If you are familiar with John and Ken on KFI AM 640, you will
know they are a driving force in So Cal. They have a huge audience and they rail
against new taxes. They have a feature called "Heads on a Stick". This is a
letter I sent to them Sunday, June 14th 2009. Here is their web site.
John and Ken
Dear John and Ken,
First, the accolades. Thanks for entertaining and informing me for over a
decade.
Secondly, SB 435 and AB 859. These are both bills pending in the legislature
that would impose smog checks on motorcycles.
SB 435, introduced by State Senator Fran Pavley, Feb 26th 2009, would require
motorcycles, 2000 and newer, to be smog checked.
This is targeting modified exhaust systems. Senator Pavley, self proclaimed
"Environmental Crusader", states on her web site, "Many motorcycle owners remove
their factory installed catalytic converters and replace them with more
polluting "custom" parts."
I own a 2006 Harley Davidson and my motorcycle did not come equipped with
catalytic converters. It came with mufflers. I removed those mufflers and
installed ... louder mufflers. And I am truly sorry if I scare the inattentive
driver in the lane next to me, who didn't realize I was there until I revved my
motor, as I see him or her heading towards my lane, but, they scared the hell
out of me too.
Now, I don't know if Fran has a "noisy" neighbor who disturbs her Saturday
morning "peace" while he warms up his scooter or if this was just another
"bright idea" for a good source of revenue. And as we all know, the definition
of revenue is ... tax.
I know the motorcycle culture. Their pipes are amongst some of their most
prized possessions. This is the scenario. Smog check time. I will take a few
hours to refit my standard mufflers, go pay my new smog tax and have my pipes
back on by days end. This will be played out in nearly every motorcycle owner's
garage through out California.
According to the Air Resources Board, "It's so difficult to find new sources of
emissions reductions, particularly for L.A.," said Tom Cackette, the ARB's
deputy director. "Some people think motorcycles look small, and percentage-wise
they are tiny, but so is everything else that's available for emissions
reductions." ... And so is everything thing else that's available for new taxes.
Add them all up and here we are with one of the most taxed states in the US.
Realize this is not just the stereotypical "biker" being targeted. Last weekend,
I covered the Sheriff's Charity Ride. There were over 500 riders, many of them
law enforcement members, and it was loud.
Sheriff's charity ride. "Gov. Schwarzenegger owns and rides motorcycles, but has not taken a position
on the bill", said spokesman Aaron McLear.
Guys, you have the loudest voices in Southern California. Most likely the only
ones that can be heard over ... our pipes. The entire motorcycle community would
greatly appreciate this proposed tax being addressed. Besides, wouldn't Fran's
head look good on a stick. Or maybe .... a pipe!
Thanks,
BJ Ammons
West Coast Editor
RumbleNews.com.
PS: How about a Tax Revolt 2009 "RumbleRally". We would love to help organize
it.
