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Sacramento, Calif.— The most recent meeting of the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) tackled a bevy of meaty issues. The meeting itself was sponsored by Grech Motors/Team Superstores and Vallejo Cadillac, and put together by Dave Kinney, the Sacramento director of GCLA.
First and foremost on the agenda were the legislative issues the association is currently wrangling with. GCLA Lobbyists, Greg Cook and Rob Grossglauser, had an update on Senate Bill 611 (SB 611) which was finally signed off on by the GCLA, mainly because it will do away with the need for livery plates (and the accompanying hassle that obtaining these plates causes) in the state.
Chris Quinn, Northern California GCLA Director and president of Corporate Transportation Solutions, gave a presentation on independent contractors (IC) versus “regular” employees. California has some of the toughest standards for IC versus employee status in the nation—and much to the chagrin of many, will stay that way—and misclassifying employees comes with some hefty fines. The presentation tied directly into GCLA’s legal battle with Uber and other ridesharing apps. GCLA President Rich Azzolino of Gateway Global was personally invited by David Jones, the insurance commissioner of California, to give a presentation to the commission on the rogue apps’ hiring practices and myriad insurance issues. This presentation was very well received by the commission and will be used to initiate policy moving forward.
“After that presentation, let’s just say that all the app companies are (hacked) off at me and the GCLA … and we kinda like it that way,” says Azzolino. “We made an impact and they are running for cover.”
Azzolino also gave an update on the current issues being addressed at the San Francisco Airport (SFO). There is legislation in discussion that will deal with the rogue app companies illegally entering the airport for pick-ups and drop offs. This proposed legislation would greatly increase the amount of enforcement patrols, and increase the fines that can be levied against offenders. An issue stemming from this is that the San Francisco Airport is located in San Mateo County, not in San Francisco proper, and San Mateo courts were summarily dismissing these cases without enforcing the incurred penalties and fines. The main reason that the San Mateo courts were doing this because the revenue generated by these fines was going to San Francisco, not San Mateo, due to the fact that the police at the airport are a branch of the San Francisco police department. GCLA is backing legislation that would put an end to these summary dismissals, streamline the complicated process, and ensure that the perpetrators ultimately get their just desserts.
Finally, Charles Lesson from Tesla Motors had a Model S on display for operators to test drive at their leisure. Lesson also had information available about purchase and lease options on the sleek and stylish Model S.
GCLA’s next meeting will be held on May 13 in Long Beach, Calif.
Visit gcla.orgfor more information.
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El Cajon, Calif.—This April, American Motor Products (AMProd) left its headquarters in Southern California on its first nationwide tour to showcase its and its sponsors’ wide variety of products. The first stops included Austin, Dallas, and Houston, where the tour joined the local organizations, including Central Texas Limousine Association, Dallas Fort Worth Limousine Association, and Houston Area Livery and Charter Association. Each event is by invitation only from the association, AMProd, or through the National Limousine Association, which is a sponsor. All stops are in conjunction with local associations or events.
The tour, which is being hosted by Executive Vice President of Business Development Dave Ward and Wendy Ward, is expected to hit nearly 40 venues when it wraps up in January 2015. The tour is also expected to stop at the Chauffeur Driven Show in November. They are traveling the country in a motor home adorned with sponsor logos including Grech Motors, Create-A-Card, Rental Limo, Chosen Payments, LimoLive24, Safety Kleen, and Michelin. Sponsors have also joined the tour on occasion, giving their own presentations of their products and which often includes a raffle.
The tour is currently in Florida and is expected to make stops in Orlando and Tampa as of press time. Tentative stops for June include Atlanta, Greenville, S.C., Raleigh/Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C., before making its way to the New York/New Jersey area in July. The tour is also being covered on AMProd’s Facebook page at facebook.com/AmericanMotorProducts.
Email Wendy Ward at wendyw@amprodusa.com for more information. Also visit American-motor-products.com for a full list of its products and services.
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Montvale, N.J.— This past April, Perfect Limo Service celebrated their 30 year anniversary. Starting in the basement of their home in 1984 with one town car, John and Doris Sutich envisioned better things to come and, with hard work and perseverance, those “better things” eventually did come.
Now with a fleet of over 30 luxury vehicles, Perfect Limo has thrived throughout the years, becoming an industry leader in corporate work, weddings, and other social engagements. Perfect Limo also continues to be a huge part of the business community in the Northern N.J. and greater New York City areas.
Visit perfectlimo.comfor more information.
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