Dealers' Choice - Media Communication Group

There was nothing out there then, but ithas grown by leaps and bound since. Thesecond we opened up on there, we saw animmediate increase in business, and it hasbeen growing ever since. That success hasgiven us the opportunity to employ morethan 160 individuals so they can supporttheir families and the community at large.The reality is that we’ve been veryfortunate in the automobile business andLubbock and the surrounding region havebeen very good to us. That is why it is soimportant to me to give back to the industryand the Texas dealer body by serving on theTADA Executive Committee and as Chairmanof the TADA Legislative Committee.Last SessionAs Texas dealers know, we had a greatsession last year as the Texas Legislaturetook action on a number of TADA priorities,and I want to build on these successesin the next session.Among the accomplishments was theestablishment of the Texas Department ofMotor Vehicles (TxDMV), whose 9 memberboard now oversees the operations ofthe Motor Vehicle Division that licensesand regulates our industry. The new boardwhich includes 3 members from the retailmotor vehicle side has the rule-makingand decision-making authority and oversightresponsibility for our industry. Thiscould not have come at a better time giventhat the current economic environmentfor dealers and our customers requiresan informed, interested, and responsiveregulator and decision maker.The Legislature also passed legislationthat allows dealers to be adequatelycompensated through a “reasonable”documentary fee for their costs in complyingwith the federal, state, and localobligations involved with the handling ofdocuments relating to the sale of a motorvehicle. There were also some adjustmentsmade to the franchise law last session,largely to introduce some economic elementsin decision-making about addingnew line-makes at an existing dealership,making facility improvements, or establishinga new dealership.TADA Legislative CommitteeIn order to accomplish our goals forthe next session, we have put togetheryour TADA Legislative Committee for2010 which is overseeing our preparationsand planning. We approached thisfrom a little different perspective than wehistorically have. In addition to reducingthe size of the committee so that it wouldbe easier to meet and discuss issues asthey occur, we also wanted to have agreat deal more diversity, whether it ismeasured in terms of geography, volume,public/private capital, or domestic/international.The fact is that we are manyvoices that need to act as one. That iswhy I have sought such diverse input.If the members of this committee cancommonly agree on our course of actionand are united, I believe we will makeour case to our elected representativesthat much more effectively.Issues for UpcomingSessionThere will be a few topics this sessionthat will demand and take a great dealof attention in Austin next year. Firstis the budget. Current estimates putthe budget gap for the next bienniumat somewhere between $15-20 billion.With only $9 billion in the rainy dayfund and with the recognition that onlya portion of the fund will be used tosolve our budget issues, there is alreadyactivity on both the tax and spendingside. On the spending side, the Governor,Lieutenant Governor, and Speakerhave already requested state agencies toreduce their spending. In addition, theHouse Ways and Means Committee hasbeen holding hearings looking at the justificationfor various exemptions to the2010 FALL ⎢9