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Executive Directors Message
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VAPE/E-CIG REFORM PACKAGE HEARINGS THURSDAY
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTING
REPAIR SHOP-SEMA/AAPEX CONFERENCE RECAP
SIGN THE CAR DATA PRIVACY TELEMATIC PETITION
NJGCA TURKEY DRIVE
VAPE/E-CIG
I don't know if you all missed me last week, but I said two weeks ago there would be no Road Warrior last week since I would be away at an industry conference with our president Joe Ocello. I got back Saturday night and stepped into a whirlwind of legislative activity this week in Trenton. That is why we are sending the Road Warrior one day early. Before I discuss everything going on in the auto repair industry, which was the subject of everything we did last week out at the SEMA/AAPEX conference; I need to alert those with convenience stores what is happening this week with regard to vaping products and e-cigarettes. Tomorrow, both the Assembly Health and Senate Health Committees are meeting to take testimony on legislation that would completely reform the laws regarding the sale of vaping products and e-cigarettes. For the most part, NJGCA members really only have an interest in the e-cigarette issue, as few of you sell vaping devices and vaping liquids. Legislation has been introduced that will ban the sale of all vaping and e-cigarettes in convenience stores and only permit their sale in specialized vaping shops. Don't go into a panic just yet. There are a lot of other provisions in the legislation that we anticipate such as banning all flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes. This legislation also imposes some new taxes on these products and increases existing taxes and license fees. By far, the most problematic to NJGCA members is the complete banning of these products from our stores. You all received an action alert yesterday asking you to contact your legislators. NJGCA will be there to testify in opposition to this legislation. I will let you know if further action is needed. Please be sure to send your email letters today, Wednesday the 13th, in order for your voice to be heard prior to the committee meeting.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTING
Also on Thursday, the legislature is hearing a bill that would effectively eliminate the ability of businesses to use independent contractors. It is our understanding that NJGCA members make little or no use of this business practice, but if you do please email Eric at eric@njgca.org and let him know if you use them and how, so we can properly address the issue.
SEMA/AAPEX REVOLUTION IN REPAIR INDUSTRY
Next, I would like to review what Joe and I learned last week while at the industry conference. The information presented confirmed what we already know: that upcoming technologies and your ability to have the proper training and equipment in order to fix your customers vehicles is going to become even more critical. The emergence of electric vehicles including hybrids will present challenges that you haven't seen yet. There are also going to be increasing challenges with regards to keeping your customers cars safe on the road and ensuring all of the computer sensors and cameras in the vehicle communicate properly with your car's computer. Many of you already know that these systems are known as ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems). Unless you are properly qualified and equipped, you are going to find it increasingly more difficult to repair your customer's cars. NJGCA is aggressively pursuing training programs for our members. I am hoping to have some programs in place for early next year.
CAR DATA PETITION
Something else that I mentioned to you last month is the growing importance of having access to the data being sent telematically from your customer's cars to the manufacturers. Of course, the manufacturers share all of this data with their dealers, and more often, your shops are cut out of receiving any of this data. Much of this data will be required in order to make repairs to your customer's vehicles. If you remember the effort that began 15 years ago with Right to Repair, we are now beginning a new effort to make sure that the telematic information is also shared with either your customer or directly to you. We believe it should be the customer's choice to decide who receives their data. There is a petition campaign that has begun nationwide called Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice, it is imperative that you begin getting all of your customers to sign this petition asking Congress to mandate that a vehicles data be sent directly to the owner of the vehicle or the vehicle owner may choose to send it to either your shop or another shop of their choosing. I don't plan to let up on pestering you and your customers to participate in this effort.
TURKEY DRIVE
NJGCA's 2019 Turkey Drive has officially begun! The Young Professionals will be collecting turkey, 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
Knebles Auto Service Center was kind enough to make a video for their website promoting our efforts. Take a minute to watch that video HERE.
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 the NJGCA Young Professionals.
That's all for this week -
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director
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Training Class Schedule
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE SEMINAR!
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 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! |
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News Around The State
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11/12/19
How Will NJ Fund Transportation Projects if Input from Gas Tax Dwindles?
If New Jersey achieves its goal of electrifying its transportation system, it poses one new great challenge for policymakers. How do you replace the billions of dollars annually raised by a gas tax to fund road improvements and mass transit projects? Under a bill (S-4090) up for consideration this week in the Legislature, a new seven-member commission would come up with a new system of taxing motor vehicles including, but not limited to, electric cars and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.
11/11/19
Lawmakers Set To Vote Thursday On Dozens Of Vaping Restrictions
Lawmakers are set to consider a trio of bills Nov. 14, that would curtail the sale and use of vaping and e-cigarette products in the state, following more than 2,000 cases of vaping-related illness nationwide, and 39 deaths spanning 24 states. The measures come as the Trump administration has promised to crack down on the types of vaping products that would be available in the market, with an eye on banning flavored e-cigarettes. Many of the proposals come directly from recommendations made by a task force Gov. Phil Murphy convened to gauge how to clamp down on vaping.
11/8/19
N.J. Minimum Wage Hike To $15 Should Be Put On Hold If Economy Stalls, Lawmakers Say
While New Jersey's minimum wage is expected to hit $15 an hour for most workers by 2024, some state lawmakers want to build an "off-ramp" in the event of an economic downturn. Under their bill, S3607, a slowdown in the state's economy would trigger a suspension of the scheduled increases in the minimum wage - one of the biggest progressive policy achievements of Gov. Phil Murphy and the Democratic-controlled state Legislature.
11/8/19
Potential Culprit Found In Vaping-Related Lung Injuries And Deaths
Federal health officials have identified vitamin E acetate in the lung fluids of 29 people sickened in the outbreak of dangerous vaping-related lung injuries. The discovery is a "breakthrough" that points to the oil as a likely culprit in the outbreak that has sickened more than 2,000 people and killed at least 39, a top official said Friday.
11/7/19
Police: Suspects Bust Through Wall, Rob New Jersey Convenience Store
Police are investigating a break-in and robbery at a convenience store in New Jersey. The convenience store owner said his business, located at 140 Washington Street in Paterson, was broken into around 11 p.m. Wednesday. According to police, the suspects broke into the store by busting through the wall from the store next door. The manager arrived Thursday to find a huge hole and lots of missing money.
11/7/19
New Gas Tax? NJ Says It's 'Engaged' In Study That May Trigger It
New Jersey says it's "engaged" in a plan that critics say could lead to higher prices at the gas pump, all part of a multi-state effort to reduce car pollution and curb climate change. New Jersey and other states have been reviewing a "cap-and-invest" program that would function fundamentally as a "gas tax," according to Politico, channeling revenue toward curbing climate change and pollution and benefitting communities dealing with rising seas, erratic weather patterns and flooding. Money would essentially be raised through taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel that would be passed onto consumers, according to The Hartford Courant. That money would ultimately be invested in mass transit, electric-vehicle charging and infrastructure.
11/6/19
Supreme Court Has Two Chances to Protect Small Business
The first case is County of Maui, Hawaii v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, which the justices will hear on Wednesday. It centers on a dangerous and invalid expansion of federal power, foisted on small businesses by the liberal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. . . the justices should side with common sense in Comcast Corp. v. The National Association of African American Owned Media, scheduled for arguments on Nov. 13. Here again, the case involves a troubling decision from the liberal Ninth Circuit, this one pertaining to racial discrimination. All parties involved agree that discrimination is wrong and already illegal. The Ninth Circuit, however, ruled that businesses can be sued for racial discrimination -- even if such discrimination wasn't the motivating factor in their actions.
11/6/19
Vape Shops Likely to Be Exempted in Planned FDA E-Cig Curbs
The Trump administration may exempt vape shops when it unveils expected restrictions on e-cigarette flavors, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said. Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Conway drew a line between two groups of flavors -- tobacco and menthol on one side, and mint, fruit and all other flavors on the other. The latter group appeals to kids and the White House must address use by minors, she said. She also said the Department of Health and Human Services has jurisdiction over e-cigarettes but not over vaping and vape shops, though the terms are often used interchangeably. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to issue guidance on the policy this week.
11/4/19
Labor's Next $15 Minimum Wage: Fair Scheduling For Shift Workers
Several states, including Massachusetts and New Jersey, are considering so-called fair workweek laws that would arm workers with a set of rights, such as requiring that employees be given advance notice of work schedules and are compensated for canceled shifts. The effort has been described by some in the labor movement as the "next $15 minimum wage," with major cities adopting fair workweek ordinances and several Democratic presidential candidates taking up the cause on the campaign trail.
10/31/19
Marathon Petroleum Confirms Speedway Spinoff, Announces Leadership Changes
After a 10-month strategic review process, Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC) is spinning off Speedway LLC. The retail network will become an independent company by year-end 2020. Upon completion of the spinoff, Speedway will be the largest U.S.-listed convenience store operator "boasting a coast-to-coast retail network and a nationally recognized brand," MPC Chairman and CEO Gary Heminger said during the company's third-quarter earnings call on Oct. 31.
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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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