PEAK PUTTERS

Now here's one I REALLY take exception to


Action Alert From SEMA

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is a non-profit trade association composed of more than 6,800 member companies involved in all aspects of the automotive industry, from manufacturers to car clubs and race teams.

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) protects your hobby from unfair or unnecessary legislation on national and local levels. Through distribution of information and the collective voice of automotive enthusiasts and businesses, the SEMA Action Network has successfully impacted legislation concerning scrappage laws, equipment standards, registration classifications, emissions regulations, and more.

The following information is directly from SEMA. If you would like to contact the lawmaker, follow the instructions in the alert.

Washington lawmakers are drafting a large economic stimulus package to help create jobs and rebuild infrastructure. They want to include a nationwide scrappage program which would give U.S. tax dollars to consumers who turn-in older cars to have them crushed, as a misguided attempt to spur new car sales. The lawmakers need to scrap this idea.

The stimulus package is being drafted right now. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wants to introduce the bill on January 6 and have it approved by Congress by January 20, so that President Obama can sign it into law after he is inaugurated.

Contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi IMMEDIATELY To Oppose Cash for Clunkers!
Call: 202-225-0100
Click here to send an electronic message: http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
Talking Points
Feel free to use any of the statements below as a starting point for your message to Speaker Pelosi.

I am [calling/writing] to urge lawmakers not to include a “Cash for Clunkersâ€

Here's the latest from SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) with regards to the "Clunker Legislation" - response taken by vehicle enthusiasts urging lawmakers to reject "Cash for Clunkers" program was heard loud and clear in Washington D.C. - it worked!

A big "thanks" from SEMA to the PNW members that took part in this successful undertaking.

_____________________________________________________________


WASHINGTON, DC - SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, praised the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for passing "clunker-free" versions of the economic stimulus bill. SEMA launched the largest grassroots effort in its 46-year history to oppose attempts by some Washington lawmakers to include a national car crushing program in the legislation. Thousands of SEMA members and SEMA Action Network (SAN) enthusiasts responded to a call for action urging legislators to reject the program.

Cash for Clunkers programs accelerate the normal retirement of vehicles through the purchase of older cars which are then typically crushed into blocks of scrap metal. For 20 years, Congress has rejected this 'sounds good' idea because it fails to spur car sales, reduce vehicle emissions or raise fleet fuel economy.

Two proposals were considered during the debate. The first was an $8 billion program targeting SUVs and pickup trucks of any model year that make less than 18 mpg such as Chevy Silverados, Dodge Rams, Ford F-Series and Jeep Wranglers. The second would have provided $16 billion worth of cash vouchers toward the purchase of a new vehicle for qualified individuals who allowed their turned-in cars to be destroyed.

"SEMA continues to believe that a cash for clunkers program would, for no proven gain, hurt thousands of independent repair shops, auto restorers, customizers and their customers across the country that depend on the used-car market," said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "We look forward to working with the House and Senate and all stakeholders on sound economic solutions to the current recession that will help drive product sales for the entire auto industry, including the vast automotive aftermarket and its specialty equipment segment."

The Senate economic stimulus bill includes a SEMA-supported amendment which allows taxpayers to claim a federal tax deduction on car-loan interest payments and state sales/excise taxes when buying a new car in 2009. If enacted in the final stimulus bill, the $11 billion program could save about $1,550 on a $25,000 vehicle purchase. The tax break would be limited to individuals earning less than $125,000 a year ($250,000 for couples) and would apply to car loans up to $49,500.

A House/Senate conference committee will now reconcile the legislation. Since the House passed a clunker-free bill in late January, the final economic stimulus bill which emerges will be as well. The House bill did not include a car loan tax deduction. SEMA is urging the conference negotiators to include the Senate amendment in the final legislation.

The two Cash for Clunkers proposals may reemerge later this year. SEMA will remain vigilant in opposition.

Excellent news!!

Not so good:

URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Washington State Introduces Bill to Implement Vehicle Scrappage Program
On the heels of the defeat of a U.S. Congressional proposal to create a national cash for clunkers program, a bill (H.B. 2059) has been introduced in the Washington State Legislature that would implement a vehicle scrappage program for passenger vehicles more than 15-years old that are not emissions-compliant. Under the bill, qualifying vehicles would have to be registered for a 24-month period and be in satisfactory operating condition. Replacement vehicles purchased under the plan would be required to have an EPA highway gasoline mileage rating of at least 30 mpg. Participants in the program would be granted a sales tax exemption for the first $2,000 of tax paid on the purchase price. ALL trade-in vehicles would be destroyed, regardless of their historical value or collector interest. If this effort is successful, hobbyists could be denied the availability of vintage cars and parts for restoration projects.

We Urge You to Contact Members of the Washington House Finance Committee (List Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to H.B. 2059

H.B. 2059 represents an attempt by Washington State lawmakers to dust off a tired, flawed and ineffective proposal that was recently rejected by the U.S. Congress.


H.B. 2059 ignores the fact that all scrappage programs hold the potential for enthusiasts to lose a valuable source of rare parts for vehicle restoration projects.


H.B. 2059 is unfair to the low-income vehicle owners, many of whom depend on the low-cost transportation that older cars provide and on parts available from older cars in order to maintain their own vehicles.


H.B. 2059 ignores the fact that scrappage programs are difficult to police and subject to fraud.


H.B. 2059 ignores studies that show that most cars scrapped are infrequently or never used second or third vehicles.


H.B. 2059 ignores the fact that older cars are rarely driven, generally well-maintained and not a good or cost-effective source of emissions reductions.


H.B. 2059 will do little to improve air quality which is directly connected to overall basic vehicle maintenance.


H.B. 2059's focus on the fuel mileage of newly purchased vehicles will likely result in increased sales of foreign nameplates and not domestic brands.


H.B. 2059 ignores the fact that the new $787 billion federal economic stimulus law already allows consumers to take a federal deduction for State and local sales/excise taxes paid on the purchase of a new car through 2009. For a family earning $250,000, it would save about $600 on a new $35,000 car.
Please contact members of the Washington House Finance Committee by phone, fax or e-mail to urge their opposition to H.B. 2059.

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.

Washington State House Committee on Finance

Representative Ross Hunter – Chair
Phone: 360/786-7936
Email: hunter.ross@leg.wa.gov

Representative Bob Hasegawa
Phone: 360/786-7862
Email: hasegawa.bob@leg.wa.gov

Representative Ed Orcutt
Phone: 360/786-7812
Email: orcutt.ed@leg.wa.gov

Representative Kevin Parker
Phone: 360/786-7922
Email: parker.kevin@leg.wa.gov

Representative Cary Condotta
Phone: 360/786-7954
Email: condotta.cary@leg.wa.gov

Representative Steve Conway
Phone: 360/786-7906
Email: conway.steve@leg.wa.gov

Representative Mark Ericks
Phone: 360/786-7900
Email: ericks.mark@leg.wa.gov

Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos
Phone: 360/786-7944
Email: santos.sharontomiko@leg.wa.gov

Representative Larry Springer
Phone: 360/786-7822
Email: springer.larry@leg.wa.gov

TO: Representative Larry Haler

CC: Representative Brad Klippert
Senator Jerome Delvin

FROM: Mr. Dave Walters

BILL: 2059 (Against)

SUBJECT: HB2059

MESSAGE: I would like to go on record as being against this bill. The reasons are as follows:

H.B. 2059 represents an attempt by Washington State lawmakers to dust off a tired, flawed and ineffective proposal that was recently rejected by the U.S. Congress.


H.B. 2059 ignores the fact that all scrappage programs hold the potential for enthusiasts to lose a valuable source of rare parts for vehicle restoration projects.


H.B. 2059 is unfair to the low-income vehicle owners, many of whom depend on the low-cost transportation that older cars provide and on parts available from older cars in order to maintain their own vehicles.


H.B. 2059 ignores the fact that scrappage programs are difficult to police and subject to fraud.


H.B. 2059 ignores studies that show that most cars scrapped are infrequently or never used second or third vehicles.


H.B. 2059 ignores the fact that older cars are rarely driven, generally well-maintained and not a good or cost-effective source of emissions reductions.


H.B. 2059 will do little to improve air quality which is directly connected to overall basic vehicle maintenance.


H.B. 2059's focus on the fuel mileage of newly purchased vehicles will likely result in increased sales of foreign nameplates and not domestic brands.


H.B. 2059 ignores the fact that the new $787 billion federal economic stimulus law already allows consumers to take a federal deduction for State and local sales/excise taxes paid on the purchase of a new car through 2009. For a family earning $250,000, it would save about $600 on a new $35,000 car.


As an avid car hobbiest and off-roader, I find this unacceptable. I urge you to reconsider sponsorship of the very flawed idea.

Regards,

Dave Walters
Kennewick, WA

www.peakputters.com
www.rumblegoatracing.com


RESPONSE: Mr. Walters has requested a response to this message.

Yeehaaawww Got a response from Delvin already. It died in committee

IT'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!That idiot from Nevada wants to tie to a defense bill Back to the e-mails...