We have bad news and good news. The bad news is that our Left-turn bill died on the Senate floor, as you have most likely already have heard. It seemed to have plenty of steam when it went to the floor calendar, but something happened after it got there. It seems someone behind the scene declared war on our bill. We know we had opposition at the Senate committee hearings from the WSP, but the committee not only passed the bill, but also removed the insurance language we wanted removed. Larry “Texas” Walker, WRRA Legislative Officer also agrees that it was not due to the lack of participation of motorcyclists making contacts with the Senate. Constituents (all of us) were definitely working the phones, emails with leadership and lots of folks wearing off shoe leather at the capitol.
The good news: We may have lost the battle, but we did not lose the war. Our hard work did get the bill this far. Some bills never even get a number, much less through the house and then on to the Senate. We fought a war in committee hearings and won! Hopefully this will prove to those that doubt, “do our efforts count?” YES!! I do want to express my appreciation to everyone that helped do their part in our motorcyclist’s rights efforts.
The session is over but the legislators and senators will be back in their district for elections this fall, and that is when I recommend contacting your senator and asking why our bill did not get a vote. As a constituent you are well within your rights to ask this question of your senator. If you do get information, please pass it on to your ABATE legislative affairs officer or any ABATE officer, giving us the ability to tailor the end run around our opposition next year.
Working together has proven that we can move forward and get someone to listen. Don’t give up, work together and we will succeed.
I have been meeting with several chapters and non-ABATE organizations promoting ABATE of Washington. We have a past chapter coordinator that has moved into the Bellingham area and is working on rejuvenating that chapter. Also possibly a new chapter in the Shelton area. I attended the March 2008 Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board Meeting with Mick Gillispie, ABATE State Coordinator and Rick Ward, SKCC Legislative Affairs Officer. There are additional safety courses starting in Spokane and Cowlitz counties in July. The board also stated that there will be additional television spots shown this year financed with the federal safety funds. There are two positions open on the Advisory Board and that information is available on the web: www.dol.wa.gov and follow the links. There is also a new WSP board member and he is Sgt. Pennington and he is a WSP motor cop and an off duty motorcyclist. May is Motorcycle Awareness month, but for some reason the Governor's Run has been cancelled this year. ABATE’s Freedom Run is in May. Check newsletter and website.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mike Campbell
ABATE of Washington
Ambassador-at-Large
Washington State MRF Co-Rep