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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The annual LCT-NLA Show East is becoming quite the gathering venue for industry association meetings as the Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ), Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA), and Florida Limousine Association (FLA) held member breakfast meetings during the three-day annual show and conference held Nov. 13-15.
Topics at the Nov. 14 meeting centered on updates on TNC legislation in their respective states, as well as fighting other regulator fees and taxes that target the private transportation industry.
LANJ President Jason Sharenow (Broadway Elite Transportation, East Hanover, N.J.) told more than 75 members and guests he expects a pending bill that will regulate TNCs to pass when the legislature meets again. “We didn’t get everything we wanted but we’re OK with what we got,” Sharenow said. Although the bill will provide stricter oversight and regulations for TNCs, mandatory fingerprinting background checks was not included.
On a winning note, Sharenow informed members a bill to eliminate the 7% sales tax levied against limousine companies is gaining traction having first passed through a legislative committee. Sharenow acknowledged LANJ legislative committee members Jon Epstein (Royal Coachman Worldwide Limousine Service, Denville, N.J.) and Pete Corelli (Lakeview Custom Coach) for “working tirelessly” to both lobby and testify before legislators to get the bill off the ground and moving forward.
Fighting Philadelphia Parking Authority
More than 35 PRLA members and guests — including members of the Virginia Limousine Association — attended the association’s breakfast meeting held on Nov. 15. PRLA President Steve Rhoads (Rhoads Limousine, Douglassville, Pa.) informed members the association is fighting hard to stop a new Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) vehicle assessment that more than doubles the registration fee per vehicle, from $404 to $868.
Rhoads said the association has petitioned a federal court to stop the assessment and the judge ruled in early November the hike will not be enforced until both the PPA and PRLA meet to iron out the matter. Rhoads said the PRLA is waiting for the PPA to respond.
A contingent of Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) members, including VLA President Paul Walsh (Superior Executive Transportation, Virginia Beach, Va.) also attended and shared time during the PRLA breakfast meeting to discuss common issues, such as airport regulations regarding TNCs.
National Limo Day?
The Florida Limousine Association held its breakfast meeting Nov. 14 touching on a variety of issues and topics. FLA President Rick Versace ( A1A Limousine, Boca Raton, Fla.) told members the association is formulating its strategy for the upcoming legislative session to propose legislation that would require all ground transportation drivers (taxi, limo, and TNC) to use fingerprint background checks.
Versace added the FLA is discussing putting together a Chauffeur Certification program and members of the Long Island Limousine Association shared how their program works.
On a national note, Versace said the FLA is proposing to create a “Limousine Operator Appreciation Week” culminating with National Limo Day. The idea will be discussed further to see if can gain traction with the National Limousine Association and Congress.
Arthur Messina Atlantic city FLA Florida operators Harrah’s Jason Sharenow Jon Epstein LANJ LCT-NLA Show East limo associations Limousine Association of New Jersey Mike Barreto new jersey Pat Charla Paul Walsh Pennsylvania operators Pete Corelli philadelphia Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association prla Rick Versace Steve Rhoads Virginia Limousine Association Virginia operators VLA
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