NJ Operators Score Tax, TNC Victories

LANJ President Jason Sharenow (LCT file photo)

TRENTON, N.J. — Following unified and persistent lobbying efforts, meetings with legislators and state officials, and financial support from operators, the Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) scored two major victories Feb. 10 when Gov. Chris Christie signed into law two bills that regulate TNCs statewide and repeals the state’s 7% limo tax.

The TNC bill contains regulatory rules and criminal background checks — but excludes mandatory driver fingerprinting, which LANJ and taxi associations had lobbied hard to include.

Although pleased with the bill that finally regulates TNCs operating illegally in the Garden State, LANJ President Jason Sharenow (Broadway Elite) said, “Fingerprinting is the gold standard that’s used in New York City, why should New Jersey be exposed to anything less than that?”

He added LANJ has been “aggressive in keeping the pressure up and fingerprinting does have bipartisan support in the senate and assembly."

“The important piece to still be decided is the Attorney General now has 100 days to accept or reject the manner in which background checks will be completed. The (LANJ) legislative committee, in concert with our lobbying firm, is getting to work on a strategy to attack that topic to make sure our voice is heard,” said Sharenow in an email message to members alerting them to the bill’s passage.

Limo Tax Killed

The governor also signed legislation that repeals the 7% state sales and use tax on limousine company services. The sales tax, which taxis and TNCs do not have to pay, was cited as unfair by LANJ and deemed burdensome by the state legislature.

“The elimination of the sales tax is a tremendous win for us as it goes a long way towards parity with taxis as well as the TNC's,” said Sharenow in the email message.