 |
||
|
GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS! Dear NJGCA Member: ADD THIS: INSPECTION ALERT + UNEMPLOYMENT [TRUST?] FUND = NORTHEAST 2010 Unless you have been completely ignoring my weekly communications – or hiding under a rock – you know that the State of New Jersey is in desperate financial shape. For over a decade, our elected officials have charted a course to financial ruin that threatens New Jersey’s economy. This crisis doesn’t only have the potential to harm your small business, but drive away your customers too. Does that sound over the top? It isn’t, and here’s why. Due to the unbelievably bad financial situation inherited from the previous administration, Governor Christie is seeking to cut costs wherever he can. He has to close the $2.2 Billion budget shortfall I reported to you earlier. That means that there is a very real possibility that Trenton will seek to eliminate safety inspections as a way to save money and reduce their expenses. We adamantly oppose ending safety inspections, as this has serious financial implications for you. More importantly though, it will also harm the rest of the motoring public, as we may all find ourselves driving next to dangerous vehicles on the road. Can I see an elimination of safety inspections? Yes, it is a real possibility -- and I have asked you to help me collect pictures, details, and documents to prove our case with state officials on why this is such a bad idea. I have been making our feelings known with Governor Christie and the Legislature. Ultimately, this comes down to mathematics. The bean counters will undoubtedly point to any potential savings as justification for cutting this requirement. The bean counters are counting the beans right now as I am writing to you. Nevertheless, as we continue to oppose ending safety inspections, we are ramping up our efforts to move New Jersey to an All Private Inspection Program and eliminate the centralized lanes. This is sound public policy not only because it will save taxpayer dollars, but because it has been successfully implemented in other states. This is truly a no-brainer, but don’t think for a minute that it will be clear sailing to get this done. Right now the public perception is that “inspections are free” and most don’t realize they are paying for it as part of their annual vehicle registration. Many in the Legislature are fearful of a voter backlash as people believe they will have to “pay for something they currently get free of charge”. Of course, that’s where we come in and we will have to all work collectively to educate the public on just how badly they are getting ripped off by the current system. Motorists pay $29 per year as part of their annual registration, yet the State of NJ pays Parsons $22 every other year to inspect a motorist’s car. NJ pays Parsons $56 million every year. In a two year cycle, the state collects $58 per car, and pays $22 per car….hmmmmmmm. But wait – it gets worse. After a decade of raiding the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund to balance the budget, the Christie Administration now finds the account ledger in the red with a negative $2 Billion balance. You didn’t misread that. In addition to the $2.2 Billion budget shortfall, the UI Fund is also missing $2 Billion. This shortfall borders on near-criminal behavior. Our UI Fund was revised in the early 1980s and was so far ahead of its time, it built up massive reserves. I know because I was part of a small business coalition that made the revisions. However, part of the revised law stated that when resources reached a certain low-level of funding, a mandatory tax increase kicks in to replenish the program. Why is this significant? Because the program worked so well in building up funds, that as recently as 2002 there was $3 BILLION reserved in the fund. State officials have raided the Unemployment Trust Fund for over $4.7 BILLION over the years to balance the general budget!! NJ has borrowed $1.2 BILLION in recent years to pay our state’s unemployment claims. They should remove the word TRUST from the fund as obviously there hasn’t been any TRUST attributed to the fund for the past 8 years. There isn’t anything TRUSTworthy about the fund. I have hope that Governor Christie will restore TRUST to the fund. The level of tax increases is automatic and called for by the law. The amount is approximately $800 PER EMPLYOYEE PER YEAR and would be a huge burden on your business. Governor Christie understands that business owners shouldn’t be slapped for the misbehavior of past administrations. I, along with leaders of other business groups, have raised this concern with Governor Christie. This morning I was contacted by the Governor’s office to inform me that changes will be made to reduce the amount of tax that will be imposed on your business. In fact when my cell phone rang I was in the Office of the State Treasurer discussing the NJ Inspection Program. Governor Christie is reducing Unemployment benefits instead. Making these adjustments means that the mandatory maximum UI Fund tax increase won’t be fully triggered. Instead, Governor Christie is opting for much smaller increases over each of the next three years. This combined with reductions in benefits to those seeking UI claims, will result in the tax increase imposed on your business to be approximately $130 per employee per year. This is a huge improvement over what the law is set to trigger upon you now. But here is the best part: The Governor is so keen on working with the small business community because he understands you are overburdened that he has asked me to inform you of this news BEFORE it is officially announced at 3PM today. You didn’t misread that. Governor Christie is set to make this announcement today, February 25, 2010 at 3pm, and I wanted you to know that NJGCA is right in the thick of the action in Trenton and keeping you well informed! Here is a quick update fresh from my weekly conference call with the suits at MVC/Parsons: Beta testing at PIFs is beginning at 2 locations today. The other 11 PIF Beta sites will begin operations next week. Switchover of ALL PIFs will commence during the week of March 15. Ten CIF locations have been converted as of today. I have been asked to remind you that you will not be able to have the new system implemented at your location if you have not had your fingerprints done. Incredibly, there are still lots of you that haven’t completed this task. Is there anything special you guys are waiting for??? All of this taken together may be a bit much for you to full absorb. After all, as a small business owner, you’ve got a lot on your plate and many responsibilities. Luckily, I have just the solution for you to not only get a little relaxation but also help your small business at the same time: COME TO THE NORTHEAST 2010 TRADESHOW. Building on last year’s success, NJGCA is continuing our partnership with AASP/NJ to give you a tradeshow like no other. This event is the only tradeshow in the region to combine the gasoline retail, convenience store, automotive repair, and auto body industries in one place. No matter if you are a veteran station owner, a new convenience store operator or a seasoned auto mechanic, NORTHEAST 2010 promises to have something for everyone! There will be exhibitors there with the latest products and services to help your small business not only survive, but thrive in this economy. And to compliment our wide array of vendors from around the industry, we are also proud to announce a series of workshops and seminars designed to help you better your small business, including:
-The Fat Margins Workshop: Designed to HELP YOU fatten your bottom-line and remain profitable, no matter what kind of establishment you operate. You will be receiving your Special Tradeshow Edition of our On The Road quarterly publication very soon with all the details. However, you don’t have to wait to get yours in the mail before you start planning for NORTHEAST 2010. You can get full details on the show by clicking HERE and visiting the NJGCA Tradeshow website. Now more than ever we have to bind together to support our small businesses and each other. NORTHEAST 2010 is a conduit to help us achieve that collectively. Where else can you get access to a world-class tradeshow, gain exposure to essential products and information to help your small business, AND have fun while doing it? NO WHERE!! This is a MUST SEE event and I encourage you to save March 19th-21st on your calendar, then register FOR FREE by clicking HERE.
Tom’s Dad…..Thanks for reading. See you next week! SAVE THE DATE AND ATTEND NORTHEAST 2010!
THE NORTHEAST 2010 TRADESHOW IS ALMOST HERE!! REGISTER TODAY & CALL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS! IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR
UPDATE: NEW PIF CLASSES ADDED!!
POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
MBP BUSINESS SEMINARS BY AFFINITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY WITH PH2 SOLUTIONS, INC
NEWS AROUND THE STATE ON THE NJGCA HOMEPAGE
MEMBER SAVINGS PAGE
HELPFUL LINKS
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
NEWS AROUND THE STATE ARCHIVE
KNOW YOUR TERRITORY MANAGER!
Jack Leli: Territory Manager for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem
Bob Quirk: Territory Manager for Bergen, Hudson, Part of Essex (Northern Half)
Frank Stewart: Territory Manager for Morris, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Passaic
UPDATE: NEW PIF CLASSES ADDED!!
Our Course includes: Everything your technician needs to Re-Certify his ERT license!!!
Class Cost (Including Manuals):
March Class - Rumson --- UPDATED!! PLEASE NOTE: We are currently in the process of putting classes together for April, May and June. If you are interested in taking classes in this time period, please call NJGCA and let us know so we can add you to the list. We are also looking to set up a 2 full-day ETEP class in Southern New Jersey in March. If you are interested, please let us know! Call Debbie Hill to enroll in the classes at debbie@njgca.org or call 973-376-0066.
POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
Ensuring our friends in the legislature are re-elected and advocating for our agenda in Trenton are of utmost importance to the agenda of NJGCA.
PLEASE SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO:
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.
Affinity Federal Credit Union, an NJGCA Member Benefit Partner, is offering a number of classes designed specifically to help small business owners. Some of these classes include:
•Managing Money Wisely
Pleas contact Phil Apruzzi with any questions or comments at 973-376-0066.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: PH2 SOLUTIONS, INC. An Employment Opportunity is available for Drivability Technicians with PH2 Solutions: General Requirements: Seeking a qualified repair technician familiar with the fundamentals of On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) drivability concepts such as DTC’s, Pending Codes, Data Stream and Readiness Monitors. Position: Drivability Technicians Role: Market Areas, Demonstrate, Train and Support unique and proven drivability software driven product. Market Areas: NJ Counties - Essex, Union, Morris, Hudson, Passaic, and Bergen
Compensation type: Base + Commission
2/25/2010:
2/25/2010:
2/23/2010:
2/18/2010:
|
||
