FLORIDA MOTORCYCLIST TO GET SCREWED AGAIN

FLORIDA MOTORCYCLIST TO GET SCREWED AGAIN

The Florida Legislature is in session and working on a budget that
includes diverting funds, some of which clearly state that they can
not be used for other purposes.

During the 2008 session of the legislature the fee for motorcycle
licenses were increased saying that the money would be used for
education. My self and others were against this because no one had
explained how the money previously collected was being used and why
an increase was needed.

Now there is a bill before the legislature FL HB 5007A: Proposes
Changes: Motorcycle License Taxes: Florida Motorcycle Safety Program.

Current Situation: Currently, s. 320.08(1)(c), F.S., provides that:

for each motorcycle registered in Florida, a $2.50 motorcycle safety
education fee is collected and deposited into the Highway Safety
Operating Trust Fund. These funds are used EXCLUSIVELY to fund
motorcycle driver improvement programs implemented pursuant to s.
322.025, F.S., or the Florida Motorcycle Safety Education Program.
This program was established in 1989 to provide motorcycle safety
courses in Florida

PROPOSED CHANGES: The bill amends s. 320.08, F.S., to allow the $2.50
education fee to fund motorcycle driver improvement program and the
general operations of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles. This bill also amends s. 322.0255, F.S. to eliminate
certain potential reimbursements from the Department to motorcycle
course providers.

That means they are taking the money and Not Putting It Back! I also
suspect that the motorcycle rider courses will look to raise their
fee for their courses because of this and since in 2008 the Florida
Legislature made it mandatory to take one of their courses
motorcyclist will be screwed again.

Traffic fines will increase across the board by $10 and speeding
fines will increase by $25. New reports from the Federal Government
say that speed is only a small factor in crashes. One thing for sure
though it is a money maker for the cities and state and is expected
to raise $15 million this year and $60 million next year in Florida,
a move that will spare the state courts system more cuts.
The Florida Legislators gave themselves a raise, free health care
and party at the expense of taxpayers.

Governor Charlie Crist charged $430,000 for a trip to Europe in 2008
taking more than two dozen state employees, a photographer, and nine
bodyguards.

The list goes on and on how legislators spend taxpayer money while
wanting the citizens to continue to give up benefits and services. If
they want to balance the budget they should start by setting an
example by stopping waste in government.

Hopefully the motorcycle riders of Florida will say: Enough Is
Enough. Start by contacting your legislator and telling them – To
Vote No! on FL HB 5007A

That money is collected to promote motorcycle safety and should not
be used for any other purpose.

ROGUE

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