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New Mexico Governor
Vetoes Raid On Off-highway Vehicle Fund
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- New Mexico Gov. Bill
Richardson rejected a proposal to raid the
state's off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail safety
fund as part of a plan to balance the state
budget, the American Motorcyclist Association
(AMA) reports.
On Nov. 9, Richardson used his line-item veto
power for the state budget to ensure that
$800,000 targeted for transfer to the state
general fund remained in the trail safety fund.
He noted the program "is funded by fees and
designed to protect the safety of outdoorsmen
and other New Mexicans who use off-highway
vehicles."
The New Mexico Trail Safety Fund was set up
primarily to build and maintain trails.
"This is a wonderful 11th-hour reprieve for a
vital program that was created by users and is
funded by users," said AMA Western States
Representative Nick Haris. "At a time when state
lawmakers around the nation will soon begin
their legislative sessions and will once again
be looking for ways to balance their state
budgets, they need to remember that
motorcyclists and ATV riders pay the same taxes
and fees as other citizens and, in addition, pay
for their own programs as well.
"The New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance did
a great job alerting concerned OHVers in New
Mexico to let the governor know that the fund
shouldn't be raided," Haris said. "Gov.
Richardson obviously listened, and recognized
the importance of the OHV program.
"The AMA thanks the governor for his veto, and
we encourage New Mexico riders to contact him
and express their thanks for protecting OHV
funds in New Mexico," said Haris.
While the governor spared the OHV program and
several other funds from raids, the budget still
transferred nearly $110 million from special
funds into the state's general-purpose fund.
The AMA has kept a close watch this year on
state efforts to raid designated motorcycle
funds. In August, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's
administration backed away from a plan to raid
that state's Motorcycle Safety and Education
Program of $800,000 after a public outcry
related to raids of special funds to balance the
state budget.
"When lawmakers or government bureaucrats talk
about raiding our programs' funds, it's crucial
that all motorcyclists and ATVers let them know
that this is simply unacceptable," said Ed
Moreland, AMA vice president for government
relations. "Even when it appears that the money
is lost, we need to keep the pressure on. New
Mexico and Ohio are good examples of enthusiasts
not giving up, and ultimately winning these
battles."
To stay on top of what's happening in your
state, just go to the Rights section of the AMA
website at
AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
About the American Motorcyclist
Association
Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected
the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come
from all walks of life and they navigate many
different routes on their journey to the same
destination: freedom on two wheels. As the
world's largest motorcycle organization with
nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for
motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local,
state and federal government, the committees of
international governing organizations and the
court of public opinion. Through member clubs,
promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more
motorsports competition events than any other
organization in the world. Through its
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA
preserves the heritage of motorcycling for
future generations. For more information, visit
www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
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