April 4, 2014

Dear NJGCA Member:

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

STATUS AND FUTURE OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS
FIGHTING FOR LOWER CREDIT CARD FEES
PLEASE DO YOUR PART

There was a period of time in which I wrote often about Motor Vehicle Inspections and how the program should change. There was a big uproar a few years ago when we lost safety inspections, and I know many of you are saying that we need to bring them back. I agree, and believe it or not, there are some legislators that agree. However, the Governor doesn't, and I don't foresee him changing his mind. Furthermore, unless 5,000 of you want to show up in Trenton each week for a protest on the steps of the Statehouse, I have no idea how to get the Governor to reconsider his position.

As you know, the State's contract with Parsons expires in 2016, so they have been forced to put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new system and a new vendor, and hopefully an entirely revamped system. I remain hopeful that, as a result of a new program, Central Inspection Facilities (CIFs) may close in the near future, and all inspections can be performed in your shops. This would put an additional 2 million cars into private shops every year. Why am I optimistic? Because closing CIFs will save the State of New Jersey about $30 million badly-needed dollars. This will also leave about 100 very valuable pieces of commercial real estate that the state can sell for hundreds of millions of dollars. Also, this proposal was recommended by the Privatization Task Force, and I know that Governor Christie supports it. However, there are some legislators that are cool, at best, to the idea of requiring 2 million motorists to pay PIFs for an inspection.

In recent months, we have been involved in discussions about the Request for Proposal (RFP) that MVC will be sending out later this summer. The RFP process will allow Parsons and other competitors to submit bids and proposals for the next MVC contract, which will be awarded by May of 2015, and is scheduled to begin in May of 2016.

I am putting together a committee of members that will help me influence and determine what we want in the next inspection program. If you would like to serve on this committee, please contact me ASAP. I will be asked to submit comments to MVC for them to consider including in the upcoming RFP.

Now, I want to back up for a moment and revisit my desire to privatize the system entirely. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not favor an all-private system in New Jersey, like the ones that exist in some of our neighboring states. New Jersey has its own unique corridor of air pollution, and the Feds believe that an all-private system will result in more opportunities to cheat, and therefore will lead to many more cars on the road polluting the air. For those of you who conduct your business honestly, your reaction is understandably that this is dumb and doesn't make any sense. I would tend to agree, except that my experience here at NJGCA tells me that the Feds are not necessarily wrong.

I have mentioned this before, but we continually find ourselves having to accompany members to Trenton for hearings to negotiate penalties and suspensions because of the fraudulent and dishonest things that are done in their shops. It is one of the most disappointing and frustrating aspects of my job. In recent weeks, we have actually had to defend shop owners who have been fined over $100,000 and had their licenses revoked because they have passed more than 40 cars fraudulently and affixed valid stickers to their windshields. I just don't have the solution to this problem, and I can never respond to this argument when it is thrown in my face. There will be more on motor vehicle issues in the upcoming weeks.

Now, I need to discuss an area that affects each and every one of you -- the high cost of credit card fees. As you know, NJGCA has formed a coalition with other small-business trade associations, which includes the NJ Fuel Merchants, NJ Retail Merchants, and the NJ Food Council. Our coalition is determined to pass legislation to create competition between the banks that issue Visa and MasterCard and virtually dictate their interchange fees. We believe that the banks are actually guilty of price-fixing.

Presently, there is competition between those who process credit cards, and many of you are already aware of that, because NJGCA has an agreement with FirstData and has negotiated very favorable processing rates for our members. However, processors add their fee on top of the interchange fee that is charged by the banks so only part of what you are in paying credit card fees has competition and can be negotiated. Because we believe that the banks are involved in price-fixing, we plan to lead the fight amongst business organizations, with our coalition partners, to change the way banks set their fees. I will provide more details in future emails, but be prepared; I am going to ask you to contact legislators. Trust me, the banks hire powerful lobbyists and obviously have big money to invest in opposing us. This is going to be a David versus Goliath, but sometimes that works in our favor, and we all know how David and Goliath ended. Besides, we expect to have consumer groups on our side, and it is worth a fight.

Finally, on the subject of contacting legislators -- we recently sent a number of action alerts that made it very easy for you to send an email to your legislators. Though I'm very happy that many of you have responded to our requests (and I really want to thank you), for those of you reading this who did not, I must share that I am extremely disappointed. I have worked hard to provide you with the tools to make it easier for you to get involved, and to help us, help you. Once again, I’m appealing to you -- please respond whenever I send an action alert or a survey. You will only need to take 5 minutes to complete the actions that I have requested.

Thanks for reading -- See you next week!

Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

Do you have a business for sale? Are you looking for a new location or opportunity?

NJGCA also helps members sell equipment by placing advertisements in the Road Warrior!

If you'd like to list your business for sale, publish a location you're selling, or are seeking a business partner for your establishment, please contact NJGCA at 973-376-0066!

04/04/2014:
ACA Reforms Take Small Businesses, Owner-Only Firms into Unfamiliar Territory
ObamaCare is bringing an unpleasant surprise for thousands of mom-and-pop shops, small law firms, technology startups and other owner-operated firms in New Jersey. For years, owners of companies with no other employees could buy insurance in the small-group market and benefit from a wide selection of plans, less-expensive drug coverage, and other advantages compared to the individual health insurance market. But in December, NJ changed its small-group insurance regulations to match the Affordable Care Act, which defines businesses as having at least one employee who is not an owner or the spouse of an owner. That excludes both husband-and-wife teams and partnerships with multiple members but no other staff. As those firms’ health-insurance policies expire this year, instead of being allowed to renew their plans or buy another small-group plan, they are being directed to research their options on the individual marketplace at Healthcare.gov. However, NJGCA members can avoid this fate by calling Association Master Trust, who is still able to insure these types of businesses. Call today at 973-379-1090.

04/04/2014:
Christie's proposed e-cig tax is for public health, state treasurer says
According to State Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff, Governor Christie’s administration wants to increase taxes on electronic cigarettes for the sake of the public’s health. Christie’s budget anticipates $35 million in revenue by applying the $2.70 per pack regular state tax on cigarettes to the electronic cigarettes, which deliver nicotine in the form of water vapor. Users of the products have flooded recent Senate and Assembly budget committee meetings to oppose the tax. Because e-cigarettes are relatively new products, there are no reliable scientific studies on whether they carry any health risks. E-cigarette users and manufacturers have flooded recent Assembly and Senate meetings to speak out against the tax. The Christie administration, meanwhile, has been sharply criticized by health advocates for slashing the state's anti-tobacco programs four years ago.

04/04/2014
Tesla Fights New Jersey Ban on Direct Car Sales in Court
Tesla appealed NJ’s ban on direct auto sales, arguing that the decision thwarts the carmaker’s mission of providing sustainable transportation and unfairly favors entrenched franchise dealers. The action came as Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive officer and co-founder, fights with car dealer groups across the U.S. to let Tesla sell directly to consumers from company stores. Tesla challenged a direct-sales ban imposed by a NJ commission in state Superior Court, according to documents made available by the company. The filing couldn’t immediately be verified in court records. Restrictions by US states on how Tesla sells its battery-powered Model S, priced from $71,000, would slow Musk’s plan to shift his company from a niche maker of battery-powered luxury cars to an automotive powerhouse. Tesla’s fight with dealers has increased scrutiny of U.S. auto franchise rules that go back 80 years.

TRAINING CLASSES!!
-ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT NJGCA HEADQUARTERS-
66 Morris Avenue - Springfield, NJ 07081 (Union County)

In order to be licensed as a Motor Vehicle Emission Inspector, you must complete this course and pass a "Written Exam" given by the State of New Jersey. NJGCA offers this training in a ONE DAY State approved training program that will provide an understanding of inspection related issues including EPA Regulations, Safety, Diesel, Customer Service and the New Jersey State Specific Curriculum. This specially tailored NJGCA course fulfills all requirements.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

CLASS DETAILS:

Class Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Class Location: NJGCA Headquarters, located at 66 Morris Avenue - Springfield, NJ 07081
Arrival Time: 7:00am
Lunch Break: 12:00pm (Pizza and soda will be served)
NJMVC Test: 1:00pm

CLASS FEES:

NJGCA Members: $250.00
Non-members: $300.00

Manuals are included and payment is due upon registration. All credit cards are accepted.

License Fee: Bring a $50.00 check made payable to NJMVC to satisfy the State's licensing fee.

PLEASE NOTE: If you live out of state, you must bring 6 points of ID with you, such as a license, passport, healthcare card, utility bill, etc.

FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT DEBBIE at 973-376-0066 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!!

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 require12 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 973-376-0066 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 PARTICIPATON: 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
66 Morris Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07081
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.

THE MEMBER TOOL BOX

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