Health care, crime among subjects of retail lobbying efforts

Washington, D.C. The National Retail Federation spent $500,000 lobbying in the second quarter on a wide range of issues from healthcare reform to organized crime and labor issues, according to a recent disclosure report.

The group also lobbied the federal government on legislation involving tariffs, immigration, copyright infringement and food-safety issues in the April-June period, according to the form filed July 20 with the House clerk's office.

One of the hottest issues for retailers is the Employees Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to unionize. The legislation is opposed by the retail industry, which claims that it would increase costs of doing business and lead to layoffs.

Another hot button is healthcare reform. NRF is against a federal mandate for employer-funded health insurance. In fact, the group sent a letter in July to 2,500 members to fight Wal-Mart Store's recently announced stance that it was supporting the mandate.

In related news, Wal-Mart Stores spent nearly $2.6 million on its own second-quarter lobby efforts on similar issues: healthcare reform, organized crime and labor union issues.

Target spent $300,000 on lobbying efforts that focused on legislation involving organized crime, union matters and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report.