The recent local news has been awash with reports of the Governor’s intentions to eliminate over 150 boards and commissions. The net result of this proposal, as declared in her policy statement, will be the elimination of the Washington State Motorcycle Safety and Advisory Board (note item 19 on page 2). This is the citizen oversight board, requested by the motorcyclists of Washington and funded through their endorsement fees. This is the same advisory board that has mentored the program from its earliest days, resulting in one of the best motorcycle safety programs in the nation and one of the best relationships between the riders of a state and the agency administering the program.

Here are the bills that are looking at boards and commissions at this time.

HB 2087: Eliminates the board in its entirety (see section 34)

HB 1497: Kills the entire motorcycle safety training program (see section 901 (12))

SB 5588: Suspends the entire program until July 1, 2011 (see section 109)

All riders need to contact their representative and let them know that the riding community will not tolerate the elimination of any portion of a program that is proven to save lives, with absolutely no revenue impact on either the general fund or the motor vehicle fund. The entire funding stream for this program comes from the riding community.

Points to emphasize:

• It is revenue neutral
• It saves lives
• The riding community asked that the program be established 25 years ago and has vigorously supported it ever since.

Flood the switchboards ad hit the e-mail. It is imperative that we nip this in the bud.

To find your legislator go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Let’s get busy.

Ride safely and legislate well

“Texas” Larry Walker
Government Relations Specialist
Washington Road Riders Association
wrraleg@aol.com
360-271-9285