TMRA2 Legislative Update

The Texas Owners Group met on 6/7 at 12:00 at Lost Prairie Cycles.

After a wonderful hamburger lunch with all the trimmings served by Tom the meeting started at 1:00pm.
The May minutes and financial report were read and approved. $653.00 was given to Sputnik from memberships and donations to take back to Austin.
In old business certificates of appreciation were given out to the sponsors of the Texas Independence Day Rally by Tom.
In new business Tom told us that the website was updated for The 4th Ann HOT Howl-O-Ween Biker Bash. Upcoming benefit/rallys for TMRA 2 on Father’s Day weekend by East Texas Chopper Guys and The 4th of July Rally in Abilene for TMRA2’s birthday celebration. And asked that everyone try attending one of those rallies.
As our special guest Sputnik explained all that had happened in Austin as the last week of this legislative session came to an end and that a special session would be called in the next month to finish up business that had not been handled in this session.
We expressed our thanks to Sputnik for all he does for biker’s rights.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:15. The next scheduled meeting is July 12th due to The American Independence Day celebration on the 4th.

Sandra Lynch-Secretary
Texas Owners Group
District 5

Thanks to the first Brazoria Chapter for their $500 donation to the State Office.

Thanks to G&N; Skooter Shack for becoming a Supporter member

Governor Perry has called for a special session to begin on July 1st in order for the Legislature to address three issues.

The first issue is the consideration of legislation allowing the Texas Department of Transportation to issue general obligation bonds, which have already been approved by voters, for highway improvement projects.

The second issue is the consideration of legislation extending the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation and regional mobility authorities to use comprehensive development agreements to design, finance, build and maintain transportation infrastructure.

The third issue will be the passage of the “Sunset Safety-Net” bill needed to keep the Texas Transportation Department, the Texas Department of Insurance, the State Affordable Housing Corporation, the Racing Commission and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel functional beyond September 2010

In other words he has called a Special Session to begin with a National Holiday with the main purpose of selling our highway system to the highest bidder. And we all know who that is don’t we?
My State Rep was quoted in the Galveston County Daily News saying that if everyone will agree to Suspend The Rules we can be finished by the 4th of July. Of course he is the Chairman of the House Republican Caucus and he supports selling our roads to be tolled by foreign companies.
We’ll be in the capitol Wednesday to see what happens.

Sputnik
State Chair

Governor Perry has called for a special session to begin on July 1st in order for the Legislature to address three issues.
The first issue is the consideration of legislation allowing the Texas Department of Transportation to issue general obligation bonds, which have already been approved by voters, for highway improvement projects.

The second issue is the consideration of legislation extending the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation and regional mobility authorities to use comprehensive development agreements to design, finance, build and maintain transportation infrastructure.

The third issue will be the passage of the “Sunset Safety-Net” bill needed to keep the Texas Transportation Department, the Texas Department of Insurance, the State Affordable Housing Corporation,the Racing Commission and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel functional beyond September 2010.

In other words he has called a Special Session to begin with a National Holiday with the main purpose of selling our bhighway system to the highest bidder. And we all know who that is don’t we?

Sputnik

We have just been informed that the governor actually did sign SB 1967. We regret the error in reporting.

Sputnik

We attended a Biker Benefit for some close friends at Lost Prairie Cycle Ranch on Saturday and the Heart of Texas Chapter Meeting at Jim’s Cycle Shop in Axtell the next Day. It was good to see a few riders participating during the meeting. It was at least an improvement over a few months ago so things are looking up. Jim cranked up the air and moved the meeting inside due to the heat.

We had a good meeting and laid out what was necessary to get back on track and become the powerhouse from the past. We left there with a good feeling that things would continue to get better in that neck of the woods. Went back to the house to keep my next appointment for this month, the second of three scheduled. Put that behind us and headed out for ETME Acres for the ETCG Fathers Day Run.

If we had a group of real Bikers as dedicated as those in the Piney Woods in each District there would be no stopping this army. These same hard core riders turn out twice each year to keep the doors open and as they call it ”do their little part to help”. Their little part consists of everyone having a great time. Pickin’ n Grinnin’ kickin’ tires and telling tales on Friday. Followed by a Poker Run Saturday morning and (ride ‘em like you stole ‘em) field events with no wimps allowed for the afternoon.
They raffle off every thing but the kitchen sink then settle down for some kick ass music that night. Sunday morning they send you back to the office with $3-4000 and start getting ready for next time.

Back in the office again after a long, hot, wonderful weekend spent with the East Texas Chopper Guys at ETME Acres. Waited for the time to wind down and SB 1967 did not get Vetoed so regardless what happens now it will become law on September 1st 2009. Da’Lady, Rep Chavez, has requested a public signing ceremony. We will see if anything comes of that.

Da’Lady also was the one who filed the Amendments to rededicate our rider training Fund and get our Budget raised for the coming biennium. Once everything settles down we will owe her and her entire Staff a Party for all the work they did for riders this session. They put in far more effort on our behalf than most riders did.

The 17th Birthday Party is coming up July 3-5, at V-Twin Valley at CR 351 in Merkel, Texas. That’s just outside Abilene. Get your Butt out there and make this one a big success. A lot of work has gone into making this be the place to celebrate the Independence of our Nation. Plenty of Events.
Bring your bathing suit. Silver has announced the SWIMMING POOL IS BUILT and the pump is filling it with water as I write.

Another SPECIAL for this Event: U.S. SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON has sent us an AMERICAN FLAG with a certificate verifying it was flown over the U,S. Capitol. It will go to the highest bidder during the Saturday Auction.
I have one more Dr. Appointment to keep and then I will see you all in the VALLEY, in the pool.

Ride Free – Ride Sober
Sputnik/State Chair

Texas Motorcycle Rights Association
512-971- 6777 – 275 Old Lexington Rd. Elgin, Texas 78621
www.tmra2.org

The parking lot at Lost Prairie Cycles was packed with bikers from as far away as Houston, Hewitt, Huntsville, Groesbeck, Eddy, Crockett, Mexia, Waco, Jewett, Tx. And parts unknown, with The NEWS motorcycle club, The CMA and a new Mom & Pop riding group called The Los Pirados rounding out the mix of bikers. Lunch was served shortly after 12 noon, with Fajitas, Pico de Gallo, Uncle Tom’s Jalapeno Beans, Tortillas, Guacamole, Chips, Salsa, Susan’s salad & Smoked Link Sausage! Kevin & Robert Rose came in early to set up the tables, chairs and help prepare the store for a massive display of food & drink.

The Texas Owners Group meeting started at 1pm with a prayer from Thomas Barber of The CMA. All stood for The Pledge of Allegiance. Topics discussed were the alcohol check point, holding our senators & congressmen/women accountable to the constitution or they will be gone in 2010, The 2009 Howl-O-Ween Rally on Oct 30th – Nov. 1st , Volunteers for the rallies are doing a great job, all were recognized and much appreciated with a big round of applause! Skunk Dots Biker News was also mentioned, they wrote a great article about The Texas Independence Day Rally, see the May 2009 edition of Skunk Dots before they are all gone!
Dennis & Skunk also were mentioned and made a whopping $600.00 bid to win the Texas Flag flown over the Texas Capitol building just for TMRA2

6 New members signed up at the May 3rd meeting, they are Stephanie & Mike Forbes of Eddy, Tx, Jason Harris of Waco, Tx., Norman & Audra Gilbert of Hewitt, Tx. & Cynthia Holmes of Jewett, Tx.. Los Pirados is also a 100% TMRA2 membership organization!

TMRA2 Benefit – East Texas Chopper Guys Rally – June 19th, 20th & 21 at E.T.M.E. Acres near Nacadoches, Tx. I will be going, this is a fun family orientated rally, with games for all and live music. Show your support for TMRA2, Make this benefit!
Thank you all for showing your support for Freedom & TMRA2,

Tom Maddux
TMRA2 Senate District 5 Advisor
&
TMRA2 Finance Officer
5544 Hwy 164 East
Groesbeck,Tx.76642
254-729-3104
http://www.LPCycles.com
http://www.TheHOTRally.com

MRF News
HR 1253 Passes United States House of Representatives

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports that the US House passed HR 1253, sponsored by Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) and cosponsored by Bart Stupak (D-MI), which would require that people signing up for a health plan receive in writing an explanation of treatment limits or non-covered conditions, along with other plan restrictions, “in a form that is easily understandable.” The bill passed with overwhelming support with the final vote coming in at 422-3.

All group health plans would be covered by the bill, and health plans would be required to provide the information before customers sign up.

“We are going to stand up and shine a light on these exclusions so Americans will not be caught off-guard by exclusions buried deep within an insurance plan,” said Burgess, a physician.

HR 1253 at this point does not have a Senate companion bill which is the next step before this legislation is signed into law.

“This legislative action keeps Congress on record that this issue needs their attention,” said Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relations. “While this bill is a step in the right direction, the MRF remains committed to securing coverage of any injury that comes from legal use of an on-road motorcycle.”

Elmer H. McKeegan
Chapter Coordinator

“There was no joy in Mudville, MIGHTY CASEY HAD STRUCK OUT.”
That was the feeling in the capitol as first the House and then the Senate Adjourned SINE DIE on June 1st. I had an appointment with my Renal Dr. for that day in Houston so I called Legislators off the Floor Sunday and said my thanks in case I didn’t make it back for the final day. I stayed in touch with the Task Force Members at the capitol as I made my way through the routine at the Hospital. After being told by the Dr. that my kidney function was down to 20% and I needed my heart work up done again on June 16th I headed back to Austin to see the final hours of Sine Die. Compared to past years it was a waste of time.
There just wasn’t anything to celebrate and they all knew it. Nothing of any real importance got done this session. There were a few good Bills passed but the major issues remained out of reach. The problem was not just Partisanship but House against the Senate. And then it was a combination of both. The House Democrats slowed things to a crawl in an attempt to kill the Voter ID Bill. They were successful but many good Bills died behind it for lack of time. When it was clear Democrats had won that battle and offered to move on the Republican Senators threatened to Filibuster each of the other issues in a battle of one up man ship. It was absolutely disgustingly politics at it’s worst.
Whether you blame the House, the Senate, Democrats or Republicans the problem was a total lack of leadership. Governor Perry demanded issues that weren’t popular with Texas Citizens be passed. Republicans did their best to make it happen but met stiff opposition. Toll Roads and Taxes were top priorities for Republicans and I’m not sure the Democrats had any issues the Republicans truly opposed. There will be a Special Session and it will revolve around Toll Roads, Taxes and Voter ID. Some things just never change until you have a change in Leadership. I shall go home today and rest a couple of days. I plan to make the H O T Chapter Meeting at Lost Prairie Cycles Sunday and then make plans from there. Those plans will include making each Chapter’s meeting and try to get things back on an even Keel. Watch for a notice of when I will be in your area and let’s get ready for what lies ahead.

Ride Free – Ride Sober

Sputnik
State Chair/TMRA 2