[T3] OK, Govt' is REALLY getting on my nerves...

[Big Al <awpresley@hbu.edu>]

TEXAS RESIDENTS, PLEASE WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND PASS THIS ALONG:

The following document was destributed by SEMA
http://www.sema.org/ Specialty Equipment Market Association

If you got my last letters, There are TWO bills they are considering. The two numbers are in this letter below.

PLEASE write your representatives!

Big Al

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LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Texas Introduces Bill to Implement Vehicle Scrappage Program and
Emissions Test Old Cars

A bill (H.B. 1550) has been introduced in the Texas legislature that would implement a vehicle scrappage program and extend the state's emissions inspection to include vehicles up to ' 25 model years old. We are extremely concerned that this scrappage program will deny hobbyists the availability of vintage cars and parts for restoration projects and needlessly force 1960s-era vehicles to undergo emissions tests.

We Urge You to Contact Your State Legislators to Oppose This Bill

á H.B. 1550 allows "smokestack" inƒ¬Äã to avoid reducing their own emissions by buying and destroying older cars. By avoiding cleanup, these industries expose nearby neighborhoods to higher levels of dangerous pollutants.

á H.B. 1550 increases the pool of vehicles eligible for scrappage by moving the emissions inspection exemption from 25 to 35 model years.

á H.B. 1150 ignores the fact that scrapping vehicles is not a cost-effective method to reduce emissions. In addition, these programs are difficult to police and subject to fraud.

á H.B. 1150 ignores the fact that older cars are infrequently used, generally well-maintained and not a good source of emissions reductions.

á H.B. 1150 ignores the fact that lower income car owners cannot afford to purchase a new vehicle with the money provided by scrappage programs.

Contact your state legislators and oppose this legislation. This bill tramples on the rights of
vehicle enthusiasts and collectors in Texas. If you need assistance in determining who your legislators are, please contact the Texas Legislature Information Lines at 512-463-1252 for the Senate and 512-463-0845 for the House of Representatives. This information can also be obtained by calling the SE@ Washington, D.C. office at 202/783-6007 or via the Internet at www.sema.org/fedleg@legislatorrequest.

Please fax a copy of your letters to us at 202/783-6024 or mail to:


SEMA Washington Office
1317 F Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20004
Attention: Steve McDonald/Brian Caudill

Headquarters: P.O. Box 4910, Diamond Bar, Calif. 91765-0910
Telephone: 909/396-0289 - Fax, general office: 909/860-0184 - Fax, publications: 909/860-1709
SEMA 1317 F Street NW, suite. 500, Washington, D.C. 20004
Telephone: 202/783-6007 . Fax 202/783-6024