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April 19, 2018

Dear NJGCA Member:

Thank you for reading this week's NJGCA Road Warrior!

Here is what you will find in this edition:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:

• Governor Murphy Expected To Sign Paid Sick Leave Legislation; NJGCA Environmental Summit Pictures and Update

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS
- Monmouth County: Gas Station and Repair Shop Business Since 2001
- Asbury Park: Commercial Building for Sale. Possible Sale of Business
- Bergen County: Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

• State Diverts $69M From VW Settlement To General Fund
• UK's May Proposes Ban On Plastic Straws, Stirrers and Cotton Swabs
• 1 Big Thing: Global Crude Markets Soar
• Tesla's Elon Musk Vows '24/7' Model 3 Production, Lots Of New Jobs

• The Octane Game: Auto Industry Lobbies For 95 As New Regular

• Pump Prices Hit High Not Seen Since Summer 2015
• Law Says If Murphy Raises Sales Tax, Your 23-cent Gas Tax Hike Should Go Away. Don't Count On It

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
??????• Emissions Inspector Training Class, TUESDAY, May 8th

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD
• The Amato Agency: Garage Insurance and Workers Compensation!
• ATS Environmental: Confidence in your Tank & Compliance Testing
• Bellomo Fuel: Exceptional Service, Aggressive Petroleum Marketing
• CBIZ Insurance: Our Business is Growing Yours!
• Gill Energy: Getting you There!
• Lending Capital: "Commercial Loans Made Easy" Program
• Salomone Brothers: Tank Testing and Environmental Compliance
• TMP Energy Solutions: Another Way to Save On Your Energy Bills

POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
• Participate in the NJGCA PAC today and help us keep our Agenda rolling in Trenton!

Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE
TO SEE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- CLICK HERE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:

GOVERNOR MURPHY EXPECTED TO SIGN PAID SICK LEAVE LEGISLATION
NJGCA ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT PICTURES AND UPDATE

Most everything in Trenton is on hold as their main focus at the moment is passing the state budget, which constitutionally must be done by midnight on June 30th. I mentioned to you last week how legislation that will mandate paid sick leave for your employees is moving through the legislature. This has now passed both the Assembly and Senate and is sitting on the Governor’s desk, and I am certain that he will sign it. Yes, this is an issue we have been fighting for the past four years and knew that time was running out as this new legislature is more agreeable to pro-labor union and anti-business legislation. Thankfully, NJGCA remains a main player in a coalition of other small business organizations that fought against this legislation and will continue to fight other legislation that I expect will see action after the budget is completed. Unfortunately, it seems that harmful legislation that we have blocked in the past four years in Trenton is now likely to become a reality. Since we are completely outnumbered, our goal is to fight to ensure that any legislation that gains traction in Trenton considers the small business community. In the case of paid sick leave, the legislature believes that their acknowledgement of small businesses is the fact that they compromised with us to require only 40 hours of paid sick leave annually rather than the 72 hours that they expected to pass. There were several other compromises that I am disappointed that they would not agree to which could have made this legislation less burdensome on your business. Specifically, exempting small businesses with less than 10 employees and requiring a doctor’s note when an employee invokes his right to have paid sick leave. Both were denied. As I just stated, I expect the Governor will sign what is on his desk and will go into effect six months after signing.

As many of you know, yesterday we hosted NJDEP for an informative seminar around new regulations on UST’s and Stage II vapor recovery that will go into effect starting October 13^th. Yesterday’s seminar was one of our most successful programs to date. We have previously done programs with NJDEP but this one in particular seemed to rise above the others. We were sold out and had an excellent turnout. Great questions were asked and there was excellent discussion and participation. I was overwhelmed by all of the positive feedback received from members as they were departing. I continue to try to find locations to host events that are convenient to members from both north and south New Jersey. Although I still prefer a location we have used previously near exit 8A on the Turnpike as most convenient, we were extremely satisfied with the facility, food, and service we received at the Imperia. I expect we will hold future events there.

One of the main themes of yesterday was to stress the importance that you all must begin registering for the operator training classes at Rutgers, you can find the class schedule here. October 13th is a REAL deadline that you must adhere to. If anyone is interested in following up on some of the things discussed yesterday in regards to vapor recovery regulations, NJDEP is having a free seminar on May 9^th. If you are interested click here.

That’s all for this week,

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

TRAINING CLASSES!!
All classes held at NJGCA HQ -- 4900 Route 33 West, Wall Township, NJ 07753

Emissions Inspector Training Class - One Day Only!
TUESDAY, May 8th, 2018 -- 7 AM to 3 PM
Want one of your technicians to become a NJ Emissions Inspector? We can help! Our one-day class will provide all the information for becoming a NJ Emissions Inspector, and the State will administer the written test the very same day at our offices! We are offering the class: Thursday, February 15 from 7:00am to 3:00pm. Cost $275.
Click HERE for the registration form.

FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 732-256-9646 or DEBBIE@NJGCA.ORG TO LET HER KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING A SPECIFIC CLASS. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO GAUGE YOUR NEEDS AND KEEP TRACK OF THOSE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE!!

CLASSIFIEDS! -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS

FOR SALE:

Business For Sale: Monmouth County gas station and repair shop in business since 2001 is for sale. Owner is relocating out of state and is interested in selling business and equipment. Owner is open to limited financing. Business has a strong 10 year lease. The building has two repair bays and the gas pumps are leased to a large independent tenant. Repair shop business currently employs a Manager and two full-time Technicians. For inquiries and more info, please call Mark at 908-670-7798.

FOR SALE:

Commercial Building in Asbury Park, Possible Sale of Business, Too! For listing information, please click HERE.

FOR SALE:

Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale in Bergen County!

Business established in 1980. Fully equipped repair shop with 5 lifts including an alignment rack with a 2-year-old Hunter Hawkeye alignment machine. New Hunter tire machine & wheel balancer. AAA aproved and very busy.

Towing business also available which includes 3 Freightliner/JerrDan flatbeds (2015, 2016 & 2017), a 2012 Dodge crew cab wrecker with a Jerrdan Quick Pick & dual cable winch & 2 service trucks (a 2012 GMC 2500 utility truck with a plow & a 2014 Ford transit battery/service vehicle).

Pumping over 1,000,000 gallons per year. 100x300 lot with plenty of parking. Excellent location!!! Call Jim @ 201-851-3084.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

4/19/18
State Diverts $69M From VW Settlement To General Fund
Roughly half of the $141 million the state will receive from settlements with Volkswagen involving air-pollution violations and cheating on emissions tests will go into the general fund instead of clean-car initiatives. The state Department of Environmental Protection told lawmakers $69 million from the auto manufacturer resulting from a settlement reached with the attorney general’s office has been directed to the state budget. Clean-energy advocates had hoped the money, along with $72 million from a separate settlement involving the auto manufacturer and the federal Environmental Protection Agency, would go to funding a series of programs to reduce air pollution from vehicles. But the DEP, in answering questions from the Office of Legislative Services, indicated yesterday the money from the settlement with New Jersey is being diverted to the general fund.

4/19/18
UK's May Proposes Ban On Plastic Straws, Stirrers and Cotton Swabs

Plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton swabs could be banned in England under plans proposed by the UK government to reduce plastic waste and protect the world's oceans. Prime Minister Theresa May will also call on all other Commonwealth countries to join the fight against plastic pollution as their leaders meet Thursday in London, Downing Street said. Besides its domestic efforts, the UK government is putting forward £61.4 million ($87.3 million) in funding for global research and improvements in waste management in developing countries, May said.

4/19/18
1 Big Thing: Global Crude Markets Soar
Oil prices are on the march again Thursday after climbing sharply yesterday, with WTI prices this morning at $69.43 per barrel and Brent crude, the global benchmark, reaching $74.61. Yesterday, prices soared to their highest levels in well over 3 years (see chart above), with WTI closing at $68.47 and Brent crude settling at $73.48. The price jump suggests that oil may no longer be stuck in the $60 to $70-a-barrel range, but may have room to rise much higher. That would put a lot more money in the coffers of the petro-states, and could bring inflation to oil-consuming states.

4/17/18
Tesla's Elon Musk Vows '24/7' Model 3 Production, Lots Of New Jobs
Only hours after Tesla was reported to have suspended production of its Model 3 electric car, a memo Tuesday from CEO Elon Musk revealed the reason: He's planning around-the-clock output and lots of new jobs. The ramp-up will include hiring 400 workers a week for several weeks, divided between the Fremont plant and Tesla's battery Gigafactory outside Reno, Nev. Musk asks for referrals for "anyone you know who you think meets the Tesla bar for talent, drive and trust." The email came after Tesla said it was temporarily suspending production of the Model 3, what appeared to be another indication of problems on the assembly line. But Musk says in the email that stoppage of three to five days was intended only to retool the line to hit the next production target, 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles a week on the way to 6,000.

4/17/18
The Octane Game: Auto Industry Lobbies For 95 As New Regular
The auto industry is finally getting traction on its quest to make 95 octane gasoline the new regular in the United States. In testimony Friday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's environment subcommittee, Dan Nicholson, General Motors' vice president of global propulsion systems, said making 95 octane the new regular aligns the U.S. with Europe and is one of the most affordable ways to boost fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions. GM, Ford Motor Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, working with the United States Council for Automotive Research, are seeking just one grade of fuel: 95. That would eliminate today's grades, generally 87 octane for regular, 88-90 for midgrade and 91-94 for premium. Even though premium gasoline costs about 50 cents more per gallon than regular, Nicholson says moving to 95 octane would cost consumers far less.

4/17/18
Pump Prices Hit High Not Seen Since Summer 2015
The national average price of gas hit $2.71 on Monday, April 16, the highest average price in almost three years. Gas is now 30 cents more expensive than this time last year and 18 cents more than last month. Prices are expected to continue to climb, according to AAA. AAA reported that in the past week, gas prices increased by five cents. Nationwide, only 27% of gas stations are selling gas for $2.50 or less.

4/15/18
Law Says If Murphy Raises Sales Tax, Your 23-cent Gas Tax Hike Should Go Away. Don't Count On It.
When your gas tax went up in 2016, your sales tax went down. And state lawmakers vowed that if New Jersey's sales tax was raised again, that 23-cent gas tax increase should go away. It was part of an effort to make sure the tax cuts enacted to balance out the controversial gas tax hike would actually last. But now Gov. Phil Murphy wants to hike the sales tax back up to 7 percent. So will that mean you'd pay less at the pump? Don't hold your breath.

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD:

TMP Energy Solutions

Another Way to Save on Your Energy Bills

We have had a number of NJGCA members successfully reduce their rate per kWh signing up through our energy saving program. We know it's difficult to collect 12 months worth of previous electric bills to get an "accurate" analysis when comparing a variable rate to a fixed rate, but we now have another option available.

This new solution is a power purchase option; the other program is still in full force and has saved members thousands of dollars. If you sign up for the power purchase option, you will be grouped with other NJGCA members until the minimum kW demand is acquired. By pooling the member's usage together, you will be able to take advantage, as large energy users do, and receive a lower kWh rate.

Each member will receive their own contract. Each member is responsible to sign and return the agreement the day it is received in order to secure the price for their group. Please do your due diligence, so when you receive the proposal and the agreement you will be able to make an intelligent decision.

If by chance, you still want us to assess you bills, to give you a price to compare, we will require 12 months of your most recent utility bills. There are no bills required, but we would still like to have one bill per meter on file to check account #'s, meter #'s service addresses and other pertinent information incase there is a problem.

The term of the agreement is for 12 months. During this term period, you will have price protection against any energy price increases along with a low fixed kWh rate.

If you are interested in becoming part of this power purchase option, please contact Greg Cannon at the NJGCA.

Remember when you sign up your energy through the NJGCA Energy Program, TMP makes a considerable donation to the NJGCA Scholarship Fund through their proceeds. This has no affect on your rate, and costs you nothing out of pocket.

We hope to help hundreds of NJGCA members reduce their utility costs by participating in this and our other cost reduction programs. Our purpose, in the endeavor, is to help NJGCA members lower their energy costs while supporting the NJGCA Scholarship Fund.

Contact GREG CANNON at 732-256-9646 or email Greg at greg@njgca.org. Mention that you are interested in saving money on your energy bills. NJGCA & TMP Energy Solutions will handle all the rest.

POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC

DEFENDING OUR MEMBERS.
PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS.
ANSWER THE CALL & CONTRIBUTE TODAY!!

Promoting our agenda in Trenton is of utmost importance to NJGCA and our members.

However, in order to truly affect the debate, we must ensure our friends in the Legislature are re-elected. It is for this reason that your Association has established the NJGCA PAC.

For too long, the weight of funding our Political Action Committee, the arm of the Association responsible for political donations, has rested upon a few. This is not only unfair to those few members who have shouldered this burden, but means we are not utilizing our full strength to affect the debate in Trenton.

To truly understand the importance of supporting our allies, consider our successes in Trenton:

We defeated BELOW COST SELLING
We made history in getting FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL signed into law!
We have built large support for RIGHT TO REPAIR and got it passed out of the Assembly
We defended your small business against the false accusations of Attorney General Anne Milgram
We gained wide support to move New Jersey to an all PIF Inspection System and close the CIF lanes
...and MUCH MORE!!

In each instance, we achieved these goals with the help of our friends in the Legislature!

If every member contributes just $100.00 we will be able to provide the help necessary to ensure victory for our allies.

PLEASE SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO:
NJGCA PAC
4900 Route 33 West, Suite 100
Wall Township, NJ 07753
Please make your donation payable to NJGCA PAC

I understand that times are tough for all NJGCA members, but this is just as important as any battle we have fought in the past.

We have made great progress in Trenton. I hope that you will answer the call.

Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior. Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.