No Vote on HB4823

Fellow Freedom Fighters:

The tentative and long waited for vote on our HB 4823 for adult choice on the helmet issue has been TEMPORARILY postponed. Here's the low down.

We need 56 votes to get our legislation passed through the House of Representatives. If we have one less vote then our bill dies until the next legislative session which begins in Jan. 2003 when we would have to start all over. We presently have about 61 or 62 votes in our favor. On Thursday (November 1), the last day before the legislature broke for hunting and Thanks-giving break, 4 of our "yes" votes were absent and excused from session. One of them had to go out of the country, and three of them had other engagements away from the Capitol.

We had several legislators who decided, after MUCH pressure from the insurance lobby, to change their vote but we had several who came over to OUR side because of pressure from their constituents, bikers from their districts who were at the capitol lobbying. Our bill was far down the list of items to be dealt with.

At about 3:30 in the afternoon we were told that two more of our "Yes" votes had to leave for other business back in their districts. We were told that our bill was at least an hour away from being "up" for discussion. That left us with exactly 56 votes. It was decided, after much debate, that without any margin for someone who got "cold feet" at the last minute, we would hold off the vote for a later time.

We will get our "day in court" so to speak and we will have a vote. It will probably take place after Thanksgiving.

Contact your State Rep in his or her district while they are at home. The vast majority of them have their home address in the "Citizens Guide to State Government" that you should have. Call "information" to get their home phone numbers or call their office in Lansing and try to set up an appointment back home in their districts.

This should be THE topic of discussion at ALL Regional meetings. If you think you know how the Legislators in your Region feel and are going to vote, contact them to verify. I was very proud of our turnout at the capitol. We had about 50 people there and because of their sacrifice and dedication, we gained support from some Legislators who were "iffy" at best.

I want to personally thank Herb Rials from Region 9 who has been a tremendous asset to the efforts undertaken at the Capitol over the past six weeks. We have been in the capitol at least two to three days a week and he has given much to further our efforts.

During that time we have visited every office at least twice and many of the legislators offices literally a dozen times. I would also like to thank ALL of the other ABATE RC's, LO's, and members who have taken time out of their lives to devote to YOUR cause. There have been dozens of Bikers who have been there and I apologize for not naming you all. I know who you are - Thanks!

Last, but not least, I would like everyone to know that without the efforts of Rep. Gene DeRossett and his staff members, Peter and Rob, we would be out in the wind looking in. These people deserve your sincere thanks. After all, they have put up with me for the past six weeks!

Anyway, plan on taking another day off to be in the capitol for our vote. We will try to give you as much advanced notice as possible but we really need you there. If you have any questions or need any further info, please feel free to call me any time.

Ride free,
Jim Rhoades
and the Legislative Committee of ABATE

ABATE of Michigan, Inc. http://www.abateofmichigan.org