MMA's Legislative Initiatives over the years...

To: All loyal supporters of Senate Bill No. 1344

As promised, the following is intended to update MMA members on the status of Senate Bill No.1344, and to give you advanced notice of next steps. MMA’s Government Relations Director and other ‘GRRR’ Deputies met with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Robert DeLeo, and his Chief of Staff and were informed that basically SB 1344 is DEAD for this session, and we'll need to Re-file for the 2007-2008 session.

Reasons given by Chairman DeLeo included that opponents to the bill had filed ‘fact sheets’ and documents against the helmet and insurance choice elements, which were not countered by MMA. MMA believed that these ‘facts’ had already been dismissed in a similar forum last year; however Chairman DeLeo said comments should have been refiled, and thus we did NOT have a majority of support from House Ways and Means Committee members. Apparently there are at least three Committee members (unnamed) who are opponents to the Bill, any one of whom has the ability to kill it in committee. Lesson learned. As such, Senate Bill 1344 will progress no further this session.

While this news is disheartening, especially to those who have worked tirelessly to move our Bill favorably out of the Senate and forward, and have shown extraordinary patience awaiting the House decision, we will not be denied. We have learned much from this process. And we will carry this forward to the next legislative session.

At the heart of this Bill is the issue of ‘freedom of choice’. Ironic, that in a state that gave birth to a nation founded on the principles of freedom, this has been our most difficult challenge. Our legislature has a rich history of defying public mandate. When the citizens voted down a mandatory seat belt law, the legislature moved forward with one regardless. When the citizens voted to lower the income tax rate, the legislature ignored that directive as well.

So, you can imagine the exceptional challenge we face, at the hands of a government that listens to our detractors who have their own well-funded agendas, under the guise that it knows what is in our best interest better than we. In the final analysis, ‘Commonwealth’ is apparently spelled with two C’s, ‘Campaign Contributions.

We do not view all this hard work as a defeat… only another setback in a longer process from which we continue to learn. Our mission is not an end result, but rather a journey, a concept that we, as motorcycle riders, have always embraced.

Our detractors are well-armed, well funded opponents, from insurers to state agencies or quasi-agencies receiving public funds, time and energy, against our Agenda for Riders. We need more riders and more events to support the American Bikers Acting to Educate Political Action Committee (ABATE PAC). This is the legal fund that allows us to attend political fundraisers in social settings – meet the decision makers, and get them to know us and our issues on a more personal basis.

Our goal is to gain support for our initiatives, or at least 'neutralize' those who do not understand or support them, especially in light of their acceptance of ‘donations’ from our opponents. Not having a strong presence at these events while our opponents do - hurts us. We will need to raise more money and the MMA will be recommending its four District leaders host local fundraisers for the ABATE PAC every three months. ABATE PAC will actively seek donations as allowed by law.

Looking ahead, we will expand a number of our initiatives, including our pilot Government Relations Rough Rider Representatives’ (GRRRR) program. This year, over 50 riders stepped forward, took a leadership role in the MMA, and became the local 'go to' person with area riders and officials. We look forward to expanding this program to 200 GRRR Deputies, one in each legislative Senator and Representative District.

All politics are local. Now is the time for each rider to get involved in local campaigns. Even if your State Senator and State Representative have no opposition, call their campaign offices and get involved. Whether its holding a sign November 7th or a few hours the weekend before, get involved. They won't forget your help.

The goals of SB 1344, getting it amended to support two of our other bills/issues, our 2006 STORM the STATE HOUSE, and our victory in the Senate, are accomplishments to be proud of. Our Agenda has gained momentum due to the hard work by all-riders, deputies, officers and the collective Board during the past two legislative sessions.

To get a bill similar to SB 1344 passed in the House, with 160 members, we are going to need four (4) times the effort we put forth as we did with forty (40) Senators. And we are going to need four times as many bodies, four times as many mailings, four times as many state house visits, and four times the funds we spent in 2005-2006. While this sounds like a lot of work, our goals can and will be accomplished, if we stand together and each share a small part of the collective task.

Let's begin NOW. With the current elections, get involved and let us know you're involved. You can do personal endorsements of the candidates. Help fund our PAC. Donations can be made to the ABATE PAC by mailing your personal checks to ABATE PAC of MA, P.O. Box 1556, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562. Or let us know you'll host or work an Event in your area.

And remember, we’ll also be electing a new governor this term. Be sure to cast your ballot for a candidate who supports freedom of choice. When our bill passes through the legislature the final hurdle is the Governor’s Desk. All of our work could be for nothing if we don’t have a governor who will sign it

Things get done when we work within the system. And if we continue to work together, we'll eventually accomplish our goals. After getting six bills enacted since year 2000, with all volunteers, we need to make some changes and REV it up. Let us know you're ready to get on this RUN with us.

TONS of thanks -
Kevin Griffin, MMA Chairman and
Paul W. Cote, MMA Director of Govt' Relations,
on behalf of the MMA Board of Directors

Please review and pass along to other Massachusetts riders on your lists. ROAR of thanks needed, and begin calls to release SB 1344 from House Ways and Means Committee.

Thanks - PC
---------------------------------
Date: July 4, 2006

(State House, MA) As a result of three months of intense lobbying efforts by riders, more than $64,000 was ADDED to the State's Motorcycle Safety Program by the Senate and House legislative conference committee members when the FY07 Budget was placed on the Governor's desk June 30th.

"This is a huge victory for rider's safety in Massachusetts," said Paul W. Cote of Amesbury, the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association's (MMAs) Director of Government Relations. "House Ways and Means Chairman DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said he'd watch our line item, and he did what he said he'd do!"

The MMA, through its Government Relations Rough Rider Representative (GRRRR) Deputies, had over 50 calls most days going into the six conference committee members offices, seeking their support to increase budget line item number 8400-0016 from the Governor's and Senate's recommended $186K to $250K as recommended by Joe "Sarge" Komola of Tewksbury, the MMA's Director of Safety & Education.

"It is our money and we wanted more for rider training and safety & awareness programs, to help reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities, while motorcycle registrations continue to increase.

By state law, $2 of each annual motorcycle registration is designated for the State's Motorcycle Safety Program.

In September 2005, more than 159,000 bikes were registered, yet the Governor followed the prior year's recommendation of only $180K. Komola used the January 2006 registration figures of 125,000 registrations as an initial compromise. The figure passed by the House and Senate was $250,853 on June 30th.

Senate Conference Committee members were Therese Murray (Plymouth area), Steven Panagiotakos (Lowell area), and Michael Knapik (Chicopee, Westfield area). House Conference Committee Members were Robert DeLeo (Winthrop area), Marie St. Fluer (Boston area), and Vinny deMacedo (Plymouth area).

Cote reports Senators Panagiotakos and Knapik, with House members DeLeo and deMacedo were STRONG supporters of increasing the Safety Fund. Senator Murray was targeted for her support, and was receptive. Rep. St. Fluer's receptionist often hung up on callers.

Both Cote and Komola encouraged all riders to contact these conference committee members and say 'thank you,' as well as contacting your own State Senator and Representative and thank them.

The MMA now calls on all riders to ROAR by contacting Rep. DeLeo's office, and politely request he release Senate Bill No. 1344, (insurance choice, helmet choice and increased penalties for drivers who cause accidents and injuries/deaths by reckless and/or OUI driving), from the Ways and Means Committee and bring it forward for its vote on the House Floor. SB 1344 was engrossed by the Senate on 2/15/06.

Chairman DeLeo's office number is 617-722-2990. His e-mail is
RDeleo@hwm.state.ma.us

ROAR ON !
PC

Please review and pass along to others on your list working towards getting the extra $64K in our Motorcycle Safety Program.

Thanks - PC

================

Date: May 29, 2006

As a result of the Senate passing a different version of the FY07 Budget from the House's recommendations, the leadership of each branch will appoint three "Conference Committee" members, to work out those differences.

We urge riders to continue to contact Senator Murray's offices, (numbers below), asking her concede to the House's recommended $250,000 for our Motorcycle Safety Program, budget line item number 8400-0016. Request a phone call back from her staff explaining why she'd be against this increase from our own money. If you don't get a call back, . . .call again the next day. Let her hear your (respectful) ROAR !

STATE SENATOR THERESE MURRAY
State House     District Office
Room 212     Building Three, Room 319
Boston, MA 02133     Cordage Park
Tel: (617) 722-1330     Plymouth, MA 02360
FAX: (617) 722-1072     Tel: (508) 746-9332

If you are from her District, mention it. If you're not and you are asked, be honest while replying her vote and recommendation AFFECTS you!

ROAR ON !

Please pass this onto other Massachusetts Riders on your lists. YOUR life may depend upon it.

Thanks - PC
============
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2006

The MMA strongly encourages ALL riders in Massachusetts to call and e-mail Senate Ways and Means Chair, Therese Murray, (see below) for her to APPROVE Senate Budget Amendment, #579, . . . for the Senate to match the House's recommendation of $250K to budget line item number 8400-0016.

The State's Motorcycle Safety Program is funded with $2 of each annual motorcycle registration. The Governor recommended $186K, despite over 159,000 bikes registered ($2 x 159,000 = $319,000). The House recommended a $64,000 INCREASE to that ($250K).. The Senate sided with the Governor's $185K recommendation. Senator Hedlund and 7 other Senators co-sponosoring - filed what is now amendment number 579, . . . for the Senate to 'match' the House's $250K recommendation. Senator Murray put our Amendment in the "NO" pile.

Frankly, . . . this is bullshit. And you should be angry. And you should not let it go.

This is OUR money. This IS our lives, and the lives of our brother and sister riders. Each one of you pays $2 towards this Motorcycle Safety Program that the RMV administers. The Rider Education Course. The motorist awareness signs on the highways, and the commercials. on TV. All to help reduce accidents and injuries. YOUR accidents and/or injuries.

And while our Massachusetts fatality 'stats' are under the national 'stats' in terms of motorcycle fatalities, as a result of our Motorcycle Safety Program, any one death is too much. And while she may support SB 1344 - keep in mind 'awareness and training' prevents accidents vs. making us 'safer' in accidents. Huge distinction.

Your collective one CALL to Senator Murray could save your life. She should get over 5,000 calls - if you, and you, and you, . . . just DO IT. Call her office Friday, or over the weekend, and leave a message.

We personally want her to call us Tuesday and tell us to STOP the calls - but she won't do it unless YOU call her. You're our strength. Call her.

The time is NOW to TURN UP the heat on Senator Murray. CALL her office (see below) and say to the receptionist, "My name is ___________. I ride a motorcycle. I WANT Senator Murray to 'sign off' on Amendment Number 579, . . . to match the House's recommendation that $250K be budgeted for the Motorcycle Safely Program. Please ask her to do it!"

A 10-second phone call. Do it. Below are her numbers. She's the one blocking it. Call her offices. And then call your own State Senator and ask that THEY call Senator Murray and tell her to 'let Amendment Number 579 go forward."

Turn up the heat and ROAR ! Be nice but be firm. She is playing with your life.

Thanks - the MMA
(see contact info below)
STATE SENATOR THERESE MURRAY
State House     District Office
Room 212     Building Three, Room 319
Boston, MA 02133     Cordage Park
Tel: (617) 722-1330     Plymouth, MA 02360
FAX: (617) 722-1072     Tel: (508) 746-9332

Please review and pass along to other Massachusetts riders on your lists. A ROAR is needed Monday, to Massachusetts State Senators, for more motorcycle safety fund dollars.

Thanks - PC
==============
Date: May 21, 2006

Last Wednesday the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its budget recommendations. Our Motorcycle Safety Program, Budget Line Item Number 8400-0016, had only $185K recommended. The House had earlier recommended increasing the Governor's recommended $186K to $250K ($64K increase).

These funds are used for motorcycle rider education programs and motorist awareness campaigns, to help reduce accidents and injuries.

By the Friday 5:00 p.m. deadline to file amendments to the Senate Budget, . . . Senator Hedlund stepped to the plate and filed an amendment for us, seeking the Senate to 'match' the House's recommendation for our line item number 8400-0016. As a result of Sarge being at the State House, and many of the MMA Government Relations Rough Rider Representative (GRRRR) Deputies, by 5:00 we had seven (7) other Senators as co-sponsors supporting Hedlund's amendment.

We need ALL RIDERS to on Monday to call their own State Senator, requesting they sign on as a co-sponsor to Senator Hedlund's amendment, . . . to call 3-5 more Senators asking the same (see list below, call your Senator and the 1 or 2 above and below your Senator's name.

Simple calls to their office, telling the receptionist, . . . "Hi, my name is _________, and I'm calling to ask the Senator to sign onto Senator Hedlund's amendment to match the House's recommendation on budget line item number 8400-0016, and to support increasing the Motorcycle Safety Program. All the Senator or your office has to do is to contact Michelle in Senator Hedlund's office, (617) 722-1646, and they will post the Senator as a co-sponsor. Thank you."

Takes about 45 seconds! - Or, less than 5 minutes of your time, to get this $64,000 more dollars into our Safety Fund to help reduce accidents, injuries and save some lives.

Please ROAR on Monday ! Senators listed below with phone numbers and the seven (7) co-sponsors are identified.

Thanks - PC
===============
All phone numbers are 617 area codes

Robert A. Antonioni - Robert.Antonioni@state.ma.us 722-1230
Edward M. Augustus Jr. - Edward.Augustus@state.ma.us 722-1485
Steven A. Baddour - Steven.Baddour@state.ma.us 722-1604
Jarrett T. Barrios - Jarrett.Barrios@state.ma.us 722-1650 - CO-SPONSOR !
Frederick E. Berry - Frederick.Berry@state.ma.us 722-1410
Stephen M. Brewer - Stephen.Brewer@state.ma.us - 722-1540
Scott P. Brown - Scott.P.Brown@state.ma.us 722-1555
Stephen J. Buoniconti - Stephen.Buoniconti@state.ma.us - 722-1660 - CO-SPONSOR !
Harriette L. Chandler - Harriette.Chandler@state.ma.us 722-1544
Robert S. Creedon, Jr. - Robert.Creedon@state.ma.us - 722-1200
Cynthia Stone Creem - Cynthia.Creem@state.ma.us - 722-1639
Susan C. Fargo - Susan.Fargo@state.ma.us - 722-1572 - CO-SPONSOR !
Jack Hart - John.Hart@state.ma.us - 722-1150
Robert A. Havern - Robert.Havern@state.ma.us - 722-1432
Robert L. Hedlund - Robert.Hedlund@state.ma.us - 722-1646 - MAIN SPONSOR !
Patricia D. Jehlen - Patricia.Jehlen@state.ma.us - 722-1578
Brian A. Joyce - Brian.A.Joyce@state.ma.us - 722-1643
Michael R. Knapik - Michael.Knapik@state.ma.us - 722-1415 - CO-SPONSOR !
Brian P. Lees - Brian.Lees@state.ma.us - 722-1291
Thomas M. McGee - Thomas.McGee@state.ma.us - 722-1350
Joan M. Menard - Joan.Menard@state.ma.us - 722-1114
Mark C. Montigny - Mark.Montigny@state.ma.us 722-1440
Richard T. Moore - Richard.Moore@state.ma.us - 722-1420
Michael W. Morrissey - Michael.W.Morrissey@state.ma.us - 722-1494 - CO-SPONSOR !
Therese Murray - Therese.Murray@state.ma.us - 722-1481
Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr. - Andrea.Nuciforo@state.ma.us - 722-1625 - CO-SPONSOR !
Robert O'Leary - Robert.O'Leary@state.ma.us - 722-1570
Marc R. Pacheco - Marc.Pacheco@state.ma.us - 722-1551
Steven C. Panagiotakos - Steven.Panagiotakos@state.ma.us - 722-1630
Pamela P. Resor - Pamela.Resor@state.ma.us - 722-1120
Stanley C. Rosenberg - Stan.Rosenberg@state.ma.us - 722-1532
Karen E. Spilka - Karen.E.Spilka@state.ma.us - 722-1640
Bruce E. Tarr - Bruce.Tarr@state.ma.us - 722-1600
James E. Timilty - James.Timilty@state.ma.us - 722-1222
Richard R. Tisei - Richard.Tisei@state.ma.us 722-1206 - CO-SPONSOR !
Steven A. Tolman - Steven.Tolman@state.ma.us - 722-1280
Senate President Robert E. Travaglini - Robert.Travaglini@state.ma.us - 722-1500
Susan C. Tucker - Susan.Tucker@state.ma.us - 722-1612
Marian Walsh - Marian.Walsh@state.ma.us - 722-1348
Dianne Wilkerson - Dianne.Wilkerson@state.ma.us - 722-1673

Who is your State Senator or State Representative? (Just say Hello)

Call, write or e-mail your two State Officials, and/or the Chairpersons of the Committee the Bill(s) have been referred to. Always include your full mailing address on written communications, including e-mails. Include the Bill Number and subject. Limit each communication to one or two bills/issues not to "overload" them.

Attend your Senators or Representatives "District Office Hours" in your hometown. Watch your local newspapers for District Office Hours your State Officials hold, or call ahead to ask, and schedule an appointment. Most of these meetings are after 5:00 p.m. with one or two people showing up. It's an informal meeting, speak your mind, and ask for their support. If they have questions or ask for additional information you can't answer, tell them you'll get back to them, and call the MMA to help you obtain that information and get back to your official.

Let the MMA know your officials' questions, concerns, and support or opposition to these bills. Contact Paul W. Cote, MMA Legislative Director or call (978) 388-3629, or toll free 1-800-4321-MMA. If you'd like to be put on an "Update Me email list," let us know.

One by one, we get it done. When we add your involvement with the other 100,000 motorcyclists, we have a strong voice! Don't "assume" everyone else is doing it - we need you, and you, and YOU! Let's do it together this session!