2019 State Legislative Outlook Ready for Dog-Earing

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.

The 50 State Legislative Outlook report contains a snapshot of budget fitness and anticipated legislative and regulatory actions for each state, and where available, local information is also included.

By: Elizabeth Tansing, Senior Director, State Government Affairs <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/homepage-curation-tiles/50-state-map_large.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=6dfc786e_2" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="50 State Map_large" title="50 State Map_large" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />The supermarket industry is in a constant state of policy and regulatory fluctuation. Last year, a majority of grocers viewed state and local government regulations as having a negative impact on their sales performance, according to participants in FMI’s <a href="http://www.fmi.org/speaks">The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2018</a> report.  To assist industry stakeholders in preparing for policy and regulatory challenges during the 2019 state legislative sessions, FMI surveyed member companies and state grocery and retail associations on the key issues they expect to face. FMI also held four regional state legislative meetings to prepare for and discuss the findings. The result of this cumulative effort is FMI’s <a href="https://www.fmi.org/government-affairs/50-state-outlook-report">2019 State Legislative Outlook</a>. The report contains a snapshot of budget fitness and anticipated legislative and regulatory actions for each state, and where available, local information is also included. FMI found that there are certain issues that dominated in each region. For example, in the Northeast, wage and labor issues are front and center; and in the South, alcohol reform is being discussed. But there are common themes across the country as well.  There are some 10,814 sales tax jurisdictions in the United States, and taxes appear in every state report. These potential bills range from food and beverage taxes, to states needing to pass legislation to come into compliance with South Dakota v. Wayfair, the Supreme Court decision that imposes economic nexus standards on remote sellers.   Environmental issues appear in almost every state’s report as well. Included among them are bottle bills, possible bills governing plastic bags and straws, and polystyrene and packaging bills. Then there are issues that are very state-specific. Examples are a potential balloon ban in Delaware and the right to choose self-service gas over full service gas, in New Jersey. The 2019 State Legislative Outlook provides a recap on key 2018 races and ballots as well as a look ahead to the 2019 elections. Complimentary copies of the report are available to FMI members and state grocery and retail associations and a web versionmay be accessed <a href="https://www.fmi.org/government-affairs/50-state-outlook-report">here</a>.

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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.