Apply by Tomorrow - March 31, 2015 for CAWA Automotive Scholarships
Scholarship applications will be accepted through March 31, 2015. One application could qualify for up to 15 scholarships. If you're pursuing your education to further your career in the auto care industry or know of someone who is, take the time to apply. CAWA has been pleased to provide scholarships to several students each year in Arizona, California and Nevada. Don't miss this opportunity and apply today at www.automotivescholarships.com. Questions? Contact Rodney Pierini, [email protected] or call 800-332-2292, ext. 1.
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California's New Paid Sick Leave Law - An Overview
See the enclosed link for the law that went into effect on January 1st, which also has major implications beginning July 1st. Contact our California based legislative advocate, Gary Conover at [email protected] or 916.233.9655, should you have any questions.
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Your Commercial Customers Will Be Meeting in Irvine, California
Join your repair garage customer owners at the Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA) 2015 annual convention in Irvine. See the enclosure for details (
here).
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CAWA Has a Five Point Plan to Develop a Strong Relationship with YANG
The Board of Directors, through their recent planning session, has committed to developing a stronger relationship with the Young Auto Care Network (YANG). This national group of individuals under 40 years of age was formed in January 2014 with a desire to help young professionals establish a circle of peers to grow with alongside their careers. A five point plan has been developed and will be implemented this year. For details on the plan, contact our President & CEO, Rodney Pierini at 800.332.2292, ext. 1 or [email protected]
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Chris Kersting of SEMA to Address CAWA in June - All Welcomed to Attend
For the general session of the June leadership meeting (June 18, 2015 in Pasadena, California) CAWA will be addressed by the President & CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Chris Kersting. Other speakers during the session will include: Scott Luckett, of GCommerce - to discuss omnichannel commerce and the digital aftermarket and what it means to your business/company; Arfa Syed of the Auto Care Association - to discuss how social media can benefit your business/company and Mike Rukov of One Stop Parts Source, LLC - to discuss the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG) Program. Registration materials will be out in May and for more immediate information contact our President & CEO, Rodney Pierini, at [email protected] or 800.332.2292, ext. 1.
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University of the Aftermarket Scholarship Available to Distributors
Once again the University of the Aftermarket Foundation has agreed to provide a full scholarship to an ASAAA member distributor (CAWA is a member of ASAAA). Enclosed is more information and an application form. The dates are: Aug 23-28, 2015 (Midland, MI) and April 24-29, 2016 (TBA). Attendees must attend both sessions. The scholarship covers everything except travel to and from campus. Applications are due to CAWA on June 1, 2015. See our President & CEO, Rodney Pierini for more details. He can be reached at 800.332.2292, ext. 1 or [email protected].
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California Plastic Bag Ban on Hold Pending 2016 Vote
California voters will get their say next year on the state's ban on plastic carryout bags, after the law's opponents in the plastic bag manufacturing industry gathered enough valid voter signatures to qualify a November 2016 referendum on the measure. The referendum's qualification suspends the law until voters weigh in. The first bag restrictions, covering large grocery stores and pharmacies, had been set to go into effect July 1. For more information contact our legislative advocate, Gary Conover at [email protected] or 916.233.9655.
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CAWA Supports SB 1241 in Arizona - Speaking of Plastic Bags!
This bill would prohibit municipal and county governments from enacting ordinances requiring businesses to report energy use and consumption and restricting the use of plastic bags. For more information, contact our Arizona based legislative advocate, Stuart Goodman at [email protected] or 602.517.5708.
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Nevada Governor Proposing an Increase in Business License Fees
This proposal will affect CAWA members if the legislature follows the governor's recommendation. The Governor has proposed a budget for the next biennium which is just over $1B more than last biennium. He has proposed making permanent $600M in "temporary taxes" that were put into place in 2009, and were to sunset in 2011 and then again in 2013. They were always extended due to the economy. Now, he is proposing to add to that a $400M+ new "business license fee" which incorporates a gross receipts measurement. It is patterned after Texas which has had a similar "fee" in place for six years. It creates numerous categories of industries and sets different rates for each. Right now, all Nevada businesses pay a business license fee of $200 per year. This could be raised to up to $4M per year for very large entities. The proposal in detail is enclosed (view). For further information, contact our Nevada based legislative advocate, David Brown at [email protected] or 702.860.8282.
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Auto Care Association Launches New Career Site
The Association has launched a new auto care careers website, www.autocarecareers.org, to educate young people about, and attract them to, careers in the auto care industry. The website has resources and information highlighting the variety of professional positions, fast growth potential and dynamic career paths available in the auto care industry. Highlights of the site include a custom interactive career accelerator and downloadable factsheets for a variety of audiences. We encourage CAWA members to link to the new site, and use it as a valuable resource in all of their recruitment efforts. For more information, contact the Auto Care Association education department at 301-654-6664, or visit www.autocarecareers.org.
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CARB Announces Second Workshop on Approving Aftermarket Diesel Particulate Filters
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced the details for the second public meeting on the "Criteria for the Evaluation of Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Devices," that covers aftermarket diesel particulate filters (DPF). Under current law, original equipment DPFs are the only allowable replacement for on-road heavy duty diesel engines, model year 2007 and later, once the engine is out of warranty. The public meeting is to help develop the process by which aftermarket filters could be certified for use in California. Interested parties are encouraged to attend at least one public meeting to weigh in and understand where CARB currently is in the process. The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. PST, at the CARB location at 9530 Telstar Avenue, in El Monte, Calif. For further details on the issue, and information on attending the meeting, visit this link. For questions, see our Director of Government Affairs, Jennifer Zins at [email protected] or 916.871.0603.
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Another Tax Due Date is Approaching - Looking for Accounting Services Specific to the Auto Care Industry?
Contact Wyman & Little, our accounting partner, at [email protected] or 951.734.5558. Many Association members take advantage of their services when it comes to financial matters because they are automotive aftermarket specialists in accounting and business services. Become their client and receive up to $300 annually toward your membership in the CAWA. Another member benefit.
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