ABATE of PA Lehigh Valley of A.B.A.T.E.
Lehigh Valley Chapter of ABATE A.B.A.T.E. of PA Events Legislative News Links Toy Run 09Toy Run 10
Welcome to our new Legislative Coordinator Drew! Drew is posting some new information for us and along with a few notes from our past LC:
Link to >   Rights Rally   May 11, 2009

We received the following request from the staff of Representative Joe Markosek, chairman of the House Transportation Committee.  He is asking for our assistance in calling for a non concurrence vote on House Bill 67.  Please read the information below carefully and then craft a short note asking all legislators to support a non concurrence vote on House Bill 67. 
If any of you are still confused as to what to do after reading this, then do nothing.  The point is this is why we spend the time and money each year to hold a Leadership and Legislative Seminar in January so that you can be trained to take action when it is necessary and have the proper knowledge of what these terms such as "non concurrence" means. 
Thanks for responding to the Representatives request. 

Charles Umbenhauer

Here is what was sent to us:
Today, the House Rules Committee will take a procedural step bringing us one step closer to Conference Committee. Chairman Eachus make a motion that House Bill 67 be reported from Committee as committed with the recommendation that the House non-concur in the Senate amendments.
Over the next few days, we would ask you to contact the Members of the House to request that they cast their vote for non-concurrence on House Bill 67.
Specifically, we ask for non-concurrence as we intend to enact stronger, comprehensive legislation that includes:
·         Increased driver training hours;
·         Clear and concise passenger restrictions;
·         Comprehensive distracted driving provisions; and
·         Primary enforcement powers to our state and local police so they can stop an accident before it happens, rather than simply citing a driver after another driving violation or accident has already occurred.
The message is simple: We cannot afford inaction. The front page article in the Sunday Tribune Review was titled “3 teens killed, 1 hurt in Salem Township Crash” http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_687822.html.  Police are still investigating, only the driver was wearing a seatbelt.
For your information, contact information for Members is attached. Additionally, please see below for email addresses that can be copied and pasted into an email. Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at (717)783-1012.
Thank you for your support and advocacy,
Anne
To send an email to all members, copy and paste the following into the “to” line of your email:

wadolph@pahousegop.com; mbaker@pahousegop.com; bbarbin@pahouse.net; parep160@aol.com; jbear@pahousegop.com; rbelfant@pahouse.net; kbenning@pahousegop.com; kbeyer@pahousegop.com; lwbishop@pahouse.net; kboback@pahousegop.com; sboyd@pahousegop.com; bboyle@pahouse.net; mbradford@pahouse.net; jbrennan@pahouse.net; repbriggs@pahouse.net; mbrooks@pahousegop.com; vbrown@pahouse.net; fburns@pahouse.net; rbuxton@pahouse.net; tcaltagi@pahouse.net; mcarroll@pahouse.net; jcasorio@pahouse.net; mcauser@pahousegop.com; jchristi@pahousegop.com; pclymer@pahousegop.com; mcohen@pahouse.net; sconklin@pahouse.net; pcosta@pahouse.net; dcosta@pahouse.net; jcox@pahousegop.com; tcreight@pahousegop.com; acruz@pahouse.net; lcurry@pahouse.net; bcutler@pahousegop.com; pdaley@pahouse.net; Gday@pahousegop.com; ddeasy@pahouse.net; sdelozie@pahousegop.com; tdeluca@pahouse.net; gdenling@pahousegop.com; edepasqu@pahouse.net; fdermody@pahouse.net; RepBillDeWeese@pahouse.net; gdigirol@pahousegop.com; rdonatuc@pahouse.net; pdrucker@pahouse.net; teachus@pahouse.net; bellis@pahousegop.com; jevans@pahousegop.com; devans@hacd.net; geverett@pahousegop.com; ffabrizi@pahouse.net; rfairchi@pahousegop.com; ffarry@pahousegop.com; mfleck@pahousegop.com; dfrankel@pahouse.net; rfreeman@pahouse.net; wgabig@pahousegop.com; Mgabler@pahousegop.com; jgallowa@pahouse.net; rgeist@pahousegop.com; cgeorge@pahouse.net; repgerber@pahouse.net; mgergely@pahouse.net; jgibbons@pahouse.net; kgillesp@pahousegop.com; mgingric@pahousegop.com; rgodshal@pahousegop.com; ngoodman@pahouse.net; ggrell@pahousegop.com; sgrove@pahousegop.com; rgrucela@pahouse.net; mhahn@pahousegop.com; ghaluska@pahouse.net; mhanna@pahouse.net; tharhai@pahouse.net; jharhart@pahousegop.com; pharkins@pahouse.net; kharper@pahousegop.com; aharris@pahousegop.com; shelm@pahousegop.com; thenness@pahousegop.com; dhess@pahousegop.com; dhickern@pahousegop.com; jhornama@pahouse.net; thoughton@pahouse.net; shutchin@pahousegop.com; kjohnson@pahouse.net; bjosephs@pahouse.net; rkauffma@pahousegop.com; mkeller@pahousegop.com; wkeller@pahouse.net; dkessler@pahouse.net; tkillion@pahousegop.com; tkirklan@pahouse.net; JKnowles@pahousegop.com; bkortz@pahouse.net; nkotik@pahouse.net; Tkrieger@pahousegop.com; dkula@pahouse.net; blentz@pahouse.net; dlevdans@pahouse.net; mlongiet@pahouse.net; jmaher@pahousegop.com; tmahoney@pahouse.net;
Senator Rob Wonderling chairs Senate Transportation Committee:

From Charles Umbenhauer:

Most of you will not be affected in any way from some recent new restrictions that will be placed on the motorcycle licenses of riders who test on a three-wheeled motorcycle.  The restriction will indicate that they are not permitted to ride a two-wheeled motorcycle. 

I have attached a letter from Kurt Myers, the Deputy Secretary Safety Administration which details the new rules. 

Also by going to the website below you will find the most recent PennDOT Frequently Asked Questions regarding motorcycles, motor driven cycles and mopeds. 
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-mcmp.pdf

This week will be a busy one for ABATE at the capitol.  Tomorrow I believe that Representative Joe Markosek is planning on moving our two bills that have been tabled in the House for the past several months.  In addition, the House Transportation Committee will meet on Monday and consider HB 2442, a bill that changes the definition of a motorcycle and allows for conversion kits. 

The House Bill dealing with distracted driving is on the Senate calendar for tomorrow and may or may not move. 

A Special "Thank You" to legislators already co-sponsoring bills supported by ABATE of PA:

Motorist who painted nails while driving convicted in death of motorcyclist.
Driver faces up to five years in prison.

            A verdict has been handed down in the case of a woman who was painting her fingernails while driving, resulting in the death of motorcyclist Anita Zaffke.
Despite her lawyer’s efforts to persuade the jury that her actions were no worse than talking on a cell phone while driving, the jury decided otherwise and found Lora Hunt, 49, guilty of felony reckless homicide.  She faces up to five years in prison when she is sentenced in June.
Zaffke, 56, was killed when Hunt, who police said admitted she was painting her fingernails at the time of the crash, smashed into the back of Zaffke’s motorcyclist a stoplight in Lake Zurich, III., about 40 miles north of Chicago last year.
Greg Zaffke II of Wauconda, III., the victim’s son, told WGN News: “ There are no winners today.  Two families will forever carry the hurt and anguish caused by one person’s reckless actions.”
After the fatal crash, Zaffke began painting his fingernails black as a reminder to anyone he meets of his mother’s death.  He formed the Black Nail Brigade Foundation Against Distracted Driving (www.BlackNailBrigade.org) to publicize the dangers of distracted driving, and to boost awareness to share the road with motorcycles.
Ed Moreland, AMA senior vice president for government relations says: “This episode puts into stark relief the tragedy that can result from distracted driving, and we hope that the continued efforts of Greg Zaffke and the AMA will help prevent further tragedies.”

 
House Bill #70--Adds motorcycles to those vehicles covered under PA's Lemon Law. The bill would also add motor homes, ATVs, snowmobiles, and off-road vehicles. The Lehigh Valley Chapter recognizes Representatives Joseph Brennan (D-Northampton/Lehigh), Jennifer Mann (D-Lehigh), and Doug Reichley (R-Lehigh/Berks) for co-sponsoring this legislation.
 
Other up-coming legislation--A bill (no number yet) is expected to come through the State House which would allow motocyclists to disregard certain red traffic lights if sensors buried in the road fail to recognize the presence of the motorcycle. Other states have passed such laws; those laws provide for extra cautions to be taken before proceeding through the red light. Co-sponsoring Representatives already signed on to this bill from the Greater Lehigh Valley area include: Joseph Brennan (D-Northampton/Lehigh), Paul Clymer (R-Bucks), and Mario Scavello (R-Monroe). If they are not already on this bill, contact your Representative and urge them to co-sponsor. This is a "no-brainer" for us.
Lehigh Valley Legislators 2009-2010
District Counties Name Party District Address District Phone H'burg Address H'burg Phone Helmet Vote Other Issues Committees/Ldrship
Senate                     All in H'burg,17120 All 717 Area            
10 Bucks Chuck McIlhinney R 22 S. Main St.#220,Doylestown 18901 215-489-5000 187 Main Capitol 787-7305 OK OK Transp.
11 W. Berks Michael O'Pake D 940 N. 13th St., Reading 19604 610-929-2151 11 E. Wing 787-8925            
14 Carbon/Luzrn./Monroe Ralph Musto D 81 S. Main St., Pittson 18640 570-645-1483 17 E. Wing 787-7105 OK OK Appro./Educ.
16 Leh./N'mptn/Monroe Pat Brown R 801 Hamilton St., Allentown 18101 610-821-8468 171 Main Capitol 787-1349 OK OK Appro./Educ-vice-chr.
18 N'mptn/Monroe Lisa Boscola D 559 Main St., Bethlehem 18018 610-868-8667 458 Main Capitol 787-4236 OK OK Appro./Transp
24 Mont./Bcks./Leh/Nmptn Rob Wonderling R 1245 Chestnut St. #5, Emmaus 18049 610-965-1466 281 Main Capitol 787-3110 OK OK Transp-chair
29 Schuylkill/Leh./Monroe Vacant                            
House                                      
118 Monroe/Luzerne Michael Carroll D Rte. 209, Gilber, 18331 (PO Bx 619) 570-655-4883 28A E. Wing 787-3589         Educ./Transp.
122 Carbon Keith McCall D 162 W. Ridge St., Lansford 18232 570-645-7585 139 Main Capitol 787-4610 OK OK House Speaker
124 Berks/Schuylkill David Argall R 237 W. Broad St.,Tamaqua 18252 570-668-1240 214 Ryan Bldg. 787-9024 OK OK Minority Whip
126 Berks Dante Santoni D 4933 Kutztown Rd.,Temple 19560 610-921-8921 317 Irvis Bldg. 783-3290            
131 Lehigh Karen Beyer R 2851 S. Pike Ave., A'town 18103 610-791-6270 314 Main Capitol 783-1673 OK OK    
132 Lehigh Jennifer Mann D 1227 Liberty St., A'twn 18102 610-821-5577 333 Main Capitol 705-1869 OK OK    
133 Lehigh/Nrthptn. Joseph Brennan D 7 W. 4th St., Bethlehem 18105 610-882-1510 25A E. Wing 772-9902            
134 Leh./Berks Douglass Reichley R 1245 Chestnut St. #5, Emmaus 18049 610-965-9933 5 E. Wing 787-1000 OK OK Appro.
135 Nmptn./Leh. Steve Samuelson D 104 E. Broad St., Bethlehem 18018 610-867-3890 111 Irvis Bldg. 705-1881 NO ?    
136 Northampton Bob Freeman D 215 Northampton St., Easton 18042 610-253-5543 207 Irvis Bldg. 783-3815 NO ?    
137 Nmptn Richard Grucela D 239 S. Broad St., Nazareth 18064 610-614-1312 G10 Irvis Bldg. 705-1878 NO OK Educ.
138 Northampton Craig Daily R 354 W. Moorestown Rd., Nazareth 18064 610-746-2100 43A E. Wing 783-8573 OK OK    
145 Bucks Paul Clymer R 311 N. 7th St., Perkasie 18944 215-257-0279 216 Ryan Bldg. 783-3154 OK OK    
176 Monroe Mario Scavello R 566 Main St. Stroudsburg 18360(Chmbr Bldg) 570-420-1168 143 E. Wing 787-7732 OK OK Appro.
183 Leh./Nmptn Julie Harhart R 2030 Center St., Northampton 18067 610-502-2701 313 E. Wing 772-5398 OK OK    
187 Berks/Lehigh Gary Day R 6299 Rte. 309, Ste. 302, New Tripoli 18066 610-366-2330 163B E. Wing 787-3017            
189 Monroe John Siptroth D 4 Jay Park, Marshalls Creek 18335 570-223-2636 322 Irvis Bldg. 787-6492 OK OK Appro./Transp.
 
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