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NEWS FROM THE HILL – MAC, Secret Science & More Infrastructure Talk
LAWMAKERS RESPOND TO MOTORCYCLISTS’ CONCERNS: This week, official congressional letters of inquiry were sent to the newly confirmed Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao asking her to ensure that a balanced makeup of the newly reestablished Motorcyclist Advisory Council be guaranteed. The Motorcyclist Advisory Council or ‘MAC’ was created to coordinate with and counsel the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on infrastructure issues that affect motorcyclists. So, it came as shock when the FHWA announced in January they would only dedicate one seat out of a possible ten for a motorcyclist on the Council. After an influx of communication from the motorcycle community, Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) led a bipartisan letter in the Senate while Representatives’ Tim Walberg (R-MI), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mike Burgess (R-TX) Donald Norcross (D-NJ) led the House version. The letter asked that the Secretary of Transportation delay MAC activity until a fair and balanced composition of MAC members could be reached. In total, almost 40 elected officials lent their name to the cause either by signing onto the letters, or contacting the FHWA directly. For a copy of the letters, please contact Megan Ekstrom.
EPA SCIENCE GOES UNDER MICROSCOPE: Members of the House Science Committee gathered this week for a deep-dive discussion on the EPA and concerns over the latest data and scientific studies coming from the Agency. Expect discussion and testimony ensued around two pieces of legislation: the Secret Science Reform Act, which would require EPA to rely on publicly available data when crafting regulations, and the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act, which would overhaul how members are picked for the agency's independent science advisory board to allow more industry-associated scientists to come aboard. "With the transition to a new administration, there is now an opportunity to right the ship at the EPA and steer the agency in the right direction," the Chairman of the Committee Lamar Smith (R-TX) said in his opening remarks. "The EPA should be open and accountable to the American people and use legitimate science. Though ignored by the previous administration, the EPA does have internal processes to ensure this accountability. The internal review process at the EPA should be restored and strengthened." This type of commentary and public attention will serve useful as the motorcycle community continues to raise questions about the integrity of some of the data coming from the Agency regarding the Clean Air Act, ethanol and other areas of interest.
SENATE COMMITTEE EXAMINES INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY: For the second time in as many weeks, a key congressional committee held a hearing to consider funding options for improving the nation's infrastructure. Throughout the hearing, senators emphasized the need to find direct funding opportunities such as raising the motor fuel excise tax and imposing toll roads to pay for infrastructure improvements—a top priority for the Trump Administration. Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing that also examined infrastructure funding options. Taken together, the House and Senate hearings represent what is expected to be year-long effort examining the nation's infrastructure needs and methods to fund them. Your MRF was present at both hearings and through their representation on the Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates, signed on to a letter to congressional staff stating our serious reservations about the potential for imposing toll roads as a way to fund infrastructure developments. Though similar hearings will take place over the coming weeks and months, Congress is unlikely to consider infrastructure policy in earnest for several months, as Republican leaders have prioritized healthcare reform and comprehensive tax reform over infrastructure policy.
EXECUTIVE & REGULATORY UPDATES – Drowsy Driving Prevention Campaign & Cautious Optimism Over Scott Pruitt for Head of EPA
DROWSY DRIVING: This week the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an effort to crack down on drowsy driving, an issue that accounts for a significant percentage of U.S. traffic deaths. The first step in this endeavor; the 2017 Drowsy Driving Prevention Campaign. Orchestrated by NHTSA, the campaign includes tons of data, infographics, talking points, images, web videos and other items all available for public use. The hope is, that by spreading the word about the dangers of driving drowsy, many will take note, and the estimated 1.2 million collisions attributed to drowsy driving will be reduced. If you or your MRO would like to use any of the NHTSA material in your own efforts to address drowsy driving in your state, the materials can be accessed here:
https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/drowsy-driving/drive-awake
A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN? Last week, I reported that Republicans in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee suspended committee rules in order to advance Scott Pruitt's nomination as head of the Environmental Protection Agency amid a Democrat boycott. The committee's approval now pushes Pruitt’s nomination to the full Senate floor for a vote. This is likely to occur sometime the week of February 12. However, it won’t be without controversy. Many, many groups, include almost 500 current employees of the EPA have come out in opposition to Pruitt, citing the “disturbing lengths” Pruitt went to in order to help business in Oklahoma (where he served as Attorney General) rather than the environment. The former employees drew particular attention to Pruitt’s denial of climate change as well. Still, others are hopeful that Pruitt will keep his pledge to firmly support the United States Constitution and respect the role, responsibility and proper authority of the EPA. Many from the motorcycle community supported this notion, contacting their Senators this week to encourage a vote of ‘aye’ when Mr. Pruitt’s nomination hits the Senate floor. As many already can attest, your MRF has always been fierce critics of the EPA and have never hesitated in raising our opposition to the Agency which has historically overstepped its authority and jurisdiction. However, given Pruitt’s positive history in working with the motorcycle community in Oklahoma and his dedication to ensuring that the EPA doesn’t overstep its jurisdiction, there is cautious optimism that under Pruitt’s leadership, the interests and concerns of the motorcycle community could be heard.
SMRO SNAPSHOT ?!?!?
Despite my plea last week, no MRO has come forward to be the spotlight for this week’s bulletin! DISAPPOINTING! Do you want your State or Regional SMRO featured? Contact Megan@MRF.org to be highlighted in the next Biker Bulletin. By showcasing what your organization is working on, we can help to connect the motorcycle community across the country and find commonalities and opportunities to work together.
MRF NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
One quick, but VERY important announcement for this week’s bulletin, and it will be a reoccurring theme for the next several weeks…
The time has come to sign up for BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 is the 9th Annual Michael ‘Boz’ Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway event in Washington, D.C.! This is an amazing, once-a-year opportunity to have a lasting impact on Washington’s policymakers. And believe me when I say—this event makes a difference! Last year the MRF network visited delegations from 25 states and held over 300 meetings to discuss our agenda, 100 of which were sit-down discussions that resulted in 79% of those legislators either supporting or co-sponsoring legislation we care about. With a new Congress in place and a myriad of issues facing the motorcycle community like autonomous vehicles, motorcycle profiling, the MAC, ethanol (just to name a few!), we need your voice in D.C.
You can register at the link below or always reach out to Tiffany or myself for information on hotel rooms, schedule, etc. We are asking 2 things this year so listen up:
- Please sign up as soon as possible! Registration for this event will close on May 1st after which space will not be guaranteed. This is to ensure we have enough materials and space for everyone coming. We expect this year to be our biggest BITB yet!
- This year we will also be asking for State Leads to help coordinate meetings and serve as the main point of contact for the MRF staff. If you are interested in attending BITB and serving as a lead, please let us know.
SIGN UP LINK:
http://mrf.org/events/
As always, if you have any questions or comments, never hesitate to reach out.
RIDE FREE-
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Megan Ekstrom
Vice-President of Government Affairs & Public Relations
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation