L to R: Tiffany Hinton of MOTEV, Modaser Nazir of Stay Classy Black Car Service, Harry Dhillon of Ecko Worldwide Transportation, Doug Schwartz of Executive Transportation, Mo Garkani of The COTS Group, Ned Johnson of Grech Motors, Donielle Fawcett-McKee of Personal Sedan Services, and Mike Duda of Gold Coast Town Car Service
More than 80 members representing 33 states convened in Washington, D.C., on April 28-29 for the National Limousine Association’s Day on the Hill. The annual advocacy event allowed attendees to address a bevy of issues impacting the national industry directly with several key members of Congress, including Maine Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and N.Y. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y. 17). Lawler joined members while preparing for meetings for a productive roundtable discussion on key issues including congestion pricing, which he strongly opposes. CD President Chris Weiss was also among the attendees.
L to R: Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine, Maine Senator Susan Collins, Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine, and Louie Perry of Cornerstone Government Affairs
Among the event’s top priorities:
• Restoring Bonus Depreciation: Extend Section 168(k) to allow businesses to continue deducting the full expense of new vehicle purchases in the year of acquisition, critical for fleet modernization and cost control.
• No Tax on Tips: Support provisions that would eliminate federal taxes on employee tips, improving workforce retention and supporting frontline workers.
• Enhancing Section 179 Deductions: Strengthen small business investment incentives by increasing and expanding Section 179 expensing capabilities.
• Preventing Harmful Congestion Taxes: Pass the Economic Impact of Tolling Act to require comprehensive economic analyses before cities can impose congestion pricing schemes that harm businesses and communities.
L to R: AJ Thurber of Grech Motors, Doug Schwartz, Tiffany Hinton, and Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide Transportation
• Addressing the Insurance Crisis: Establish a federal task force through the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill to study and develop solutions to address the rising costs of commercial auto insurance.
• Ensuring Airport Access and Fairness: Extend FAA grant assurances to ground transportation providers to ensure equitable access, fair treatment, and competitive fee structures at airports nationwide.
“Chauffeured ground transportation is a critical part of America's transportation system, for both business and leisure travel,” said NLA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine. “Without thoughtful policy support, operators will face unnecessary barriers to growth and sustainability. We urge Congress to protect the future of our industry and the millions of Americans it serves.”
L to R: Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, Jason Gogel of My Limousine Service, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales, Joe Gulino of Gem Worldwide, Mike Rose of My Limousine Service, and Mike Barreto of Metropolis Passenger Logistics
The two-day event featured in-depth sessions from NLA lobbying firm Cornerstone Government Affairs on current legislation impacting the industry nationally as well as advice on getting the most of out the meetings with Congressional members and their aides.
Each year, the association awards scholarships to operators to attend the event. This year’s winners included:
• Paulos Bekele of Executive Transportation
• Nelson Burton Jr. of Burton Transport
• Paula DeBiasi of Chicago CoachWorks
• Donielle Fawcett-McKee of Personal Sedan Services
• Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine
• Chad Jones of Primetime Transportation
• Hillary Louarti of Diamond Transportation
• Guri Rajput of SRTC Limo
L to R: Scott Woodruff of Majestic Limo & Coach, Matt Assolin of RMA Worldwide, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Deanna Ballard of World Travel Management, Paulos Bekele of Executive Transportation of Denver, and Kevin Retchless from ABC Companies
The NLA, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, currently represents thousands of small business owners, the majority (96%) of which operate fewer than 50 vehicles.
“On behalf of the NLA legislative co-chairs, I want to thank all the members who traveled to Washington, D.C., to make this year’s NLA Day on the Hill another successful showcase of the chauffeured transportation industry with our federal legislators. We had so many great meetings and positive responses and are excited to pursue the many opportunities. We now must enact positive legislation for our industry,” said NLA Legislative Co-Chair Matt Assolin of RMA Worldwide.
Visit limo.org for more information.
[05.05.25]