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Road Warrior Newsletter




July 26, 2018

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:
• 7-Eleven Franchisees, Operator Training and Vaping Tax Updates

NJGCA CLASSIFIEDS
- Monmouth County: Gas Station and Repair Shop Business Since 2001
- Bergen County: Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale

NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
San Francisco Bans Straws
Trump to Seek Repeal of California's Smog-Fighting Power
'Sin Taxes' Are Unlikely to Deliver Revenue Bonanza for NJ
Will New Jersey Tax Your Tap Water?
Grewal, with Profile Rising, May Have Future in Politics
• An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2016 Election

TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE!
??????• Emissions Inspector Training Class, THURSDAY, August 9th, WEDNESDAY September 19th, THURSDAY October 18th

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

JOIN NJGCA ON FACEBOOK -- CLICK HERE
TO SEE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL -- CLICK HERE
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER -- CLICK HERE


                                                                                                                                       

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE:

7-ELEVEN FRANCHISEE AGREEMENT
OPERATOR TRAINING UPDATES
VAPING FLUID TAX DETAILS
First off I want to address those of you with 7-Eleven franchises. 7-Eleven corporate has announced that there is a new franchise agreement that will replace current agreements expiring in 2019. No, I do not know the exact details but it has come to my attention that the national association representing 7-Eleven franchisees is very unhappy with it and finds it unfair to franchisees, which seems to be a trend with 7-Eleven.
 
If you are in this situation please contact me as I would welcome the opportunity to help you explore other options. We have many members who are very happy with other types of branded convenience identifications, including MBP Partner Quick & Fresh.
 
Next I want to discuss operator training for UST owners. I wrote you several weeks ago to let you know that the EPA’s practice test, which many were finding extremely helpful, has been malfunctioning. I was hoping I was going to be able to let you know last week that it was back up and running, but unfortunately it was not. We were notified on Tuesday by the EPA that they have identified the problem and are actively fixing it, however it will take up to a week for it to be back online and operational. Since many members are reporting that the test is challenging, we are anxious for this practice exam to be operational again.
 
Earlier this week we also sent out a reminder to sign up for UST operator training classes, if you have not done so already. Spots are filling up fast, and every UST operator must have completed the class and passed the test by October 13th. You can click here to sign up for the class and to sign up for the separate test. Unfortunately, we have just learned that there is a problem on the ICC end for test registrations. This should be fixed by Monday if not earlier. This problem does not affect your ability to sign up for classes.

Finally, I have some news for all of you that sell vaping products. We have learned the official dates from the Division of Taxation that the new tax on liquid nicotine will go into effect: September 29, 2018. While the new tax (10¢ per milliliter of nicotine-containing fluid) will be collected by wholesalers, there will be a onetime floor stocks tax on retailers (to prevent anyone from hoarding these products in advance). At the close of business the night before, every retailer will have to take an inventory of all the vaping fluid in stock, and then pay the owed tax by October 20th. Basically, I would advise you not to have more than about three weeks’ worth of product in stock when this tax goes into effect, because you will have to pay the tax owed by 10/20 whether you have sold through your supply or not. All product you buy after 9/29 will have the tax already paid by the wholesaler. We will update you once the Division of Taxation has released more info.
That's all for this week-

Sal Risalvato
Executive Director
**New Savings for August**



**Last chance for this July special**

                                                                                                                                     

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


Emissions Inspector Training Class - One Day Only!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9th, 2018 -- 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: Thursday, August 9th from 7:00am to 3:00pm.
Cost is $275 for members.
Click HERE for the August registration form, HERE for September and HERE for October. 

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

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.

FOR SALE:

Shell Gas Station with 6-Bay Repair Shop for Sale in Bergen County!

Business established in 1980. Fully equipped repair shop with 5 lifts including an alignment rack with a 2-year-old Hunter Hawkeye alignment machine. New Hunter tire machine & wheel balancer. AAA approved and very busy.
Towing business also available which includes 3 Freightliner/JerrDan flatbeds (2015, 2016 & 2017), a 2012 Dodge crew cab wrecker with a Jerrdan Quick Pick & dual cable winch & 2 service trucks (a 2012 GMC 2500 utility truck with a plow & a 2014 Ford transit battery/service vehicle).

Pumping over 1,000,000 gallons per year. 100x300 lot with plenty of parking. Excellent location!!! Call Jim @ 201-851-3084.

         

                                                                                                                                     

THE NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to ban single-use plastic straws, making it the second major American city to do so. The ordinance outlaws not just plastic straws, but also plastic splash sticks, toothpicks, and cocktail sticks, which would have to include those little swords and umbrellas. Other straw bans typically target food service businesses, but this one will prohibit anyone, including grocery stores and other retailers, from selling plastic straws. The United States is responsible for less than one percent of the world's plastic marine waste, and straws make up a tinier portion of this still. The best way to cut back on plastic pollution in the oceans is to improve waste management systems in China and other parts of the developing world, not to tinker with individuals' consumption habits in the States.

7/23/18
Trump to Seek Repeal of California’s Smog-Fighting Power
The Trump administration will seek to revoke California’s authority to regulate automobile greenhouse gas emissions -- including its mandate for electric-car sales -- in a proposed revision of Obama-era standards, according to three people familiar with the plan. The proposed revamp would also put the brakes on federal rules to boost fuel efficiency into the next decade, said the people, who asked to not be identified discussing the proposals before they are public. Instead it would cap federal fuel economy requirements at the 2020 level, which under federal law must be at least a 35-mile-per-gallon fleet average, rather than letting them rise to roughly 50 mpg by 2025 as envisioned in the Obama plan, according to the people.

7/23/18
‘Sin Taxes’ Are Unlikely to Deliver Revenue Bonanza to New Jersey
Tax revenue from legalized sports betting and e-cigarettes is now impacting New Jersey’s budget due to recent policy changes in Trenton, and legalized recreational marijuana use may not be too far behind. But a new report that looks at the next generation of so-called sin taxes throws cold water on the notion that they could provide cash-strapped states like New Jersey with a reliable fiscal bonanza. New Jersey already ranks in the top half of U.S. states for relying on revenue from sin taxes to sustain spending, according to Pew. The Garden State takes in about 5 percent of its total revenue stream from the sin taxes currently on the books, which include levies on gambling, drinking, smoking and from the state Lottery. The national average for sin-tax revenue is 2.3 percent.

7/19/18
Will New Jersey tax your tap water?
Critics of New Jersey's high taxes say residents have to pony up for everything but the kitchen sink. Well, the kitchen sink could soon be added to that. A state lawmaker is proposing a tax on tap water to revamp New Jersey's aging pipelines. The introduced legislation that would impose a 10-cent tax on every 1,000 gallons consumed, which Sen. Smith estimates would cost the average New Jersey household about $32 a year and would net the state about $150 million annually.
The money would be used to repair and replace aging infrastructure.

7/17/18
Grewal, with profile rising, may have future in politics
Six months ago, few outside of Bergen County would recognize the name of Gurbir Grewal, and even some residents there were likely not familiar with the former county prosecutor. But now, Grewal, who has since become Gov. Phil Murphy’s attorney general, is drawing national headlines for his opposition to some of President Donald Trump’s policies. Grewal has not spoken about any possible aspirations he might have toward a run at elected office, but some Democrats think he would be a good fit. “I don’t think he’s doing this with an intention to run for public office at some future date, however, if he ever chooses to do so, I think he’s incredibly qualified and would make a tremendous elected official,” Diegnan said.

7/26/18
An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2016 Election
Today The New York Times published an interactive map that lets you explore the 2016 presidential election at the highest level of detail available: by voting precinct. This map, although nearly two years old, continues to define American politics. The vast majority of people who voted for Donald J. Trump say they approve of his job performance today, while the vast majority of Hillary Clinton voters say they disapprove. On the neighborhood level, many of us really do live in an electoral bubble, this map shows: More than one in five voters lived in a precinct where 80 percent of the two-party vote went to Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton.

                                                                                                                                             
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. 
                                                                                                                                     
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.