ABATE of PENNSYLVANIA

Hello again!

It seems like forever since the last time we sent anything out from
here. The work situation hasn't changed much. If anything, it's gotten
more hectic and our time is extremely limited. Fortunately, we're on
vacation and it couldn't have come at a better time.

PENNSYLVANIA IS ONCE AGAIN ON THE EDGE OF GETTING
RID OF THE MANDATORY HELMET LAW FOR ADULTS &
MAKING THE USE OF QUESTIONABLE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
OPTIONAL.

Senate Bill 259 passed on a vote of 29 - 20; a better margin than we
had anticipated. It then was sent to the House where we hope to get
it passed without any amendments being added which would cause
the bill to be sent back to the Senate for another vote. If that were to
happen, there may be enough Senators who would use any
amendment as an excuse to kill the bill. They would claim they
supported ABATE's helmet modification bill, but simply couldn't
support the amendment - regardless of what that amendment might
be.

This week, SB 259 was approved by the House Transportation
Committee WITHOUT AMENDMENT. Although there were a couple
of attempts to throw in a monkey wrench and screw up the bill, we
were successful in having the amendments withdrawn or voted
down. The vote was 23 - 1 to send a clean bill to the House floor for
a vote.

If you have followed the saga of helmet bills in PA over the years,
you know that we have had bills pass the Senate and then fail in the
House - and vice versa. We also had a bill pass in both only to be
vetoed by Tom Ridge when he was governor.

In the last Legislative Session - with pretty much the same
Representatives in office as now - our helmet law modification bill
passed in the House by a 2/3 majority, but was killed by the Senate.

When I, and the ABATE Executive Board, met with Ed Rendell prior
to the primary election last year, he assured us he would sign the bill
when it got to his desk. At our Helmet Protest Rally this May,
Governor Rendell spoke and again stated he would sign the bill.

So right now, it looks like 2003 could be the year PA becomes free
for adults. Some of us would like to see the whole damned thing go
away, but politics are always played by compromise and we're letting
the under 21 crowd remain saddled with wearing a dangerous piece
of equipment - for now, anyway. Plus, # 1 - it's fairly difficult to judge
the age of a rider and # 2 - the helmet law in this state isn't enforced
uniformly to begin with. The cops have better things to do with their
time.

BUT, A PROBLEM - AS USUAL - LOOMS ON THE HORIZON.

Our lobbyist and I met with the lobbyist for AAA on Friday morning.
AAA asked the one Representative who voted against the bill in the
House Transportation Committee to propose an amendment on the
floor of the House. (This, after he agreed to withdraw an amendment
in Committee.) The AAA lobbyist wanted ABATE to agree not to fight
an amendment which would call for a study of accident results after
modification of the helmet law.

We took the strong position that any amendment to SB 259 would be
undesirable. While not opposed to any study being conducted, we
are opposed to having SB 259 returned to the Senate for another
vote. Besides, we're convinced there will be all sorts of studies
conducted, including the one ABATE will be doing. In addition, the
legislature can call for a study whenever it wants; so there is no need
to mandate one along with this bill.

We're convinced this is a move by AAA to screw PA bikers by giving
Senators an excuse and a second chance to vote against modification.

I could not get the AAA lobbyist to give me a reasonable explanation
as to why AAA is getting involved in a motorcycle related issue.
According to their web site, "AAA continually evaluates and responds
to legislation and regulatory measures that directly affect the
interests of motorists and travelers. Our concern is to protect your
interests as a motorist, to insure that automobile drivers are not the
targets of discriminatory legislation and to promote safe and efficient
transportation." I don't see the word motorcycle anywhere in that
statement on legislation.

AAA has always been opposed to repealing or modifying helmet
laws, claiming they are concerned with them as a safety issue. I
personally don't see what they're vested interest is or why an
automobile association feels it is necessary to stick its unwanted
nose in our business.

SB 259 is scheduled to come up for a vote on the House floor on
Wednesday, July 2. AAA claims they don't want a fight with ABATE
or bikers on this issue. I suggest you may want to contact PA AAA -
or the national office - to let them know you, as a motorcyclist, don't
appreciate their intrusion. If you're a member of AAA, we have to ask
"why?" Your dues are feeding the enemy. Those of us familiar with
AAA's position over the years have dropped our memberships long
ago. If you need a map, they're free at Welcome Centers in every
state or you can request one from each state's Tourism Bureau. If
you don't know enough to fix roadside problems with your car or
motorcycle, add a towing rider to your insurance. They cost about
$12 a year - less than a AAA membership. Or you can join the AMA
and get a roadside assistance package. Some of the motorcycle
manufacturers also offer a roadside assistance plan. They're all
cheaper than AAA's $50 and you won't end up with some car goon
putting a hook on your scoot.

Amendments must be filed 24 hours before a bill reaches the floor of
the House for a vote; so if you are going to do it, you need to contact
AAA on Monday to tell them to back off their opposition to SB 259 in
PA. While we think we can defeat any amendments, it will be much
easier if none are proposed.

TELL AAA TO BUTT OUT.

The fax # for Pennsylvania AAA is 717-238-6574.

Cowboy
"Fighting from the shadows"
**********************
Posted FYI by:
~ olbmwrider ~
visit ABATE of IL
http://www.abate-il.org