October 23, 2009

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear NJGCA Member:

SPOTTING ISSUES: GAS, SODA & CIGARETTE TAXES + INSPECTION EQUIPMENT

Earlier this week, NJGCA sent out an Events & Announcements e-newsletter on the new inspection program, asking how many of you have NOT YET received your equipment from SGS.

Thank you to everyone who contacted me to say they have not yet received their shipment.

However, I neglected to ask if any members HAVE ALREADY received your equipment.

We are currently ‘building our case’ with MVC and Parson over their performance in executing the new inspection program.  If you HAVE NOT RECEIVED and have not emailed me, or HAVE RECEIVED your equipment, I need you to let me know ASAP.  I need as many details as possible before I confront the authorities.  If you haven’t done so already, please reach out to me immediately so I know how things stand.

The last few editioins of the Road Warrior have kept you well informed on the need to vote and hot button issues facing all small business owners in this year’s election.  This week we are expanding our coverage to inform you about a few subtle issues that are not being well reported by the press but WILL HAVE AN AFFECT on your establishment.

First and foremost, I am hearing rumors that the funding shortfall in the Transportation Trust Fund has become so dire, that a Gas Tax is nearly all but assured if Governor Corzine is re-elected.  However, if Chris Christie wins the election, I doubt the lame duck legislature will vote for a gas tax increase as they and Governor Corzine would rather saddle the new Governor with the burden of wrestling with the issue next year.

The bottom line here is that the Gas Tax is NOT off the table and WILL be considered in the months ahead.  YOU CANNOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN as it will hurt both motorists and your business.

That means YOUR voice MUST be heard.  Go to the NJGCA Legislative Action Center, find your Legislator contact information and tell them NOT TO SUPPORT a Gas Tax.  You can find your Legislator by clicking HERE

In September, NJGCA notified you that a new tax on beverages may be coming as a means to pay for any ‘health care reform’ that is currently being debated in Washington.  As we stated then, the idea behind this ‘Soda Tax’ is to force those who consume sugary and sweetened beverages to pay an excise tax which will subsidize a national healthcare system.

You can read more on our coverage of the Soda Tax by clicking HERE

It does not take much imagination to know that any such tax will have a negative affect on convenience stores and service stations which sell sodas and other sugary beverages.  It will drive down sales of those beverages and harm your small business.

NJGCA has joined a coalition of other concerned organization called “Americans Against Food Taxes”.  This coalition will fight to keep these ridiculous taxes from being enacted.  You can view the coalition web site by clicking HERE

Recently I sent a letter to Senator Menendez asking him to protect small business owners and vote against any Soda Tax. In my letter, I explained how this will hurt both consumers and the business community that depends on beverage sales. 

However, this is not enough.  I need YOU to contact both Senator Menendez and Senator Lautenberg and tell them to NOT SUPPORT such a tax in any healthcare reform bill.  You can find contact information on the NJGCA Legislative Action Center for Senator Menendez and Senator Lautenberg by clicking HERE and HERE respectively.

But that’s not all.  As convenience store and service station owners, tobacco products sales are a big part of your business.  Over the last few years, however, both high tobacco taxes and internet cigarette sales have harmed that volume and robbed you of profits.

While we continue to oppose any hike in the cigarette tax, we are working hard to stop internet tobacco sales.  Why?  Because when residents buy these products online from sources outside of New Jersey, they avoid paying taxes and save as much as $20 on every carton of cigarettes purchased.  That means that those consumers cheat both the state and your small business from cigarette sales.

To combat this phenomenon, NJGCA has joined the Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco and is supporting the federal Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009.  Commonly known as the PACT ACT, this bill would close the loopholes which permit the illegal sales of cigarettes – and harm your business.

The bill has already passed in the House of Representatives by a wide margin and is currently working its way through the US Senate.  Again, I ask you to contact Senator Menendez and Senator Lautenberg at the links above and ask them to SUPPORT the PACT ACT when it comes up for a floor vote.  CALL TODAY!

This week you should have started to receive the Voter Guide Edition of our On the Road publication.  We want you well educated on Election Day and Team NJGCA has worked hard to find out where the candidates stand on issues important to your small business.

If you have not received your Voter Guide, please click HERE to see our online version.

Please take the time to read the Voter Guide before Election Day.  Remember, Elections matter and small business owners have a HUGE stake in the outcome.

Lastly, I’d like to report that after Shell killed its deal to sell its New Jersey locations to a third party, each franchisee received a package this week asking them to bid on their location.  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
•Newark Liberty airport terminal to get updates
•New law says snow removal from cars is mandatory
•N.J. Budget shortfalls growing
•Automakers and researcher renew work on clean, alternative fuels


 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

10/22/2009:
Newark Liberty airport terminal to get updates
As one of the busiest airports on the east coast, Newark Liberty International Airport will build a new domestic departures hall in Terminal B.  The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, will implement the multi-million dollar improvement.

10/21/2009:
New law says snow removal from cars is mandatory
A new law signed by Governor Corzine would force motorists of commercial and non-commercial vehicles to remove snow from their vehicles before driving.  Lawmakers hope that the mandatory measure will help avoid ice and snow from dislodging while on roadways, a danger which has been linked to causing accidents.

10/19/2009:
N.J. Budget shortfalls growing
State officials announced that the state’s budget revenue shortfall for this quarter has risen to $190 million and is growing.  If he gap is maintained through the end of the current fiscal year, the shortfall will grow to $915 million. State authorities cited a fall in income, sales, and corporate taxes as a reason for the shortfall.

10/13/2009:
Automakers and researcher renew work on clean, alternative fuels
With alternative fuels like ethanol already available at gas pumps across the country, researchers are now pouring billions of dollars into biofuels and battery technology to solve tomorrow’s transportation needs.  With the memory of record high gasoline prices a recent memory, scientists are utilizing federal dollars in an attempt to lessen national fuel consumption.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES IN OUR “NEWS AROUND THE STATE” ARCHIVE