On Wed, 2/17/10, csfreedom@aol.com
> From: csfreedom@aol.com
> Subject: [Reps] ODD Freedom of Choice Legislation in Tennessee
> To: info@bikerrepublic.org, reps@mrf.org
> Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 9:35 PM>
>
> Okay, folks, settle in
> for a little bit of background and some interesting news,
> followed by a plea for assistance.>
> CMT
> and CMT/ABATE have been incorporated since 1982.
> That's how long we have been fighting to repeal the
> helmet law. We have accomplished a pretty impressive
> list of legislative successes in those years, including a
> statuted Rider Education Program and Rider Education Program
> Fund. Additionally, RoW legislation, handlbar height,
> removed mandate on roll bars, allowing vented helmets, no
> helmets in parades, proceed with caution at red lights, May
> is Motorcycle Awareness Month, Resolution to Congress to
> honor States Rights, and MORE. For the past five
> years we have garnered a sizable grant from the Tennessee
> Department of Safety to fund projects for Motorcycle
> Awareness. >
> Still,
> no adult freedom of choice. >
> ONE of
> the biggest hangups has been the fiscal note attached to the
> legislation each year. Usually estimated at a couple
> of million cost to the State. We have TennCare here
> instead of Medicaid, and the astronomical figures balloon
> with the input of huge hospitals who tell their tales of
> terror of having to take care of brain injured patients with
> no funds or insurance, wiping the drool from their mouths
> long after family and friends have drifted away. Every
> piece of legislation goes to fiscal review. In this
> era of state budget deficits, any bill with even a
> small cost to the state goes to Budget Sub-committee,
> commonly called the Black Hole, never again to see the
> light of day, unless, miraculously, a revision of the fiscal
> note is achieved.
> Forward
> to TODAY. We call HB2648 by Tidwell and companion bill
> SB2562 by Southerland the "Reciprocal Bill".
> If passed it would allow motorcyclists who are 21 and over
> who are from any of the 30 freedom of choice states, have a
> motorcycle endorsement from that free state, and ride a
> motorcycle registered in that free state, to ride free in
> Tennessee. Those of us who live in Tennessee still
> must wear helmets, but Tennessee experiences a windfall of
> tourist dollars because others can ride free here!!
> Just another bite of the elephant.... So, we held our
> breath, and yesterday, the fiscal note was released.
> Millions? Hundreds of thousands? hundreds?
> NO. NOT SIGNIFICANT!!!!! ZIP, ZILCH.
> NOTHING!!!!!! Representative Tidwell had tried this
> effort a few years ago, but it did not fare well in full
> transportation committee. There are different members
> on ALL of the committees that will hear this bill this time
> around. NO BLACK HOLE. All of the legislators
> who have said, in the past, "I would like to support
> your issue, but it will cost the state too much money"
> now can support HB2648 and SB2562! (or fiind other
> reasons to back away.)
> YOU
> CAN HELP!!! Go to the official TN Legislature's
> website--it is very user friendly and you will have fun
> wandering around looking at all things political. www.capitol.tn.gov
> Check out the language of the bill. Look at the
> leadership members, the transportation committee members,
> the co-sponsors of the bill.>
> At
> this exact moment, CMT/ABATE has legislative champions,
> friends, and worthy adversaries. Aong the 33 Senators and 99
> Representatives, we do not have ANY enemies. Contact them
> ALL, or any that you choose. Rep. Tidwell and Senator
> Southerland deserve many, many emails of thank yous.
> Both have been our champions on numerous issues for many
> years. the other 98 Representatives and 32 Senators
> should receive many many emails urging their support from
> motorcyclists in the thirty free states..>
> In the
> Subject line, be creative in a positive
> way... "Upon passage of HB2648, I will ride my bike to
> Tennessee from 'Kentucky' and spend $xxxx amount of
> tourism dollars." or "Last year I spent $xxxx of
> tourism dollars while riding in freedom of choice state
> North Carolina.">
> Complete
> the email with a couple of sentences about who you are, what
> you do for a living, and that you certainly hope you will be
> enjoying the beautiful tourist attractions and motorcycling
> events in Tennessee when you are allowed to ride in
> Tennessee under the provisions of Hb2648/SB2562, because you
> already live and ride in freedom of choice state
> 'Arkansas' (or Florida or Texas, or Illinois, etc.
> etc.). Relay how much money you spent travelling in/to other
> states last year, or for many previous years. SHOW THE
> FINANCIAL IMPACT that could occur in Tennessee.>
> Please include your name town, and state. (full address if you want to)>
> So,
> instead of a cut and paste with a list of email addresses, I
> am asking your to show your adult responsibility and
> creativity and reach out and communicate expressively and
> positively to the legislators of the Tennessee General
> Assembly. This bill will be put on notice next week
> for committee hearing the week after. Don't put
> this off until too late. You may wish to cc or bcc
> your emails to legislative@cmtabate.com,
> csfreedom@aol.com,
> and/or both of the sponsors. Sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov,
> rep.john.tidwell@capitol.tn.gov so
> we can track the success of this request.>
> If
> this does not produce results from all you fantastic freedom
> fighters out there, we may replay the request with a
> cut and paste letter and a list of the legislators'
> emails. Lots of extra effort to produce a "cut
> and paste" email that we could be spending here, on the
> ground, putting together a successful strategy.Hopefully,
> you will enjoy checking out the legislative website and
> looking up other motorcycling bills in this year's
> general assembly. email or call if you have questions.>
> By the
> way, our Lobby Day is next Wednesday, February 24.
> Join us if you can!! 112 War Memorial Building. 9:00
> a.m. (right across the street from the State Capitol
> in Nashville)>
> Tennessee
> would be the first state to enact this type of helmet law
> legislation. We are very proud to put this initiative
> before the members of the Tennessee General Assembly.>
> If you
> would like to keep up with all the Legislative, Safety, and
> Awareness issues in CMT/ABATE, inc., as well as supporting
> our efforts, please go to our website www.cmtabate.com and sign
> up as a member.>
> Thank
> you for your time and consideration.>
> Carol
> A Simpson>
> PR/Communications
> Director>
> CMT/ABATE,
> Inc.
>
>