Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Senate Retail Task Force issues final report
Senate
Retail Task Force issues final report
Outlines
findings on the challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts retailers
BOSTON – Today, the Massachusetts
Senate Task Force on Strengthening Local Retail unanimously approved its
final report.
The Task Force was charged with assessing the economic health of the
Massachusetts retail sector, and identifying challenges and opportunities
facing retail communities.
“The
task force has done important work in travelling throughout the state and
developing a concrete understanding of just how many and how large the challengers
facing these employers are,” said Senate
Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Retailers are an important
part of our state economy, and they play an important role in the economies of
our cities and towns as well. The task force has identified the threats to
their survival. With that information in hand we can't ignore the situation,
and collectively should find the will and the means to take action to help them
continue contributing to our economic prosperity.
"I
want to thank Senator Rodrigues and Senator deMacedo for leading this task
force," said Senate President
Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). "Supporting the retail sector is
very important and I am happy that we have this report to inform our future
policymaking."
The
Task Force, chaired by Senator Michael Rodrigues (D- Westport) and Senator
Vinny deMacedo (R- Plymouth), held a series of regional public meetings,
hearing directly from retail employers and employees. The Task Force issued a
set of findings, reflecting the testimony of retailers, information presented
by industry experts, and an examination of current policies and mandates.
“The
Task Force’s report is the result of a thoughtful, collaborative process to
better understand the challenges facing Massachusetts retailers,” said Senator Michael Rodrigues. “Now that
the Task Force’s work has concluded, I look forward to working with my
colleagues to explore ways the state can support retail business growth, and
ensure retailers remain a core part of our Commonwealth’s foundation.”
“I
want to thank the local retailers who provided the task force with valuable
insights into their challenges and aspirations,” said Senator Vinny deMacedo. “This report reflects the collaborative
effort and diverse viewpoints of the task force’s membership in a way that we
believe will provide meaningful information to guide the Legislature in its
efforts to support and grow our local businesses and economies.”
Members
of the Task Force also included Senator Mike Barrett (D- Lexington), Senator
Julian Cyr (D- Truro), Senator Jason Lewis (D- Winchester), Senator Kathleen
O’Connor-Ives (D- Newburyport), and Senator Don Humason (R- Westfield).
The
retailers appointed to the Task Force included Judith Herrell, owner of Herrell’s
Ice Cream in Northampton; Peter Kavanaugh of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries in
Dartmouth; Barry S. Rotman, Board Chair of Rotmans Furniture in Worcester;
Malcolm Sherman, a retail consultant with expertise in turning around
struggling businesses; Christopher Carlozzi, Massachusetts State Director of
the National Federation of Independent Business; John Cahill of Maestranzi
Bros.; and Christopher Connolly, President of the Massachusetts State
Automobile Dealers Association.
The
remaining appointees included Jim Carvalho, Political Director of the United
Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445; Harris Gruman, Executive Director of
the SEIU Massachusetts State Council; and Jon Hurst, President of the Retailers
Association of Massachusetts.
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