CORRECTED LINK TO TESTIMONY... PLEASE LISTEN!
TRENTON WAGES ALL OUT ASSAULT ON SMALL EMPLOYERS
POSSIBLE APPEAL OF NEW INSPECTION PROGRAM CONTRACTOR
CANCEL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT ON TAILPIPE EQUIPMENT!
SUCCESSFUL DINER TOUR IN TURNERSVILLE YESTERDAY

Late last week, I learned that the Senate Labor Committee would be discussing yet another anti-employer piece of legislation.  Basically, disgruntled employees or former employees who feel they weren't paid the proper wages or overtime, or who don't get paid at all for some unforeseen reason (if you run out of cash), will have the ability to file criminal charges against you in local municipal court. This is absolutely ludicrous especially since there are already plenty of penalties in place by both the USDOL and the NJDOL that make it very rough for you if an audit reveals that you did not pay an employee properly.  Adding the potential for criminal charges is just nuts, and I went to testify before the Senate Labor Committee to tell them just that.  Keep in mind I am not talking about the state filing criminal charges; I am talking about your employees filing criminal charges. I'm absolutely sick and tired of this war on employers…..as if you are bad people!  You can listen to the testimony that I gave HERE.
 
Besides the criminal charges, there is a provision in the bill that would revoke all government licenses held by your business.  This means a Motor Fuels License, a PIF/ERF license, Lottery Agent's License, or a License to sell tobacco.  All of these licenses would be subject to forfeiture if Senator Weinberg's legislation passes. A few small infractions could put you out of business!
 
Although it has been very quiet publicly, I have been receiving a lot of back channel information. I've been aware for the last three weeks that one of the bidders received a letter of intent to award the contract for the New Emissions Inspection Program, and I have already had discussions with that contractor.  I have also been told that another of the bidders is planning to appeal that award and the state is now re-evaluating whether the contractor that they preliminarily selected is indeed able to perform.  Yes, I'm aware of which bidder "won" the preliminary award for the contract, and which bidder will likely be filing the protest.
 
I've taken the official step of filing an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request with the Office of the Treasurer to obtain all of the bid information. Once I receive that information, I'll be able to share it with you, and together with your comments and input from volunteers on NJGCA's Inspection Committee, we'll be able to assess which of the contractors we prefer to be awarded the final contract.  Even though we are not legally permitted to weigh in to influence the decision, I certainly will try to weigh in!  They may not accept my phone calls, but will they not open a certified letter sent by me?
 
For those of you who have not yet called SGS to cancel the maintenance on your tailpipe test equipment, I strongly suggest that you call NOW to cancel it for July.  It is already too late to cancel the maintenance contract for the tail pipe equipment for June. At the very least you will save $105. Even if you cancel the maintenance on your tail pipe equipment, you will still be able to perform re-inspections and diagnostic testing until August 1. On August 1, SGS will be turning off the tailpipe test equipment, and of course, you will no longer have a maintenance fee on that equipment. I will continue to keep you updated regarding all of the happenings on this front. SAVE THE $105 AND TAKE YOUR SPOUSE TO DINNER!
 
Finally, we had a great breakfast meeting yesterday in Turnersville. With all of the changes and so much in flux in Trenton and in the industry, it is nice to be able to discuss things face to face with my members. There was a great dialogue between members and I feel like confusion was cleared up and members left the meeting with a renewed sense of what is going on and what they need to do to protect themselves and their businesses. I have great respect for each of you as it has never been easy to prosper in this business…..but yet you each persevere and somehow get through the difficulties.  I truly value these events, and I would be out on the road everyday interacting with members if I could.  However, I can’t afford to take my eye off of the battle for even one second... if I could, I would be bothering you at your place of business.  Please see some pictures from the event below!

A great group in Turnersville.  Thanks to everyone for joining!




Mike Passarella of Passarella's Sunoco wins a case of Gulf-Tec oil from MBP and sponsor Hough Petroleum.



 Steve Multani of Laurel Springs Citgo wins the $50 American Express gift card!

Thanks for reading -- See you all next week!

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

06/08/2016:
Oil hits new highs as disruptions continue
For the first time in 2016, the price of a barrel of oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange has risen above $50. According to The Wall Street Journal, crude oil contracts slated for July delivery rose 33 cents in just a day of trading to reach $50.02.  In London, the center of global oil benchmark Brent crude, prices rose 36 cents to reach $50.91 in Europe's futures market. At that pace, both American and British products should reach the highest point of 2016 so far. After a tough year in which the price of crude oil dipped to its lowest point in 13 years, this price recovery is great news for oil traders and investors. However, as with anything else in the finance world, there are winners and losers. Right now, oil production firms in some major exporting countries are grappling with stubborn supply issues which could pose a threat to market stability down the road. Among the most compelling stories relating to oil supply constraints comes out of Nigeria, which was until very recently the largest oil exporter in all of Africa. While the sub-Saharan nation has seen a great deal of wealth flow from its oil fields, its problems with militant groups are a well-publicized thorn in their side. Many westerners have likely heard of Boko Haram, a radical Muslim group that has terrorized parts of northeast Nigeria for several years. Lately, a new threat has begun attacking the nation's economic lifeblood.

06/08/2016:
Battling California’s C-Store Tobacco Ban
The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) is engaging its retail members to oppose California Senate Bill 1400, which would ban the sale of tobacco products in all convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, gas stations and drug stores starting Jan. 1, 2019. This is a first-of-its-kind prohibition bill that would only allow tobacco product sales in retail stores that generate more than 60% of gross revenue from the sale of tobacco and tobacco accessories. The most directly affected retailers will be the 11,540 convenience stores that operate in California, many being independent, family-owned businesses. According to the NACS, cigarettes and tobacco products account for 37.4% of in-store sales in a convenience store. There is no alternative product line to replace an immediate elimination of all tobacco product sales. In a bill summary for SB 1400 issued by the California Office of Senate Floor Analyses, a claim is made that since “there are no age restrictions on entering a gas station or grocery store … tobacco products sold in these stores are visible and easily available for minors to purchase.” This claim is inaccurate and false. Retailers are responsible business people that go to great lengths to prevent the sale of tobacco to underage youth. Retailers are not in the business of selling tobacco products to underage youth and to suggest otherwise is untrue and unfair.
 
06/07/2016:
Fortune 500: C-Store Countdown
Convenience-store companies and oil company brands peppered the rankings of publicly traded companies in this year’s Fortune 500. Many are listed among CSP’s Top 101 Convenience Stores. This year’s Fortune 500 marks the 62nd edition of the list of companies. In total, Fortune 500 companies represent two-thirds of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), with $12 trillion in revenues, $840 billion in profits and $17 trillion in market value, and which employ 27.9 million people worldwide. Companies are ranked by total revenues for their respective fiscal years. Click here for the a countdown of the convenience and retail gasoline industry-related companies appearing on the 2016 Fortune 500 list.