[BR Info] OK: htmlABATE of OK wants state to FORCE bikers to pay for ABATE safety program

From: Gypsypashn@aol.com
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:27:21 -0500
To: info@bikerrepublic.org
Subject: [BR Info] OK: htmlABATE of OK wants state to FORCE bikers to pay for ABATE safety program

OFF THE WIRE
http://bikersofamerica.blogspot.com/2010/02/abate-of-ok-wants-state-to-force-bikers_17.htmlABATE of OK wants state to FORCE bikers to pay for ABATE safety programs.
Associated Motorcycle Press (AMP) Editorial opinion by jan, a biker and freedom fighter. By way of background, any motorcyclist rights organization (MRO) which asks the state or federal government to FORCE motorcyclists to pay discriminatory fees or attend mandatory training is NOT standing up for biker rights, and should no longer call itself an MRO. This is now happening in Oklahoma. It has been an issue in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Florida, New York, and several other states, where MRO's, faced with declining memberships and less money in their treasuries are SELLING OUT, by becoming safety organizations in order to qualify for federal and state funding. Since they cannot get enough money through traditional donations, they ask the states to FORCE all motorcyclists to pay higher registration fees. This is a discriminatory fee. In effect, they are asking the state to pass laws which discriminate against motorcyclists. In some cases, they try to get the state to force motorcyclists to take training, which they provide. In at least one instance, a so-called MRO's was caught preparing to ask state lawmakers to create legislation which would force motorcyclists to wear reflective safety equipment, and “all the gear, all the time” (ATGATT). In most cases, MRO's are established as “non-profit” corporations. In non-profits, salaries and travel expenses to national and regional conferences are allowed, such as travel to vacation resort cities,where MRO leaders get together with each other and learn how to apply for more grants! Although it is unusual for an officer in an MRO to receive a salary, there have been exceptions. In Florida, for example, ABATE president “Doc” Reichenbach not only has a travel budget to attend national and regional conferences, but he also has managed to be their paid lobbyist. With the above background in mind, it is disturbing to see another state, Oklahoma, moving in the direction of having their motorcycle rights association become a safety organization. On February 16th, I received a message about the status of a bill in Oklahoma which would force motorcyclists to pay higher registration fees in order to fund safety programs, including their Motorcycle Safety Education Program. I immediately called and verified with Senator Russell's office that ABATE of Oklahoma asked the senator to introduce Senate Bill 1324 which asks the state to FORCE motorcyclists to pay higher registration fees. What ever happened to the idea of asking for donations rather than using the long arm of the law to steal money from bikers? I received the following in an this email this morning. It was from the Secretary of ABATE of Tulsa, Inc. It speaks of a bill they call "Gunner's Bill". A note from Robert "Gunner" Catcher says: "One major issue is that this is an election years and, once again, those pesky legislators are hesitant to pass a fee bill. We have a lot of help to get Gunner's Bill passed, so we are optimistic." SB 1324 "Gunner's Bill" This bill will add $3 to every motorcycle registration. The money collected will be placed in a "lockbox" to be used for motorcycle education and safety. A similar bill passed both houses by a huge majority last year, but did not get any further as the legislators did not want to pass any fee bills. HB 3339 Motorcycle Advisory Committee This one is, in a way, "part 2" of Gunner's Bill and may be merged with SB 1324 in the future. This bill will change the make up of the existing advisory committee, which has only 3 riders on it and has never met. The purpose of this committee is to advise and assist the Commissioner in the development, administration and operation of the Motorcycle Safety and Education Program and the setting of goals, objectives and priorities for the Program. In other words, how to spend the money. The new committee is to be made up of (from the bill) the Administrator, who shall serve as chair of the Committee and shall be a nonvoting member, and seven (7) voting members, six of whom shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety and one of whom shall be appointed by the Insurance Commissioner. One member shall be a certified instructor of motorcycle safety and education; three members shall be a licensed and safety course certified motorcycle owner/operators; one member shall represent private sector motorcycle rider education schools; one member shall be a representative of the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office; and the member appointed by the Insurance Commissioner shall be an employee of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.