An effort is under way in the Capitol to require local governments to perform comprehensive economic impact studies of so-called “superstores” before approving the projects.
The thorny issue pits big-box, general-service, non-union retailers such as Wal-Mart against small businesses and organized labor, who believe the huge stores unfairly compete and spark downward economic spirals. It is the latest in a series deep-pocket, labor-vs.-business fights emerging in the state Legislature this year.
Joining the fray are strapped local governments, who want the tax revenues and employment bump from the big projects, but who say the reporting requirements of the new bill will choke off financial development and burden the locals with red tape.
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