New Year, New State Legislative Sessions – What Grocers Need to Know - OMEGA - West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

FMI monitors over 80 issues at the state level. Currently, more than 7,000 bills have been introduced for discussion this New Year. To help prepare for this onslaught of state legislative and regulatory activity, FMI releases the 50 State Legislative Outlook every January.

By Elizabeth Tansing, Director, State Government Relations, Food Marketing Institute <img src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/map-of-united-states-of-america.jpg?sfvrsn=0" data-displaymode="Original" alt="Map of United States of America" title="Map of United States of America" style="float: right; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px;" /> As states gear up for a frenetic legislative session – more than 40 are in full swing – and a frantic election year – just four states won’t have state legislators up for election– FMI is providing a <a href="http://www.fmi.org/government-affairs/state-affairs">2016 50 State Legislative Outlook</a> to aid members in preparing for the 2016 legislative arena. FMI <a href="http://www.fmi.org/government-affairs/state-affairs/statetrac">monitors</a> over 80 issues at the state level. Currently, more than 7,000 bills have been introduced for discussion this New Year. To help prepare for this onslaught of state legislative and regulatory activity, FMI releases the 50 State Legislative Outlook every January. This annual report examines the issues our industry expects to confront during the upcoming legislative session on a state-by-state basis. Additionally, it analyzes the previous November’s elections outcome and the potential consequences of those results for each state. To compile the document, FMI staff surveys state association executives, FMI member companies and holds four regional meetings across the country to discuss priority legislation. In the Southern region, top issues for the grocery industry are slated to be budget revenue shortfall, legal reform, liquor reform, local ordinance preemption, sales taxes, shopping bag issues and tobacco tax increases. In the Northeast region, we expect to see these top issues: GMO labeling, liquor reform, minimum wage, paid sick leave, predictive scheduling, shopping bags, taxes, and transportation funding. Each region brings its own set of priority issues. To read what’s important in the other regions as well as a look into each state’s list, see the <a href="http://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/state-affairs/50-state-legislative-outlook.pdf?sfvrsn=0">2016 50-State Legislative Outlook</a> online. Don’t be caught off guard by an issue in your state this year.

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.