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Elections Put Our Current Helmet Law in Florida and Our Effectiveness in the Florida Legislature and US Congress at risk.

The elections in Florida cost motorcyclists several friends in the legislature.  We had some great friends term out as well, so we have our work cut out for us.  There are many freshman legislators who will be reporting for duty who are entirely new to the process.

As we are approaching a new legislative session in Florida, we have to begin developing an effective rapport immediately, as in addition to our legislative agenda, we will be called upon to defend our current helmet law.  One of the bills we are looking at will be an effort to strengthen our ‘stiffer penalties’ bill we passed two years ago.  In addition to a desire to increase the penalties assessed for people who are running over motorcyclists, we are forced to continue to look at how we can assist in helping insure that the law is applied more uniformly.  Currently, we seem to be encountering far too many instances of the existing law not being enforced.  We also will be looking to help strengthen our Motorcycle Safety and Awareness program.

We begin developing relationships now with new legislators simply by making calls, writing letters, or going by their offices with a very simple message – ‘Congratulations and Thanks for serving in the Florida House”, or Florida Senate, US Congress, whatever the case might be.  If you already know we have a difference of opinion with one of them, this is not the time to fight it out or make your case.  This is the time to meet them, their office staff, welcome them and thank them for their service.  We need to develop working relationships and maintain those we have.  Even in the case of one of the Senators whose office was not part of this election cycle, this is a good time to touch base with them in the same way, simply thanking them for their continued service.

We will have to shift more quickly from our political agendas to legislative and make sure we are fully prepared for our legislative session.  We need to make ready even prior to the end of this holiday season so we can be prepared to fan out our own information as well.

 The elections have resulted in a shift at the federal level that no doubt results in our work being cut out for us.  Only a few months ago we saw the letter from Lautenberg go out to Governors in every state with propaganda targeting motorcyclists and mandatory helmet laws.  Now, he will be chairing one of the Transportation Subcommittees and has released his agenda.  This development alone is enough to warrant nationwide strategy involving all State Motorcycle Rights Organization (SMROs) from every state to insure we are prepared to repel whatever is hurled our way from this resulting change in Chairmanship and related political changes.

 We will need to complete our agenda and maximize our positions otherwise in preparation to canvass incoming freshman legislators in Tallahassee for support on some of our other issues NOW so that we will have already established rapport and working relationships PRIOR to the wave of federal propaganda that we WILL be subject to.

Do not think we will be sitting back watching some other state under siege.  Florida has been very high on the NHTSA hit list and with Lautenberg at the helm; they are going to come for us.  If we or any of their other early target states fail to stand fast, they could build momentum that will be devastating to the rest of the country.  We have to force the feds into the position that will equate to them trying to force feed their safety/helmet agenda without the consent of state legislatures.

 I will be surprised if Florida is not the first state they come after in our upcoming legislative session.  We not only must be prepared to fend them off and slow them down, but we need to blow a hole in their plans to help suck any momentum out of their drive.  Our success will help give other states some juice and if we can keep them busy and without success, it will hopefully  give us the time necessary to prepare for the battle on the federal front.

 As we look toward the challenges that lay before us, it is evident that it is also going to be necessary for ABATE OF FLORIDA to increase its membership.  We actually are in need of a large increase in membership.  History tells us that for every 100 members we get signed up, about 10 of them are going to be movers and shakers who will really help us get things done.

We need many more motorcyclists in Florida to join our ranks if nothing more to get our newsletters and stay tuned for how they can help us carry out our agenda.  We are going to need each ABATE member to help sign up at least a couple of members per month.  Hopefully friends like Full Throttle will help us reach out to others who have previously been content to kick back and let ABATE take care of protecting their lifestyle.  We need them to sign up so we can pipe timely information to them at the appropriate time so they can help protect our rights as well as get our legislation passed.

I am sad to share that we have lost one of our Freedom Fighters.  Our Legislative Rep from the Nature Coast Chapter, K.C. Mallady, was robbed of her life in December when someone pulled out in front of her and her husband.  Steve was busted up pretty badly, but has survived.  Many of us traveled to their last meeting to support him and their Chapter in their time of tragic loss.

Stay safe out there, this is a deadly time of year on the road ….JEB