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Hours of Service waiver
CEMA
On Jan. 26, the governor issued a declaration of emergency that automatically covers a hours of service waiver. In accordance with state and federal laws, the hours of service rules are waived so long as the governor's declaration of a state of emergency is still in effect and the delivery being made is in aid of the emergency. A copy of the declaration of emergency can be found here. The declaration was made on Jan. 26 and is good for 30 days unless cancelled earlier.
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Malloy plan pumps up tax receipts by more than $800 million
The Connecticut Mirror
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's two-year budget plan raises more than $425 million in net new tax receipts over the biennium, while canceling more than $425 million in net tax cuts that he signed last term and promised to start after the election. And while the administration argued $340 million of those new receipts would effectively be returned to the hospital industry that paid them, Connecticut has violated a similar pledge in the past. The governor tried to pitch his plan as free of tax hikes, but he faced critics who rejected that argument. Despite warnings from nonpartisan analysts that state finances faced large shortfalls in the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years, Malloy signed big tax cuts into law in the second-half of his first term — and scheduled them all to begin after the 2014 election.
Wages and salaries on snow days — Advisory from the Connecticut Department of Labor
CEMA
In response to a CEMA inquiry, the Connecticut Department of Labor sent us an advisory which can be read in full by clicking here. In summary, here is what they advised us regarding wages and salaries when your business closes due to inclement weather.
Keeping driveways, paths and fill pipes clear
CEMA
We've heard from a number of members about customer driveways that are not plowed or are too narrow for trucks, paths to fill pipes that are snow covered and fill pipes themselves that are buried. Sometimes clearing a path is difficult for customers, especially the elderly. You can suggest in these cases that whoever plows their driveways or walkways can also clear a path to their fill pipe, be it a neighbor, relative or landscaper.
Bioheat® fuel radio ads extended in Connecticut
CEMA
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is currently running 30-second radio spots in Connecticut and throughout the region. The ads will run for 12 weeks at the cost of $117,000 (to NBB) with the radio campaign reaching more than 438,00 unique listeners (adults 25+). Fifty-two percent of adults ages 25-64 will hear the ads an average of 11 times or more. NBB will be running the same spots in New York and Massachusetts, so we will get "spill over" from those campaigns from the Springfield and New York City marketing areas. CEMA members who would like to supplement this effort with an additional buy can do so by contacting Chris Herb at 860-613-2041. Ads can be customized with the members' company name as a part of the ads that they purchase. To listen to the ads, click here.
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Jobber journal: Boost sales by measuring the right things
CEMA
Do you ever get frustrated with your sales team? Do you wonder if they spend their time well? Have you tried a bunch of different compensation plans, and maybe even tried activity measures as part of your commission structure, but were dissatisfied with lack of significantly better results? If so, you are not alone. The recently promoted CEO of Safeway, who makes an estimated cool $5 million annually per his Business Week profile, was recently quoted as saying all good management takes is four simple steps.
CEMA Heating Oil Seminar — March 18, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
CEMA
We open our spring education season with a "two-fer" heating oil program. First, Danny Silverman and Mark Bloom from Angus Energy will present Managing Uncertainty: Defining Hedging for All Facets of Your Business. You face uncertainty in all facets of life and business. But uncertainty is uncomfortable, and exposes you to risks. Because of these potential risks, you try to protect yourselves, to manage uncertainty. One of the tools available to you is hedging.
CEMA Gas Station Seminar — March 12, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
CEMA
This is an overview of existing regulations of gas stations and c-stores by the Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection and Consumer Protection. It is designed specifically for independent gas station owners and jobber compliance managers who would like to get an overview of current regulations to ensure they are in compliance.
Can you pro-rate pay for an exempt employee, who worked a partial week upon separation?
CEMA
HR Question of the Month
Question: We have an exempt employee that separated in the middle of a workweek. We prorated his salary that week to reflect only the days he worked. He is coming back now stating that he had worked 40 hours that week before he left. Does that have any bearing on the pay, or are we ok with leaving it as is?
Gas company's 'burn money' ad featured oil price ... from last summer
Hartford Courant
The advertisement had a point: "Why Burn Money?"
The ad that over the past few months has bounced around the internet laid out one of the more straightforward energy arguments made in recent years: Heating oil is expensive. Natural gas is cheaper. You should switch.
Struggle against gas pipelines continues
Hartford Courant
The opposition to the expansion of the Algonquin Natural Gas Pipeline, managed by Spectra Energy Inc., is growing, as the proposed upgrades to the pipeline become more imminent.
Those opposed to the pipeline cite the fact that pipelines leak and sometimes even explode.
Power surges in New England market on higher natural gas prices
Bloomberg
New England wholesale power jumped after cold weather sent spot prices for natural gas to an 11-month high and generation increased from oil-fired units.
Gas for delivery at the Algonquin City Gates, which includes Boston, climbed $2.82 to $19.28 per million British thermal units in trading on the Intercontinental Exchange, the highest since March 14.
Ed Havens honored as business and civic leader
Hartford Courant
On Jan. 31, 300 South Windsor residents and business leaders, along with state legislators, Constitutional officers, Connecticut congressmen and senators, honored Ed Havens for his decades of service to South Windsor, Connecticut, and the state. Havens was recognized for his business and civic leadership, as well as his unselfish generosity to the needs of the community and to regional organizations.
I-Team: A look at your utility bill and what you're paying for
American Energy Coalition
Utility gas customers pay for a lot more than gas, according to a recent article posted by the WWLP News I-Team in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The I-Team took a close look at utility bills for electricity and natural gas and found that some utilities assess customers as many as 17 separate charges beyond the energy cost itself.
Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
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