RENEWED EFFORTS TO RAISE TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE TO 21
EXCESSIVE TAX LEVIED ON SODA AND SUGARY DRINKS IN PA … COMING SOON TO NJ?
UPDATES: 2017 COMPLIANCE CALENDAR, NJGCA DINER TOUR IN WAYNE, NJGCA AND DEP HOST EXCLUSIVE UST COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CLASS

It’s a New Year, but many of the same crappy proposals from years past continue to haunt us. First to resurface was an effort to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21. It is clear that we'll have to continue to fight this issue in municipalities across the State, starting with Paramus (which we defeated last year but has risen again), and the City of Trenton. We were lucky to learn about the renewed efforts in Paramus ahead of time, and we plan to have another meeting with the Mayor, which helped us greatly the last time this proposal was being considered.

However, we did not learn about the City of Trenton’s proposal until after it had been discussed at multiple town council meetings, and for that reason, I must urge you to be vigilant in your own towns and keep NJGCA informed! Unfortunately, there is no service to which I can subscribe to receive automatic updates about issues being considered in each of the 565 municipalities in NJ.  If there was, I’d do it!  Instead, I rely on you to be active and informed in your communities and then make NJGCA aware of any issues. We can handle statewide laws and regulations that are made in Trenton, but we need YOU to be our eyes and ears in local municipalities. 
 
The second issue is a new issue, not a recycled piece of garbage, but unfortunately it stems from NYC and Philadelphia, and like most of their bad ideas, I fear that it will soon find its way to NJ.  The issue I’m talking about is a tax on soda and other sugary drinks which is so severe that it is literally causing business owners to stop selling those staple items. The tax is levied at a rate of 1.5¢ per ounce, making it 24 times more expensive than Pennsylvania’s beer tax.  In practical terms, this means that some drinks end up being 2x more expensive after the tax is applied.  The idea that this legislation could be introduced in New Jersey is of extremely high concern for me.  The only silver lining is that I hope to be able to take all the evidence from what’s going on in Philly right now to prove to NJ legislators just how damaging this is, both to small business owners and to customers’ wallets.
 
Finally, I just have three quick updates:

1. I've gotten multiple emails and phone calls about the 2017 Compliance Calendar. It is only available online (and of course, you can print it out yourself). To access the Calendar, click HERE.
2. NJGCA’s first Diner Tour of the year will be on Thursday, January 19 at the Park Wayne Diner in Wayne at 9:30 AM. Come join NJGCA for a free breakfast and to start the year off with a look at what’s to come in 2017. You will also have the opportunity to bring your questions, concerns and suggestions to the table. We really value this 1-on-1 time with our members to make sure that we are serving you in the best way that we can! We hope to see you there! Please RSVP to this email if you plan to attend.
3. Finally, NJGCA is partnering with NJ DEP to offer an exclusive training class on Underground Storage Tank Compliance and Enforcement. This class will provide information about Newly Proposed UST Regulations and the Underground Storage Tank Inspection Program. This is also a great opportunity to interact one-on-one with Compliance and Enforcement officials from the State and ask any questions you may have about the UST program! The class is Thursday, January 26 from 9:00 to 2:00 at the NJGCA office, and we will be offering both breakfast and lunch. It is only $25 for members to attend. For the registration form and more information about the class, click HERE.

Thanks for reading -- See you all next week!

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director