2018Issue1_Alabama_v2.indd

“the bill does not repeal the individual mandate of the Affordable care act, despite some reports along these lines.”

Requiring retailers to pay SNAP application fees won’t deter fraud in the program, however it would simply serve as a new tax on main street businesses, which is contrary to the Trump administration’s goal of lowering taxes and costs on small businesses. It’s an honor for NGA to spend the association’s time fighting on behalf of the independent supermarket industry. With such a large economic impact in both the state and the country, your voice matters.

poach the customers and revenues of smaller independent grocers. 5. Rejecting a SNAP Tax on Retailers. Last year, the Trump Administration proposed a SNAP retailer application fee. While stores do not pay a fee to become authorized, retailers take on large equipment, compliance, and training expenses to participate in the program. Under the proposal however, fees would range from $250 for the smallest businesses, such as convenience stores, to as much as $20,000 for the largest retailers.

Requests (FOIA) provide a means for citizens to know about the activities of their government, the release of store-level SNAP redemption data would harm competition within the independent supermarket industry. In fact, the annual and monthly nationwide and state level SNAP redemption data has long been available. The availability of site-specific data would simply create a windfall information for big box stores, who will gain a competitive advantage and

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ALABAMA GROCER |