PRLA Discusses Legislative Challenges at Fall Meeting

PRLA President Steve Rhoads of New Rhoads Transportation King of Prussia, Pa. — The Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) returned to Maggiano’s Little Italy on October 24 for a general membership meeting sponsored by Lakeview Custom Coach. More than 30 members and guests attended to discuss recent legislative news and to welcome new members to the association’s board.

The meeting began with PRLA President Steve Rhoads of New Rhoads Transportation welcoming attendees to the meeting, and introducing Treasurer Tony Viscusi from Global Limousine, who provided the group with a fiscal report.

Next, Rhoads gave the group a somewhat unhappy update regarding their ongoing battle with the Philadelphia Parking Commission. In recent months, the PRLA has been making significant headway with House Bill 2473, which sought put limousines operators under the same vehicle assessment structure as the TNCs within Philadelphia. In recent months, the bill had made significant headway, passing through three unanimous considerations in the house, ultimately going to the Senate in late September.

“Then we hit a bump in the road,” says Rhoads.

Unfortunately, the bill was passed over during the six voting sessions that were held in the State House, killing it entirely. With the end of the year approaching, it appears that the Senate is reluctant to vote on anything deemed “controversial.”

“While much of our hard work—and money—has been essentially wasted, we’re not giving up. Right now we’re trying to determine which direction we’re going to take,” says Rhoads.

With the many of the bill’s supporters not returning next term, most significantly its sponsor Representative Robert W. Godshall, who is retiring, the PRLA will likely be forced to start again with a new bill. Given the unanimous approval their proposal was met with in the house, this will likely be a minor setback for the association and Philadelphia-area ground transportation providers.

After dinner, Pete Corelli from Lakeview Custom Coach welcomed guest Bill Battisti from Battisti Customs, who spoke about his product line to the operators in attendance. Corelli had vehicles on-hand at the restaurant, which were available for first-hand viewing.

Finally, the meeting ended with the election of three new members to the PRLA board. It was announced that Mike Barreto of Eagle Chauffeured Services, Tracy Salinger of Unique Transportation, and Bob Euler, Jr. of King Limousine and Transportation, will replace outgoing board members Anthony Onorata of Anthony Limousine, Chris Haines of Michael's Classic Limousine, and Rhoads, who is stepping down after a distinguished term as president. The current board will remain in place until January 1, and then new officer elections will take place early in 2019.

“It’s time to get some new blood in there,” says Rhoads. “They have fire in their bellies, which is good for the organization.”

Visit prlainc.com for more information.

[CD1018]