National Clothesline

A contingent of drycleaners and allied tradespeople trekked to the state capitol to visit New York state legislators during the National Cleaners Association ’s ninth Albany Day event in February.

The group lobbied legislators for a change in the state tax law that would exempt cleaners who invest in pollution abatement technology from paying the four percent state sales tax on these purchases. The exemption would include fourth-generation perc equipment, alternative solvent machinery and wetcleaning equipment.

“Our lobbyist, Don Halperin, who passed away in June 2006, worked with 4th District Assemblyman Steven Englebright and others to craft Assembly Bill A1472, which provides the necessary relief, ” explained NCA executive director Nora Nealis. “However, the bill needed companion legislation in the Senate. Securing sponsorship for such a bill was our number-one goal — and we succeeded. Several Republican and Democratic Senators committed to offer a Senate version of the bill. ”

Many New York cleaners will be looking to replace perc equipment over the next few years, especially those who are co-located in apartment buildings where new EPA rules call for a phase-out of perc by 2020. Passage of the sales tax exemption could save these cleaners thousands of dollars.

The tax exemption would mean a lot to Debra Kravet, owner of Fashion Award Cleaners in Manhattan who has participated in every Albany Day since its inception in 1999.

She is in the process of moving her plant from Manhattan to the Bronx, the second move since 1997. Her move that year was necessary because the space she was renting was not able to meet the ventilation requirements associated with New York ’s Part 232 state rules for drycleaners.

The building she’s been renting space in since then has been sold to Columbia University, so she must move again.

“Every dollar counts when you are purchasing $60,000 to $100,000 in equipment just to continue operating your business efficiently and effectively, ” Kravet said. “I also received some grant money from the New York State Bond Act, which also encourages the purchase of environmentally friendly equipment — and it all helps.”

“NCA provides an invaluable support system for its members in regards to legislative issues, ” Kravet said. “Whether they’re lobbying on a state or federal level, notifying members about regional inspection trends or providing other useful information, contacts, updates or forms they are there for you on both a joint and a personal level. ”

Over the years, Kravet has lobbied with NCA for everything from workers compensation to abandoned property laws. She pointed out that one of the biggest accomplishments of Albany Day was the inception of state abandoned property laws in New York in 2005.

“In the past, if customers didn’t pick up their garments and then came back for them any number of years later, the cleaner was responsible for either providing them with that garment or they had to pay for it, ” she said, pointing out that Suffolk County had its own regulation, but the rest of the state had nothing. “Although it didn’t directly affect my business, as I provide mostly pick-up and delivery, I still fought for the cause. ”

As a result of that lobbying effort, New York law now says a cleaner can legally donate an unclaimed item to charity after six months provided proper signage is in place at the store and notice provided on the customer ’s receipt.

“We don’t go looking for money. We look for laws and tax abatements that will make operating our businesses more efficient and make customers happier in the long-run, ” Kravet said. “Although a few drycleaners and allied trades people do it for the masses, who all reap the benefits, it ’s worth the investment.”

NCA will follow-up with senators in regards to Assembly Bill A1472 and keep its members and the drycleaning industry updated on the bill ’s progress.





						NCA appeals to lawmakers




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						A contingent of drycleaners and allied tradespeople trekked to the state capitol to visit New York state legislators during the National Cleaners Association ’s ninth Albany Day event in February. The group lobbied legislators for a change in the state tax law that would exempt cleaners who invest in pollution abatement technology from paying the four percent state sales tax on these purchases. The exemption would include fourth-generation perc equipment, alternative solvent machinery and wetcleaning equipment. “Our lobbyist, Don Halperin, who passed away in June 2006, worked with 4th District Assemblyman Steven Englebright and others to craft Assembly Bill A1472, which provides the necessary relief, ” explained NCA executive director Nora Nealis. “However, the bill needed companion legislation in the Senate. Securing sponsorship for such a bill was our number-one goal — and we succeeded. Several Republican and Democratic Senators committed to offer a Senate version of the bill. ” Many New York cleaners will be looking to replace perc equipment over the next few years, especially those who are co-located in apartment buildings where new EPA rules call for a phase-out of perc by 2020. Passage of the sales tax exemption could save these cleaners thousands of dollars. The tax exemption would mean a lot to Debra Kravet, owner of Fashion Award Cleaners in Manhattan who has participated in every Albany Day since its inception in 1999. She is in the process of moving her plant from Manhattan to the Bronx, the second move since 1997. Her move that year was necessary because the space she was renting was not able to meet the ventilation requirements associated with New York ’s Part 232 state rules for drycleaners. The building she’s been renting space in since then has been sold to Columbia University, so she must move again. “Every dollar counts when you are purchasing $60,000 to $100,000 in equipment just to continue operating your business efficiently and effectively, ” Kravet said. “I also received some grant money from the New York State Bond Act, which also encourages the purchase of environmentally friendly equipment — and it all helps.” “NCA provides an invaluable support system for its members in regards to legislative issues, ” Kravet said. “Whether they’re lobbying on a state or federal level, notifying members about regional inspection trends or providing other useful information, contacts, updates or forms they are there for you on both a joint and a personal level. ” Over the years, Kravet has lobbied with NCA for everything from workers compensation to abandoned property laws. She pointed out that one of the biggest accomplishments of Albany Day was the inception of state abandoned property laws in New York in 2005. “In the past, if customers didn’t pick up their garments and then came back for them any number of years later, the cleaner was responsible for either providing them with that garment or they had to pay for it, ” she said, pointing out that Suffolk County had its own regulation, but the rest of the state had nothing. “Although it didn’t directly affect my business, as I provide mostly pick-up and delivery, I still fought for the cause. ” As a result of that lobbying effort, New York law now says a cleaner can legally donate an unclaimed item to charity after six months provided proper signage is in place at the store and notice provided on the customer ’s receipt. “We don’t go looking for money. We look for laws and tax abatements that will make operating our businesses more efficient and make customers happier in the long-run, ” Kravet said. “Although a few drycleaners and allied trades people do it for the masses, who all reap the benefits, it ’s worth the investment.” NCA will follow-up with senators in regards to Assembly Bill A1472 and keep its members and the drycleaning industry updated on the bill ’s progress.