California bill could box out big-box retailers
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s potential veto is all that stands between passage of a bill that would make it harder for Wal-Mart and other major retailers to establish locations in California, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
The bill “would require local governments to consider an economic impact report before approving any ‘big box’ store larger than 100,000 square feet,” the news service said.
Penned by state Sen. Richard Alarcon, the legislation has been panned by Wal-Mart representatives, business lobbyists and Republican lawmakers. It passed through the state senate Wednesday.
A Schwarzenegger spokesperson told AP that he had taken no position on the bill yet.