Legislative / Helmet Updates & C

Well folks I really dont have much to add to what Scott has laid out for you except my sincerest thanks for all of you that voted, worked the campaigns and just for being ABATE members. Everyone deserves a pat on the back for this one !!

As Scott said we have a long road to November but we can all breathe a bit easier now knowing we have made a difference and we are well on our way to change.

Thanks to all the friends of ABATE ... it's Members and Family

Job well done!!

"keep the shiny side up"

Rogue
Todd C. Miller
ABATE of Ne Inc State Coordinator
402.440.8756

Update from ABATE's State Legislative Officer, Scott Lucey

What a night…

Well folks we did very well in the primary with our candidates. Nationally, Adrian Smith and Lee Terry, both of which have supported ABATE causes made it to the general election. Adrian should have an easy go of it come this fall but Terry may be in for a dog fight with Ewing for the House of Representatives.

The big story of the night was the Deb Fischer win. Out spent by millions of dollars by her opponents and came out on top. Jon Bruning spent 3.7 million compared to Fischer’s 400,000 and she got the nod from the voters. Great effort by all of ABATE to pull this one off. Just goes to show, it’s not how much is in your pocket, it’s what’s in your heart. She will need the same effort this fall to make it to Washington and when she does, we will have a true supporter.

Of the 8 State legislative races we were focused on we sent 7 of our candidates on to the general election in November. The bright side is that in the one race we lost we still have a supporting candidate. Our advancing candidates for the legislature are; Geary, Bloomfield, Hilgers, Woodward, Curtiss, Davis, and Carter.

Now comes the heavy lifting. Of the 17 state legislative races this November, 14 of them have an impact on ABATE. 14 races that if successful, could give us a majority vote and possibly a veto proof vote in Lincoln next session.

Thanks to everyone for making this and extremely successful primary for ABATE of Nebraska. Let’s make an even better outcome in November for the general election.

Much more to come.

Scott Lucey

eglidewhite@yahoo.com

Ok
here we are a mere days away from the Primary Elections. My friends I am concerned. We have lived in a State that has for far too many years denied us as Motorcyclists the freedom of CHOICE by those WE elect to govern us … why? Why do we elect representation that chooses not to represent us? It may sound easy, over simplified. Some of you will say “I did not vote them in” , some will say "I voted for the other guy" etc ... but how many will say ... I never voted? Statistically they say approximately 54% percent of Americans vote in any given election. That is 54% for all Americans of voting age. So just over half the population makes the decision for everyone?? really?

We as an organization cannot accept those figures of ourselves. We need 100% participation from our members, from our friends etc.

For most of us this weekend will be the last big push before Tuesday. Our last chance to make a difference. We need people to vote. To that end my task to each of you this weekend is to work the phones, email or whatever means you have to contact your membership inform each of them whom we need elected in this round to carry forward to November. Contact your local clubs, organizations etc. make sure every biker in your area knows whom we as ABATE is supporting! Distribute our support fliers at a run if you can ... stick them up at your local pub etc ... DO NOT PUT THIS OFF ... I have attached it again and it is available on the website ... One more idea ... May is officially Motorcycle Awareness Month in Nebraska ... maybe ask our sponsoring radio stations to remind people to vote during our PSA announcements. something like "May is Motorcycle awareness month, watch out for motorcycles ... ABATE of Ne reminds you to vote may 15th .."

Tell everyone you see ABATE is on the firing line ... We need 110% participation from our membership!

VOTE!

"Keep the Shiny side up!"
Rogue
Todd C. Miller
State Coordinator
ABATE of Ne Inc.
402.440.8756

To the BOD and friends,

We are burning down to the wire. Primaries are just around the corner 11 days as of this writing and then we can take a breather ... I have put together a list of those folks who are running in the primaries and need our support now ... we do have others we support as ABATE but these are the ones that need our help to get past the primaries. Now I understand there are many runs everywhere this weekend and if you are not helping candidates directly I hope you plan to chat it up and distribute the enclosed flier's ... We need to make this push to get a few more bikers voting!!!

We cannot afford to lose one vote here. Print these up take them to your favorite hangout ...

I am again working Mike Hilgers campaign this weekend and going door to door ... I hope we can win a few more votes in his favor ... if anyone is interested we can use more help. We will be meeting at Toast in Fallbrook Saturday at 9:30 am ... a second crew will meet at 1pm ... please join us if you can.

I have also picked up another 300 yard signs for Senator Deb Fischer and have those available. I still have a few Signs for Mike Hilgers as well ... I will be bringing what is left to the district 2 meeting Sunday 1pm at the starlight lounge in lincoln. If you cannot make it there, give me a call, leave a message and i will deliver them to you.

Again, enjoy your weekend and do what you can for the effort. Simply running around on a poker run this weekend with the attached flier in hand may make one new person aware of what we need.

"Keep the Shiny side Up!"

Rogue

Todd C. Miller
State Coordinator
ABATE of Ne Inc.
402.440.8756

Well,
Another week closer to the elections and ramping up! We need to be working these campaigns people. Time is running out. I cannot stress enough how important just talking about the candidates and getting their names out is ... Again if you do not have a candidate up for election in your district there are plenty of neighboring districts that can use your help. I myself am working with senator Hilgers daily. After work we have been going into some of the rural areas putting up 4' x 8' signs along the highway (where we can find private property) we have been getting them up and getting good feedback ! I was even able to get one of our supporting businesses Slick's in Airpark to allow us to put up a sign on NW 48th which is an excellent location ... basically the only access for airpark! Hilgers has some more openings this Saturday for going door to door delivering flier as well again meeting at Toast in fallbrook and heading out 9:30 am !!

Senator Fischer ... let's not forget what we can do for her as well she has plans to be in Western Nebraska here is her schedule...

Deb Fischer Events:

Friday April 27th
8 AM
Coffee at Longhorn Cafe
Kimball, NE

4:30-6:30 PM
Public Meeting at the Scottsbluff Library

Saturday April 28th
2 PM
Coffee at the Bean Broker
Chadron, NE

Monday April 30th
8:30 to 9:30 AM
Coffee at Newberry Common ground
Alliance, NE

Stops later in the afternoon at Bridgeport (11 am) and Oshkosh (2 pm)

let's get out and show her some support ... bring a friend and get involved! Remember every vote counts !!!!!

please keep the information coming let everyone know what you are doing in your area for your candidates ....

thanks!

Keep the shiny side up

Rogue
Todd C. Miller
State Coordinator
ABATE of Ne inc
402.440.8756

Update - April 13, 2012
OK
Scott has been on top of it all and you have your lists of the Senators that need our help in the Primaries. We need to focus and get things done. Make some calls and do whatever you can. I personally am working on Mike Hilgers in district 21 we have several things going on over the next 2 weekends. This weekend if anyone is so inclined we will be helping deliver yard signs for any that show up at Toast in Fallbrook 10am this Saturday. We are also planning to help go door to door the following Saturday meeting at the same location at 9:30 am ... this is for legislative district 21.

any surrounding districts that feel left out with nothing to do are welcome to join in the fun! ...

and as always remember Deb Fischer needs our help as well signs can be picked up from 1620 N. st. or you can call 402-310-3347 .

please respond to all with your upcoming events and we can get these posted to the web calendar ASAP , remember it is only a few weeks of hard work then we have all summer to hang out ride and prepare for November elections!

Thanks

Rogue

Todd C. Miller
State Coordinator
ABATE of Ne Inc.

Keep the shiny side up

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time flex some ABATE muscle and get involved is some very critical races for us this election season. Below is a list of candidates that are involved in legislative races that need our help to make it through to the primary. They are on the list because they came to us and asked for our help. They indicated that they would be in support of a repeal of the helmet bill, and they support what we are saying. They are also in races where their opponents have either chosen not to side with us or have voted against us in the past. We need these folks below to make to the general election in November and then on to the take a seat in Lincoln and help us put this issue of ours to bed..

I need each of you to either take ownership of this request or appoint someone in your district to drive the effort.

1#. Call the candidates in your area or near it and find out how and when ABATE can assist. Offer to walk neighborhoods to hang door tags, help putting up yard signs or stand on street corners during the primary to show support. Where do they need help and when?

2#. Organize and energize your membership to help. Show the candidate that we are for real and offer real help.

3#. Have fun with it. Have a get together or a ride after the event or assistance.

4#. Ask the candidate when they will need help again and try to assist.

5#. Invite other ABATE districts that boarder to help cause this helps all of us.

The Primary is May 15^th which leaves 5 weekends before we go to the polls. We need to make our contact calls to the candidates this week. Please also let me know after your conversation how you are going to assist.

They are:

D2 Larson Weeping Water 402-676-8007

D7 Greary South East Omaha 402-905-6865

D17 Bloomfield Hoskins 402-565-4223

D21 Hilgers Lincoln 402-916-0892

D37 Woodward Kearney 308-233-9955

D41 Curtis Plainview 402-582-3817

D43 Davis Hyannis 308-458-2220

D45 Carter Bellevue 402-871-3788

Come on folks, we need this…

I will also tell you that I have calls from 3 supporting senators not not in an election this go around giving recomendations to the list above.

Please call or mail if you have any questions....

Scott Lucey

402-619-0378

eglidewhite@yahoo.com

Ok,
I hope everyone feels rejuvenated, energized and ready to go. STEAM was a great event and I thank each and every one of you that attended and those that went the extra mile to help. I know in my case it was fantastic! I came back from the event ready to post signs and contact my Senator. We have a lot to do and very little time to get it done. I wanted to get this out before your April meetings. I see a lot of you have them scheduled for this Sunday due to the Easter weekend ... We, as an organization, did receive some great praise for our comments on Saturday morning as to our approach for changing the helmet law, by changing the face of the legislature to the point of even being quoted and told that it was a great rallying cry. "It is much easier to Elect a Senator who will vote in our favor than it is to change ones mind". We also made some great progress at STEAM to further Senator Fischer's bid for US Senate. We have some hoops to jump through but I believe the MRF will come through for us in their support. I have already received some confirmation that the paperwork is in progress to get this done. Thanks in no small part to everyone who was there making a difference at STEAM. Senator Fischer told me directly how much our efforts mean at the capital, that everyone knows why we are there and whom we represent. I know we made a few new contacts as well with bordering states .. we had a representative from Colorado in particular that seemed very interested in some joint efforts with District 12.

So what do you need to be working on? Just as we said at STEAM, we will never change the helmet law in the State of Nebraska till we have 30 votes locked in on the floor. I know we can do this. When i say we i mean every motorcyclist in the State. ABATE members need to carry the flag but we need all the votes we can muster for the primaries and beyond. We need you to be the ambassadors for political action, get involved in the committees, and work to get the candidates through the primaries. I will tell you this, our past efforts have been making waves. We do make a difference, candidates are again coming to us for support. We just need to practice what we preach. Work to get them elected, put the fear of us supporting someone else into those that have been elected!

Now Primaries are hugely important and we need to hit the ground running. I need to see some action in these legislative districts

District 2 - Lambert or Larson ...
District 7 - Greary
District 17 - Bloomfield
District 21 - Hilgers ... I am talking to him myself and setting up an interview (my personal district)
District 37 - Woodward
District 45 - Carter

These are all the districts Scott has been sending out emails about but we need to know what, if anything, is happening. Scott will be helping to contact and set up visits to your Senators and those will be posted on the State Website. Find out what you can do for each of them in your district and do not be afraid to ask for help!!! A border district may be able to lend support. I know there are a few more districts we do not have all the information on yet so if you have any information on support in another district let us know asap. Get these people to your meetings get them involved. Get your districts engaged in the process! Invite them to your events. Get them in parades, fairs, or anything you can think of to get them in front of as many people as you can.

We also need to be working for Sen Fischer in her US bid .. she has a tough battle ahead and we all know name recognition is huge. Many districts took yard signs etc to get started on her campaign already but she needs all the help we can give her. I have gotten information from her aid that these counties in the state need some extra attention ...

They still need county chairs for the following counties:

-Banner
-Box Butte
-Franklin
-Frontier
-Garfield
-Gosper
-Hayes
-Hitchcock
-Jefferson
-Knox
-Loup
-Nance
-Nuckolls
-Sioux
-Thurston

County chairs for a campaign are just point people in the county. Right now, they are distributing signs, so a county chair would be someone who could either help distribute to our supporters or help us find someone who could be a base of operations. Also, when the Senator comes through, Larissa (Sen. Fischer's aid) may call to see if there are any events she needs to attend or people she should meet while they are in town. That's about it! Easy task but these counties are currently without ... if you can lend a hand here or know someone who would get in touch with me, Scott or Larissa ASAP.

Everyone has a job to do ... if there is not a local senate election in your district Sen Fischer needs you...

I have been in contact with Larissa on getting voter registration booths set up as well. This is an untapped resource we have an entire younger generation of riders that often show indifference ... if we can get them registered to vote and get them to the polls ... those few votes may change the balance ...

Bottom line ... we need to get busy we have approximately 6 weeks to make things happen for the primaries If you want to make a difference now is the time!

Keep us all informed and we will succeed.

Todd C. Miller
"Rogue"
State Coordinator
ABATE of Ne Inc.
Roguetc@aol.com
402.440.8756

The County Farm Bureaus in Legislative District 1 are sponsoring a Candidates Forum on March 20 to give the public an opportunity to meet and question the candidates who are seeking to represent the district in the Nebraska Legislature. The forum is free, and open to the public.

Forum will be held Tuesday, March 20, 7 pm at the St. Peters Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 71955 Hwy 50, Elk Creek, NE.

All 6 candidates - Bruce Bernadt, Douglas Bohling, Alvin Guenther, Jerry Joy, Neal Schatz, and Dan Watermeir - have been invited to participate.

ABATE of Nebraska's helmet modification bill, LB52 is scheduled to be voted on tomorrow, Wed, March 7th

"Vote LB52 out of committee so it can be debated and voted on by the full Legislature."

Email or phone is acceptable - however, do NOT contact them past 11am on Wed, Marcy 7th.

Thank you in advance for your help. Please get this message out to others ASAP.

Session starts January 4, 2012. Our bill, LB52 is sitting in committee waiting for a swing vote to get it out of committee and on the floor.

A large number of senators support us, but still have some that need to be swung our way. A large number of businesses and political organizations also support us.

We have Lobby Day coming up on Jan 23rd. We need YOU there! We need 100% participation from our members.

Go to meetings! Get information and educate others! Know your senators name and number - and use them!

Call your senator and tell them to back LB52, the bill to repeal the mandatory helmet law. It is in committee and for the sake of freedom, you want it out and you want it to pass. Tell them you will be keeping track of the progress on the bill.

Unlike wearing a helmet, you do have a choice in making a difference. What is YOUR decision???

As many of you may have heard, the new Senator for D33 is Les Seiler, Hastings area. He was appointed to take the place of Senator Uttler who passed away the first part of January.

Gov. Dave Heineman has chosen Plattsmouth Mayor, R. Paul Lambert, to take over the state senator seat vacated by Dave Pankonin.

Lambert will be sworn in to office on Friday by Secretary of State John Gale at the State Capitol.

"There were several key factors in my decision. Paul has been the mayor of Plattsmouth for 8 years. He understands the challenges of local government. He knows that we must control spending and Paul is a common sense Nebraskan" Heineman said.

Lambert, 61, was appointed to the Plattsmouth City Council in 1999 and re-elected to that office twice. He has been mayor since 2003. Mr. Lambert currently works in automotive sales and is a licensed real estate agent and an iron worker.

In a press release Lambert said "I am honored to be appointed by the Governor. I am humbled by the task at hand and I am pleased and proud to serve the good people of the second district. I ask for their help, their understanding and especially their prayers for the duration of my service."

Lambert attended Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Please see the email below concerning Deb Fischer's run for the Senate. Please keep in mind that donations must be made individually and CANNOT come from an ABATE acct. Let's support someone who has always supported us.
------------------------------------------------

Deb Fischer is running for the U.S. Senate.

Deb has supported us (ABATE of Ne) for years as Chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee of which she will continue to chair during the
next session.

The campaign will probably be asking "us" for help with yard signs and such as things move along, but right now they are looking for donations to build up to coffers before the end of the filing quarter on September 30th.

To that end, here is an email from Aaron Trost, her campaign manager:

We have a very important financial deadline on this Friday, September 30. We are trying to raise as much money as possible on our report to make a strong
showing and continue the momentum for Deb's campaign. Donations of $100, $50, 25, even $10 will be very helpful.

If we can get 30 people to donate $50, or 100 people to give $25, then that would be a big boost.

To Contribute online, go to - http://www.debfischer2012.com/?page_id=11

Having a strong report is critical to our success. Any help ABATE can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Aaron Trost
Deb Fischer for U.S. Senate, Campaign Manager

As Deb has supported us, please consider supporting her!!

Yesterday Senator Pankonin from Legislative district 2 which sits over Plattsmouth as well as parts of Sarpy County said he will resign effective October 8^th of this year. ABATE districts 6 and 11 have members represented by the Senator.

There have been many conversations with the senator over the years to get him to see our point of view with no success. He has voted in opposition in every opportunity.

The Governor is taking applications to fill the seat which are due to him no later then September 23^rd. I suspect that Pankonin’s opponent Louderback from last year’s election may be one of those but I am still in the process of confirming that. Louderback pledged support of LB52 and our right to choose.

I will keep everyone updated but please contact me if you hear any developments relating to this development.

Scott

Well just goes to show you … its Friday its spring and it’s snowing … so I thought I would take this opportunity to touch base with everyone. Our website transfer should be coming to completion very soon with little or no down time. If you have trouble logging in give it a bit and try again. There will be a page coming soon for the Chrome level membership and sample letter to your supporting business feel free to use that … there will be a link on the website for the business to apply for membership.

I am not hearing much from anyone at this time and I have to wonder if everyone is getting busy on the tasks that have been assigned. We need to be getting to our supporting businesses. We need to be gearing up for rides to the target zones as they are identified … Has your district started making plans for runs this summer too? I have not been getting feedback from you. We at the State office need to know. Please have your secretary’s forward copies of your meeting minutes to all of us. We need to stay focused this summer in order to move this along … Have all your members been contacting the transportation committee members? Are your supporting businesses doing the same?

Do not lose sight of where we are going, and how we plan to get there … get to your meetings!

Of note, there has been a lot of media attention on the sentencing of the kid that killed the 4 coming back from Sturgis last year … keep an eye open for anything on this .. some of you have been forwarding links to me that is great … also watch for any other motorcycle related news … I want to know about anything and everything within or near our state, whether it be atv or street.

Keep the shiny side up

Rogue

Todd C. Miller

State Coordinator, ABATE of NE Inc.

ABATE of Nebraska

402.440.8756

Call to action … LB52

What we need from you now:

Step One:

Go to your district meetings! There will be some information given there not available on the web site. Do not expect to get all the information there as some will be sensitive information and not available to the general public. Do not call me or the other state officers either, for this, as if we do not personally know you, we will not release sensitive information over the phone either.

Step Two:

We need to work on sending emails, letters and making phone calls to our transportation committee members from us as individuals. We are not trying to flood them but merely show the support from across the state and out of state for moving this bill along and out of Committee. I need to start hearing from you in the next few days and weeks that this is getting done. On the web page you will find sample letters of the type we wish you to send. Be politically correct and do not in any way shape or form use any sort of profanity! These letters should go to every member of the committee!

Step Three:

We need you to start contacting our supporting businesses and ask them to write letters to the committee as well. Go to your meetings get with your reps and find those businesses get organized so we aren’t all contacting the same businesses. I want to know as the businesses are contacted. Call the ABATE office number and leave a simple message, we will be checking them off as we go, making sure all have been contacted! It would be best if we received that information from one source per district, such as your district rep but any others may do so as well. Again, we have sample letters for them as well as an explanation letter on the web page for you to hand or read to them regarding what we need done.

There will be much more to do in the next weeks … this is our first push to get this bill out of committee, any and all help doing these things from within ABATE and from other individuals will be greatly appreciated. You do not have to be an ABATE member to attend meetings find one near you and get involved!

SUPPORTING BUSINESS SAMPLE LETTER INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE LETTER INFO LETTER FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

TRANSPORTATION SENATORS CONTACT INFORMATION

Todd C. Miller

State Coordinator, ABATE of NE Inc.

ABATE of Nebraska

402.440.8756

Ok,

I don’t have a lot for you all right now but I did not want you to think we were keeping you in the dark. As of now we have had no real news just a lot of whispers and innuendo … that being said Bob, Scott and I will be meeting this weekend to hopefully formulate some sort of backup plan and be ready to present options to the BOD at the March meeting … I wanted to get this out today as I know a lot of you have meetings this weekend … be assured we are not sitting on our butts doing nothing. The game of politics is a chess game, that is for sure, and we need to be sure of our next move. Tell your members the bill is still on hold but to be alert to action after the Board meeting next Sunday. Keep your eyes out for any media … I have had a few respond to me on this and we have taken action where necessary … thanks for all of you who have been keeping us informed across the state … and for those of you out of state as well.

Todd C. Miller

State Coordinator, ABATE of NE Inc.

ABATE of Nebraska

402.440.8756

Again no news on our bill lb52, I just wanted to remind everyone to be patient and be standing by for a call to action once we have movement of any kind we will be needing assistance in a short time. Be prepared!

Again I ask that you keep an eye on all news and media coverage … watch for any polls etc. I have had some nice letters in response to my responses in the paper locally as well as from those “old” members across the state who are watching the web site for any news …

I know a some have sent some emails to me as well requesting permission to respond to others… thanks to all of you!

Hopefully more news soon but voting only happens on Monday or Tuesday … so we will be in a holding pattern till then for news from the committee.

Todd C. Miller

State Coordinator, ABATE of NE Inc.

ABATE of Nebraska

402.440.8756

Ok, I want to remind everyone we are in a holding pattern for now waiting for the outcome of the committee hearing. That does not mean we don’t need to be busy … there have already been many blogs on the web about our bill and bashing back and forth … one such as this

traveler said on: February 14, 2011, 11:24 pm

Yes, ABATE presented the same bill last year, and they will probably present it next year, and the year after that …

If this bill makes it to the floor, it will still get stuck in the same debate of personal freedom vs. public safety. I see this as very similar to requiring seat belts and child restraints. I doubt this will have much better chance than last year.

American Bikers Aimed Towards Education. Really? I would disagree with their name choice. When the hearing to cut funding for motorcycle training took place several weeks ago (LB170), ABATE was silent. Education is not really their thing, they just don’t like helmets.

I have sent a response already in regards to only that we did have a position on the bill lb170 and we did present it to the committee. Also that yes we will continue to fight unjust legislation singling out motorcyclists. I would like all of you to be very aware we will be getting publicity on this issue I was down at the State office last night “Valentines Day” (which I am still trying to make it up to my wife for not being home) … fielding calls about the hearing. I don’t want to see ABATE members out there doing a lot of bashing other individuals … state facts and let them look like fools if you feel we need a comment and are not sure what to say contact me Scott, or bob and we will do it. If you don’t know something for sure don’t guess!!! And yes pointing a finger at someone who shall remain nameless…

Anyway keep your eyes open watch for any wrong facts, any polls etc …

I will update as soon as we know more

Todd C. Miller

State Coordinator, ABATE of NE Inc.

ABATE of Nebraska

402.440.8756

LB170 was introduced this legislative session and has some direct impact on the motorcycling community of Nebraska. LB170 as we understand it will eliminate the redirection of the portion of the motorcycle license and registration fees used for motorcycle safety and training courses. To the best of our knowledge, the majority of these funds were used to subsidize tuition for rider training classes and for instructor education and certification. At this time we are unclear of the total dollars redirected per year are nor are we sure if the money is spent for any other motorcycle related cause.

Senator Fisher introduced LB170. As we understand it, all of the committee chairs were asked to find monies to cut or add back into the states general fund from all state departments and the content of LB170 is a result of what the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offered as their contribution. Senator Fisher is the introducer as this department is guided by the Transportation Committee.

Part of the criteria set forth in determining what would be eligible to cut is if the program or activity were optional. Rider training courses are optional in that you are not required to take it to receive a license or register a motorcycle. Only if you want to forgo the test required by the DMV will you need to show proof of successful completion of one of these courses. There courses are also not fully funded by the state but by the subsidized expense to the individual.

In conversation with the Grater Omaha Office on Safety who offers such a program. They indicated that they charge the individual 209.00 for the course. The Safety Council then submits a list of all of the participants and is reimbursed 75.00 from the fund for each successful completion. This last year they estimated 700 enrollees in the Omaha area. The Safety Council said they use the money to offset costs and to keep the tuition more affordable. They were not prepared to comment if they think this will deter people from taking the course since a price increase is emanate if the funding goes away. They indicated they would be in opposition.

At this time we are not sure how we will want to proceed with this as we don’t have all the information, however I think we can all agree we cannot let this go unnoticed by our organization

Scott is checking into this further and will keep us all updated

By the same token Lb52 is moving along and though we don’t know as of yet for sure when it will be heard in committee it is in committee and we are preparing our committee hearing testimony if you are planning to attend let me bob or scott know so we can get a feel for who will be there … it is expected to happen sometime next week as soon as we know something we will let you all know

Todd Miller

Ok folks,

The legislative session has been underway and the preliminary steps are full steam ahead for our bill. LB52 looks to move quickly and there is no time to waste. You have been getting all the information we have and it has been sent to the web as well. I hope you know what you need to be doing by now but if not get to your meetings, go to the web and make plans to be at lobby day. Right now one of the best things you can do is spread the word to all you know … not just ABATE members but other bikers in your area .. your friends, businesses, etc … keep the enthusiasm and the public opinion going in our favor … that means we also need to hear about any public opinion polls going on, whether it be in the paper on a website or on tv. We need timely information sent to me, Scott, Bob and or Connie so we can get it posted and blanket the state and the outlying states for help … we did a great job last year. I ask for your help in this again, as it is sure to happen … we can’t afford to have one more bogus statistic against us …

I cannot stress enough how important contacting your senators at all times, whether it be to thank them for their support or to encourage them to vote for us … even those against us we can be working on to not vote against cloture … that in itself could be huge and a major turning point in this session. If a senator wants more information let us know, we have our secret weapon “Spotman” for resources as well as many other state coordinators willing to send us information as we need it, don’t be afraid to ask … but be aware a lot of what they may ask for is information they may already have or they are just stalling you to get you out of their office … LOL. We can win this political game but it will take all of us working together to do so …

Do not lose HOPE!

I don’t want to hear from anyone, “here we go again”, “it will never happen in Nebraska”, “we are just beating our heads against the wall”, etc … If you don’t believe, you are in the wrong organization. Our whole purpose is based on believing we can make a difference. You will not make a difference sitting on the sidelines. It is truly amazing how easily hope can spread from one person to another … if you speak and think we can do this you may or may not convince another, but you will do no harm…. By the same token despair spreads just as easily … if you sit and talk to your friends of how it will never happen … and that is what you believe … you will spread that thought and may convince someone not to try, you have now become a liability to this organization and everything we are working for … understand what you are doing and make a choice to be positive!

Please keep in mind I don’t expect this war to be over in a day … but each battle we win no matter how small puts us one step closer to the prize …

Freedom of choice for bikers in Nebraska … and this is only the beginning

Todd Miller

Hello all,

I have expanded my mailing this month to other Dist officers that I have addresses for. Please get this out to as many folks as possible and use it at your upcoming Dist. meetings. Here we go............

Fire 'em up and get the troops ready, the battle is at hand. The 102nd Nebraska
Legislative Session started today.

We can expect that Committee appointments will be made in the next few days. We can expect that our bill will be introduced in the next few days.
We can expect that the media will pick up on this very quickly. When you read,
see, or hear media reports in your area, please contact Todd, Scott, or myself
so we can keep up with what is being printed or broadcasted.
We can expect that our bill will receive an early hearing in Committee and, if
the Committee make up is what we hope to see, it will be passed on to the floor
quickly.
We can expect that once it reaches the floor is will be heard very soon. They
will want this cleared so they can move on to a lot of major issues that they
have to deal with in this session.
We can expect that we will not have the debate time that we had last year.
Again, they will be wanting to move on. This could work in our favor if we are
ready.

So..........NOW IS THE TIME.
Now is the time to get this info our to your membership.
Now is the time to contact other biker organizations in your area and let them
know what is going on and that we need their support to. This is HUGE!
Now is the time to make everyone aware that they need to keep up with what is
going on at our website: www.abateofne.com Starting today, there is a link to
the latest info we have. Be sure to have everyone check out Scott's lobbying
tips on the website. Be sure that someone is scheduling meetings with your
Senator's on Lobby Day.
Now is the time to take action or plan on getting nothing done for the next 2
years. This is our opportunity for this legislative session. Today, not next
year, not next month, not next week.
What to do next? Pull out the info on the Senator's that Scott provided at the
last BOD. Can't find your copy-contact Scott or myself.
Senators that are shown as a HARD YES-Contact their staff and assure that they
are still on board.
Senators shown as a SOFT YES-Contact them and see if they are willing to support
our bill when it comes up. If they indicate they are undecided, contact Scott
immediately.
Senators shown as a SOFT NO-Same as soft yes. If they indicate they will oppose
our bill, ask if they will vote yes if a cloture vote comes up.
Senators shown as a HARD NO-There is probably no need to spend a lot of time on them in trying to get them to support our bill. They will ask for all sorts of
info that we don't have the time to provide them, and I will bet this will not
change them in a short period of time. BUT, ASK THEM IS THEY WILL VOTE YES IF A CLOTURE VOTE COMES UP.
Then let Scott know what you find out. He has been, and is, working hard on
this. He cannot do it alone and needs as much info as you can provide him

Get your lobbyist forms in and let Scott or I know who plans to register, if you
haven't already.

Am I fired up......you bet I am. Are you? Is your District? If we don't fire
'em up, who then?

It's time to get your motors running! It's time to get geared up! The next legislative session starts on January 5, 2011, and there is a very good possibility that motorcycle helmets will again be a hot topic of conversation. Are YOU ready??

Make plans now to attend Lobby Day at the Capital on January 24th. Let your senators know where you stand. Want to know how you should approach your Senator? Check this out!

Stay tuned and check back often for updates, and any calls to actions that will be sent out. Things are quiet now, but they will be heating up quickly!

In the meantime.....go to your local district meetings to find out what is going on. Talk to your District Rep, and your Districts Legislative Officer. Don't know who they are? Go to our District Officer page right here on the web! Don't know when your districts next meeting is? You can find that here on the web too...just go to the Calendar of Events page...or, email your District Rep - he/she will be more than happy to give you all that information.