If you cannot see the message, please click here
November 21, 2019
Follow NJGCA:
   

 Inside this issue
  Executive Directors Message  
 

REPAIR SHOPS--MAGNUSON-MOSS UPDATE
LIQUOR LICENSE BEER WINE REFORM
VAPES, E-CIGS, AND MENTHOLS...OH MY!
TAXING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY VEHICLES
GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK TO DEBBIE HILL WE WILL MISS YOU
WELCOME BACK NICK DEPALMA
CALL FOR PICTURES


MAGNUSON-MOSS
I mentioned last week that we would be having a crazy day in Trenton last Thursday, and a crazy day it was. There were major pieces of legislation introduced that affect all NJGCA members. We'll start with the good first: Our efforts to pass legislation informing motorists of their warranty rights under the federal Magnuson-Moss Act cleared the final hurdle that will allow a vote by the full Assembly. As you know, this legislation will require manufacturers to mail a notice to all new car buyers that they are permitted to bring their new cars to your shop for service without voiding their warranty. We have learned that a vote in the General Assembly has been scheduled for Monday. An Action Alert has been sent to all members.  Please click on the link and send an email to your legislator asking them to vote YES!  Even if you don't operate a repair shop, I am asking you to support your brethren and fellow NJGCA members by sending an email. Often I ask them to help you by sending emails to legislators on issues such as tobacco. There is strength in numbers and that is the main reason to belong to an association like NJGCA. PLEASE EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATOR! Its as easy as a few clicks.
 
LIQUOR LICENSES
The next good news is that the Assembly Oversight Committee held another hearing as it is considering drafting legislation to change the rules regarding how alcoholic beverages can be sold for a variety of industries. NJGCA has been very aggressive asking for a special permit that would allow convenience stores to sell beer and wine. Although this is still an uphill battle, there are both more groups asking for liquor licensing reform and legislators that seem to be open to making these changes. You can read my testimony by clicking HERE and you can listen to my testimony by clicking (Broken in to 2 segments because of length) HERE and HERE. I remain optimistic that the legislature will propose changes sometime next year. 
 
 
VAPES, E-CIGS, MENTHOLS
Now let's talk about the bad: There is a tidal wave swamping not just New Jersey, but the entire country in a movement to ban vaping products, including e-cigarettes, that have become popular to your customers in your convenience stores. Both the Senate Health and Assembly Health Committees held hearings at the exact same time last Thursday. Eric, Michelle and I were scrambling to cover all of the committee hearings. As expected, despite our opposition testimony, both committees approved legislation that would ban all flavors of vaping products and menthol cigarettes as well as establish new regulations. The most harmful of the legislation these committees approved will ban e-cigarettes from being sold in your stores, and require that e-cigarettes only be sold in specialized vaping stores that do not permit entry into the store to anyone that is under 21. You can read mine and Eric's written testimony by clicking through the following links:
 
Senate Health Committee Vaping Bills Written Testimony
S-1947: Menthol Cigarette Ban Written Testimony
Assembly Health Committee Vaping Bills Written Testimony
 
And you can hear our testimony by clicking on any of the following:
 
S-1947: Menthol cigarette ban
S-4223: Revises licensure and operational requirements for businesses that sell vapes
S-3265: Prohibits the sale or distribution of e-cigarettes
S-4224: Revises sale requirements and increases penalties for the sale of vape products
A-5922, A-5923, A-3178: Revises sale requirements; licensure and requirements for vaping products, prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes
 
I encourage you to read the full testimony we presented to learn more about the different pieces of legislation that were proposed and we will continue to fight. 
 
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY VEHICLES
To add to how busy we were on Thursday, Eric also testified to the Senate Transportation Committee on S-4090, supporting the creation of a commission to study how to tax vehicles that do not use gasoline in order to pay for transportation infrastructure. You can read the written testimony for that HERE and listen to his testimony to the committee HERE
 
GOODBYE GOOD LUCK DEBBIE HILL  NJGCA WILL MISS YOU
In my tenure here at NJGCA there have been many valued and loyal staff that I have relied on to help serve you, our loyal NJGCA members. The person who has been with me the longest and has served with excellence is someone many of you know and have relied on for assistance. Debbie Hill has worked with many of you across an assortment of enforcement agencies from DEP and Motor Vehicle Commission to Weights and Measures. Debbie has given selflessly to intervene on your behalf numerous times when members have made mistakes that have gotten them into trouble. No one is more respected and listened to in Trenton at enforcement hearings when NJGCA members are in need. For twelve years I have seen many members send flowers, gifts, and notes of thanks to Debbie for the effort she put into helping them in their time of need. For me personally, Debbie has been a valued source of advice and always tackled anything I tasked her with. Debbie has been presented with a wonderful business opportunity that is great for her but requires her to leave her position at NJGCA. Simply put, Debbie will be sorely missed.  I am grateful for her service!
 
WELCOME NICK DEPALMA
You all may remember another loyal NJGCA staff member Nick DePalma who was part of our team for six years and left to pursue a legal career. We have tapped Nick to fill Debbie's giant shoes. I've known Nick for many years, and I know that he is very capable of picking up where Debbie left off. Nick will be rejoining us with a title change, as Counsel and Member Services Director and brings a unique skill set to the position as an attorney.  
 
It is with sadness that I say goodbye to Debbie and wish her all the luck in the world, and it is with great hope and enthusiasm that I say hello to Nick and welcome him back to the NJGCA family. 

 
 
 
MEMBER PICTURES
Finally, we would like to display pictures of our members around our office to display our pride in our members and the wonderful businesses they run. If you have a picture of yourself and/or your family at your location, please send it to Michelle at michelle@njgca.org. Important Note: Please be sure the pictures are jpg images and not a picture of a picture. Images can be scanned in or taken on a cell phone.  
 
That's all for this week -  
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

 


 
 

Top

  Training Class Schedule  
 

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

Two-Day Emissions Inspector Training Class
December 18th & 19th

Want your technicians to become a NJ Emissions Inspector? We can help! Our new two-day class will provide all the information for becoming a NJ Emissions Inspector. Day one will consist of written test training and the State will administer the written test the very same day at our offices. Day two will be a hands-on training course to prepare you for the hands-on test. Class will run from 7:00am to 4:00pm on day 1. Class will begin at 12:30 PM on day 2. Cost is $479 for members.
 

December class registration click here


Want to become an emission repair technician/facility?

THIS IS THE LAST CLASS FOR THE ENTIRE PROGRAM, REGISTER EARLY!

Entire Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP) Training Classes

 FULL COURSE
1 PM to 9 PM
November 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 
December 4, 5, 11, 12

 

Sections 8, 9, 10 (RECERTIFICATION)
CHOOSE EVENING OR DAY COURSE OPTION:

1 PM to 9 PM
December 4, 5, 11, 12
OR
8 AM to 4 PM
December 3, 9, 10, 17

 

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. This is the last class for the entire program, register early!

Click here for FULL ETEP REGISTRATION FORM

Click here for ETEP RECERTIFICATION FORM
 

FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED UPON REQUEST AND ACCORDING TO DEMAND. CONTACT NICK at 732-256-9646 or NICK@NJGCA.ORG TO LET HIM 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!

 

Top

  News Around The State  
 

11/20/19
Plastic Bag Ban Hits a Snag in N.J.'s Biggest City Over Small Business Concerns
The state's largest city won't be banning single-use plastic bags just yet, after the Newark City Council rejected a measure to do so, concerned the legislation didn't go far enough and wasn't protective of small business owners. The ordinance, which was first introduced this summer, would prohibit retail and food establishments from giving customers plastic bags and impose a $250 fine on businesses that don't comply. A statewide Senate bill that would ban plastic straws, single-use plastic shopping bags and Styrofoam food containers is still working its way out of committee. That bill would also impose a fee on paper bags. So far, 17 towns and one county have prohibited plastic bags or placed fees on them, and in some cases, banned straws, forks and styrofoam containers.

11/20/19

Tobacco and Vaping Bill Advances to Full House
The House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday advanced H.R. 2339, the "Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019," by a vote of 28 to 24 to the full House for consideration. The legislation would prohibit flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, increase the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21, ban all non-face-to-face sales for tobacco products and make it unlawful to market tobacco products to individuals younger than age 21.

11/19/19
Tesla Charging Station Goes Up In Flames At N.J. Wawa
A Tesla charging station at a Morris County Wawa caught fire Sunday and spewed smoke near the convenience store, according to reports. . .Matthew Palmeiri, who works for Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire Department District 5 said JCP&L had a problem with a transformer next to the Supercharger and that it was what caused the fire; not the charging station itself, according to Automotive News.

11/18/19
Legalizing Weed Will Be Decided By N.J. Voters In Referendum Next Year, Top Lawmaker Says
Top New Jersey lawmakers announced Monday they won't another push for the state Legislature pass a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the coming weeks and will instead ask Garden State voters to decide the high-stakes issue next November. Leaders fell a few votes short in the state Senate in March to pass a bill that would make New Jersey the 12th state to legalize weed - a major campaign vow of Gov. Phil Murphy. In recent months, however, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney said they would make a second run during the lame-duck legislative session that ends in mid-January. But Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, the sponsor of the bill, said Friday "the votes just aren't there" to pass the bill.

11/18/19
Leaving N.J. For The Holidays Means Dreaded Self-Serve Gas. We've Got You Covered
New Jersey's self-service gas ban dates to 1949 and has never been seriously challenged. In 2006, then-Gov. Jon Corzine proposed letting motorists pump their own gas at stations along the Turnpike, but walked it back within days amid a backlash. Former Assemblyman John Wisniewski, who was chairing the transportation committee at that time, said he believes the ban will endure. "I think it's a Jersey-ism that is here to stay. I can't imagine the circumstances that would cause an about-face," Wisniewski said. "It's something that is unique about out state. It doesn't hurt anybody," Wisniewski said.

11/17/19
Trump Backs Off Flavored Vape Ban He Once Touted
As he had done so many times before, Trump reversed course - this time on a plan to address a major public health problem because of worries that apoplectic vape shop owners and their customers might hurt his reelection prospects, said White House and campaign officials. He also believed job losses tied to the ban would cost him as he sought to trumpet economic growth. It was the latest example of the chaotic way policy is made - and sometimes unmade - in a White House where the ultimate decider often switches gears after making a controversial vow, whether on combating gun violence, pulling troops from Syria or promising to deliver an Obamacare replacement plan.

11/14/19
N.J. Just Moved Closer To Banning Sale Of Menthol Cigarettes, Flavored Vaping Products
New Jersey moved closer Thursday to banning the sale of both flavored vaping products and traditional menthol cigarettes despite strong opposition. As America continues to respond to a rash of illnesses - and deaths - stemming from electronic cigarettes, state lawmakers in Trenton advanced a number of bills that would more tightly regulate vaping and smoking in the Garden State. . . But Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association, said banning menthol cigarettes would hurt gas stations and convenience stores. "This is a very large portion of what brings customers in the doors," Risalvato said. He added that people will simply buy the products from other states or online, and that it would be frustrating if the ban doesn't cut into smoking addiction yet cost the state tax revenue.

11/14/19
Sweeney Bill Would Protect Workers Against 'Misclassification'
A bill authored by Senate President Steve Sweeney that would help protect workers from being exploited through their misclassification as independent contractors gained the approval of the Senate Labor Committee today. . . A misclassification is the improper designation of workers as "independent contractors" rather than "employees" in order to allow employers to evade basic workers' rights. Employers are required to contribute to unemployment and temporary disability insurance, abide by labor protections such as the minimum wage and overtime, allow employees to take maternity, paternity, and family leave, and withhold New Jersey income taxes - but they are not required to do the same for independent contractors.

11/14/19
Tobacco and Vaping Bill Advances to Full Committee for Consideration
Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee marked up legislation, H.R. 2339, the "Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019," and voted by voice to advance the bill to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration. The bill sponsored by Committee Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.) was one of four bills the Democrat-led panel considered yesterday.

11/13/19
NJ Independent Contractor Bill to Create Turmoil for Small Businesses and Their Clients
A Senate bill, S 4204, which is expected to be voted on Thursday in the New Jersey Senate Labor Committee, would drastically alter New Jersey's legal definition of independent contractors-a change that would hurt free-lance business owners, small subcontractors, and the businesses that contract with those companies. NFIB, a small business association with thousands of members in the state, adamantly opposes this bill and is concerned about the turmoil it would create within the small business community.
 
 
 

Top

  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.
 
 

Top

  Member Benefit Partner Message Board  
 
 
    









 

Top

  Classifieds: For Sale and Help Wanted Ads  
 



NEW!


FOR SALE:

New! HELP WANTED - GAS STATION ATTENDANTS: Part or full time. 1716 Rt. 206, Vincentown. Call Rich - 908-472-9639

New! Business For Sale: Business for sale and lease: 6 lifts, 10 spaces, plenty of parking, fleet accounts, loyal customer base. 50 years in business. Turn key operation, busy corner highway. All stock and equipment, tools included. Used car dealer license, transmission shop equipment also included. Email: viener@outlook.com for more details.


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.


New! Parts For Sale: Incon TS-1000 tank monitor works well just taken out of service. Printer is aprox 2 months old. Also, Incon 8, tank probes. System replaced because on an Exxon upgrade. Call John Twin Towers Exxon (201) 224-8444



 

 

Top