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Road Warrior Newsletter

June 02, 2016

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:
• Update on Tailpipe Testing Equipment and Maintenance Fees; Re-certification for Repair Technician Licenses; C-Store Issues -- Tobacco Purchase Age and Plastic Bag Tax; FREE Breakfast Meeting in Turnersville on June 8

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS

- NJGCA MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER GILL ENERGY LOOKING TO HIRE FOR (3) DIFFERENT POSITIONS

District Manager
Store Manager
Trucking Operations Manager

For more information, and to submit a resume, please contact: ravigill@gillenergy.com.

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

Christie: Concept of Transportation Trust Fund is 'obsolete'
Christie to Dems on fixing N.J. road fund: Where's your plan?
Competing ads aim to sway NJ voters on gas tax

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
ETEP Re-Cert (Sections 8, 9, 10) DAY and NIGHT Classes Starting June 6th! 

MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MESSAGE BOARD
• ATS Environmental: Confidence in your Tank & Compliance Testing

• Bellomo Fuel: Exceptional Service, Aggressive Petroleum Marketing
Gill Energy: Getting you There!
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!

*NEW*Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices

JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE

TO SEE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- CLICK HERE

                                                                                                                                                                 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: GREETINGS & SAL-UTATIONS!

MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE
UPDATE ON TAIL PIPE TEST EQUIPMENT
ETEP RE-CERT DAY AND NIGHT CLASSES START NEXT WEEK!
C-STORE ISSUES: TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE AND PLASTIC BAG TAX
FREE BREAKFAST MEETING IN SOUTH JERSEY -- TURNERSVILLE -- ON JUNE 8, 2016

I need to start this week with my traditional Memorial Day message, since that somehow got left out of last week's (very lengthy) message. I truly believe that everytime we have an opportunity to celebrate the greatness of our nation, we must also remember and reflect upon the sacrifices that were made for our freedoms.  From the days that the first shots were fired in the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord, we have owed a debt to fallen soldiers -- a debt that is impossible to ever repay.  Of course, since the Revolutionary War there have been many other soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice to maintain the freedom that the original patriots sought.  ALL should be remembered. With that being said, I hope that you had the opportunity to get away from the business for a day and enjoy the beautiful weather with your family.
 
Now, back to business -- We have been talking a lot about the tailpipe test equipment that PIFs use to test emissions on older vehicles. I sent multiple messages to members, advising them to save $210 by calling SGS and cancelling the maintenance on their tail pipe test equipment. After each email, I had members calling me to inform me of new possibilities and new implications that stemmed from their conversations with SGS. I got an email from SGS on Friday afternoon clarifying that once the maintenance on the tailpipe test equipment is cancelled, the tailpipe test equipment will be inoperable. This is not what I was told would happen, and I explained to SGS in very simple, clear, and terse terms that I completely disagree with the decision that they have made, and I am not very happy with them at all.
 
My position all along has been that by paying $2,700 back in 2009 to purchase the tailpipe test equipment, you got the right to use the equipment because you own it. The maintenance fee that you pay each month gives you the right to have the tail pipe test equipment serviced. They should be two different things. SGS/Parsons has no right to keep you from using the tailpipe test equipment, even if it is only for two months, when the equipment should still be operable. There is no technical reason for the tail pipe test equipment to stop working, since the it functions through the OBD workstation. As long as the workstation is in place, the tailpipe test equipment is still operable, unless deliberately over-ridden by SGS. However, once the new emissions inspection program and equipment are introduced (who knows when that will be), the entire work- station will become obsolete.
 
Yesterday, another member called my office after they tried to cancel their maintenance, and I sent another far more angry and terse email to SGS.  Within minutes, I received a phone call from someone further up the food chain at SGS, and then several hours later I received another email informing me that even if the maintenance is cancelled, the tailpipe test equipment will remain functional through June and July so that you can still perform any stray re-inspections that may wander into your shops. On August 1, there will be no more tailpipe tests for any reason. Again, I encourage you to cancel the maintenance on your tailpipe equipment, but the decision is yours.

I wanted to take this opportunity to inform anyone that needs to renew their Emission Repair Technician (ERT) license before June 30th that we are having classes at NJGCA headquarters during the DAY and EVENING in order to be as flexible as possible and meet the demand.  Our evening class is Mon. and Weds., and starts on Monday June 6, from 6-10PM for 4 weeks. The DAY class is Tuesdays, starting on June 7th, for 4 weeks. You can click HERE for the registration form to fill out and fax back to the office so that we can reserve your spot!
 
Two short updates for those of you with convenience stores: legislation to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21 years old passed the entire Senate last week, by a vote of 23 to 14.  The bill has to go through another committee in the Assembly before it goes in front of the entire General Assembly for a vote, which would then send it to the Governor's desk.
 
Second, I spoke briefly recently about recycling: we discussed the "Smart Container Act" which would turn your retail locations into recycling collection centers, and we also discussed the plastic bag tax.  Right now we are working hard to keep both of those pieces of legislation bottled up (no pun intended).  While we would ultimately like to see both pieces of legislation get blocked, both bills may end up as part of a compromise deal which aims to minimize your exposure and reduce the burden as much as possible.  There continue to be many moving pieces in this particular chess game, and I will keep you updated.  
 
Finally, for all of my members in the south and southwest corner of the State, we are doing our best to get to you! We will be in Turnersville on Wednesday, June 8 at the Whitman Diner (4990 Rt 42) at 9:30 AM.  We make every effort to get to all parts of the State to visit our members face to face, answer questions, and inform you about what's going on in the industry and in the Association. Remember, this is a FREE breakfast for you, too!  Please mark this on your calendar and try to join us.  It may be a while before we make it down there again! You can RSVP directly to this email or call Jacy at 732-256-9646.


Thanks for reading -- See you all next week!

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director

                                                                                                                                                         

TRAINING CLASSES!!

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

Emission Repair Technician Re-Certification Class

Four (4) Full Days -- Starts June 7
DAYS: 9AM - 5PM on Tuesdays -- June 7, 14, 21 and 28

Eight (8) Evenings - Two Nights Per Week -- Start June 6
NIGHTS: 6-10 PM on Mon & Weds -- June 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29

For registration form, click HERE



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


NJGCA MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER GILL ENERGY LOOKING TO HIRE FOR (3) DIFFERENT POSITIONS!

District Manager
Store Manager
Trucking Operations Manager


For more information about these positions, and to submit a resume for consideration, please contact: ravigill@gillenergy.com.

                                                                                                                                                                        

NEWS AROUND THE STATE: THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

06/01/2016:
Christie: Concept of Transportation Trust Fund is 'obsolete'
With the state TTF nearly out of cash and few signs of progress in the Legislature, Gov. Christie said that he was loath to back an increase in the state’s gasoline tax and said lawmakers should seriously consider a plan built around general-fund spending.  The Governor offered some supportive words for a proposal offered by state Sen. Jennifer Beck, a Monmouth County Republican. Beck has called for consolidating transportation agencies, implementing cuts to public worker health benefits and tapping revenues from various sources to produce enough money for a new, $1.6 billion trust fund -- all with no tax increase. Beck said her proposal is feasible and even some of its most ambitious components, like putting state agencies under one roof, could be done in a few years. Democrats and advocates for infrastructure spending, though, have said Beck’s plan is merely pie in the sky thinking that does little to solve the immediate problem facing policymakers. Christie said the plan “deserves some merit and some study.” It would be heavily reliant on the ups and downs of the state’s economy. The primary source of revenue for the general fund is the income tax, the state’s most volatile. It’s one reason the treasury’s initial revenue projections were off by about $1 billion for the current and next fiscal year.
 
6/1/2016:
Christie to Dems on fixing N.J. road fund: Where's your plan?
As the clock winds down on TTF funding, and Atlantic City's financial collapse averted for the time being, Gov. Christie said he expects the NJ Legislature is ready to turn its attention to finding money for road, bridge and rail improvements in the state. "Often the Legislature can't do more than one meaningful thing at a time," Christie said at a news conference promoting charter schools. "We finished Atlantic City on Friday, then there was a holiday weekend. And I suspect that they're going to get to work now on the TTF." The governor has said it's up to the Democratic-controlled Legislature to present a funding scheme for the fund, which is scheduled to run out of money this summer. Christie's proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 doesn't identify a source of funding for the TTF, which pays for statewide infrastructure projects. Democratic lawmakers have set their sights on an increase in the state's gasoline tax that, along with borrowing, would replenish the fund for several years, but Assembly and Senate leaders have yet to agree on a formal plan. "All I've heard from Democrats is that they want to raise the gas tax. Well, if they want to they should go on record and propose a bill raising the gas tax," Christie said. "Haven't seen that yet, have we? Governor can't do that, can't raise the gas tax on my own even if I wanted to. Not inclined to, but even if I wanted to, I couldn't."
 
05/31/2016:
Competing ads aim to sway NJ voters on gas tax
One advertisement shows the Interstate 35 bridge falling into the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, and warns viewers that a span in New Jersey might be next. An opposing advertisement shows a father stealing things from his kids, including the family dog, Sparky, to pay for a gas tax increase. “Save Sparky!” the ad’s announcer says. “Tell Trenton to say no to a crazy new gas tax.” The spots are part of a growing advertising fight over the Transportation Trust Fund, which pays for major construction projects on the state’s roads, bridges and trains. The fight is likely to grow louder in the next few weeks as the collective attention of state legislators and Governor Christie pivots from Atlantic City’s financial crisis to the looming deadline of the fund, which is unfunded after June 30 and will run out of cash in August, Christie officials say. Democrats in the Legislature, led by Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, have proposed a gas tax increase to raise an additional $2 billion a year in revenue, offset by other tax cuts. Republicans, including Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, have countered by opposing any gas tax increase, and proposing instead to raise $1.7 billion a year by cutting health benefits for public employees and merging all of New Jersey’s transportation agencies into a single department.

                                                                                                                                                                  

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 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
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. 

                                                                                                                                     

*NEW*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 for reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.