|
October 16, 2009
GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!
Dear NJGCA Member:
RAISING THE GAS TAX: A BAD IDEA MAKES ANOTHER COMEBACK
Last week we brought you important information about this year’s election cycle, how to register to vote, and dates to keep in mind before Election Day.
More importantly we also outlined why it is imperative that YOU – as a small business owner and a resident –get out and vote on November 3rd. If you didn’t see last week’s Road Warrior, click HERE to take a look.
Well, if last week was informational, this week it is a call to arms as hiking the Gas Tax rears its ugly head once more!
As in any election cycle, the candidates have been making the rounds and laying out their respective plans to drum up support. In doing so, both Governor Corzine and gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett have stated that they’d be open to increasing the Gas Tax
A Gas Tax hike will hurt motorists, unfairly impact the middle class, and ultimately harm your small business.
So why would they support such a move? State officials have been wringing their hands over the need to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) to pay for needed infrastructure repairs. In order to do this, the candidates say, we need to increase the Gas Tax or everyone suffers. Furthermore, the state needs to find a way to pay for a second railway tunnel under the Hudson River to New York City, which will cost billions more.
What is entirely overlooked in this discussion is that the Transportation Trust Fund is broken because Trenton has repeatedly ROBBED the fund over the years. Like in any other bureaucracy, officials are always looking for more money to fund other programs. Since the TTF was flush with cash, officials diverted those dollars to other programs and now the fund is running out of money.
But don’t think that this is an isolated issue. This scenario was also recently played out with New Jersey’s Unemployment Insurance, which was repeatedly robbed over the past twenty-five years. We collectively paid to keep the program running, built up massive reserves, and the state siphoned money from the fund to pay for other projects. And what was the result? Trenton had no other option last year but to raise taxes to cover the hole as unemployment claims rose.
The end result: Trenton creates the problem and now residents will have to pay to cover their mistakes!
Looking further out, New Jersey is facing an $8 BILLION shortfall in next year’s budget. Even if we were to increase the Gas Tax as they propose, is there ANY GUARENTEE that those funds will NOT be diverted in the years ahead to fund other projects?
Governor Corzine has supported us in the past by getting our First Right of Refusal legislation signed into law and we are very grateful. Chris Daggett has a long history of supporting environmental initiatives in state. I believe each has their hearts in the right place; but if the Gas Tax is increased it will have dire consequences on an already fragile economy.
What’s even more telling is that RESIDENTS FEEL THE SAME WAY! A poll just released this week from Quinnipiac University states “New Jersey voters oppose 61 to 36 percent raising the gas tax to pay for road and mass transit improvements, with opposition from all political and regional groups.”. You can read the full report by clicking HERE
For the record, NJGCA strongly supports making needed infrastructure repairs, but raising the Gas Tax is the wrong way to tackle this problem. New Jersey’s economy is depressed by high property taxes, high business taxes, high income taxes, and a poor business climate. As a commuter state, a low Gas Tax is the only “break” our residents get in an environment that is over-taxed and over-regulated. Increasing the tax when our unemployment rate is hovering at 10% will only hamper our economy further.
What’s the point of all this? As we stated in the past, ELECTIONS MATTER. While you are undoubtedly busy and distracted with running your business, you simply CANNOT AFFORD to sit on the sidelines and hope that everything turns out okay. You must be engaged and know what’s going on before heading to the polls on November 3rd.
A few weeks back, we informed you that a group of Shell lessee dealers were taking legal action in order to make Shell comply with the new First Right of Refusal law. Shell had balked on selling those locations to the lessees. We have now learned that Shell, who had planned to sell those locations to a third party, has now taken those stations off the market. The deal appears to be dead – as of now – but remains unresolved.
We will update you as more information becomes available.
Thanks for listening - See you next week!
Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director
IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR
ATTENTION SHOP OWNERS: NU-PATH LOGIC TRAINING
•Learn about the Same-day, Full-Service Emission Repair Guarantee using Nu-Path Logic®
POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
•Participate in the NJGCA PAC today and help us keep our Agenda rolling in Trenton!
UPDATE: NEW PIF CLASSES ADDED!!
•Take your inspector Refresher Course with NJGCA! November and December classes added!
BUSINESS TOOLS: Great Savings for NJGCA Members!
•Want to SAVE MORE money on your business expenses? Take advantage of our MBPs!
BUSINESS TOOLS: PH2 SOLUTIONS
•Diagnose check engine lights before they appear! A GREAT tool for your shop!
NJ GREEN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR COUNCIL
•Take advantage of this program and get recognized for your "green" credentials!
NEWS AROUND THE STATE
•Garden State unemployment rate rises
•Governor’s Race: Corzine would consider rising Gas Tax in 2nd Term
•Can Right to Repair get passed with automakers under government control?
•Governor’s Race: Daggett supports Gas Tax Hike
ON THE NJGCA HOMEPAGE
MEMBER SAVINGS PAGE
Check out all of our MBPs and Programs designed to SAVE YOU MONEY!
HELPFUL LINKS
Looking for something? Take a look at our list of useful links!
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Find all our communications and search for old e-newsletters. Take a look!
NEWS AROUND THE STATE ARCHIVE
Need to catch up on events? Want to see what's going on? Find out here!
KNOW YOUR TERRITORY MANAGER!
Henry Darden: Territory Manager for Middlesex, Union, Part of Essex (Southern Half)
Cell: 908-247-2992
Email: henry@njgca.org
Jack Leli: Territory Manager for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem
Cell: 732-995-1637
Email: jack@njgca.org
Bob Quirk: Territory Manager for Bergen, Hudson, Part of Essex (Northern Half)
Cell: 201-214-8836
E-mail: bob@njgca.org
Frank Stewart: Territory Manager for Morris, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Passaic
Cell: 973-234-7403
Email: frank@njgca.org
Don Stohrer: Territory Manager for Monmouth, Mercer, Somerset
Cell: 732-539-2955
Email: don@njgca.org
ATTENTION SHOP OWNERS: NU-PATH LOGIC TRAINING
Same-day, Full-Service Emission Repair Guarantee using Nu-Path Logic®”
Let PH2 Solutions, Inc. help you build your business and sharpen your competitive edge with a “Same-day, Full-service Emission Repair Guarantee.”
Join us on Wednesday, October 21st, 6:30 p.m. NJGCA office, located at 66 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ, where we will be demonstrating one of the most innovative diagnostic products in the industry called Nu-Path Logic®. There is no technology like Nu-Path and no current diagnostic tool that takes the same approach to emission readiness and diagnostics. At the training, we will show you how Nu-Path's technology and time-saving functions create new business opportunities for its owners.
Contact Gloria at 973-902-5517 to confirm your attendance. We look forward to seeing you there.
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.
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 the shoulders of a few. This is not fair to them, and it is not fair to many of you who are relying on the benefits of good legislation being passed in Trenton.
To truly understand the importance of fundraising for our allies, let’s look back upon the overwhelming successes of the last year:
NJGCA successfully lobbied against BELOW COST SELLING. If approved, BELOW COST SELLING would have cost each of you thousands of dollars and put many of you out of businesses. NJGCA leaned on some of our friends in the Assembly and literally had the bill pulled off the floor on the day it was scheduled to be voted on. Our friends in the Legislature helped us get this accomplished.
NJGCA made history and led the charge to pass the most comprehensive protection of franchisees in decades with FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL legislation. FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL passed only because NJGCA and dealers throughout the state were able to lean on several friends in the Assembly and the Senate.
NJGCA has been rallying support for RIGHT TO REPAIR over the last two years among key legislators. This would end the practice of car manufacturers denying you the codes necessary to complete the repairs you make on your customers cars. Every state has tried to pass RIGHT TO REPAIR and no state has even been able to get the legislation out of committee. Because of our friends in the Legislature, NJGCA has been successful in getting this bill passed by the Assembly and now awaits a vote in the Senate.
I am asking some of you as individuals to make a contribution and attend a fundraising event sponsored by one of our friends in the Assembly.
However, we will not be able to host events for all of our friends, so the NJGCA PAC will have to make contributions. You will be receiving letters soon from the NJGCA PAC asking you to make contributions.
If every member contributes just $100.00 we will be able to provide the help necessary to ensure victory for our allies.
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.
UPDATE: NEW PIF CLASSES ADDED!!
Due to overwhelming demand, NJGCA has added additional classes in November and December. As you know, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has recently sent out a VID message to all Private Inspection Stations in state.
All currently licensed Inspectors must complete an Inspector refresher course and pass a general knowledge exam with a grade of 80% or better to remain in the program. If any test-taker answers 11 questions wrong, they will automatically fail. A hands-on test for licensed Inspectors will not be required.
Inspectors will have until December 31, 2009 to take and pass the test.
Current Licensed Emission Inspectors only need the “Re-Fresher Course” and the “Written Exam”. New Emission Inspectors will be given a “Hands On” test separately at your place of employment by the State of New Jersey.
NJGCA will be offering refresher courses at the following two locations. Classes will take place over five evenings and one afternoon:
NJGCA Headquarters
66 Morris Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07087
November: 3, 5, 10, 12, 17 and 19th
NJGCA Headquarters
66 Morris Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07087
December: 1, 3, 8, 10 15 and 17th
NJGCA Members Cost - $349.00
Non-Members Cost - $489.00
Manuals are included in the prices above and payment is due upon registration. All classes are 6:45 pm to 10:00 pm; the “Written Exam” will be given on the last day at 12:00pm at NJGCA Headquarters in Springfield, NJ.
If you are interested, please contact our office to enroll in a class.
Please contact Debbie Hill at 973-376-0066 with any questions.
BUSINESS TOOLS: Great Savings for NJGCA Members!
In a difficult economy, EVERYONE wants to SAVE as much as possible!
Luckily NJGCA has just what you need to save you a bundle!!
Take a look at the list below for some of our MBP products and services – And start saving TODAY!
•Garage Liability Insurance: Get great coverage and earn a dividend for qualified location. Also offering your employees discounts insurance products (home, auto, etc).
•Workmen's Compensation Coverage: Save 5-15% upfront AND year end dividends!
•Blue Cross/Blue Shield: Get excellent health insurance coverage at Association rates! Customize your healthcare and save even more!
•Credit Card Processing: Reduce your costs by 15-30% today! And best of all, you probably don't have to move or change processors!
•Commercial and Personal lending specialists
•Equipment and Acquisition Financing
•Collection Agency Services at discounted rates
•Credit Restoration Services
•Phone Service 20-30% lower than Verizon or AT&T
•Computer and Office Supplies
•Industry Specific Business Consulting
•Environmental Remediation, Testing and Consulting
•Pump and Tank Contractors to stay in state compliance
•Service Station Supply Contractors, include Bulk Oil
•Automotive Tools, Scanners, Shop Equipment, Lifts at great prices
•Coin Operated Air/Vacuum Machines - Installed Completely Free
AND BEST OF ALL: AN ADVOCATE IN TRENTON FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS AND LIVELIHOOD FOR $1.23 A DAY!
All Quotes are FREE - BUT ONLY NJGCA MEMBERS can partake in the Savings.
Call Phil Apruzzi at 973-376-0066 to get quotes on all these MBP services and start saving today!!
BUSINESS TOOLS: PH2 SOLUTIONS
Let Nu-Path Logic® diagnostic software ( www.ph2solutions.com ) help expand your emission repair business and add value to customers by offering their failed vehicle “same-day” diagnosis, repair and successful re-inspection service. Experience how Nu-Path: slashes the diagnostic time and effort your current tools require; accurately detects failures before Check Engine Lights appear; validates repairs with a quick automated 15 minute readiness drive cycle process. To schedule a demonstration and see if you’re eligible for a software trial, contact Gloria Cowart at: 973-902-5517.
NJ GREEN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR COUNCIL
NJGCA is participating in the NJ Green Automotive Repair Council along with AAA-NJ, the NJ Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR), and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.
The council's mission is to encourage NJ automotive repair facilities to adopt environmentally responsible business practices.
Through a certification program for dealership and independent automotive repair facilities, the council will also establish “green” repair standards. Those who are reviewed and qualify will receive certification. Stickers will also be given to those facilities to illustrate their participation in the program.
If you would like to participate in the program and fill out an application, please contact Debbie Hill at 973-376-0066. An application fee and annual review fee are applicable.
More facts about the program are available www.njgreenautorepair.org
NEWS AROUND THE STATE
10/14/2009:
Garden State unemployment rate rises
New Jersey’s unemployment rate rose in September to 9.8% from 9.6% in August. The last time the state’s unemployment rate was 9.8% was 32 years ago in April 1977.
10/13/2009:
Governor’s Race: Corzine would consider rising Gas Tax in 2nd Term
If a elected for a second term, Governor Corzine says he may raise the Gas Tax to tighten up a possible $8 billion budget deficit.
10/12/2009:
Can Right to Repair get passed with automakers under government control?
With the federal government controlling huge stakes in both General Motors and Chrysler Group, analysts ponder if Congress is likely to pass the latest version of a Right to Repair Act to help independent repair shots and consumers.
10/2/2009:
Governor’s Race: Daggett supports Gas Tax Hike
During the first Gubernatorial Debate, independent candidate Chris Daggett said he would consider raising New Jersey’s gas tax in order to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund used for roadway repairs and other projects.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES IN OUR “NEWS AROUND THE STATE” ARCHIVE
|
