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Does anybody know what April 16 and April 22 have in common??? On April 16th, HB2280, Elimination
of emissions testing for motorcycles passed out of the Senate. On April 22nd, Governor Napolitano signed the
bill into law. HB 2280 will not go into effect immediately, it may take as long as 2 years before ADEQ and EPA
sign off and the elimination of the testing takes effect. Pima County took about 2 years before it was no
longer necessary to get bikes older than 5 years tested. We all owe our lobbyists from ABATE, ACMC and MMA a
big Thank You for all the hard work and dedication in getting this important piece of legislation passed so
quickly. Oh, guess who’s bike failed this years emissions test? Mine!! I took it in and figured I'll be out of
there in a couple of minutes, right? So, I get done with the test and pay my $19.00 and was given a computer
print out that said FAILED!!! Well, I got it tuned and back to the testing center, and of course it passed. I
for one am looking forward to making my yearly trip to the testing center, history.
Could this be the end of Frank Lautenberg? I would like to think so. I read this article, which was
put out by the MRF, and thought I would share this information with everyone. Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President
of Government Relations, Email: jeff@mrf.org
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May 15, 2008 - NEW JERSEY MOTORCYCLISTS NEED YOU AND YOU NEED THEM!
Is this the end for Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)? The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Political Action
Committee (MRFPAC) thinks that it could be if you want it to be. Frank Lautenberg has been the number one proponent
of a national motorcycle helmet law for many years. The helmet effectiveness debate aside, you must agree that
making this type of law should not be mandated by Washington, but should instead be decided in your state capitol
where you have a voice. If Lautenberg had his way, your voice on this issue would be silenced.
There are a few other things about Senator Lautenberg that you should know. First, Lautenberg currently
either chairs or sits on every single Senate committee and subcommittee related to transportation, without exception.
Second, we are going to begin negotiating another highway bill next year, and if Lautenberg is in charge
we will see mandatory federal helmet initiatives of many kinds. Third, continuing the current 2010 motorcycle
safety grant funds for which the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), state motorcyclists' rights organizations,
and motorcyclists nationwide fought so hard in the last highway bill, and doing anything to curb the lobbying
activities of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), will be nearly impossible with Lautenberg at the helm, and he will be if he wins his next election.
Lautenberg can be defeated, but not without your help. Lautenberg is running for his 5th term in the US
Senate, which would be his 30th year serving in his current role, and he hasn't faced a strong opponent until now.
U.S. Representative Rob Andrews, a fellow Democrat, announced his bid for the seat just over one month
ago. Pollsters and pundits predicted that Andrews' late start and rag-tag group of campaign staffers would fail instantly.
The critics could not have been more wrong. Andrews hit the ground running and has only run harder and
harder with each day. He now has a very legitimate chance of winning the June 3rd primary against Lautenberg, and
would then go on to face the Republican challenger. The GOP hasn't won a senate seat in the Garden State since 1972,
and New Jersey doesn't appear to be breaking from that tradition this year. Andrews is picking up endorsements from
high-profile voting blocks left and right. He is winning the support of New Jersey voters who are ready for change and
a new direction for their state. Andrews could very well win this race, but not without your help.
Andrews has also given his written commitment to motorcyclists that he will NEVER support a mandatory helmet
law of any kind and will continue to fight for freedom of choice when it comes to personal protective equipment
Rob Andrews needs your help. Closing the gap against Lautenberg, which Andrews is doing, takes money. The
Motorcycle Riders Foundation Political Action Committee (MRFPAC) made one of the largest donations it has ever made to
campaign of any kind to Andrews for Senate. MRFPAC is asking you to do the same thing. Anyone across this entire country
can donate to Andrews for Senate. You don't have to be from New Jersey, and in fact the motorcyclists of New Jersey can't
do this without your help. Andrews needs money and he needs it now.
Donating to Andrews' campaign could not be easier. Simply go online to
http://robandrewsforchange.com/
and donate as little $10 or as much as $2300, which is the maximum donation for an individual.
Any amount you can afford will help. Federal PACs can donate up to $5000.
This is a rare political opportunity for the motorcyclists of this country. Some might call it the perfect
storm. Rarely does a rising political star rock the boat of a Senior Senator and actually stand a chance. We have that
chance with Rob Andrews, but we must act soon. Supporting Andrews financially is the best way to see him take Lautenberg's
seat in the Senate.
Members of the House and Senate in Arizona and many other States are about to go on vacation, no Bills
concerning motorcycles are pending at this time in Arizona.
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We need the MRF to fight for our rights in Washington D.C. During these challenging times
some members may not be able to join due to financial responsibilities. That is understandable, but
we need to respond to a call for action when appropriate. Individual state MROs need MRF's help to
keep our interests and fight Big Brother in Washington D.C. The MRF website is
http://www.mrf.org/
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If anyone would like to read Bill HR2694, Motor Vehicle Owners Right To Repair Act Of 2007.
Go to U.S House of Representatives, 110th Congress
http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d110query.html
Click on find a Bill, Amendment or Debate.
Type HR2694 in search box,
Now choose bill number, and HR2694 will present in its entirety.
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To look up your Elected Decision Makers at Project Vote Smart.com:
http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm
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Until next month
Ride Safe and Ride Smart
Tim O’Reilly
ABATE of Arizona
State Vice President
State PAC Coordinator
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