Florida congressman questions ABATE spending

OFF THE WIRE
HEY, DOC, WHERE`S THE MONEY!!!!!!!!
If you have any comments on ABATE of Florida receiving $250,000.00 of your tax money and spending it on Trinkets, Please check this article and comment.
http://www.wctv.tv/floridanews/headlines/Lawmaker_Review_Motorcycle_Safety_Spending_130844383.html?storySection=comments
http://www.powersportsbusiness.com/output.cfm?ID=2824849
Florida congressman questions ABATE spending
http://www.powersportsbusiness.com/output.cfm?ID=2824849
Florida congressman questions ABATE spending...
Powersports Business
Tuesday October 4, 2011

A Florida legislator is questioning the use of ABATE’s state funding and has asked for an audit of the organization.
State Rep. Bryan Nelson (R-Apopka) was set to ask a joint Legislative Auditing Committee on Monday to audit the state funds that go to ABATE, arguing that the private organization uses the money on “trinkets” that he doesn’t believe improve motorcycle safety, according to a report from WCTV in Tallahassee. ABATE has received $250,000 this year from a $2.50 fee tacked on to motorcycle registrations.
James “Doc” Reichenbach, the president of ABATE, said the money does go to purchase items such as refrigerator magnets and key chains, but he added that the items have contributed to declining motorcycle crash deaths.
An independent auditor already examined the organization, reporting that ABATE is abiding by its contract because the contract states that the money can be used for “any other needs with the express purpose of promoting biker safety/training to include promotional products.” In addition to the key chains and magnets, ABATE also spends its state funds on kickstand pads, billboards, radio ads, bus ads and other informational items.
Click here to read the full WCTV story.

www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-abate-100511-20111004,0,7770956.story
Our take on: Motorcyclist-rights-group ABATE

12:00 a.m. EDT, October 5, 2011 Safety last
Legislators copped out Monday when they voted not to order a new audit of the motorcyclist-rights-group ABATE of Florida. It's needed. An earlier audit might have suggested that the group is spending cyclists' registration fees on safety promotional items, as intended, but it didn't address the effectiveness of the campaign.
That's partly why Republican Rep. Bryan Nelson of Apopka asked a joint legislative committee to approve a separate state audit of ABATE, to see if the group's spending of tens of thousands of dollars on trinkets — like key chains and refrigerator magnets promoting motorcycle safety — was accomplishing anything.
Related Biketoberfest set to roll into Daytona -- this year with more cowbell Video: Chrome Divas Crystal River Ride Florida traffic death rates fell in 2010, report shows Topics Transportation Accidents Car Accidents Apopka Nelson doubted that it did. So do we. So should anyone, save, perhaps, ABATE's lobbyist, James "Doc" Reichenbach, who insists the doodads are keeping bikers safe and points to a decline in deaths as proof.
Strange. ABATE launched the trinket program in 2005, but motorcycle crashes in Florida increased every year until 2009, when the number of accidents started decreasing. The drop in accidents also coincided with a recent leveling off nationally of motorcycle miles traveled.
If ABATE's really concerned about safety, it should call for the reinstatement of the helmet law, which ABATE pressured the Legislature to overturn. After its repeal, the cost of motorcycle accident care in emergency rooms rose by one-third. Half the victims of motorcycle crashes also don't have insurance. Floridians everywhere end up paying their bills.
It could be otherwise. Thanks to ABATE and the Legislature, it isn't.