Tommy's Corner: 07.23

Help Restaurants by Contacting Your Senator on Swipe Fees
One issue that seems to only become more costly to VRLTA members is the rising cost of credit card swipe fees. This week, the Senate may have an opportunity to vote on the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), but securing this vote is an uphill battle. That’s why we need you to take two minutes to tell your senators why this legislation is important to you.   

NRA Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy goes over this critical legislation in his most recent 90 second update, which you can find here. If passed, CCCA would save businesses and consumers an estimated $15 billion a year. 

The National Restaurant Association, alongside VRLTA, has been working on this issue for years, and we are proud to support this legislation — but we need your help.  

Tell your senators to stand up for restaurants by passing the Credit Card Competition Act - click here to act!

This is Election Season, Let’s Make Connections! 
As VRLTA continues to connect with candidates and legislators across the Commonwealth alongside our members, we are encouraging you to do so as well! This is truly an unprecedented election year here in Virginia, and the General Assembly is set to experience historic levels of turnover. That means that candidates and sitting legislators who are running in Virginia’s radically new legislative districts are eager to meet and connect with their voters. That means YOU! 

If you don’t know who represents you now, or who is running to represent you, no problem! There is a combination of tools that can get you up to speed. You can use Virginia’s Who’s My Legislator Tool to learn what district you’re now in, and the Virginia Public Access Project to see just who is running to represent you! Please take every opportunity you can to connect with these candidates. Forming relationships early can prove extremely helpful down the road when this huge new crop of legislators are looking for guidance from their voters on policy. 

Save the Date: VRLTA PAC Dinner September 13 in Virginia Beach
More info to come soon, but please mark your calendars for what will be a great evening supporting a helpful organization for our industries.