News

President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of senators have reportedly reached a deal on "the major issues" in their $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. Biden met Tuesday with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), the lead Democratic negotiator in the infrastructure talks, to hammer out final details. It could be days before the group finishes writing the bill, but the Senate can begin debating the legislation in earnest now that they have resolved the outstanding issues.

The bill needs 60 votes to advance in the Senate. We have been told the package will include: Committee-passed bills from the Senate Environment and Public Works; Energy and Natural Resources; and Commerce Committees. The package will also include provisions on resiliency; build American/buy American; appropriations; compromise water infrastructure legislation; limited pay-for language including customs user fees and unemployment insurance integrity; and rail funding. Read more here.

As previously reported, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a discussion draft of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act on July 14. The measure proposes removing federal penalties on cannabis, expunging nonviolent federal cannabis-related criminal records and letting states decide if or how to legalize the drug. The discussion draft has not yet been formally introduced and needs input broadly from other lawmakers. Sens. Schumer, Wyden and Booker's offices are taking comment from lawmakers and the general public, including advocates, the cannabis industry, public health experts and the law enforcement community, until Sept. 1. Public comments may be provided to Cannabis_Reform@finance.senate.gov.

CDA was alerted last week regarding the introduction of the Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act. As a reminder, the legislation would require that e-cigarette manufacturers pay user fees to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help to fund stronger FDA oversight of the e-cigarette industry and increase awareness of the dangers of e-cigarettes. The bill would not affect federal excise taxes on tobacco products.

Members are positioning the bill as a way to combat vaping among young people. The Senate bill is sponsored by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Mitt Romney (R-UT), and House companion legislation - H.R.4629 - was introduced by Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01). See the press release from Sen. Shaheen’s office here.

Live and on-demand webinars are available, covering a variety of topics ranging from marketplace trends to tobacco, cannabis, leadership, employee retention, mentoring, finance and more. Don't miss the most recent upcoming and on-demand webinars, including:

Upcoming Webinars:

• August 11, 2021: Supply Chain Lessons from COVID-19: Case Studies on How Global Retailers are Successfully Managing Their Networks in Time of Crisis
• August 18, 2021: Tobacco Update 2021
• September 1, 2021: Leading Your Team’s Selling Processes as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
• October 27, 2021: You Can Always Sell More! Increasing Sales (and Your Competitive Advantage) in Today’s World

On-Demand Webinars:

• Strengthening Your Coaching and People Skills as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
• Thriving as a Team with Courageous Conversations (available through Aug. 2)
• A Quick Update on Tobacco
• InfoMetrics: Making the Reports Work for You
• 2020 C-Metrics Category Spotlight: Year in Review
• ITR Economics Webinar Series: Managing in an Uncertain Economy
  March | February | January | December | November | October

Please contact Kimberly Kissel with any issues viewing the recorded webinar.

In a ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court on Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) properly implemented federal law when it extended certain cigarette rules to other tobacco products, and when it assessed fees on cigars and pipe tobacco. The Cigar Association of America and two other cigar groups in the lawsuit challenged an FDA rule deeming certain products—including cigars, pipe tobacco, and pipes—to be “tobacco products” subject to the agency’s authority. But the groups have succeeded in other attacks on the deeming rule over premarket review for premium cigars and health warnings for cigars and pipe tobacco. The FDA can’t enforce premarket review requirements for premium cigars until it considers a “streamlined” process to equate the products to older ones, a federal district court said in August 2020.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) set a procedural vote Wednesday for the Senate to begin debating an infrastructure package on the Senate floor. It would have required 60 votes; Republicans blocked the motion, arguing the legislation needs more work before it’s ready for action. A group of centrist Republicans in the bipartisan negotiating group called on Schumer to postpone the vote to begin consideration of their legislation until Monday, at which point they say there would be enough Republican support to take up the bill, which is estimated to cost $1.2 trillion over eight years or $973 billion over five. Read more here.

Presenter: Jim Pancero

The two major responsibilities of a sales manager and leader are to 1) manage and motivate their people and 2) lead the team’s selling processes. In this webinar, Pancero explored the people side of coaching and leadership. He explained the difference between coaching and consulting as a manager, how to motivate people and how to effectively coach and lead through even your toughest challenge.

Click here to view the recording

Jim Pancero, 2021 Marketplace Virtual Presenter, is presenting two more webinars this year - register for both now! Hear About Jim's Webinars Planned Just for CDA
September 1 | Leading Your Team’s Selling Processes as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
October 27 | You Can Always Sell More! Increasing Sales (and Your Competitive Advantage) in Today’s World

Sales Professional Training, Inc.’s courses, geared toward the sales professional, are available on-demand. Presented by Don Buttrey, these courses provide selling skill development and include assignments and real-field exercises. A companion workbook, downloadable tools, and certificate of completion are also included. Visit the CDA website for more information.

The Four Pillars of the Sales Profession (Foundational Sales Training)
Duration: Approximately 20-25 hours; Price: $770

Sales Professional Negotiation (Level 2 Advanced Sales Training & Negotiation Skills)
Duration: Approximately 20-25 hours; Price: $695

Sales Professional Organizations (For Sales Support personnel with customer interaction)
Duration: Approximately 10-15 hours; Price: $345

Last week, Dept. of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Dept. of Labor (DOL) Secretary Marty Walsh and Meera Joshi, deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, held a roundtable meeting with the trucking industry to discuss efforts to improve driver retention and reduce turnover. The meeting is part of a larger effort from the administration to address supply chain issues. According to a recent report from the American Trucking Associations, rates of turnover are about 72% for smaller carriers and about 92% for larger truckload carriers.

The DOT will reportedly take the lead on the task force and develop an engagement plan to inform the industry about apprenticeship and funding opportunities and look at what incentives are available from a regulatory perspective. Walsh said the DOL’s registered apprenticeship programs can boost retention and “help build a more stable and resilient workforce.” He said in a statement that he would work with Buttigieg and the industry to expand the registered apprenticeship program. Read more here.

Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and Budget Committee Democrats, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have reached a deal on a $3.5 trillion price tag for a Democratic-only infrastructure package. The deal will include funding for expanding Medicare to cover dental, vision and hearing, and addressing climate change. The budget resolution will also reportedly include language prohibiting taxes from being raised on individuals who make less than $400,000 or small businesses.

Sen. Schumer has vowed to hold votes on two pieces before the Senate breaks for the August recess: a smaller bipartisan deal for $1.2 trillion over eight years and the budget resolution that includes the instructions for and sets up a separate Democratic-only bill. The draft budget proposal does not yet have the firm support of all 50 members of the Democratic caucus. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), a key moderate Democrat, said Wednesday that he is open to supporting the budget resolution, but would withhold judgment until he reviews it, and said the price tag would have to be offset with spending cuts, tax increases or other measures. Read more here.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed a legislation package that will regulate hemp-derived delta-8 THC and restrict sales to channels approved for state-legal marijuana, banning the products from being sold in unlicensed retail stores. Beginning Oct. 11, delta-8 THC products will be covered by Michigan law and regulated by the state’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency. For more details, read the Hemp Industry Daily story.

Presenter: Jim Pancero
Wednesday, July 21 | 1:00 PM ET
Save Your Spot | Hear About Jim's Webinars Planned Just for CDA

The two major responsibilities of a sales manager and leader are to 1) manage and motivate their people and 2) lead the team’s selling processes. This webinar explores the people side of coaching and leadership. You will learn the difference between coaching and consulting as a manager, how to motivate people and how to effectively coach and lead through even your toughest challenge. A detailed program workbook will be provided.

Jim Pancero, 2021 Marketplace Virtual Presenter, is presenting three webinars this year - register for all three now!
July 21 | Strengthening Your Coaching and People Skills as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
September 1 | Leading Your Team’s Selling Processes as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
October 27 | You Can Always Sell More! Increasing Sales (and Your Competitive Advantage) in Today’s World

Connecticut has instituted a ban on hemp-derived THC products, including delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC, for companies without a license to sell them. The new law prohibits products containing delta-7, delta-8, delta-9 and delta-10 from being sold outside licensed cannabis retailers or medical marijuana dispensaries. For more details, read the Hemp Industry Daily story.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), released draft marijuana legalization legislation at a press conference on Wednesday. The bill, called the "Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act," would remove the drug from the Controlled Substances Act and impose a federal tax on marijuana products. States would still be allowed to set their own marijuana laws, but businesses and individuals in states that have legalized it would be allowed to sell and consume marijuana without the risk of federal punishment. The legislation faces steep odds at passing in the 50-50 Senate. Read more here.

The Convenience Distribution Association (CDA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 CDA Distributors Education Foundation (DEF) Ray Foley Memorial Scholarships.

In June 1983, the CDA Distributors Education Foundation (DEF) Ray Foley Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of the late National Candy Wholesalers Association executive vice president, Ray Foley. The DEF awards four $5,000 scholarships annually to applicants from distributor member companies in honor of Mr. Foley.

Ray Foley Memorial Scholarship applicants must either work for a CDA distributor member company or be the spouse, son or daughter of a CDA distributor member. CDA uses an anonymous judging process to select scholarship recipients. All applicants must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program in an accredited college or university. The scholarship winners are chosen based on academic achievements, volunteer activities, recommendation letters and a personal essay.

	Elias Asmar is the son of Elias J. Asmar, outside sales at Gummer Wholesale, Inc., Heath, OH. Elias' proudest accomplishments started in the classroom, having scored in the 98th percentile of the ACT, being a member of the National Honors Society and scoring in the top 5% of the class of 2021. He is president of Rho Kappa and the captain of the Academic Challenge team as well as being a member of the Model United Nations competition team. The youngest of three children and the son of immigrant parents, Elias has acquired a vast amount of knowledge from many cultures and has a passion for learning and helping others. As a tutor, a parent describes Elias as “a natural leader who serves as a role model.” Elias is studying biology/pre-med at Cleveland State University.
	Katie Murski is the daughter of Tim Murski, stocker at Grocery Supply Company, Sulphur Springs, TX. Katie, a junior at Texas A&M University, is a member of several organizations at A&M, including serving as the co-director of the Future Agriculture and Life Sciences Leaders and the treasurer for the Texas A&M Polish Association. She is also a business calculus tutor at Texas A&M and serves as a teaching assistant for a course through the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. Katie’s manager says she “possesses the qualities to succeed at anything she chooses to do in life.” She has put in several thousand hours of volunteering at Star Hill Veterinary Clinic where she now works part time to make her dream of becoming a veterinarian a reality. She continues putting all her effort into every aspect of her life because turning this dream into a reality is something that she has been passionate about for the last 13 years. Katie is studying biomedical sciences at Texas A&M University.
	Grace Myhre is the daughter of Dana Myhre, transportation lead at Cash-Wa Distributing Co., Inc., Kearney, NE. Grace has been involved in volleyball, basketball, the National Honor Society and Link Crew throughout her high school career. During volleyball, she was a three-year varsity starter and recorded over 2000 assists and was awarded Academic All State as a senior. During her junior and senior years, Grace was selected to be a part of Link Crew, having been nominated by teachers who believed she is a good example to her peers. A coach of Grace’s notes, “Whether it be in academics or athletics, Grace’s peers look to her for guidance. On or off the court, Grace has the ability to rise to the occasion and lead a group through situations others may avoid.” Grace is pursuing a nursing degree and playing volleyball at the College of St. Scholastica.
	Alec Tare is senior warehouse manager at National Convenience Distributors, Farmingdale, NY. Alec has been working for Harold Levinson Associates (HLA), a division of National Convenience Distributors (NCD), for 10 years. Although he does not have a direct role in the HR department, he works with HR every day, developing cross functional policies and strategies to lead the distribution center’s 300 warehouse associates and 25 operations managers. Eventually, Alec would like to combine his knowledge of supply chain, warehouse operations and transportation with his human resources degree to transfer into a human resources leadership role in convenience. A Villanova program director says Alec “uniquely represents the convenience distribution industry through his work in our program.” Alec is pursuing an M.S. in Human Resource Development from Villanova University.

Those who qualify for the CDA DEF Ray Foley Memorial Scholarship are encouraged to apply for 2022, with applications being accepted starting in March 2022. Learn more at www.cdaweb.net/Scholarships. For questions, please contact Kimberly Kissel, CAE, Director of Education at KKissel@CDAweb.net.

On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of 58 House lawmakers publicly endorsed President Joe Biden’s $579 billion infrastructure deal with a group of Republican and Democratic senators. The House Problem Solvers Caucus said in a statement that they “strongly support the Senate infrastructure framework…and encourage an expeditious, stand-alone vote in the House and thank our bipartisan Senate partners and the Biden Administration for working so closely with us to demonstrate that cooperation is still possible in Washington.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has said the House will not take up infrastructure legislation until the Senate passes both a bipartisan bill and a reconciliation measure that could be used to incorporate President Biden’s larger tax and social spending goals. See more here.

Live and on-demand webinars are available, covering a variety of topics ranging from marketplace trends to tobacco, cannabis, leadership, employee retention, mentoring, finance and more. Don't miss the most recent upcoming and on-demand webinars, including:

Upcoming Webinars:

• July 21, 2021: Strengthening Your Coaching and People Skills as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
• August 11, 2021: Supply Chain Lessons from COVID-19: Case Studies on How Global Retailers are Successfully Managing Their Networks in Time of Crisis
• August 18, 2021: Tobacco Update 2021
• September 1, 2021: Leading Your Team’s Selling Processes as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
• October 27, 2021: You Can Always Sell More! Increasing Sales (and Your Competitive Advantage) in Today’s World

On-Demand Webinars:

• Thriving as a Team with Courageous Conversations (available through Aug. 2)
• A Quick Update on Tobacco
• InfoMetrics: Making the Reports Work for You
• 2020 C-Metrics Category Spotlight: Year in Review
• ITR Economics Webinar Series: Managing in an Uncertain Economy
  March | February | January | December | November | October

Please contact Kimberly Kissel with any issues viewing the recorded webinar.

Presenter: Jim Pancero
Wednesday, July 21 | 1:00 PM ET
Save Your Spot | Hear About Jim's Webinars Planned Just for CDA

The two major responsibilities of a sales manager and leader are to 1) manage and motivate their people and 2) lead the team’s selling processes. This webinar explores the people side of coaching and leadership. You will learn the difference between coaching and consulting as a manager, how to motivate people and how to effectively coach and lead through even your toughest challenge. A detailed program workbook will be provided.

Jim Pancero, 2021 Marketplace Virtual Presenter, is presenting three webinars this year - register for all three now!
July 21 | Strengthening Your Coaching and People Skills as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
September 1 | Leading Your Team’s Selling Processes as a Coach and Leader of Your Sales Team
October 27 | You Can Always Sell More! Increasing Sales (and Your Competitive Advantage) in Today’s World

Sales Professional Training, Inc.’s courses, geared toward the sales professional, are available on-demand. Presented by Don Buttrey, these courses provide selling skill development and include assignments and real-field exercises. A companion workbook, downloadable tools, and certificate of completion are also included. Visit the CDA website for more information.

The Four Pillars of the Sales Profession (Foundational Sales Training)
Duration: Approximately 20-25 hours; Price: $770

Sales Professional Negotiation (Level 2 Advanced Sales Training & Negotiation Skills)
Duration: Approximately 20-25 hours; Price: $695

Sales Professional Organizations (For Sales Support personnel with customer interaction)
Duration: Approximately 10-15 hours; Price: $345