WP: Wal-Mart Girds for Battle on Md. (benefits) Bill: Spurs Lobbying Force

[DeepModem Mom]

Wal-Mart Girds for Battle on Md. Bill
Benefits Measure Spurs a Buildup Of Lobbying Force
By John Wagner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 17, 2005; Page A01


Preparing for a showdown with organized labor in the Maryland legislature, Wal-Mart has deployed at least a dozen Annapolis lobbyists and is making strong overtures to black lawmakers, including a $10,000 donation to help them pay for a recent conference.

The retail giant hopes to derail legislation that would effectively force the company to boost spending on employee health benefits.

"They've hired the largest cadre of lobbyists in recent history in Annapolis to try to influence this legislation," said House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel). "It really comes down to whether the legislature is going to succumb to the money and the special interests."

For Wal-Mart, the battle in Maryland represents an opportunity not only to stamp out legislation the retailer considers "really just an attack on the company" but also to curb a trend toward state involvement in its business. After years of fighting -- and often winning -- at the local level, Wal-Mart now faces battles in several state legislatures following Maryland's lead.

Wal-Mart spokesman Nate Hurst said that the donation to the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland was part of the company's continuing community outreach and that the lobbying effort was designed to inform lawmakers about the bill....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602518.html

[DiverDave]

1. Sure, money to the state reps.

then money from the state to pay for their workers health care.

Sounds like a fair trade to me...:sarcasm:

[Uben]

2. Shouldn't this be titled....

COMMUNIST WAL-MART SCUMHEADS TRY TO BRIBE MARYLAND LAWMAKERS

[papau]

3. Wal-Mart Girds for Battle on Md. Bill (better health care -or pay for ee's

to State - "effectively force the company to boost spending on employee health benefits")

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602518.html

Wal-Mart Girds for Battle on Md. Bill
Benefits Measure Spurs a Buildup Of Lobbying Force

By John Wagner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 17, 2005; A01

Preparing for a showdown with organized labor in the Maryland legislature, Wal-Mart has deployed at least a dozen Annapolis lobbyists and is making strong overtures to black lawmakers, including a $10,000 donation to help them pay for a recent conference.<snip>

Wal-Mart is the only known business that would be affected by the bill, which would require companies with more than 10,000 workers to spend at least 8 percent of their payrolls on health benefits or contribute to the state's health insurance program for the poor.<snip>

<snip>Advocates of the bill said they feel buoyed by a recently leaked internal Wal-Mart document in which a company executive said that "our critics are correct in some of their observations. Specifically, our coverage is expensive for low-income families, and Wal-Mart has a significant percentage of associates and their children on public assistance."

The retailer, which held a fundraiser for Ehrlich last year, has said its expansion of health care options for employees includes a more affordable "value plan" in some markets. It is not clear whether that option and other changes would affect Wal-Mart's status under the Maryland legislation.<snip>

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. about time a state stands up to WalMart

I'm sick and tired of subsidizing a store I don't like and where I don't shop via my tax dollars. Here in Arkansas, home state to WalMart, its employees are like the third largest group of employed folks on Medicaid for the state.

[tk2kewl]

5. Just saw the movie last night

I was sickened. Among other things they have had a habit of taking huge tax abatement packages from local governments and then closing up shop and building another store just over the city or county line to get a fresh tax deal when the abatement expires

[NashVegas]

6. Why I Think This Bill Is Unfair

Does anyone honestly believe Wal-Mart is the only business entity where non-laboring stockholders benefit at the expense of the long-term underpaid and local economies?

States should be doing this accross the board for all corps where workers are habitually low-paid cattle.