NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi (left) and NLA and NELA President Brett Barenholtz
The National Limousine Association (NLA)—an organization responsible for and dedicated to representing the interests of the prearranged ground transportation industry at the global, national, state and local levels —held its 24th annual Day on the Hill advocacy event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 15. Sixty-six members met with 68 legislators spanning 23 states, discussing policies impacting small business owners throughout the industry, as well as the interests of the corporate traveler.
NLA Director Tiffany Hinton of MOTEV
“Ninety-seven percent of our membership are small business owners; it could not have been more fitting to host this year’s Day on the Hill during Small Business Month,” said NLA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation/Boston Car Service. “This is one of the NLA’s most important and impactful annual events, especially during an election year. I would like to thank the many elected officials and policymakers who took the time to meet and engage in a productive dialogue about the critical issues affecting our industry and businesses across the country.”
NLA Directors Maya Adrine of Golden Limousine International and Karl Guenther of Statement Limousine
Sixty-six NLA members met with 68 local senators, representatives, and staff members to address three top policy issues:
Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024)
Ask to Congress: Pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act.
- As an asset-intensive industry, NLA operators must constantly update older models with newer, safer, and more efficient vehicles in order to keep pace with competition and client expectations.
- This bipartisan bill includes several provisions for the industry’s small businesses to stay competitive; enhancing the Section 179 deduction and restoring full bonus depreciation would allow operators to keep fleets modern in an era of skyrocketing costs.
Airport Access and Fairness at the Curb
Ask to Congress: Extend FAA grant assurances for ground transportation providers, applying the principles of fairness on the airport curb that already exist and work on the tarmac.
- 67 percent of NLA members report that airport transfers make up 50 percent or more of their annual business, according to a recent survey.
- Access fees and curb real estate vary widely from airport to airport with little oversight, enforcement, and often no recourse when an airport takes advantage of ground transportation operators. This hurts competition, and ultimately, the costs are passed onto consumers.
N.H. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (center), a supporter of the industry, also met with the group
Congestion Taxes
Ask to Congress: Co-sponsor the Economic Impact of Tolling Act (H.R. 1759), which prevents the Department of Transportation (DOT) from authorizing or implementing congestion pricing plans without first completing and publishing an economic impact analysis.
- The public overwhelmingly opposes congestion taxes, as they often divert funds away from roads and fail to reduce traffic, instead moving congestion to areas less equipped to handle it.
- It is critical for federal government intervention to ensure congestion pricing does not move forward unchecked.
The NLA was honored to have longtime industry supporter, US Senator and Chair of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), meet with members while preparing for Day on the Hill visits.
This year also marked the association’s second annual scholarship program, which covered expenses for eight members to attend Day on the Hill for the first time and have their voices heard.
Visit limo.org for more information.
[05.21.24]