BECOMING A MEMBER OF RAM IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS YOU CAN MAKE FOR YOUR BUSINESS.
By joining you gain access to exclusive, money saving discounts on services and programs, legislative updates and advocacy as well as valuable educational opportunities. We aim to help you grow and protect your business, promote the retail industry and save your business money. Click here to JOIN NOW!
MA Legislature Sets Sales Tax Holiday Weekend for August 10 & 11, 2024
This year’s Annual Sales Tax Holiday will be held on the weekend of August 10th and 11th. The sales tax exemption applies for those two days to any retail purchase made in Massachusetts, both in-store and online, of $2,500 or less, with certain exceptions. While the rules of the holiday weekend remain the same as in recent years, members are encouraged to closely review these helpful FAQs from the MA Department of Revenue (DOR). For more information, the specific rules governing the Sales Tax Holiday can be found in the DOR regulation, 830 CMR 64H.1.8: Sales Tax Holiday.
And the award for Retailer of the Year goes to….
Click here to submit your nomination!
RAMAEs honor small and large retailers, rookies and veterans, identifying hidden gems from all corners of the Commonwealth.
As an expert, you can help us identify businesses who deserve to be recognized for going above and beyond to make the retail and dining experience memorable. There is no limit to the number of businesses you can nominate. So nominate your business and all those you love as well. There are so many incredible retail stores and restaurants in MA who could be deserving of this recognition. Help us find our 2024 winners!
Click here for benefits summary.
RAMHIC Offerings for 2024
RAMHIC continues to partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to offer members access to the carrier's entire portfolio of high quality, small group health insurance plans.
All members purchasing their health insurance coverage through the cooperative will also receive an expanded list of ancillary benefits, FREE of charge.
Click image above to view a BCBS produced informational video on the power of the RAM/BCBS Cooperative.
Please see our brochure for more detail on the expanded benefit package. Specific information regarding each benefit may be found below:
For more information please visit the RAMHIC page of our website.
Tipped Wage Passes Hurdles To November Ballot
Click on image to learn more and to donate.
Settlement with AG Suspends App-Based Driver Ballot Question Campaign
The campaign in support of the industry-backed ballot measure to classify app-based drivers as independent contractors has been suspended as part of a settlement negotiated between Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office and key sponsors of the measure Uber and Lyft. The settlement resolves a 2020 lawsuit alleging violations of state labor law and includes $175 million in restitution payments to current and former drivers, and a minimum compensation rate for drivers of $32.50 per hour going forward. As part of the settlement, the companies have agreed not to campaign in support of or fund their ballot measure which recently received approval by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to proceed to the ballot. With Uber and Lyft withdrawing support, the coalition in favor of the proposal has announced that they no longer plan to submit a question for the Nov. 5 ballot.
9/18 WOMEN UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL!
 
Wednesday, September 18th / 9:30AM - 3:00PM
Unlock Your Business Potential at the Andover Country Club
Unlock your entrepreneurial spirit alongside accomplished female leaders from our vibrant community, who share insights and inspiration.
The journey begins with invigorating and candid conversations over coffee in the scenic setting of the Andover Country Club. Prepare for a packed program featuring illuminating speakers, interactive roundtable discussions, enjoyable lunch and invaluable networking opportunities
Sign Up Today!
Early registrants will be invited to an exclusive post-event webinar with program speakers to further explore questions and brainstorm topics relevant to your business! A true business accelerator! Do not miss this opportunity!
In a press release, The Healey-Driscoll administration announced that Massachusetts has received federal approval for its summer child nutrition program. Following the ending of Summer Pandemic EBT (P-EBT), this new child nutrition program will help feed an estimated 600,000 students while schools are closed for the summer. Low-income Massachusetts families with school-aged children will be eligible to receive financial assistance to buy groceries, bringing more than $70 million in federal funds to the state’s economy.
“In Massachusetts, we are not leaving federal dollars on the table that could support children and families’ food security. In partnership with our State Legislature, we made universal free school meals permanent. And with this new program, we are working to ensure children and families have access to healthy food all year long,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress for permanently establishing this child nutrition program. Massachusetts is proud to be utilizing all tools available so kids can focus on learning and play, not where their next meal is coming from.”
Bill Rennie, RAM Vice President, was quoted in the release, “Massachusetts retailers have long been proud of our partnership with the state and federal government in participating in the SNAP and EBT programs to provide residents with access to nutritious and healthy foods. We applaud Governor Healey for the launch of this Summer EBT Program to continue to assist low-income families in buying food when school is out for the summer.”
MA Senate Adopts Plastic Bag Ban & Expanded Bottle Bill
Contact Your Representatives in the House to Voice your Opinions on
The Plastic Bag Ban & Fee, And an Expanded Bottle Bill
Last week, the MA Senate passed legislation to address single use plastics in the Commonwealth, advancing S.2833, An Act to reduce plastics. Central to the bill is a ban on all plastic carryout bags, and the imposition of a minimum $0.10 charge for recyclable paper bags, with $0.05 due to be remitted to the state.
The Senate followed up this week with the passage of a climate bill that includes an expansion of the state’s Bottle Bill, raising the deposit from $0.05 to $0.10 per container, and expanding the deposit from just beer and soda to apply to most beverage containers.
Click here to learn what the plastics bill contains.
Summer Retail Holiday Reminder
Members are reminded of their statutory obligations under the state Blue Laws for the summer retail holidays of Juneteenth Independence Day (Wednesday, June 19th), Independence Day (Thursday, July 4th) and Labor Day (Monday, September 2nd).
While retail premium pay is no longer required on these holidays, all work performed at certain retail establishments must be voluntary and refusal to work shall not be grounds for discrimination, dismissal, discharge reduction in hours, or any other penalty.
For more information regarding retail holidays please visit the RAM 2024 Retail Holiday Calendar.
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