Now What?

Well, the legislative session has been over for a month now. We didn’t get the Helmet Modification Bill passed. We tried things a little different this year. We used some volunteer lobbyists from various places. Were they able to deliver what they said they would be able to deliver? Frankly, no. Whose fault was that? Probably nobody’s.

Our approach this year was much quieter, working behind the scenes and specifically on those lawmakers who have opposed us or who hold positions of power and have the ability to push or kill a bill. We never asked for a flood of visitors to the capital. We never coordinated a legislative day. Was that wrong? No. It was just different. We learned what worked and what didn’t. We had the stated help of several lobbyists, which we never had before. Did some of them over-promise and think that simply because they were now associated with the bill it would pass? Probably. I think they learned an important lesson as well. They found out the type of resistance, stereotyping, false facts, nanny-state government attitudes, illogical reasoning and political games we face every day and every year with every effort we make to restore personal freedoms to motorcyclists. I suspect if you talked to them today you would find that they didn’t expect the reception they got when they spoke to the representatives about our helmet bill. Welcome to our world, guys.

Wayne and several others in CMT/ABATE worked their butts off once again this year. Vacation was used and unreimbursed miles, parking and meals were paid for.

We passed the Senate on a vote of 24-8. That’s a pretty good mandate to indicate that the bill should pass. We constructed a bill that over funded the ‘presumed liability’ to the state by a factor of six to one. We would make the state a boatload of money. This bill went to the House Budget Sub-Committee where they are to look specifically at items of financial interest to the state. In the past the chief reason that they would kill the bill was that we would ‘cost’ the state money if we rode without helmets. We all know this isn’t true and the six states that have modified their helmet bills in the last few years have proven this. Once again – even though we would make them a bunch of money in these hard economic times; when they are always asking for more and more money – they killed our bill. This should prove to everyone that this has nothing to do with safety or money. Don’t ever believe that argument again and don’t ever engage in that type of discuss again. The next time someone come to you with that ‘logic’ you can relay the experiences from this year that proves it has nothing to do with money. We also have the statistics to show that accidents and deaths per registered motorcycle in the states that have modified their helmet bills has gone done.

No, it isn’t safety or money – it is a government that believes they have to be your parent. They believe you are too incompetent to make wise choices and they have to do it for you. They have to legislate risk out of life. Does that make you mad? It does me.

So, what can you do about it? Simple. Get involved. ‘But the legislative session is over’, you say. It is more important to be involved in the elective process than in the legislative session. If we get the right people elected, then any reasonable bill can be passed – not just the one we are working on. Here are a couple of things to remember and a couple of pointers.

First, EVERY House seat is up for election. So, every one of you is in an area of interest. Your House race is important. We don’t have real good coverage every where in the state but you are already there. So, what can you do? Easy. Talk to all the candidates. Remember, right now we don’t know who is going to get elected EVERYONE is a potential friend. Call them, call their campaigns. Find out where they stand on Freedom of Choice – not on if they think that a helmet is a good safety item. That’s not the point. The question is ‘Whose decision should it be?’ Ask it that way. Then call the office or Wayne Shaub (both numbers are in the paper and on the website) and tell them what you heard form these people.

Then, work for the candidate that supports your views. It is really easy. Just ask for some lawn signs. Make sure they know you are a biker and you VOTE. They will remember you in January when the session starts. They will know that you are involved. How much work does it take to ask for some lawn signs? How difficult is it to ask, "Can I pass out some literature for you?" THEY WILL REMEMBER THIS and you will become their friend. That will be invaluable during this next legislative session.

So, 1.) Talk to the candidates. Remember, they are running to fill a seat to SERVE YOU. Don’t you want to know how they are going to do that? 2.) Register to vote. 3.) Work for the candidate that supports your view (and make sure they know it is a biker doing it). 4.) Let us know what the situation is in your area.

You are at the front line. All the other bikers in this state are relying on YOU. Make a phone call. Donate just a little bit of effort. Let us know what is going on there so we can help. Today is the day you can do something to get the helmet bill through. You didn’t miss your opportunity.

And don’t forget to do you wiring harness preventive maintenance.

Steve