November 20, 2009

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear NJGCA Member:

THE PAST COMES BACK TO HAUNT US; REVISING THE INSPECTION SYSTEM.
Last Sunday the Governor Declared a State of Emergency in Six Counties.
Don’t promote “Excessive and Unjustified Price Increases”

On January 2, 2002, Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco signed into law Legislation that prohibits “excessive and unjustified price increases” during a Declared State of Emergency.   In simple terms if you live in Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Burlington, Ocean and Monmouth you CANNOT increase your MARGINS more than 10%.  This means if you are currently operating on a 10-cent margin you can only increase your margin by 1-cent from now until 30 days after the State of Emergency has been officially declared over.   Although I don't agree with the law, and I would have fought against its adoption had I been here back in 2002, I must advise you to comply with the law.

Back in 1979 during the gas shortage that gripped our nation, I was an Exxon dealer struggling with Department of Energy regulations that limited the profit margin of gasoline retailers nationwide.  I was not happy that the government was now dictating how much money I could make when I finally had an opportunity to do so.  I remember leading 150 tow trucks to blockade Route 17 in Rutherford and nearly getting myself arrested.

Although I have fond memories of the dumb things I did as a young owner of a gasoline station, I certainly would not advise any of you to do the same now.  Please comply with the law.  NO......I am not getting soft in my old age...... I am simply being realistic knowing that ignoring the law or behaving in a militant fashion will only get you fined heavily or thrown in jail.   Violation of this law is a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act and punishable with thousands of dollars in fines.   YES...of course you can pass on any increases that you receive in the cost of product.  You are only limited to increases in your profit margin.

Please call Chris at our office with any questions.

Over the last year, I have been quietly speaking to legislators asking for support for a new idea.  I wasn’t going to discuss anything with you until next spring, but circumstances change and I want to take advantage of events as they unfold.

For this reason, I’m taking this opportunity to tip you off on what we have been working on.

Currently, motorists have the choice of getting their car inspection at a MVC/Parsons-run CIF facility or visiting any PIF locations throughout New Jersey.  However, Team NJGCA has been meeting with Legislators to discuss moving all vehicle inspections and/or re-inspections to PIF facilities.

You didn’t misread that – We are advocating closing down all CIFs and moving all inspections to PIF locations run by small business owners like you! 

Why do this?  For one, the Parsons contract costs the state a lot of money and has been a disaster to operate.  Secondly, neighboring states like Pennsylvania and New York run a similar system with no difficulty. If it works for our neighbors, why should it not work for us?  The Parsons contract costs the State of New Jersey $56 million a year.  Eliminating the CIFs would free up desperately needed cash for the State Treasury.

I strongly believe that closing down the CIFs and moving all inspections to PIF locations is the right move to make.  It is better for the state, it is better for you, and it is far more convenient for the motorist.

However, this will be a battle with reluctant legislators, hard-headed state bureaucrats, and a resistant motoring public….not to mention that The State of NJ signed a contract with Parsons that still has 3 years remaining.

That’s where you come in. 

I have reason to believe that officials will attempt to eliminate safety inspections in the future.  This would leave only emission inspections, which is mandated by the federal government. However, we need to make sure that safety inspections continue as a matter of public policy.

I need 20 committed members who will keep a digital camera handy in their shops and take pictures of unsafe tires, horrendous brake conditions, poor steering problems, etc. on vehicles that are there for their required NJ State Inspection.  Then I will need those individuals to record the vehicle make/model/offense/date and send me everything so we can keep a running file.

Why do I need to this?  To build our case among Legislators and officials as to why we will always need to keep safety inspections to protect the public and other motorists.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email!

We have learned that the state has EXTENDED your New Jersey Emission Repair Technician (ERT) License Certifications until June 30th, 2010.  NJGCA is offering the ETEP course that your ERTs will need in order to re-certify their license. 

Classes will commence in January and will include the State Specific Information Course, ETEP Section 6 “OBDII Monitoring Failures” and Section 7 “Light-Duty Diesel Vehicle Technologies and Testing”. 

This is everything your technician needs to recertify his ERT license.

More information will become available in the weeks ahead, but we are signing up those who are interested now.  Please call Debbie Hill at NJGCA headquarters at (973)-376-0066 to enroll.

Finally, in our push to get Right to Repair passed in New Jersey, I recently sent out a Press Release highlighting the conclusion of an important study.  The results underline that New Jersey families can save nearly $300 a year if Right to Repair was made law.  Put another way, that’s over $860 million MORE in annual costs by going back to a dealership for service rather than patronize your shop.

Still sitting on the fence on this one?  You shouldn’t be.  Passing Right to Repair is good for motorists and small business owners. 

Take a look at the entire piece by clicking HERE

Thanks for listening - See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director 

 IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR                                    

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: AMERICAN EQUIPMENT FINANCE (AEF), LLC
•We can provide you with financing from $15,000 to $500,000 - SAVE WITH AEF!

NEWS AROUND THE STATE
•National mortgage delinquencies hits record high
•Non-government workers getting taxpayer funded pension benefits
•Christie transition team says state budget worse than expected
•Christie Pledges Fight on Taxes and Business Rules

 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


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
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.


AMERICAN EQUIPMENT FINANCE (AEF), LLC

AEF will work with you to finance used and new equipment for your Gas Station, C-Store & Car Wash. 

We can provide you with financing from $15,000 to $500,000. AEF has flexible terms from 12-84 months. AEF can assist you in the following areas: Underground Tanks-Construction-Excavation-Installation, Dispensers/Pumps, Canopies, CardSystems, Vapor Recovery Systems, Coffee Machines, Showcases Refrigeration, Signage, POS Systems, Tunnels, Vacuums, Water Systems, Polishing–In-Bay, and Self Serve.

American Equipment Finance will save your business time, money and taxes.

Our finance associates can help you select the right lease or finance structure for your company’s needs. Credit decisions are usually provided in 24 hours.

NJGCA Members ONLY discounts applied.

Contact Len Baccaro at (908) 542-9330 or email him at www.aefllc.com 

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

11/20/2009:
National mortgage delinquencies hits record high
More homeowners than ever are having trouble making their monthly mortgage payments, according to a new report.  Nearly 10% of all homeowners with a mortgage is at least one payment behind.  The number of delinquencies is affecting nearly 5 million households.

11/18/2009:
Non-government workers getting taxpayer funded pension benefits
Millions in taxpayer dollars are going to retirees of non-government organization, according to a recent report.  The associations are not part of the government, but were granted pension rights decades ago by the state Legislature.  With the pension system seriously under-funded, many taxpayer advocates are calling for an end to the $7million in pension benefits being allocated to roughly 107 non-government employees. 

11/16/2009:
Christie transition team says state budget worse than expected
After meeting with top State Treasury officials, Governor-elect Christie and his transition team found state finances were worse than expected.  Budget experts peg next year’s budget shortfall at over $8 billion, while the current fiscal year budget are falling from earlier projections.

11/5/2009:
Christie Pledges Fight on Taxes and Business Rules
Soon after his victory on election night, Governor-elect Chris Christie has pledged to cut business regulations and lower property taxes as a way to help businesses and residents. To do this, Christie is seeking a stricter cap on local municipal spending and create a more business friendly environment in the state.

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