Harley heads down final mile to become state's official motorcycle

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Microbes and motorcycles are on the minds of Wisconsin politicians with one apparently creating a hotter debate than the other.

Wisconsin’s State Assembly voted on a bill that would make Harley-Davidson the state’s official motorcycle and a bacterium that converts milk into cheese and the official microbe.

Since this website isn’t titled ‘Beakers and Burners’ we’ll focus on the motorcycle portion of the bill.

It has been a long ride for a bill giving Harley-Davidson the title of official motorcycle of Wisconsin, drawing the attention of anti-noise groups as well as bikers. But while Harley-Davidson's motorcycles have earned many nicknames over the years, some of them are considered less than complimentary, being named as Wisconsin's official ride has been considered by most as a given.

Aside from the protests from an anti-noise group, critics of the legislation call the efforts as a "scrap or crumb" for the company that was hurt by recent business state tax increases. But the bill's sponsor, Representative Leon Young argued during the bill's legislative introduction that Harley-Davidson had been a good company not just for Wisconsin but the entire country.

And although many acknowledge the title is purely honorary, forty lawmakers still found reasons to vote against the proposal. If approved and signed into law, Harley-Davidson would join 25 other designations including the official state flower the wood violet and the official symbol of peace, the mourning dove.

The Associated Press has reported State Representative Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington) was among the 40 lawmakers who voted against the bill, stating it was nothing personal against Harley Davidson, but he worries about making a name brand product being selected as an official state symbol. Claiming he felt it wasn’t good policy, State Representative Gottlieb believes lawmakers will regret the decision.

The bill successfully moves to the State Senate for their consideration.