Archive for the ‘Lead Story’ Category
December 20, 2009
Filed Under (Lead Story, twitter) by John Davis
New Year’s Resolution: Get Endorsed http://ow.ly/16bHM9
April 28, 2009
Filed Under (Lead Story) by John Davis
In the Washington 120 motorcyclists compete by visiting as many of the 120 Washington State Parks as possible before the tour deadline. Each park visit must be documented with a photograph of the park sign and the riders registration number. With budget cuts looming, this could be the last year that many of the parks will be open. Don’t miss this chance to see some of the wonders of Washington State. For more information or to register for the tour, please visit Washington120.com.
March 31, 2009
Filed Under (Lead Story) by John Davis
The budget proposal released yesterday by Washington State House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kelli Linville steals ALL of the Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) funds for the next two years and puts it in the general fund. The following is from page 156 of the proposed changes to House Bill HB1244 under:
Proposed bill: Other supporting reports: Please direct questions pertaining to the contents of these documents to the House Ways & Means Committee at 360-786-7204. The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled in the past that it is unconstitutional to use gas tax monies for non-road purposes. Ways and Means John L. O’Brien Building Committee Members Representative Room Phone When you speak to your representatives office be sure to tell them to NOT redistribute funds intended for the Non Highway and Offroad Vehicle Activities account! This account was created when offroad vehicle users volunteered to waive their legal right to a fuel tax refund in exchange for a self-directed state account to provide funding for programs that benefited offroad vehicle activities. These same citizens volunteered to have their license tab fees increased so long as those monies were also placed in the Non Highway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account. To redirect the funding away from the NOVA account would be nothing short of stealing from the very same citizens that willing gave the state their hard earned money. Furthermore, these funds are protected by the Washington State Constitution, Pursuant to Article II, Section 40 these monies must be used for their intended purpose or refunded. The State Supreme court has repeatedly reaffirmed this requirement.
March 01, 2009
Filed Under (Lead Story) by John Davis
Attention all riders: SB 5995, which eliminates the Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board (sec 46) and SB 5994, which eliminates the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee (sec 104/105) have both been passed out of committee and are awaiting a “pull” to the floor. It is merely a matter of time until they do go to the floor, as the Governor is putting massive pressure on the legislature to move both of these measures. I have already made numerous impassioned pleas to the members of the committee and lobbied the Governor’s staff, so far to little or no avail. Here is the case as I have outlined it. · Both the Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board and the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee are funded by the same users that are affected by the respective board or committee, making them effectively “revenue neutral.” · Both are the only available method of true citizen oversight on these state programs. · The Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board is directly responsible for the high quality of the safety and education program in Washington state, thereby saving lives. This program was identified in the Governor’s Task Force on Motorcycle Safety, so any action that could reduce the effectiveness of that program would be counter intuitive and run against all common sense. · Both the Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board and the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee are widely supported by the consumers that are paying for them. In business terms, this is something that the customer wants and is willing to pay for. Many people are turning a deaf ear to these facts, especially the Governor’s staff. Many members have expressed concern and possible support. What we need to see is a floor amendment offered to remove sec 46 from SB 5995 and sec 104/105 from SB 5994. All hands are urged to contact their state senator, make the case, and ask that they offer to make these amendments. I would rather have several senators offer identical amendments than have none offer one up, so everyone needs to hit their senator. The bottom line is this: The Washington State Senate and the Governor’s office need to feel the pressure of 300,000 endorsed riders articulately expressing their opposition to this legislation. Flood the switchboards and hit the e-mail. It is imperative that they understand our numbers and the depth of our opposition. To find your senator go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx Ride safe and legislate well “Texas” Larry Walker
February 11, 2009
Filed Under (Lead Story) by John Davis
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:
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
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