MIRA Leadership Heads to Michigan Capital for Legislative Day

Bottom Line // November-December 2023 

State of Michigan Declares October 16 -20 Independent Retailers Week 

By Epiphany Communications & Coaching*

It was a busy day in Lansing for Legislative Day on October 18th. MIRA leadership and staff met with legislators on both sides of the political aisle to promote the legislative priorities of Michigan’s Independent Retailers.

This year’s Legislative Day coincided with the state declaration of October 16 – 20th as Independent Retailers Week. Senator Aric Nesbitt read SR NO. 77 into the official record as the contingency from MIRA watched from the gallery. The resolution spoke of the import role independent retailers play in the state’s economy and offered recognition of the industry’s contributions to employment, local communities as well as providing access to consumer goods throughout the state.

“It was an extremely productive day,” remarked MIRA’s Michigan lobbyist, Matt Miner, CEO of Capital Strategies Group. “We were very fortunate that both the House and Senate were in session, which allowed us to be very strategic in how we planned our meetings throughout the day.”

MIRA President & CEO Bill Wild was joined by key staff members and MIRA Board of Governor members, which included Chairman Bobby Hesano, Frank Ayar, Marvin Jarbo and Mike Mitchell, who also serves as chair of MIRA’s Legislative Committee. 

“It was very beneficial for us to recently hire our new Vice President of Government Relations Jerry Griffin, who has over 20 years’ experience and strong Lansing connections,” said MIRA Chairman Hesano who also is the owner of Westland based D&B Grocers: Wholesale & Distributors. “Jerry and Matt did an excellent job of setting up several face-to-face meetings with key members of the legislature that are working on key issues that are important to our industry.”

“MIRA’s Annual Legislative Day offers an opportunity for legislators to meet with business owners – MIRA members – from within their districts,” remarked Wild. “It’s one thing for the legislators to meet staff and lobbyists, but to hear stories from business owners in their own districts who offer employment and pay taxes are valuable opportunities,” said Wild. “Our members spoke firsthand about their businesses, the hardships they face with increased competition, supply chain shortages and the ongoing struggle to hire and retain employees. 

It’s important that the legislators understand the importance of the business community, the jobs our membership creates, how their taxes support the state’s budget and of their ongoing support of the communities in which they operate,” added Wild

Board members agree.

“These face-to-face meetings are essential for our association as we prioritize our legislative initiatives,” said Michael G. Mitchell, Vice President of Markham Oil / Markham Enterprises Inc. “It’s important to meet with our elected leaders on a regular basis. A strong MIRA presence in Lansing is important as legislative issues tend to arise throughout the year and it’s imperative that we are at the table when legislation that affects are membership is debated.” 

“It is very important that MIRA stays front and center with our state legislators and for them to understand what our organization is all about and how we serve our retailers who in turn serve consumers, which are their constituents,” said Frank Ayar, owner of Walter’s Shopping Place in Hamtramck. 

One of the key issues discussed was the Bottle Bill, which has been around since voters passed the statewide initiative in the 70s. While still in place today, much in the marketplace has changed and its status as a driver for recycling continues to diminish. The state reports that return rates are at an all-time low following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It’s important that the legislature knows that what made sense 50-years ago does not apply today,” said Wild. “The Bottle Bill, in its current form is antiquated and bad for business. It was originally a public response to address litter along the state’s highways and local thoroughfares. I’d like to think we could all agree that it was successful in that regard, but this is a piece of public policy that is well overdue for a revisit.” 

“There have always been sanitation issues with the bottles, and the returnables assume valuable square footage inside each business. “We must look at alternatives that focus more on recycling and get these contaminated containers away from our fresh food,” remarked Marvin Jarbo, owner of Eastern Market in Canton Township. 

Chairman Hesano added “that there is an increasing level of public fatigue with bottle returns. “It is a hassle to clean these containers and return them and no store accepts every brand.”  “Expanding the Bottle Bill to include water bottles and other plastic containers is just adding more inconveniences for the consumer and the store owner. MIRA’s focus will be on creating alternatives that benefit the environment while resulting in wins for the consumer, the state and the retailer.”

Considerable discussion centered on another key MIRA legislative priority, increasing the wholesale discount granted to retailers by the MLCC. “This is an issue that is very important to our members.” Stated Jerry Griffin. “Another organization currently has a bill in committee that would be very favorable for retailers, literally doubling the current discount, but could potentially result in raising retail prices, which could prove to be a hard sell for legislators or would require the state to cut the MLCC budget, which would be a heavy lift as well.” “MIRA will continue to advocate aggressively for our member’s interest on this critical issue, as inflation has taken a toll on our member’s bottom lines.”  Griffin added, “While I do believe a modest raise is achievable, I caution our members to temper their expectations, as this is certainly not a slam dunk.

Other legislative topics that garnered a lot of conversation centered around the advocation for higher retailer commissions on lottery sales and the status of liquor delivery.

Every Legislator from both houses was presented with a MIRA information bag that included small samples of Michigan products available at member’s retail outlets.

“Independent Retailers Week,” encourages consumers to shop locally and celebrate local businesses that continue to create sustainable cities, towns, and communities. The benefits of our independent retailers include financial stability with the jobs created and dollars re-spent within that community.”

According to the State of Michigan, Small businesses are job providers and are the backbone of our economy. More than 900,000 small businesses employ 1.9 million people, making up 47.9 percent of Michigan’s employees. 

Government relations work is one of MIRA’s top “Pillars of Service” and MIRA’s Political Action Committees are the “Voice of the Food, Beverage & Petroleum Industry” in the political process, and needs the ongoing financial support of all MIRA members.

“Our government relations team monitors proposed legislation daily and are constantly in communication with legislators to advise them of the impact legislation has on our retailers,” said Wild. “MIRA currently has active PACs in both Michigan and Ohio.”

“MIRA needs members’ continued support so that we can continue to battle legislative issues that affect the bottom line. Today more than ever retailers are facing critical issues that will have a lasting effect on how they do business, added Wild. 

All member donations to the MIRA PACs are used solely for advocacy of MIRA’s Legislative Priorities and support of candidates who are supportive on the association’s mission. None of the funds are used for administrative overhead. Please consider contacting the MIRA office today to contribute.

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*Writers with Epiphany Communications & Coaching are content creators for Bottom Line.