"People say New Yorkers can't get along. Not true. I saw two New
Yorkers, complete strangers, sharing a cab. One guy took the tires and
the radio; the other guy took the engine."
David Letterman
The morning the legislation passed modifying Michigans helmet law was a comedy of errors, twists, and confused sausage making that resulted in something so convoluted from what was expected nobody could or did predict it.
Around 10am in the Senate the bill was introduced by the Lt. Governor just as expected. That was when everything went haywire. It was supposed to be a done deal, but a call for an amendment by Sen. Kahn requiring a massive increase in PIP insurance be made. It was accepted. I was working that morning, fortunately (?) in the capitol.
A huddle formed with the Sponsoring Senator, Abate Board president Vince, Legislative Officer Jim, Lobbyiest Noel, and State Police Officer Rusty. Humorous, huh? I had called Kamots and he was on the phone with the Lt. Governor who was still on the podium in the Senate. The amount of PIP insurance called for was not even available from an insurance company. I called mine, and others called theirs, and the maximum tack on was less than half of what the amendment called for.
For the first time in my memory, and maybe ever, the Lt.Governor brought the senate to session, and said we are going to have a "Re-do". Keep in mind people were scurrying around inside and outside the chamber like ants on an anthill. Phones at their ears.
Ultimately an agreement was reached amongst the senators as to the PIP requirement amount. The bill was passed.
My point is that even in the best of scenarios with the most seasoned people involved and the best laid out plan,it all becomes chopped liver when it hits the floor. You might as well go to your local crystal ball lady for a prediction of how its going to end up.
I am on the Abate of Michigan Board of Directors, I wear my BOLT patch proudly, and there has never been any doubt what my position on any legislation is as such. This would be the case patch or not, BOLT or not. And for the most part, on the helmet legislation anyway, these guys agree on principle, but not when it comes down to getting something done.
Like it or not, nothing would have gotten done had Abate insisted on a complete and utter dissolution of the helmet law or nothing. Don't think it was not suggested. Hell, the bill sponsor might have agreed, and in retrospect may have I don't remember, to a clean bill. That lasted about a minute when it entered the legislative meat grinder. You might not agree with the process but there it is. You attack it for all your worth, work the angles, talk your head off, and deal with all manner of pure bullshit from people who know absolutely nothing about the issue but still have more say than you ever will.
If your positon is inflexible and you would rather leave things as is than accept anything other than exactly what you want legislatively. Stay home. The result will be the same, and you may be able to get something else done.
David Letterman
The morning the legislation passed modifying Michigans helmet law was a comedy of errors, twists, and confused sausage making that resulted in something so convoluted from what was expected nobody could or did predict it.
Around 10am in the Senate the bill was introduced by the Lt. Governor just as expected. That was when everything went haywire. It was supposed to be a done deal, but a call for an amendment by Sen. Kahn requiring a massive increase in PIP insurance be made. It was accepted. I was working that morning, fortunately (?) in the capitol.
A huddle formed with the Sponsoring Senator, Abate Board president Vince, Legislative Officer Jim, Lobbyiest Noel, and State Police Officer Rusty. Humorous, huh? I had called Kamots and he was on the phone with the Lt. Governor who was still on the podium in the Senate. The amount of PIP insurance called for was not even available from an insurance company. I called mine, and others called theirs, and the maximum tack on was less than half of what the amendment called for.
For the first time in my memory, and maybe ever, the Lt.Governor brought the senate to session, and said we are going to have a "Re-do". Keep in mind people were scurrying around inside and outside the chamber like ants on an anthill. Phones at their ears.
Ultimately an agreement was reached amongst the senators as to the PIP requirement amount. The bill was passed.
My point is that even in the best of scenarios with the most seasoned people involved and the best laid out plan,it all becomes chopped liver when it hits the floor. You might as well go to your local crystal ball lady for a prediction of how its going to end up.
I am on the Abate of Michigan Board of Directors, I wear my BOLT patch proudly, and there has never been any doubt what my position on any legislation is as such. This would be the case patch or not, BOLT or not. And for the most part, on the helmet legislation anyway, these guys agree on principle, but not when it comes down to getting something done.
Like it or not, nothing would have gotten done had Abate insisted on a complete and utter dissolution of the helmet law or nothing. Don't think it was not suggested. Hell, the bill sponsor might have agreed, and in retrospect may have I don't remember, to a clean bill. That lasted about a minute when it entered the legislative meat grinder. You might not agree with the process but there it is. You attack it for all your worth, work the angles, talk your head off, and deal with all manner of pure bullshit from people who know absolutely nothing about the issue but still have more say than you ever will.
If your positon is inflexible and you would rather leave things as is than accept anything other than exactly what you want legislatively. Stay home. The result will be the same, and you may be able to get something else done.
