A B O U T  R A N

Serving Nevada Businesses Since 1969.

The business climate changes almost daily through regulations, public sentiment, legislation, education, marketing and customer variables. RAN can help your business meet the current demands and anticipate the future with confidence. Since its inception in 1969, RAN has been a leader, a watchdog, a public relations tool and a source of information for the business community in Nevada.

RAN was formed for the purpose of uniting merchants throughout the State on matters of common interest. The Association is the leading advocate for Nevada retailers and has a reputation as one of the most effective pro-business organizations in the state. With membership comes strength because you are part of a larger group that effects legislation.

Lobbying

Nevada's Legislature meets biannually in odd numbered years for 120 days starting on the first Monday of February. This year's session runs February 5th and will end no later than June 4, 2001. During the session, RAN's professional lobbyists track all bills that affect businesses such as workers' comp, deregulation of the electric industry, business taxes, tobacco, employer/employee issues, health insurance, protective legislation, and more. However, RAN's work doesn¹t end when a legislative session adjourns. There are legislative committees meeting during the interim, and RAN is there, monitoring their actions, protecting business interests.

Retailers throughout the state are also affected by rules and regulations set by local jurisdictions, and RAN regularly represents businesses at these different levels. Mary Lau, executive director of RAN, worked extensively on a WIC pilot program in Washoe County testing the plausibility of an electronic benefits transfer program. The Association has also been extremely active working with the Attorney General on the We Card program and distributed that information to our members. We continue to help the Attorney General's office in educating and keeping retailers informed about the latest teenage smoking information that is released.

Whether it's working on local issues such as preventing increased business license taxes in the Reno area and working on the shopping cart issue in Las Vegas, or lobbying in the legislature for good legislation and against the harmful, RAN works vigilantly to maintain a healthy business climate in the Nevada.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to strengthen the business environment for Nevada retailers and associates by providing a government relations program which supports retail industry needs through effective lobbying at federal, state and local levels.

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