LILA President Tom Gouldsbury and board members hosted a successful legislative affairs breakfast with elected officials and staff representatives from state, county, town, and village government to discuss pressing issues facing the transportation industry on Long Island.
The Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) proudly announces the resounding success of its recent legislative breakfast on Thursday, January 16. This event brought together members of the LILA Board along with state and local elected officials to discuss pressing issues facing the passenger transportation industry on Long Island.
In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, LILA alerted all New Yorkers to only hire licensed car, van, and limousine operators, and launched an unlicensed operator tip line. Unlike licensed operators, those who are unlicensed and operating illegally are not required to comply with a background check, are not registered with the New York State Department of Transportation or Consumer Affairs, are not required to carry safety equipment within the vehicle, and do not carry livery-specific insurance, leaving passengers completely unprotected in the event of an incident.
As part of its public awareness campaign, LILA shared information with regional representatives about the dangers of hiring unlicensed car operators, many of which solicit business through “mom’s” pages and other groups on Facebook and various social media platforms. LILA board members are calling on local elected officials and law enforcement agencies to assist with cracking down on illegal car operators transporting passengers across Long Island.
The topics discussed at the breakfast include new enforcement measures, the creation of a public database of licensed operators, greater education of local law enforcement agencies, and broader awareness amongst the public at airports, train stations and tourist destinations to only hire licensed operators.
Dignitaries who attended LILA’s first legislative breakfast include New York State Senator Siela Bynoe (D), New York State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R), Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R), Babylon Supervisor and Chair of the Suffolk County Supervisors Association Rich Schaffer (D), Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R), Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena (D), Suffolk County Legislature Deputy Presiding Officer Steve Flotteron (R), Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D), Legislator Samuel Gonzalez (D), Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D), Town of Islip Councilman Mike McElwee (R), Village of Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata (R), and staff members representing New York State Senator Mario Mattera (R), New York State Assemblyman Doug Smith (R), Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine (R), Legislator Catherine Stark (R), and Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R).
“I want to thank all of the elected officials and their staff who took the time out of their busy schedules and came to our legislative breakfast,” said LILA President Tom Gouldsbury of Azure Limousine. “This event shows our commitment to advocating for the interests of our industry while building strong relationships with our lawmakers who understand the unique challenges we face.”
“This successful breakfast marks a significant step in strengthening our association’s advocacy efforts and ensuring that the voices of transportation professionals are heard in legislative discussions,” said LILA Vice President Charles Gandolfo of Dynasty Limousine. “We spoke a great deal about the role that consumer affairs and law enforcement play in our mission, and our representatives listened and are already taking action.”
“The posts you see on social media with recommendations of unlicensed drivers are too frequently responded to while these drivers are putting people’s lives in danger,” said LILA 2nd Vice President Jim Powers of All Star Limousine. “We appreciate our elected officials helping us to get the word out and making sure their respective agencies partner with us to put passenger safety first.”
“LILA’s legislative agenda for 2025 includes important issues regarding public safety that not just impact the limousine industry, but consumers, residents, venues and small business owners throughout Long Island,” said NLA Second Vice President and LILA Board Member Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine. “These issues are non-partisan directly reflect the mission of the National Limousine Association, to represent the interests of the private driver transportation industry. I am excited that so many of our governmental partners are joining LILA in its public service campaign to urge operators to get licensed.”
Visit lilimoassociation.com for more information.
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