In each case, states have stepped in after city officials somewhere in the nation proposed local policies that business leaders didn't like. Businesses have warned lawmakers that a potential patchwork of local regulations could be bad for the economy.

By Associated Press

Although Wal-Mart has gained a reputation for driving out mom-and-pop stores, the city of Charlottesville, Va. represents an example of how homegrown stores and the retail giant can coexist.

By Larisa Epatko