages in restaurants and prepared, ready-to-serve foods in grocery stores. Only about 29 percent of voters in the county voted "yes" to the tax. Several groups had come out against the tax, proposed by the Board of Supervisors to help fund new school construction. If passed, the meals tax could have raised $13 million annually. Such a...
September 15, 2008
Stop Loudoun County HospiTAXityVote NO November 4th on thisUnfair Grab at Your Food and Beverage DollarsThrough Restaurants and Prepared Food OutletsDid you know that upwards of 27% of your restaurant tab goes to government coffers? (And you thought you were just paying for a burger and fries.) Think a tax like this doesn’t really affect the restaurant – hey, it’s just a pipeline from your pocket to the county’s pocket. Think again. Whether it’s the price of the burger or another new tax, your dinner is going to cost more as it’s taking a...
February 14, 2008
Hopes for Public Smoking Ban Are Snuffed Out By Anita Kumar Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, February 15, 2008; B05 RICHMOND, Feb. 14 -- The Virginia House of Delegates defeated several proposals Thursday to prohibit smoking in restaurants, stores, offices and other public places, effectively killing all anti-smoking legislation for this year's General Assembly session. For the fourth year in a row, the Republican-controlled House killed a smoking ban in the state, where tobacco farming and cigarette manufacturing have been integral to the economy. The District and more than 20...
January 23, 2008
Virginia's Sangria Ban At Issue in 2 Hearings By Anita Kumar Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, January 24, 2008; B01 RICHMOND, Jan. 23 -- A Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control agent conducting a routine inspection in 2006 cited La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria for violating an obscure 75-year-old state law: It's illegal to serve sangria in Virginia. The fruity cocktail of wine and brandy that is a must-have at Spanish restaurants violates a law that forbids mixing wine or beer with spirits. If convicted, a bartender could go to jail for a year...
September 4, 2006
Virginia: The Best State For Business Best Places Kurt Badenhausen 08.16.06, 8:00 AM ET Four hundred years after Captain John Smith established the first permanent English colony in Jamestown, the commonwealth of Virginia is leading the way once again. Virginia grabbed the top spot in Forbes.com's first-ever Top States for Business thanks to its strong economic growth, low business costs and excellent quality of life. The state, called "Earth's only paradise" by poet Michael Drayton, dominated our rankings, placing in the top ten in each of the six categories we...