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Citizen
involvement key to moving pro-motorcycle legislation
By Rep. Dan
Roach
Special to Biker Information Guide
Citizen involvement is
extremely important to the legislative process. It's what helps to
educate your elected lawmakers about the issues important to you.
During the 105-day
legislative session which finished April 26, members of motorcycle
groups in Washington came to the state Capitol in Olympia where they met
with lawmakers and testified on proposed legislation.
Several members of ABATE
of Washington (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) also scheduled a
meeting with me in which we discussed their concerns about the price of
tolls on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Under the current Narrows
tolling rate, motorcycles must pay the same price as a passenger vehicle
-- $4 in cash or $2.75 with a "Good to Go!" electronic pass -- even though a motorcycle weighs much less than a car. Heavier
vehicles, such as tractor-trailer rigs, pay considerably more, depending
upon the number of axles. ABATE argued, and I agreed, that since a
motorcycle's weight is less than half the weight of a car, the toll rate
should be reduced.
As a result of that
meeting, I introduced
House Bill 2093. The bill stated that motorcycles, including
those with trailers in tow, must be charged a toll of no more than 50
percent of the rate charged to passenger cars.
The measure was referred
to the House Transportation Committee. Unfortunately, the chair of the
committee did not schedule a public hearing for the bill. Although the
measure did not advance this year, I will continue to push for it in the
2010 session.
You can also help by
contacting the
chair of
the House Transportation Committee at (360) 786-7926 and asking for
a public hearing on House Bill 2093 when the Legislature meets again
next January. Your involvement can and will make a difference!
# # #
EDITOR'S NOTE:
State Rep. Dan Roach, R-Bonney Lake,
represents the 31st Legislative District, and also serves as ranking
Republican of
the House Transportation Committee. He can be contacted at (360)
786-7846 or from his Web site at:
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Roach.
For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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