Region 11 February 2008 Meeting Minutes

Meetings called to order. Guests welcomed. Pledge of allegiance conducted at all meetings. Russ gave meeting in Mt Clemens and Rich gave meeting in Almont. Russ reminded everyone that our 2008 goals are to key on awareness and increase membership.

Treasury Report: Given by Al.

Legistlative: Report by LO, Alice. HB 4749 still on hold. HB 4675 to open catastrophic claims for audit and public viewing passed the house and awaits a vote in the senate. New is HB 5453 which would allow seniors to opt out of pip insurance and cut the amounts of fees for the catastrophic claims. SB 104 awaits a vote in the senate. Discussed funding for schools and education. Between taxes and the lottery, they're still stating it's not enough. Look for Granholm to add some type of new tax to increase this fund.

Past Events: Tiny went over bowling results. Total of 95 adults and 32 kids. Profit of $870.17 made. If anyone has comments on the event, see Tiny. Rich discussed the new location for the swapmeet. Not many used parts anymore, mainly all new items. Ade stated there was a misprint on their flier for the cost of a square. Region 19 with help from regions 14 and 15 along with state board members worked the event.

Upcoming Events: Chris informed everyone about the custom bike show at Gibraltar on 3-15 and 3-16. We'll have a booth there. Try to promote the event and attend if able, beneficial for both parties. A couple of volunteers are needed to help work the booth. See Chris if interested. Al discussed the April 19th blood drive. Please promote to your friends, family and co-workers. Every pint donated helps someone. Appointments are needed to donate the blood. This helps funnel everyone through in a timely manner. Roger Vogel from the GL Hog Chapter added that the Walleye association has backed out of the event. In the past, they have provided food so they are working on what we might be able to do. Nuggett motions we donate $100.00 towards food for the blood drive. Supported by Joann. Motion passed in Mt Clemens. Tiny discussed the details for the horseshoe tournament on April 27th. Held at same location as last year being Jiggers in Fairhaven. Cost is $5.00 donation and an additional $5.00 to play shoes. All proceeds benefit motorcycle awareness.

New Business: See Tiny for state raffle tickets to win a new Harley. Cost is $10 each. Drawing held in September. Members asked what the amount of tickets to be sold is. Tiny replied it's unlimited. No cap was mentioned at the seminar. Members discouraged as this puts your odds in winning very slim.

Guest Speaker: Russ introduced past house rep, current county commissioner and current chair of the Michigan tax payers alliance, Leon Drolet. Leon discussed the increase of the state income tax and business tax. It was stated recently that Michigan now has a surplus. We don't really have a surplus. What happened is Granholm did not implement the new projects she discussed therefore, there is the savings. The Michigan tax payer's alliance has recalls against 13 lawmakers. After petition language is approved, it takes 8,720 signatures to recall a law maker. It's hard to recall a governor due to the amount of signatures needed. To recall Granholm, 975,000 signatures would be needed. Discussed the process for the language on a petition to be approved. Sometimes behind the scenes, politics interfere and language is not approved. Politics always plays a part. Currently the most advertised recall is with the speaker of the house who resides in Redford. If able to accomplish this, other law makers will back down from raising taxes as they will know tax payers mean business and they do not want to be part of a recall effort. Lansing needs to cut spending before the idea of a tax increase ever comes up. He stated that all house reps receive their salary and a $1000 a month for expenses whether they have them or not. As a house rep, he did not have to supply receipts for this extra money every month. That's one issue that could be cut from the state budget. Leon answered questions from members. One in particular dealt with a part time legislature. Another group has launched a petition for this but they are under funded and not well organized so it probably will not go anywhere. The house bills that have been introduced will probably not go anywhere also, as house reps are not about to vote themselves a decrease in pay. Our legislature is one of the top 4 highest paid in the country. We all agree it's too much and can only keep working at trying to change things. Another question was dealing with a right to work state. Leon explained what that means and stated that there is no petition floating around for that issue. Brochures on the Michigan tax payer's alliance distributed.

With no further business, meetings adjourned by motion and support.