April 2012

The legislative news from Connecticut remains quiet as far as motorcycle related issues go. This being the short session it seems unlikely that anything detrimental to the rights of freedom loving motorcycle riders will appear. Right now the only proverbial “thorn in our side” is the red light camera bill in Hartford. I personally feel it deprives U.S. Citizens of our due process but it does appear that support is fairly strong in favor of using these devices. I am happy and proud to say that Sandra Clark, Assistant Legislative Director of the Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association has picked up the cause and done her research and homework on this issue and testified before the Transportation Committee at the recent public hearing. The membership of the CMRA most actively involved on legislative issues had voted to oppose the use of the cameras with a primary concern about rear-end collisions and asked Sandra to appear on our behalf. Sandra’s report stated that this issue had visited our Capitol for 7 years prior to this 2012 short session. This year the report prepared by the Connecticut’s Office of Legislative Research in November of 2011 previewed bills from all of the Committees. The Transportation had three main topics of focus, one of which was red light cameras. The preemptive news media alerted the public to strongly believe that the camera bill will probably pass. After observing the hearings for the past four years, the membership felt the need for consideration in regards to traffic signals that do not always detect a motorcyclist. So, after working with National Motorists Association’s James Walker and Gary Biller we were able to prepare written and oral testimony in opposition to the devices. The opposition and promotional attendees at the hearing were probably very close in numbers. The transportation committee had ten bills on the agenda for the day. The red light camera bill was the dominant topic for the day. The usual paid lobbyists from the red l allowed to testify on Monday, March 12, 2012. One expert in opposition and one in promotion of the bill was allowed to testify. Many in opposition had requested intersection accident information from the cities of New Haven and Hartford, and no data was available. The bill passed the Transportation Committee with a 26 in favor and 11 opposed vote. It is now in the Legislative Commissioner’s Office for some legal changes. We are waiting to hear where it will go next. If it makes it to the Governor’s desk, he has already stated that he shall approve the bill. Jim Duffy, the Legislative lobbyist for the CMRA is following up on the progress of this bill for us and many thanks also to Representative Pam Sawyer (R-55) who worked to bring forth the concerns of the CMRA regarding reports of increased rear end crashes at intersections where red light cameras have been installed. Now for the good news that just became known very recently, it appears this bill will not be moved forward as the legislative session is due to end on May 9th and two of the influential committee chairmen have expressed no desire to move any further on this issue.

The CMRA also held its annual Legislative Dinner in Milford on February 18th and it was a great turn out for a great night of fun. Aldarios always does a superb job of feeding the masses and Mary Stuart and her group of volunteers held everything together. Special thanks to the guys from Massachusetts for coming down to support us. The MMA has a great bunch of people at the helm and it is always a pleasure to see them.

And finally on May 6th the CMRA held its annual May Day Breakout Party under partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the 60’s. Many thanks go out to all of the volunteers who work so diligently behind the scenes to make this event the success that it is each year. Once again we owe a debt of gratitude to the Bridgeport Motorcycle Association for running the kitchen from start to finish.

Ron Troia

MRF Connecticut State Rep