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Members of the Sacramento City Council said they anticipated a rough night Tuesday when they considered a controversial superstore ordinance. Still, no one was prepared for what they encountered when they walked into their chambers that evening.
Wal-Mart, leading the opposition against the proposal, had a court reporter stationed next to the dais to record every word. Each council member got a letter from the corporation's attorney, warning that the ordinance specifically targets Wal-Mart and "violates numerous federal, state and local laws, and is discriminatory and unfair."
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Nevertheless, the council passed the ordinance unanimously, following in the footsteps of several cities across the country that have made it tougher to build superstores in their areas. Other municipalities are banning the massive retail establishments outright, battling citizens groups to bring the stores in or floating the issue through ballot initiatives.
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Wal-Mart officials said they believe that ordinances nationwide are pushed by organized labor. Wal-Marts do not employ union workers.
"Wal-Mart is the target of unions," Loscotoff said. "We certainly see that in Sacramento."
City Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy, who pushed for the Sacramento measure, is a strong labor proponent. However, she said the Sacramento ordinance targets no one company and was crafted to give decision-makers better information.
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