NJBA to Work on Sales Tax Exemption

The New Jersey Broadcasters Association is planning to tackle the thorny question of an exemption from the sales tax on research done for broadcasting purposes. The law, which increases sales tax from 6% to 7%, was passed with a vague clause about research services. We were told this was aimed at Nexus/Lexis type internet services. In October, the Treasury issued clarifications which seem to include research done for broadcasting purposes, including, perhaps, Arbitron Reports. The bottom line is -- this will immediately raise the price stations pay for Arbitron by 7%. That money, going, in sales tax, to the state. There are only two ways to deal with this. The first is to get the legislature to pass an exemption to the tax for broadcast research reports, and the other is to get the Treasury to exempt broadcasters from this tax. Doctors tried to get an exemption from the legislature, were successful in getting it passed, only to have it vetoed by the Governor. There is no point in trying to get legislation passed if it’s going to be vetoed. So, first, we will take the Governors temperature and if he will veto it, we will go the Treasury route.  Although both ways are long shots, it’s a shot the NJBA has to take on behalf of its members. 

Dan Finn Honored

Dan Finn, immediate past chairman of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association, was honored at the last Board of Directors meeting for the job he did during his two years of service as its Chairman. Finn, head of Greater Media’s New Jersey operations, served as Chairman of the Association last year and the year before. In accepting his honor, Finn said, “his goal was to leave the Association better than when his term started.” He was satisfied that he had accomplished his goal. In fact, Finn did what he intended to do. The Association is in a better place today than it was two years ago. 

Dues Due

Member’s dues for 2007 are now due and payable to NJBA. Dues are a vital part of the NJBA program. All of the lobbying activity the association conducts during the year is one hundred percent funded by dues.  Membership dues go to lobbying and nothing else, which is the reason dues are not tax deductible.  To pay your dues, simply go to the NJBA website (www.njbroadcasters.org) and download the membership application form on the left side of the home page. Fill it out, determine your dues category, write your check or charge your payment, and send the form in. That’s all there is too it. Please pay your dues today so we can continue our outstanding lobbying efforts both in Washington and Trenton on your behalf, and to benefit the entire broadcast industry in the state.  

Jeff Haley (invited) to End Note

The New President of the Radio Advertising Bureau, Jeff Haley has been invited by the Mid –Atlantic  States Conference Committee to be the End Note Speaker at the Conference, slated for Caesars Atlantic City, June 4 and 5^th. Haley has been the President/CEO of the RAB for just over a year. In addition, the committee plans to have Arbitron deliver a program on the People Meter in New Jersey and the special issues that causes.

Reminder…the RAB Meeting, Dallas, February 8. 

Best of the Best deadline, Thursday, April 5, 2007!

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