Georgia Auto Repair Tax Bill Still Alive
Georgia H.B. 388, which aims to create a sales tax on services of many small businesses, is still alive in the Georgia Legislature. The bill would place additional tax burdens on automotive maintenance, repair, auto body repair, equipment installation services, brake repair, oil changes, motor tune-ups, and engine repair and replacement, among others, according to
New Maryland Insurance Commissioner Appointed
Gov. Martin O’Malley announced the appointment of Therese Goldsmith as Maryland insurance commissioner. In 2009, Gov. O’Malley appointed Goldsmith as commissioner of the Public Service Commission of Maryland. Her tenure as insurance commissioner will be effective on June 13, 2011. “I’m excited to see a new commissioner come into Maryland, as there has been some
Auto Recyclers and Collision Repairers Confess to Lack of Communication at URG Annual Conference
URG, the United Recyclers Group, hosted a Body Shop Panel Discussion at its 2011 annual conference in Englewood, Colo., on April 15. The two-day event was attended by more than 800 recyclers. Facilitator Don Porter of State Farm opened up the discussion by asking panelists to introduce themselves and talk a little about their
ASA Leaders Discuss New Auto Refinishing Regulation with EPA Compliance Officials
Automotive Service Association (ASA) collision leaders met recently with top U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Compliance officials to discuss the EPA automotive refinishing regulation. In addition, ASA members briefed members of Congress on the new paint regulation during visits on Capitol Hill. ASA supports the EPA auto refinishing regulation but has been concerned
AASP Announces Industry Improvement Grants, RDE Sponsorship
On April 28 and 29, the AASP National Board of Directors gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina, for its latest meeting. The two-day event was co-hosted by AASP Affiliate Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC) and CARQUEST. A highlight of the meeting was a state-of-the-industry presentation/discussion led by Chris Chesney and other CARQUEST personnel. The
East Bay Chapter of CAA to Hold 25th Annual Golf Tournament
The East Bay Chapter of the California Autobody Association is holding its 25th Annual Golf Tournament on June 4 at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord, Calif. It’s one of the largest events the chapter holds to raise funds to support local scholarships for students and instructors in the San Francisco Bay Area. To sign
CAPA Applauds California Senate Action on Airbag Measure
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) congratulated the California Senate for its leadership in the recent passing of Senate Bill 869. This measure, introduced by Sen. Leland Yee and co-sponsored by both the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) and CAPA, would require that airbags be returned to their original operating condition when replaced during collision
Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Feeling Squeeze of Rising Fuel Prices
Rising fuel prices are significantly impacting automotive aftermarket suppliers’ costs and revenues, according to the latest "Aftermarket Supplier Barometer" from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). “Our most recent quarterly survey of members, reported in our ‘Aftermarket Supplier Barometer,’ shows 97 percent of suppliers were impacted by rising fuel prices on the cost side, 25
BASF Corporation and AASP Are First 2011 Repairer Driven Education Series Sponsors
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced that the BASF Corporation is the first official sponsor of SCRS’s 2011 Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series. It is the second year in a row that BASF has been first to commit support to RDE, which will take place in the afternoons on each day of the
New ASA Board of Directors Installed During Annual Business Meeting in D.C.
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced its new board of directors, which was sworn in during the association’s annual business meeting May 9-11 in the Washington, D.C., area. Ron Nagy, AAM, Nagy’s Collision Centers, Orville, Ohio, was named chairman of ASA’s board of directors for 2011-2012. Nagy assumed the chairman’s post at the conclusion