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January 24, 2019

Dear NJGCA Member:

Thank you for reading this week's NJGCA Road Warrior!

Here is what you will find in this edition:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:

• Minimum Wage Update; Reminder: Take Advantage of Oil Dri Promotion; January PIF Training Postponed; NJDEP Compliance Calendar Out Now; Reminder: Visually Inspect the Gas Cap

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS
- Mercer County: Gas Station for Sale
- Monmouth County: Gas Station and Repair Shop Business Since 2001

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

• Minimum Wage Hike Should Let Us Pump Our Own Gas
• Sweeney Asks Lesniak To Challenge Justice Department’s Opinion On Non-sports Gaming
• The Challenges Ahead For Wireless Charging For Electric AVs
• N.J. Tax Scofflaws Coughed Up At Least $200M During Amnesty
• California’s Crusade Against Receipts Is Pointless
• Tesla Renews Lobbying Efforts To Open More Retail Stores In New Jersey
• N.J. Minimum Wage To Rise To $15 An Hour As Murphy, Top Dems Strike Deal

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!

??????• EMISSIONS INSPECTOR TRAINING CLASS: THURSDAY, February 28th, March TBD.
??????• ENTIRE EMISSION REPAIR TECHNICIAN PROGRAM: Coming Soon in February/March
??????• RECERTIFICATION EMISSION REPAIR TECHNICIAN PROGRAM: Coming Soon in February/March

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD
• The Amato Agency: Garage Insurance and Workers Compensation!
• ATS Environmental: Confidence in your Tank & Compliance Testing
• Bellomo Fuel: Exceptional Service, Aggressive Petroleum Marketing
• CBIZ Insurance: Our Business is Growing Yours!
• Gill Energy: Getting you There!
• Lending Capital: "Commercial Loans Made Easy" Program
• Salomone Brothers: Tank Testing and Environmental Compliance
• TMP Energy Solutions: Another Way to Save On Your Energy Bills

POLITICAL PARTICIPATON: THE NJGCA PAC
• Participate in the NJGCA PAC today and help us keep our Agenda rolling in Trenton!

Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:

MINIMUM WAGE UPDATE
REMINDER: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OIL DRI PROMOTION
JANUARY PIF TRAINING POSTPONED
NJDEP COMPLIANCE CALENDAR OUT NOW
REMINDER: VISUALLY INSPECT THE GAS CAP

MINIMUM WAGE UPDATE

At the time that I’m writing this, I am preparing to testify in front of the Assembly Labor Committee against raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. We learned late last week that this was on the committees agenda for Thursday, and we do not have results yet. I can tell you however, that I do expect that regardless of a strenuous opposition campaign by NJGCA and the other organizations in our coalition, that this will pass through the committee. We had a great response from NJGCA members to the Action Alert that has been sent out twice asking you to contact your legislators. Thank you! This is just the first step in the process, there will be more committees that will hold more hearings, and we will need you to do it again. The Senate announced yesterday that there will be a hearing in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee at noon on Monday. It is likely that both chambers will vote on this next Thursday, January 31st. Governor Murphy has said he will sign the legislation soon afterwards, perhaps even that day. The first increase will hit July 1 when the minimum wage will go to $10 per hour, if this all passes as we expect it will. Now there is a national effort to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, expect this to be a huge issue in the next presidential campaign. For more information on New Jersey’s law and national laws, see the news articles below:

NJ’s Top Democrats Aiming For Minimum Wage Vote By End Of January
Democrats Introduce $15 Per Hour Wage Bill

OIL DRI

Last week we sent an email out on the Oil Dri spill kit promotion, I am following up because this is important. Having these kits made available through Oil Dri and the vendors that we indicated in the email is going to help you with NJDEP and OSHA in your shops and your convenience stores. Please take advantage of this very special promotion with Oil Dri!

JANUARY PIF TRAINING POSTPONED

We have decided to postpone January’s PIF class to February. Our next PIF class date will be February 28th. Please call the office if you are still interested in taking the class.

NJDEP 2019 COMPLIANCE CALENDAR OUT NOW

Several members have contacted us to ask if it was still required to complete the Compliance Calendars. The answer is YES. NJDEP released their 2019 update to the compliance calendar this month. We have posted the NJDEP Compliance Calendar to our website for your convenience. This should be used in conjunction with the NJDEP Operation and Maintenance Walkthrough Inspection Checklist, which should have been completed beginning October 13^th, 2018 and every 30 days thereafter. Both of those documents can be found by clicking HERE, or visiting our website and clicking the NJDEP Compliance Calendar image in the scrolling banner.

REMINDER: VISUALLY INSPECT THE GAS CAP

For those of you who own and/or operate a service station with a private inspection facility – Please take a moment and read this message – and share it with all of your employee’s that perform New Jersey Emissions Inspections at your location:

Debbie has had a couple hearings at NJMVC for NJ Emission inspectors failing to visually inspect the gas cap. I thought I would send a reminder to our members, there are covert vehicles out there that NJMVC are using. They bring a vehicle to your location that is “missing the gas cap.” The vehicle is set up that it will not fail an OBD plug in. However, the missing gas cap is part of the “visual inspection which is to be performed.” You must visually inspect the gas cap during your inspection and fail the vehicle for the “missing gas cap,” or you will be written up for failing to perform the inspection properly. Even if the vehicle fails for the “missing check engine light,” you must fail the vehicle for both items and make sure you include it on the VIR report what the vehicle failed for in the explanation section.

The original VID message was sent to you from NJMVC on May 1, 2016. You still have the VID message in your database of VID messages from NJMVC. Please print the VID messages and put them in a binder. Make sure all of your employees that perform inspections in your facility have read and signed off on each of the VID messages that they have read the message and understand it. The VID message from May 1, 2016 ended the tailpipe testing, and changed the gas cap test to a “visual test of the gas cap.” Please review the May 1, 2016 message.

The VID Message from NJMVC on July 9^th, 2018: This message was a reminder of the “visual gas cap inspection.” This message again reviews the changes to the NJMVC Inspection Program. NJMVC is using the information in this VID message to “catch you” and your employees! When NJMVC catches you and uses you as an example – they want to apply hefty penalties of $500.00, suspend your inspection license for two weeks, make your take a re-training course, and charge you $100.00 to restore your license. You can avoid this simply by performing the inspection properly!

That's all for this week-

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

TRAINING CLASSES
All classes held at NJGCA HQ -- 4900 Route 33 West, Wall Township, NJ 07753

Emissions Inspector Training Class - One Day Only!
THURSDAY, February 28th, 2019 -- 7 AM to 3 PM
OR
March TBD -- 7 AM to 3 PM

Want one of your technicians to become a NJ Emissions Inspector? We can help! Our one-day class will provide all the information for becoming a NJ Emissions Inspector, and the State will administer the written test the very same day at our offices! We are offering the class: Monday, January 28th, Thursday, February 28th, and Tuesday, March 26th from 7:00am to 3:00pm. Cost is $275 for members. Click HERE for the February registration form. March date coming soon.

Want to become an emission repair technician/facility?
Entire Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP) Training Classes
Sections 1-7
1 PM to 9 PM
February through March: Exact dates coming soon!

Sections 8, 9, 10 (RECERTIFICATION)
1 PM to 9 PM
February through March: Exact dates coming soon!

Stop turning away work!

The New Jersey Inspection Program requires vehicles that fail emissions inspection to go to a Licensed Certified Emission Repair Facility and have a Licensed Emission Repair Technician perform the repairs! When the new Emissions Inspection program begins, a list of Certified Emission Repair Facilities will be given to the vehicle owners who fail the New Jersey Emission Inspection. If you want your business name on the list – make sure you have a Certified Licensed Emission Repair Technician and you are licensed as a Emission Repair Facility! Those signing up for the FULL training course will attend sections 1-10. Full ETEP class fees for members are $2,195 and non-members are $2,395. Recertification fees for members are $729 and non-members are $879.

FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 732-256-9646 or DEBBIE@NJGCA.ORG TO LET HER KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING A SPECIFIC CLASS. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO GAUGE YOUR NEEDS AND KEEP TRACK OF THOSE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE!

CLASSIFIEDS -- FOR SALE & HELP WANTED ADS

NEW!
FOR SALE:
GAS STATION FOR SALE
EWING NEW JERSEY
OWNER RETIRING
CALL: 609-882-1105

FOR SALE:

Business For Sale: Monmouth County gas station and repair shop in business since 2001 is for sale. Owner is relocating out of state and is interested in selling business and equipment. Owner is open to limited financing. Business has a strong 10 year lease. The building has two repair bays and the gas pumps are leased to a large independent tenant. Repair shop business currently employs a Manager and two full-time Technicians. For inquiries and more info, please call Mark at 908-670-7798.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

1/21/19
Minimum Wage Hike Should Let Us Pump Our Own Gas
Now that we're getting a minimum wage hike in New Jersey, business owners will be faced with either raising prices or letting people go. You'll probably be seeing more self serve and self checkout counters at the local stores. One place you cannot see it though is at that gas station and it's not fair. . . Now you're telling the gas station owners, who are not making the money you think they are, that they have no choice but to double the salary of their workers.

1/21/19
Sweeney Asks Lesniak To Challenge Justice Department’s Opinion On Non-sports Gaming
Senate President Steve Sweeney has asked former Senator Raymond Lesniak to prepare a response asking the Justice Department to reconsider its reversal of its prior opinion of whether the Wire Act applies to non-sports gambling. The new opinion threatens the success enjoyed by New Jersey casinos, the jobs and state revenue created from online gaming and could have a negative impact on sports betting at New Jersey’s casinos and racetracks. Online gaming generated nearly $300 million in 2018 revenue, helping catapult Atlantic City to its best year-over-year gain in total gaming revenue since 1983.

1/18/19
The Challenges Ahead For Wireless Charging For Electric AVs
Newly introduced electric vehicles are capable of charging wirelessly rather than tethered to a power cable, a technology that could one day help autonomous EVs stay running around the clock. The ability to charge whenever they have a chance — through wireless charging source pads embedded in roadways and parking spots — would make AVs more efficient because they would never have to be taken out of operation for refueling.

1/18/19
N.J. Tax Scofflaws Coughed Up At Least $200M During Amnesty
New Jersey’s delinquent taxpayers coughed up at least $200 million during the state’s months-long tax amnesty program that wrapped up this week, treasury officials said Thursday. The state received more than 50,000 inquiries from people looking to settle up with the state and potentially have their penalties waived and interest payment cut in half. . .Anyone who didn’t take this opportunity to settle up — and it would have been hard to miss the state’s $4.78 million marketing blitz — will incur another 5 percent penalty, in addition to whatever penalties and interest have already accrued.

1/18/19
California’s Crusade Against Receipts Is Pointless
In 2016, the state enacted a limited plastic-bag ban. This year, a new law forbids most restaurants from distributing plastic straws unless requested by a customer. Next up? A San Francisco lawmaker has introduced legislation to ban paper receipts unless a customer specifically asks for one. If adopted, proponents argue, the environmental and health benefits will be significant. In reality, the “Skip the Slip” measure would have almost no impact on either.

1/17/19
Tesla Renews Lobbying Efforts To Open More Retail Stores In New Jersey
Tesla, the California-based electric carmaker, is revving up its lobbying efforts in New Jersey to open new retail store locations, arguing that additional brick-and-mortar presence aligns with the clean energy goals of the Murphy administration. A 2015 law signed by former Gov. Chris Christie only allows Tesla to operate four direct-sale stores in the entire state. With new leadership in Trenton, the company is pushing lawmakers to consider legislation that would increase Tesla’s dealership cap.

1/17/19
N.J. Minimum Wage To Rise To $15 An Hour As Murphy, Top Dems Strike Deal
New Jersey’s Democratic governor and legislative leaders have reached a highly anticipated agreement to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour for most workers by 2024. Under the deal, many workers would see their wages rise gradually to a $15 an hour, though some, including those employed by small businesses with five or fewer employees, will have to wait longer. . . Seasonal workers and small business employees won’t reach $15 an hour until 2026. Farm workers will hit $12.50 in 2024, after which it would be left up to state officials in the executive branch whether to keep going to $15 an hour by 2027.

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD:

TMP Energy Solutions

Another Way to Save on Your Energy Bills

We have had a number of NJGCA members successfully reduce their rate per kWh signing up through our energy saving program. We know it's difficult to collect 12 months worth of previous electric bills to get an "accurate" analysis when comparing a variable rate to a fixed rate, but we now have another option available.

This new solution is a power purchase option; the other program is still in full force and has saved members thousands of dollars. If you sign up for the power purchase option, you will be grouped with other NJGCA members until the minimum kW demand is acquired. By pooling the member's usage together, you will be able to take advantage, as large energy users do, and receive a lower kWh rate.

Each member will receive their own contract. Each member is responsible to sign and return the agreement the day it is received in order to secure the price for their group. Please do your due diligence, so when you receive the proposal and the agreement you will be able to make an intelligent decision.

If by chance, you still want us to assess you bills, to give you a price to compare, we will require 12 months of your most recent utility bills. There are no bills required, but we would still like to have one bill per meter on file to check account #'s, meter #'s service addresses and other pertinent information incase there is a problem.

The term of the agreement is for 12 months. During this term period, you will have price protection against any energy price increases along with a low fixed kWh rate.

If you are interested in becoming part of this power purchase option, please contact Greg Cannon at the NJGCA.

Remember when you sign up your energy through the NJGCA Energy Program, TMP makes a considerable donation to the NJGCA Scholarship Fund through their proceeds. This has no affect on your rate, and costs you nothing out of pocket.

We hope to help hundreds of NJGCA members reduce their utility costs by participating in this and our other cost reduction programs. Our purpose, in the endeavor, is to help NJGCA members lower their energy costs while supporting the NJGCA Scholarship Fund.

Contact GREG CANNON at 732-256-9646 or email Greg at greg@njgca.org. Mention that you are interested in saving money on your energy bills. NJGCA & TMP Energy Solutions will handle all the rest.

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: THE NJGCA PAC

DEFENDING OUR MEMBERS.
PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS.
ANSWER THE CALL & CONTRIBUTE TODAY!!

Promoting our agenda in Trenton is of utmost importance to NJGCA and our members.

However, in order to truly affect the debate, we must ensure our friends in the Legislature are re-elected. 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 a few. This is not only unfair to those few members who have shouldered this burden, but means we are not utilizing our full strength to affect the debate in Trenton.

To truly understand the importance of supporting our allies, consider our successes in Trenton:

We defeated BELOW COST SELLING
We made history in getting FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL signed into law!
We have built large support for RIGHT TO REPAIR and got it passed out of the Assembly
We defended your small business against the false accusations of Attorney General Anne Milgram
We gained wide support to move New Jersey to an all PIF Inspection System and close the CIF lanes
...and MUCH MORE!!

In each instance, we achieved these goals with the help of our friends in the Legislature!

If every member contributes just $100.00 we will be able to provide the help necessary to ensure victory for our allies.

PLEASE SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO:
NJGCA PAC
4900 Route 33 West, Suite 100
Wall Township, NJ 07753
Please make your donation payable to NJGCA PAC

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.

Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior. Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.