OK we just got word from Janet, the resolution passed at the convention in SD11. Job well done to all involved and who went to the convention. Thank you Janet for drafting the resolution. Please everyone get this information out on your e-mail list and on facebook. -- Terri Williams TMRA2 Legislative Task Force State Secretary/Treasurer TMRA2.org 512-552-4090 BECAUSE FREEDOM CANT PROTECT ITSELF! TMRA2 has three members who are attending the Democratic convention as delegates this weekend. We have collectively decided to try and present a Prohibiting Motorcycle Only Check Point funding resolution. TMRA2 member, Janet Mayaeux, who is also on the resolution committee drafted the resolution after I sent her a copy of the California law that has already passed in that state. Please let the chapters know we are working on it. As soon as we hear something we will let everyone know. Mando and Debbie from El Paso are also at the convention. This is a good testing ground to how the party feels about the subject. • PROHIBIT FEDERAL FUNDING OF MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS IN TEXAS WHEREAS, the United States Senate is seeking to end the unfair practice of federally funded motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints. On or about March 5, 2014, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a Motorcycle Checkpoint Bill in the U.S. Senate, S. 2078, which would further prohibit the federal government from funding mandatory motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints. Joining her on the bill is Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and original co-sponsors, Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH); and WHEREAS, Texas motorcycle riders began tracking motorcycle-only checkpoints when they first appeared in New York in 2007; and WHEREAS, the federal government funded motorcycle-only checkpoints through a $70,000 grant in 2011. Georgia state police conducted two mandatory motorcycle only checkpoints. They timed the checkpoints with Daytona, Florida bike week traffic setting up on opening and closing days. A checkpoint was also conducted in northern Virginia during their Rolling Thunder rally in 2011 and another in Utah during a road racing event that attracts thousands of riders; and WHEREAS, Texas riders produce several motorcycle events and rallies, such as ROT Rally and Lone Star Rally, that attract thousands of riders to Texas and produce revenue for area merchants and the state. Texas riders believe checkpoints during their motorcycle events would unfairly target motorcycle riders who already have their vehicles inspected and registered; and WHEREAS, during the past two years, federal, state and local governments spent more than a half million dollars on motorcycle-only checkpoints. To use taxpayer dollars to inconvenience motorcyclists is an unconstitutional practice that should be stopped immediately and continue to be prohibited in Texas; and WHEREAS, some states are addressing this issue by either prohibiting any motorcycle-only checkpoints, such as Missouri, Virginia, California, North Carolina, or prohibiting the state from receiving any federal funding as they did in New Hampshire and Illinois; and WHEREAS, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming have prohibited checkpoints by statute and/or judicial action and a board has been established to examine and discuss the motorcycle-only checkpoints and federal funding issue between a coalition of Texas Motorcycle Rights activists and TXDOT and at this time committee members have not sought funding but these positions do change and Texas bikers refuse to allow the chance that TXDOT wont eventually go after the money; and WHEREAS, Texas riders have fought tirelessly to ensure that all fees collected by the State from motorcyclists for the purposes of funding motorcycle training and safety programs will be used for motorcycle training and safety education programs. Diverting these federal funds weakens support for safety and training programs, while also making it more difficult for states to qualify for future grants. Texas riders believe that money should go toward strategies to prevent motorcycle crashes and should not be used to subject riders to arbitrary stops and roadside inspections; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party, State of Texas, support U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheens (D-NH) legislation, S. 2078 would prohibit federal funding for motorcycle-only checkpoints, limiting the implementation of these discriminatory checkpoints and that the Democratic Party supports the motorcycle riders of Texas in their struggle as they continue to keep motorcycle-only checkpoints out of Texas by prohibiting any federal funding. Submitted by____________________ Senate District_____ .
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:16:47 +0000
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