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Each year, the company funds an employee health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) that reimburses employees for their out-of-pocket medical expenses and health insurance premiums. Because Rudy’s completely funds its HRA, there is no employee contribution required. With the new tax initiatives, this year Rudy’s HRA will provide $1,500 for individual employees and $3,000 for families to use in paying their medical expenses.
“Even with the continually rising costs of healthcare, Rudy’s has been able to reduce our out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Our health insurance premiums have been reduced while at the same time, our deductibles have been lowered, providing us with better and less expensive coverage,” according to Rudy’s employee, Katie DeFilippis. “I know it’s really helped me and my family and I’m sure it’s helped many others as well.”
Rudy’s Executive Transportation CEO Roy Spezzano credits the new tax plan and its reduction in the corporate tax rate for making this possible for his company. According to Spezzano, “We never could have done this without the initiatives provided in the new government tax plan. And this is exactly what the plan is supposed to do, what it is meant to do. It was designed not only to help businesses, but more importantly, to help businesses help their employees, their workers, the people who have to provide for their families.”
To further help its employees, Rudy’s handed out bonuses to each of its 120-plus chauffeurs, as well as to the 40 people who work in Rudy’s office. Bonuses average over a thousand dollars for each driver and an average of four thousand for the office employees.
Spezzano adds, “Rudy’s has been in business serving the tri-state area for over 60 years and it’s been our employees, our staff, and our chauffeurs who have been primarily responsible for our success. I’m happy to give something back to them and I appreciate the new tax initiatives making that possible.”
Visit rudylimo.com for more information.
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"[Tom] was a long time member of our association and event when his health slowed him down, he made an effort to attend our meetings along with national trade shows,” said Virginia Limousine Association President Paul Walsh. "Tom was a person that wanted to help new members and had a passion for the chauffeured transportation industry. Anyone who had the opportunity to speak with Tom could feel this genuine passion that he openly shared."
Smith is survived by his wife, Charlene Hall Smith; son, Travis Smith of Brandywine, Md.; daughter Trisha Watkins (Alan) of Wake Forest, N.C.; daughter Angie Isaacs (David) of Huntersville, N.C.; brother Kenneth Smith of LaVale, Md.; brother Michael Smith (Aarti) of Centreville, Va.; grandchildren Draven Smith, Hannah Isaacs, Michelle, Allison, and Ryan Watkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is scheduled for February 27 from 6-8 p.m. at Lee Funeral Home Clinton, 6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Road, Clinton, Md.
Chauffeur Driven would like to extend our condolences to his family and team at Prime Transportation.
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Prior to the legislative day, a board meeting was held February 20, where new GCLA President Mo Garkani of COTS Group highlighted the primary issues to address the next day.
The next morning, Nidia Bautista of the Senate Energy Committee, Nick Zangani of California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Transportation Enforcement Branch, and Edmond Cheung of the Assembly Conveyance Committee met with and spoke to GCLA members before they headed to the capitol to brief them on what to expect from the day and how to maximize their efforts.
The Day on the Hill itself was packed with meetings to tell senators, assembly members, and their staffs to demonstrate the unity of the statewide ground transportation industry, educate them on not only the issues operators face but also what the industry does, communicate the GCLA’s positions on specific legislation, and demonstrate continued support for Lobbyist Gregg Cook of Government Affairs Consulting and his dedication to representing the GCLA’s interests throughout the legislative year.
While TNCs were not among this year’s focal points, safety issues within the transportation sector remained at the forefront of the day’s message as part of the discussion about duty of care and the ongoing need for both Department of Justice background checks and monitoring for-hire drivers. There was also a call for supporting the CPUC, specifically its budget request to hire between six to eight enforcement officers and its efforts to increase enforcement overall.
After the whirlwind day concluded, participants regrouped to discuss the fruits of their labors and detail their meetings.
Check out the March issue of Chauffeur Driven for expanded coverage of this event.
The next GCLA meeting will be March 13 in Las Vegas.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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