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Executive Directors Message
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VOTE NOVEMBER 5TH
CONTRIBUTE TO NJGCA PAC
REGIONAL GAS TAX
FINAL REMINDER: E-CIGARETTE/VAPE RULE CHANGE
NJGCA 2019 TURKEY DRIVE
HAPPY DIWALI
ROAD WARRIOR NEXT WEEK
VOTE
First and most importantly, don't forget to vote on November 5th! We made every effort to get the Voter Guide edition of the On The Road newsletter in your mailboxes a couple weeks ago to give you plenty of time to prepare yourselves to vote. I hope you had an opportunity to review it. The legislature has done great damage to small business in the last two years and is considering more burdensome laws, particularly in the area of employment. It is important to elect a pro-small business legislature, which can only happen if you vote! If you want to check out the Voter Guide, click here.
NJGCA PAC
While we are on the subject of elections, we work very hard here to support our friends in the legislature. The way we do that is to attend the many political fundraising events that we are invited to. The contribution to attend these events range from anywhere between $300 to $1000. Sometimes I'm out two or three nights a week and sometimes Eric is out when there are two events in one night. NJGCA contributions to candidates over the last two years are around $30,000 a year. For comparison, the group representing chains like WaWa and Quickcheck typically spend at $80,000 per year as does the group representing liquor stores. The group representing car dealership spends about $150,000 per year. The law requires that these funds come from a specified Political Action Committee account. Without your contributions, we have no way to fund the support of our friends in the legislature. A letter was sent to all of you a few weeks ago, and I would like to thank those of you who have made contributions. I promise you, I am very careful and even stingy when it comes to doling out these funds. If you have not already made a contribution, I am asking you to please write a check and send it in now. You can start by filling out this form and learn more about the PAC by visiting our website. The Election Law Enforcement Commission requires us to file reports every quarter, and all contributions that we make are public information.
GAS TAX
You may have seen in the news this week that a regional gas tax is currently being considered and worked on, and includes a group of states from Virginia to Maine; including New Jersey. One possibility that could come of this is that since the entire region of states would be included, any gas tax increase in New Jersey would also increase in all of these other states, eliminating the fear of putting New Jersey at a competitive disadvantage. Theoretically, we could be in that situation, however, the way the early draft of the proposal was written leaves open the possibility that different states could choose different levels. Therefore, if neighboring states choose lower rates then we could be at a disadvantage. The proposal says the tax would be collected at the wholesale level and not at the retail level. The soonest this would go into effect is 2022, though all state legislatures would choose whether to opt in.
E-CIG FINAL REMINDER
Final reminder that as of Friday you can no longer sell container e-liquid for vaping, you can only sell prefilled cartridges. For more information on this, please refer to our October 17th Road Warrior.
TURKEY DRIVE
NJGCA's 2019 Turkey Drive has officially begun! The Young Professionals will be collecting turkeys, turkey breast, and monetary donations through November 20th at 5 PM and delivering donations to Fulfill NJ, a food bank serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. I hope you will consider making a donation, as we hope to beat our number last year of 213 turkeys! You can drop off donations at our offices in Wall, or at the following locations:
Environmental Alliance
515 Plainfield Ave Suite 202, Edison, NJ 08817
*Call and ask to speak with Daniela Pava before dropping off donations
Knebles Auto Service Center
5473 Somers Point Road
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
If you are unable to donate a turkey but want to contribute, you can also make a monetary donation by CLICKING HERE. I hope you all will get an early start on your holiday spirit and contribute to this wonderful cause lead by our Young Professionals.
HAPPY DIWALI
Last Sunday marked Diwali, an annual holiday celebrated in different forms by many throughout South Asia. Many of our members mark this time of year with celebrations, and I hope everyone who celebrates it had a blessed night with their families.
NEXT WEEK'S ROAD WARRIOR
I will be in Las Vegas next week with NJGCA President Joe Ocello to attend the AAPEX Conference and also attend the annual meeting of our national association Service Station Dealers of America (SSDA). There is so much happening with regard to the future of auto service and repair and we are hoping to come home having learned some valuable information that of course can be shared with all of you. Some of you may be attending SEMA/AAPEX yourselves. If you are out there please call me on my cell 201-745-1914 so that we can meet up. The entire auto industry takes over the entire city of Las Vegas for a week and it is quite an experience. Unless there is something urgent to report, there will not be a Road Warrior sent next week.
That's all for this week -
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director
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Training Class Schedule
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NJDEP- UST Seminar
Thursday, November 14, 2019
8:30 - 2:00 PM
For our members with USTs, this FREE seminar will cover the requirements of new Underground Storage Tank and Vapor Recovery rules established January 2018. NJDEP, Weights and Measures, and DCA will present.
Register HERE
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 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! |
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News Around The State
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10/29/19
Will N.J. Consider Banning Menthol-flavored Cigarettes? Murphy Seems Open To It.
Gov. Phil Murphy and other state leaders are already pushing for New Jersey to ban flavored electronic cigarettes amid a national outbreak of illnesses linked to vaping. That includes menthol flavor. So does Murphy support also outlawing traditional menthol cigarettes? He seemed open to it Tuesday. Asked that question during an unrelated news conference in Hoboken, the Democratic governor said: "I don't think we've hung our hat yet on menthol cigarettes, but I think it's something we have to seriously consider."
10/29/19
Trump Reconsiders Ban on Certain Vape Flavors
The Trump administration is reconsidering last month's pledge to ban popular mint and menthol vaping products in order to stem use among underage consumers, according to Bloomberg. Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services, said in September that the administration would ban all flavors of vaping products, except tobacco flavor. But according to insiders, the administration is reconsidering a ban on mint and menthol.
10/28/19
Picking up the Pace on Electric Vehicles - and Charging Stations - in NJ
A new consensus bill to accelerate adoption of plug-in electric vehicles could end gridlock over how to electrify the transportation sector in the state, a step most view as critical to New Jersey achieving its goals to combat global warming. With backing from Gov. Phil Murphy's office, key legislators and a wide coalition of business and clean energy interests, prospects have improved for the new version of the legislation (S-2252) to win passage in the lame duck Legislature, which begins after next month's statewide elections. The comprehensive bill establishes lofty goals for increasing the number of public charging stations for electric vehicles in New Jersey, and proposes funneling up to $30 million in rebates to incent motorists to abandon gasoline-fueled cars for plug-in or battery electric vehicles.
10/25/19
Trump Campaign Urges White House To Soften Proposed Flavored Vape Ban
President Trump's campaign manager Brad Parscale has privately warned the president that his plans to reduce youth vaping by banning flavored e-cigarettes could backfire in the 2020 election - placing Trump's reelection campaign into the middle of a governmental debate over a major public health issue.
10/25/19
Think Tank: Expand Pool of Workers in NJ Eligible for Overtime
A much bigger pool of workers in New Jersey would be eligible to receive overtime pay when their employers make them work long hours under a new labor policy that a leading liberal group is pressing. New Jersey Policy Perspective, a Trenton-based think tank, is calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to raise the salary threshold for exempting some white-collar workers from overtime pay - known as "time and a half" - to $78,000 in New Jersey by 2024. The change would more than double a new federal threshold of $35,568 in annual salary that's due to go into effect across the country in January. It could also grant overtime eligibility to more than 300,000 office and other white-collar workers in New Jersey if enacted, according to a report released by NJPP yesterday.
10/24/19
Gov. Newsom Calls for Investigation Into California's High Gas Prices
Gasoline prices in California are often higher than the national average, thanks in part to a limited number of suppliers who can meet its tougher fuel specifications, costs of its cap-and-trade program and a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, among other factors. But a new study commissioned by Gov. Gavin Newsom has determined that the prices at some branded sites are so high they defy explanation-and the governor is calling for an investigation into possible illegal practices.
10/24/19
Not Getting Overtime Pay? You Could Be Eligible If Murphy Changes Labor Rules
Gov. Phil Murphy should revise outdated rules governing overtime pay for salaried workers to guarantee overtime benefits to those earning up to $78,000 by the time the state's minimum wage hits $15 an hour in 2024, a report released Thursday says. Such a move could make nearly 300,000 more New Jersey workers eligible for overtime, New Jersey Policy Perspective said in its latest report. Under existing rules, some workers earning more than $23,660 a year are exempt from receiving overtime. And a change to the federal limit taking effect next year, which would extend overtime benefits to workers earning up to $35,568, doesn't go far enough, the report says.
10/24/19
E-Cigarette Tax Bill Clears House Panel
The House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday approved H.R. 4742, a bill that seeks to tax e-cigarettes and other vaping products like traditional cigarettes. Approved by a 24-15 vote, the measure now advances to the full House for consideration. As reported in NACS Daily, the bill, introduced in the House by Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Peter King (R-N.Y.) in October, would tax e-cigarettes and vaping products for the first time at the federal level. Already, 19 states and the District of Columbia have added their own taxes on e-cigarettes.
10/24/19
Prices for Electric Cars Becoming More Reasonable
While millennials and Generation Z have shown more interest in climate change than other generations, they've been slow to adopt the electric car. But that could be changing, according to CNBC. Currently, only 10% of electric vehicle buyers are between the ages of 25 and 34, reports Cox Automotive, an auto research organization. The problem is price. Many young people are struggling with student debt and wage stagnation, while 70% of electric car customers have incomes of at least $100,000. . .Between 2010 and 2016, the cost of electric car batteries fell more than 70%, lowering the average transaction cost for e-cars. Prices for the Nissan LEAF have dropped by 2.5% since 2012, while the price of combustion engine cars, such as the Nissan Maxima, have increased by 7.5%, closing the cost gap.
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Energy Information Agency Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices
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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.
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Classifieds: For Sale and Help Wanted Ads
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NEW!
FOR SALE:
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
 
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