A publication supporting the rights, safety and freedom of all motorcyclists through education and not legislation.
DECEMBER 2011
VOLUME XX, ISSUE VIII
Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit #1662 Phoenix, AZ
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abateofaz.org
ABATE of AZ. 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020
Thank you for allowing me to attend Meeting of the Minds. It was very informative and always interesting to talk to people from other states and compare motorcyclists’ issues from across the nation.
While speaking to lobbyists from other states at Meeting of the Minds I found that some of them had “Legislative Committees”. These committees help to develop strategies and may suggest issues that the lobbyists might address during sessions. The lobbyists along with the committee would ultimately be responsible for suggesting state and
possibly federal legislative agendas (relative to motorcyclists) to the BOD for their approval. Other states have developed these committees with great results. They meet monthly, ask the members to visit the Capitol with the lobbyists or to contact them their legislators and become comfortable talking to their elected officials and understanding the legislative process. Committee members would be encouraged to attend Meeting of the Minds to take advantage of some of the workshops offered and to share what they’ve learned with their chapters. ABATE is a Motorcycle Rights Organization, but not everyone wants to, or has the time to physically be at the Capitol, this committee might give you the opportunity to have input, or if nothing else, to see firsthand how we decide which issues will be addressed during a session. In Arizona ABATE works in conjunction with the MMA and ACMC lobbyists as a lobby coalition to determine legislative agendas. I can’t help but think that an ABATE Legislative Committee may bring fresh ideas to the table. “Think About It!”
The Lobby Team recently met with
Representative Jerry Weirs regarding the Lane Sharing bill and he has agreed to sponsor it. Among some of the benefits of the bill are: it increases motorcycle visibility, reduces rear-end collisions and keeps air-cooled engines from overheating. There will be updates on the progress of this bill as it progresses. Currently the effort to have motorcycle emission testing discontinued in Maricopa County seems to be doomed to run out of time for yet another year. The good news is we will run it again! As a reminder, Motorcycle Day at the Dome is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2012. Let’s make it the best attended one yet. As the date gets closer you might want to consider making appointments with your legislators or give them a call and personally invite them to join us. Ride Safe,
Carole O’Reilly caoreilly48@aol.com Designated Lobbyist ABATE of Arizona