TMRA2 Legislative Update

Final Update for July

We got rained out at the Black Gold Rally after picking up a few members.
But things have moved along much better during this past week. We came back to the office and Dee and I Co-hosted the TV Show. I went home to refill my oxygen bottles, pick up some meds at the hospital that had to stay refrigerated and also picked up two fitted belts for my hernia which continues to grow.

Came back to the office on Friday and went up to speak with the American Legion Riders in Killeen on Saturday. There was a good turnout with several AL Riders from different Posts present and they had really set things up nice for us. We had a beautifully decorated table to set up our gear and a fine meal had been prepared. There were members from other Clubs and Independents present as well. Several of those present were wearing our Patch including the Boozefighters M/C from Waco.

We explained what TMRA 2 is all about and told some Bills we had gotten passed and helped kill within the past few years. When we left the Post we had signed up 38 members including one life member and accepted donations for travel expenses. This meeting ranked as #4 for the support we received at any one time during our existence. Thanks to Andrew Schaumburg for the invitation to visit with this great group.

We then went on to Temple to visit with Midget and Sue for a little while.
He will be laid up for 3-5 weeks this time as he broke his neck in two places along with other injuries.

Yesterday we attended the Austin Area COC Meeting at Cindy’s gone HOG WILD. Gimmee Jimmy announced a new concept of how the COC will become more active in the political arena. We will lay out the whole plan at the August 18th meeting. Suffice it to say that it will give Texas Bikers far more political clout than we have been able to muster in the past few years. I was glad when he announced the plan at the beginning of the meeting. I want to thank him for laying it on the table and say that I support this idea completely.

The concert tickets went on sale last Monday and were already being sold several at a time on that day. There are only 2000 tickets available so if you wish to secure one you probably need to call them and order your tickets soon. The number is 512-389-0315. When we were in Killeen several of those present had already bought tickets or were planning to do so.
Special thanks to those Warriors who have sent donations to help pay the cost of the venue for the concert. We will be going tomorrow to try to line up some bike shops as sponsors to help defray the cost. We will be offering to place a banner at the event showing them to be sponsors along with two VIP Tickets for the concert. We will also include a six month sponsorship of our TV Show where they will be thanked as sponsors on the show each Tuesday evening for that time frame. The cost will be $500.

Ride Free – Ride Sober
Sputnik
State Chair/TMRA 2

Please indulge me this time and if this can be used to help anyone else – it is worth it. This comes to us via one of our TMRA 2 members in Belgium. For a chance to meet him and Theo and the other 2 members – I invite you to make the Mid-South MILE in October. The info they bring over is priceless and may save our ass sometimes, especially as everything they deal with there seems to find it’s way to the U.S. evidentially. Communication is the key to all our fights for our rights.

Website
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/transport/roads/road_safety/biker_safety/bikers.htm

Video
http://files.devon.gov.uk/roadsafety/adayoutindevon.wmv

Ride Safe and Free, Dee McClure

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)

Right to Repair Bill Introduced in US House
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports that the U.S. House of Representatives has re-introduced legislation that would return the right to repair to the vehicle owner instead of the original manufacturer.
Thanks go to Rep Ed Towns, D-NY who introduced the Motor Vehicle Owners’
Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) into the 110th Congress. Joining Rep Towns as original co-sponsors were Reps G.K. Butterfield, D-NC; Anna Eshoo, D-CA; Steven LaTourette, R-OH; George Miller, D-CA and James Moran, D-VA.
The need for right to repair legislation has become apparent due to the increasing use of computers and electronics that control nearly every motor vehicle function from fuel delivery, braking, lighting, and emissions to entertainment. Although computers provide many benefits to motorists through improved fuel efficiency, comfort and safety, they also provide increasing opportunities for motor vehicle manufacturing companies to lock out access by car owners and the independent repair shops where owners choose to obtain service for their vehicles. HR 2694 would require that car companies provide full access to all tools and service information needed to repair motor vehicles, thus leveling the competitive playing field between dealers and independent repair shops.
HR 2694 is similar to last years measure (HR 2048); however some differences exist between the two bills. This year’s legislation had to take into account several factors, including the new leadership in Congress and Committees. In addition, although sponsored by the sitting Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) last Congress, HR
2048 barely limped out of subcommittee and failed to be taken up by the full committee or the House floor.
Dealing with the new Chairman John Dingell (D-OH), who has been extremely outspoken against this bill, is certainly a challenge. Dingell, who has defended Detroit manufacturing against the environmental lobby for decades, has had a change of heart. Now that the Motor City isn’t the vast field of smoke stacks it once was, that change may be sincere. As the newest environmentalist, perhaps Dingell can understand that a well-tuned and maintained vehicle gets higher mpgs, is therefore better for the environment, and we should be removing barriers to convenient and proper vehicle maintenance.
HR 2694 now has eleven co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce committee. No Senate legislation has been introduced as of press time. The MRF encourages you to contact your Federal Representative and ask them to co sponsor HR 2694. As always, the MRF will keep you posted on any developments.
Jeff Hennie

==========================================================
To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php
Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983
Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information.
Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF’s Young Activist Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php.
Sign up today for the MRF’s new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members.
(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists’ rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists’
rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.
The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists’ rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders’ rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists’ rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.
_______________________________________________
mrfnews mailing list
mrfnews@mrf.org
http://mrf.org/mailman/listinfo/mrfnews_mrf.org
=================================================
You may unsubscribe from this mailing
list at any time by clicking here:
http://mrf.org/mailman/listinfo/mrfnews_mrf.org
Scroll to the bottom of the page and
enter your email address.
Ride Safe. Ride Free. Ride Today.

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)
URGENT CALL TO ACTION
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation issues urgent call to action.
Washington DC July 25rd 2007 10:54 PM

US House of Representatives passes transportation appropriations bill (HR
3074) by a vote of 268-153, with no restrictions on any motorcycle funding the Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports.
The US House passed the much needed transportation, housing and related agencies funding bill late Tuesday night without provisions eliminating funding for what is known as the Section 2010 motorcycle safety funds.
The day before debate began on this bill it became known to the MRF that Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) was going to propose an amendment that would have zeroed the funding for fiscal year 08 on the motor cycle safety grants. The same grants that were welcomed by 44 states in fiscal year 07. This amendment would have saved the taxpayers a paltry six million dollars.
After hearing from hundreds of motorcyclists, some intense political advice, and a healthy amount of careful consideration Mr. Hensarling decided not to introduce the amendment. Hensarling was faced with the choice of potentially saving a few thousand lives or saving the taxpayers a few dollars. In the MRF’s view he made the correct choice.
The section 2010 motorcycle safety specific funds that the MRF and its supporting organizations worked so hard to have included in the last highway bill (PL 109-59) remain intact and the popular grant program continues to be a success.
To put things in fiscal perspective, the motorcycle safety grant program accounts for about one half of one one thousandth of this entire spending package. “In other words, the motorcyclists are asking for chump change in the grand scheme of this legislation” Said Jeff Hennie, MRF vice president of government relations.
“What a great example of how motorcyclists get things done in Washington DC” Hennie continued. “Every motorcyclist who phoned in to their federal representative earned and deserves the freedoms that we all enjoy”.
The $104.4 billion dollar spending measure is now slated to be debated in the Senate, where no anti motorcyclists provisions are expected, and then on to the White House for final signature under a potential veto threat.
The MRF thanks all of its members and supporters and will continue to keep you up to speed on all happenings in your nation’s capitol of Washington DC.
As for the remainder of Mr. Hensarling’s proposed amendments? They all failed on the House floor. Maybe there is hope for wisdom in Washington after all.
. ==========================================================
To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php
Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983
Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information.
Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF’s Young Activist Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php.
Sign up today for the MRF’s new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members.
(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists’ rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists’
rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.
The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists’ rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders’ rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists’ rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.
_______________________________________________
mrfnews mailing list
mrfnews@mrf.org
http://mrf.org/mailman/listinfo/mrfnews_mrf.org
=================================================
You may unsubscribe from this mailing

_______________________________________________
mrfnews mailing list
mrfnews@mrf.org
http://mrf.org/mailman/listinfo/mrfnews_mrf.org
=================================================
You may unsubscribe from this mailing
list at any time by clicking here:
http://mrf.org/mailman/listinfo/mrfnews_mrf.org
Scroll to the bottom of the page and
enter your email address.
Ride Safe. Ride Free. Ride Today.
=================================================

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)
URGENT CALL TO ACTION
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation issues urgent call to action.
Washington DC July 23rd 2007 9:31 PM
The United States House of Representatives is scheduled to consider the
FY2008 Transportation, House and Urban Development Appropriations bill (HR
3074) Tuesday July 24th 2007. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has learned of a last minute attempt to eliminate the funding of the 2010 motorcycle safety grant program created in the last highway bill (PL 109-59).
Representative Jeb Henserling (R-TX) is the author of the amendment as well as many many more all directed to eliminate funding for various safety programs and other programs deemed by Heserling as unnecessary and a waste of money. Henserling who is head of the ultra conservative House caucus known as the Republican Study Committee routinely attempts to eradicate funding for good programs. The RSC aims to keep the budget balanced, fight off new taxes and advance the uber conservative Republican agenda.
“A balanced budget and low taxes are both good things but Henserling severely missed the mark when he chose to use the elimination of funding for motorcycle safety awareness programs as the vehicle to bring down the national debt” said Jeff Hennie Vice President of Government Relations for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. He added, “with motorcycle rider-ship and fatalities both at all time highs; it’s completely irresponsible for Mr. Henserling to want to remove this much needed and wildly popular safety grant program.”
Not to mention the House Appropriations Committee has already had several rounds of hearings and markups on this bill and then agreed to keep all of the programs fully funded and to increase funding for some the very same programs Henserling wants to cut.
In accordance with House rules, Henserling does not have to pre-print or pre-file any of his amendments. He can simply go to the floor with his amendment in hand and drop it on the desk of the clerk. Because of this no amendment number is available as of press time.
In order to stop this amendment from passing the US House the MRF is asking you to contact your Federal Representative as early on Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 as you can. This bill could be considered as early as noon EST on July 24, 2007. Ask your Representative to vote no on the Henserling amendment to remove funding ($6 million) for motorcyclist safety to the FY2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.
If you know who your Federal Representative is you can reach the US Capitol switch board at 202 224 3121. You can identify your Federal Representative at this website: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ It is important to make a phone call this time, email will not be quick enough to get the word out. Call early and call often.
The MRF will keep you informed on this issue as it develops.
Jeff Hennie

==========================================================
To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php
Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983
Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information.
Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF’s Young Activist Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php.
Sign up today for the MRF’s new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members.
(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists’ rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists’
rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.
The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists’ rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders’ rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists’ rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.
_______________________________________________
mrfnews mailing list
mrfnews@mrf.org
http://mrf.org/mailman/listinfo/mrfnews_mrf.org
=================================================
You may unsubscribe from this mailing
list at any time by clicking here:
http://mrf.org/mailman/listinfo/mrfnews_mrf.org
Scroll to the bottom of the page and
enter your email address.
Ride Safe. Ride Free. Ride Today.
=================================================