The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

Last Wednesday, June 16, the NLA Board and others went to Capitol Hill again to work on getting the Gas Guzzler tax repealed on limousines. The Overtime Wage issue was also worked on.

In reading this forum, there is alot of bashing of the NLA for whatever reason, but I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to the folks that took time away from their businesses & spent money to travel and stay in DC in order to advance the interests of the Industry as a whole. It takes a special business owner to go work for the thousands of operators on a volunteer basis to get things done like this, while the rest of the Industry rides along on the coattails, and in rare cases bitches and moans about the Association.

To the rare cases with nothing better to do than whine....

To the thousands who have stepped up to be members - THANK YOU

Another succesful fundraiser for our Congressional champion Congressman Roy Blunt was held, but YOU can also help with a contribution.
Contact the NLA to find out how. $50-$100-$250 whatever you can do.
...unless you want to keep paying the $1700 per vehicle when you buy a new one.

Get involved!
Sitting on the sidelines doesn't get you ahead in this Industry.

Funny how fast those NLA cheerleaders burn out. Giving them the facts is like throwing garlic at a vampire.

Did I miss the obituary of the Polish doctor last Fall??? Too bad, he was a big NLA booster.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JHJ,

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
Dr. Gelakeiwicz, Any updates on the Gas Guzzler ?

---

To my knowledge, it is in the Highway Reatharization Trust Fund Bill. The GG tax is put into this bill with our exeption written into the definition. The hiway bill gains net money getting GG tzx and we get our exemption restored.

How did we miss the corporate tax relief bill that just passed?
My guess is the deal is done when Congress gets to the Hiway bill but the Senate is like $324B, the House version is $300B and the PREZ sez $280B. So until after the election this one is stuck. But the bill is one of the largest that distributes $$$ to the states for hiway construction & maintenance, so it WILL be gotten to eventually.

It won't hurt to make a call to your rep to remind him that it is still an unfair tax and we need his support when it comes up.

Dr. Gelakeiwicz, Any updates on the Gas Guzzler ?

You'll have to ask the large operators. After all they are the ones who for years fought the one permit system and persuaded the NLA not to get involved with the current court action. There has to be a reason why? As far as complying with regulations of multiple counties to operators strictly providing intercounty (Intrastate) transport. There is a problem if application such local regulations are in "violation" of State Law. And when we say "regulation" it's regulation in the entirey (not just collecting permit fees) with no uniformity between the counties. A vehicle that meets the requirements of one county may not meet the requirements of another. Example: Vans in Orlando may apply lettering to glass. This is unacceptable in Hillsborough (Tampa) which dictates on metal. Van Operators (Charter Service in Austin) may only utilize the large vans in Hillsborough (even if only one or two passengers are being transported) yet Orlando allows mini vans and the new center isle seating van from Ford is a no,no in Hillsborough (cloth seating).. I know it's hard for an operator who operates within a metro area to grasp this. Maybe better understood by stating that counties are doing what the RIDE Act of 2002 prohibits States from doing. Bottom line is, local regulatory powers will be challenged if violations of State Laws exist as some individuals do more than just talk the talk.
The NLA is well aware of the unjust and unlawful economic regulations placed upon the operators in Florida and have done nothing.This is not what they're selling!

quote:

---

Originally posted by TxLimoGuy:
Can someone in Florida explain to me how this $5000 per vehicle permitting system is biased in the favor of the Large Operator/Big Boys? So far I do not follow the logic of this argument.
I am not arguing the merits of the effort of statewide licensing instead of county/city/regional. I am just trying to comprehend how the 'Big Boys" benefit from the situation?
As far as I can tell as long as you are willing to comply with the regulations the market is still open.
The regulations may suck, and they may need to be changed, but I don't understand how they prevent someone who is willing to comply with them from operating...

---

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gunny,

Can someone in Florida explain to me how this $5000 per vehicle permitting system is biased in the favor of the Large Operator/Big Boys? So far I do not follow the logic of this argument.
I am not arguing the merits of the effort of statewide licensing instead of county/city/regional. I am just trying to comprehend how the 'Big Boys" benefit from the situation?
As far as I can tell as long as you are willing to comply with the regulations the market is still open.
The regulations may suck, and they may need to be changed, but I don't understand how they prevent someone who is willing to comply with them from operating...

Florida Statutes
Ch 316 "Nonpublic sector bus" any motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.
Ch 341 "Regulation of nonpublic sector buses"
No local government entity shall unduly restrict or impose any economic regulation upon the use of nonpublic sector buses engaged solely in intercounty transportation.

LCT Magazine issues 3/04,4/04,5/04,9/04 sell "fighting over-regulation" as one of the benefits of joining the NLA. The fight myself and others (members of the NLA) are involved in isn't about "unfair/unjust regulation" but of counties and municipalities violating Florida Statutes. 9/04 issue titled "The Doer Team" nothing but "talk the talk".
To the small operator thinking about joining, you do receive a couple of nice decals for your money and you can make your ads look more impressive with the NLA logo.
"Our association was formed in 1985 to protect our members from unfair government regulations and taxation". S.S. LCT 07/03
"Licensing in Florida costs operators an average of $5,000. per vehicle a year. It's absolutely unconstitutional. It may take a class-action suit to change it". S.S. LCT 04/03

P.S. I talked to Scott and in no way based on his attitude will I lay criticism of the NLA on him. He understands and concurs with the fight. The big boys holding the purse strings and who fought the "One Permit" system are the problem. Question is, if all small operators take heed of the political realities of the NLA and opted out. How many members will be left?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gunny,

TLPA - Taxi + Limousine = Oil + Water

quote:

---

Originally posted by TxLimoGuy:
Hey thanks for the reminder Harpo (and I am a member of the TLPA) Heh heh!

quote:

---

Originally posted by HARPO:

quote:

---

It is the only national organization we have so it does deserve everyone's support

---

No it's not Tx, did you forget about the TLPA! And BTW I was a member for many years, I never ran for office because my time would not allow for it. I finally decided that the dues were not worth the benefits and ceased my membership. In any event I get more bang for my buck with my local association than I ever did with the NLA.

---

---

Hey thanks for the reminder Harpo (and I am a member of the TLPA) Heh heh!

quote:

---

Originally posted by HARPO:

quote:

---

It is the only national organization we have so it does deserve everyone's support

---

No it's not Tx, did you forget about the TLPA! And BTW I was a member for many years, I never ran for office because my time would not allow for it. I finally decided that the dues were not worth the benefits and ceased my membership. In any event I get more bang for my buck with my local association than I ever did with the NLA.

---

quote:

---

It is the only national organization we have so it does deserve everyone's support

---

No it's not Tx, did you forget about the TLPA! And BTW I was a member for many years, I never ran for office because my time would not allow for it. I finally decided that the dues were not worth the benefits and ceased my membership. In any event I get more bang for my buck with my local association than I ever did with the NLA.

quote:

---

Originally posted by TxLimoGuy:
It is the only national organization we have so it does deserve everyone's support.
If you don't like the current direction why don't you guys consider joining and running for election on the NLA. Get in the organization and push for change rather than sit on the sidelines and complain when you aren't even a member!

quote:

---

Originally posted by HARPO:

quote:

---

What a crappy organization they are

---

Thats exactly why I never bother to join.

---

---

I am a member and I have been a member. If your
not a member of the "good ole boy" network you dont go anywhere in the NLA. Just ask John Sinibaldi.

It is the only national organization we have so it does deserve everyone's support.
If you don't like the current direction why don't you guys consider joining and running for election on the NLA. Get in the organization and push for change rather than sit on the sidelines and complain when you aren't even a member!

quote:

---

Originally posted by HARPO:

quote:

---

What a crappy organization they are

---

Thats exactly why I never bother to join.

---

quote:

---

What a crappy organization they are

---

Thats exactly why I never bother to join.

quote:

---

Originally posted by gunny:
This post did have the result of the NLA contacting me. Their position is that the NLA will not get involved helping operators fight the unjust economic overregulation that prevails in various parts of the country. The reason? Political fallout from those who enjoy the monopolizing effect of overregulation. And if one thinks that politicians magically come up with regulatory ideas on their own, well just say I know of some great swampland for sale.

quote:

---

Originally posted by gunny:
Excuse me if I don't jump for joy about the gas guzzler tax. And what poll was conducted to determine that the gas guzzler tax is a priority issue? The NLA has been apprised of the unconstitutional, multiple permit extortion fees costing operators in Florida up to $5,000. per vehicle yearly. They have been informed of the expensive legal fight being waged by small operators on Florida's West Coast multiple times and not even a "Good Luck" response. They'll receive the same response when my yearly membership payment is due.

---

---

You might want to point out to the NLA that one of the bylaws says that you are subject to being expelled from membership if you are involved in having anything to do with keeping free competition out of your marketplace and interfering with others right of going into the limousine business in any way. What a crappy organization they are.

This post did have the result of the NLA contacting me. Their position is that the NLA will not get involved helping operators fight the unjust economic overregulation that prevails in various parts of the country. The reason? Political fallout from those who enjoy the monopolizing effect of overregulation. And if one thinks that politicians magically come up with regulatory ideas on their own, well just say I know of some great swampland for sale.

quote:

---

Originally posted by gunny:
Excuse me if I don't jump for joy about the gas guzzler tax. And what poll was conducted to determine that the gas guzzler tax is a priority issue? The NLA has been apprised of the unconstitutional, multiple permit extortion fees costing operators in Florida up to $5,000. per vehicle yearly. They have been informed of the expensive legal fight being waged by small operators on Florida's West Coast multiple times and not even a "Good Luck" response. They'll receive the same response when my yearly membership payment is due.

---

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gunny,

Excuse me if I don't jump for joy about the gas guzzler tax. And what poll was conducted to determine that the gas guzzler tax is a priority issue? The NLA has been apprised of the unconstitutional, multiple permit extortion fees costing operators in Florida up to $5,000. per vehicle yearly. They have been informed of the expensive legal fight being waged by small operators on Florida's West Coast multiple times and not even a "Good Luck" response. They'll receive the same response when my yearly membership payment is due.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gunny,

"The World"!!!!! Doc says it is a few "rare cases." I think that's the NLA line established a few years ago, that we are a "few disguntled" members. I still haven't seen a land-rush to join the NLA.

quote:

---

Originally posted by AAA/GOT:
Geez! Where were you guys when it was just Jim Luff and I against the world!!

Positive is good

---

Oh, for Pete's Sake - the cheerleaders are back! Let's talk about the gas guzzler tax for a minute, please. Has that tax kept anybody on this forum ever from buying a new limousine? The tax is insignificant in the greater scheme of things. First it applies only to "new" vehicles, while the vast majority of the industry buys and uses "used" limousines. Second, it is a virtually insignificant part of the operarting expenses of any limousine company. Third, most of the people active on this issue are those who buy and operate new limousines in quanities of more than one or two. Third, figure out what this tax brings in - take the tax percentage times the average value of a new limousine times the number produced in a year. Now, tell me why this is important? I think it's a knee-jerk reaction by people who think the Federal government is an occupying foreign power (I confess to those inclinations myself, but I'm not going to chase off to Capitol Hill just to get my photo in an NLA newsletter).

I can understand how this effort is being ballyhooed, since there's nothing else to ballyhoo. And, by the way, when was this tax repealed???? Want to know how Washington really works - look at the history of the bankruptcy reform legislation. Every year a reform bill making it harder for debt-strapped American workers to file for bankruptcy is introduced in Congress, the banks and credit card issuers engorge our Representatives and Senators with millions of dollars in campaign contributions to get the reform bill passed, and each year the reform bill passes one or the other houses of Congress, but not the other, or, if both, in different forms requiring committee reconcilation. The special interests keep paying and paying and paying, and the bill never hits the President's desk. And now, my friends, cough up the next $10K pledged to Rep. Blunt, and be prepared to do it again, and again, and again. Washington knows what a cash cow is, for Pete's Sake.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dr. Gelakeiwicz:
Last Wednesday, June 16, the NLA Board and others went to Capitol Hill again to work on getting the Gas Guzzler tax repealed on limousines. The Overtime Wage issue was also worked on.

In reading this forum, there is alot of bashing of the NLA for whatever reason, but I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to the folks that took time away from their businesses & spent money to travel and stay in DC in order to advance the interests of the Industry as a whole. It takes a special business owner to go work for the thousands of operators on a volunteer basis to get things done like this, while the rest of the Industry rides along on the coattails, and in rare cases bitches and moans about the Association.

To the rare cases with nothing better to do than whine....

To the thousands who have stepped up to be members - THANK YOU

Another succesful fundraiser for our Congressional champion Congressman Roy Blunt was held, but YOU can also help with a contribution.
Contact the NLA to find out how. $50-$100-$250 whatever you can do.
...unless you want to keep paying the $1700 per vehicle when you buy a new one.

Get involved!
Sitting on the sidelines doesn't get you ahead in this Industry.

---

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JHJ,

David Merrill is correct...