HB 2186

I think the primary reason for Oregon and California to exist is to grant Washington residents the ability to state "Well, it could be worse!"

 

(d) is incredibly vague; very poorly drafted. I would hope that the trade association will get its oar in the water on this one; in case people think that "lobbyist" is a dirty word, they should realize that someone has to be hired who can bring legislators' attention to poorly thought out language in proposed legislation. In theory, under the draft language, DEQ could require every car to have the skinniest possible tires to reduce rolling resistance, braking distances and cornering ability be damned.

 

I'd agree with it being poorly written but unless people rise up to fight it it will probably pass in some form. The thing is you can't write it off as nonsense dreamed up by the bicycle riding flannel and gortex wearing screwballs in downtown Portland.
By checking the SEMA action network it appears that is something your illustrious governor is pushing http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62515
It looks like Oregon may not be a friendly place for car enthusiasts in the future if this passes.

 

Yeah this thing sucks booty! I would like to think this is an honestly stupid write up and not intended to put every aftermarket retailer and mfr. out of business in Oregon. My guys are testifying in front of the committee on Tuesday.

This would kill Napa, Joes, Baxter's, Les Schwab, Big O, GPI Performance, Matrix Integrated and anyone else in Oregon that retails locally. For my company it would seem that we would still be able to exist in Oregon, but would have to ship everything out of state. (Much of our business now is from out of state already, but still!)

I hope enough businesses take notice in time to also appear in person on Tuesday!

 

As a former political guy (I worked in DC for Members of Congress), I think you'll see that most of these types of bills will get floated, but eventually they'll be shot down.

The primary problems are:
-Cost to implement
-Cost of tax base/jobs
-Questions of ultimate benefit
-Legal issues (wording/conflict with national laws and standards, although a recent ruling helps states.)

Washington's official standards actually are "whatever California does". I found that to be absolutely foolish. We have different climates, different geographic and economic challenges.

But back to the point -- don't fret too much when you see bills like this. Most bills never see a vote on the floor, and many (such as the ones always being floated by guys like Rodney Tom up here in WA or the federal crush-your-car-for-$4500-new-car-credit one) are done to provoke dialog and show the base that the leaders are not forgetting what got them elected, rather than being done to actually get passed.

 

HMMMMM actually I have to respectfully disagree... I heard that your wonderful Gov is pushing real hard to get Washington state to be the second US state to be accepted into the EU behind California.... Say hello to the Euro...

 

OREGON DEQ would be the enforcement body on this law. BUT, they fully admit they have no fine values in mind, money to enforce, date of implication, etc. etc. etc.

But, if we don't take some notice, it would be just my luck that something would sneak through!

 

It's all about the env$$$$ment right. Personally I feel comfortable having the government watching over us and all that money that will be generated for the good of the planet!!

It's a must we take care of our planet but I also feel it's to much of a one sided opinon from the "Why do you need a Ferrari, Hummer or that bad item group of people".



Why revenue-neutral carbon taxes are essential,
what's happening now, and how you can help

The Obama Administration and the new Congress are being called upon to address 21st Century climate realities. In a carbon-constrained world, a permanent and increasing U.S. carbon tax is essential to reduce the emissions that are driving global warming.

A carbon tax is a tax on the carbon content of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas).
A carbon tax is the most economically efficient means to convey crucial price signals and spur carbon-reducing investment and low-carbon behavior. Our spreadsheet shows how fast emissions will fall.

Carbon taxes should be phased in so businesses and households have time to adapt.

A carbon tax should be revenue-neutral: government can soften the impacts of added costs by paying back the tax revenues ("dividends") or reducing other taxes ("tax-shifting").
Support for a carbon tax is growing steadily among public officials; economists; scientists; policy experts; business, religious, and environmental leaders; and ordinary citizens.

 

With our current liberal administration and liberal H&S here in OR we may see some ultra green legislation like this pass. Current ORS states:

Policy; greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. (1) The Legislative Assembly declares that it is the policy of this state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon pursuant to the following greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals:

(a) By 2010, arrest the growth of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions and begin to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

(b) By 2020, achieve greenhouse gas levels that are 10 percent below 1990 levels.

(c) By 2050, achieve greenhouse gas levels that are at least 75 percent below 1990 levels.

(2) The Legislative Assembly declares that it is the policy of this state for state and local governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations and individual residents to prepare for the effects of global warming and by doing so, prevent and reduce the social, economic and environmental effects of global warming.

(3) This section does not create any additional regulatory authority for an agency of the executive department <<<

DEQ could very easily add one of HB 2186's concepts to the vehicle testing that it currently does in the metro area.

I see the bill has had two hearings. I am now listening to the legislative audio archive of the first hearing on this bill on 2-3 and Dave the guv's sustainability "exopert" who I know well and I would tell you I am worried about what he and our guv have in mind for us! They are serious about this stuff. I would encourage any and all of you to sign up and testify against this and the other bills this administration is hoping to pass this session.

 

http://www.leg.state.or.us/cgi-bin/list_archives.cgi?archive.2009s&HEW&Environment+and+Water

or

http://www.leg.state.or.us/listn/ go to committee archives

 

If it wasn't for Washington, Oregon would have the highest min. wage.

 

Currently DEQ CAN keep you from driving your car if it doesn't meet their standards for emmissions; I am sure the top brass is faunching at the bit to add more regs.

 

So you actually believe the CO2 BS? There is no prove whatever of this theory. More so, it has been debunked over and over.

 

How about getting China to pay the cardon tax first. I read that toxins from their outdated dirty coal plants are showing up at Mt. Bachelor. Our forests are dying because the uber liberal enviros have hamstrung the timber managers, now you want me to use more aerodynamic crap on my ranch pickup when will it ever end!

 

You mean how fast you can kill small business.

 

I think the general discussion belongs in P&R. Let's keep the chat relative to the progress (and hopefully lack thereof) of this particular piece of legislation. Is anyone planning to attend hearings or check with trade associations about strategy to mobilize interested members of the public? (I'm not able, given my employer and job).

 

Great links.

 

Here you GO: http://landru.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measures/hb2100.dir/hb2120.intro.html

That is one of the longest subjects lines I have seen in a while... I am sure we will see about 200 tax and fee increases this session alone. What a fine thing to do in a depression...

 

I am sorry but do we really need to increase the amount of highway funds that go towards bike and foot paths? Oregon already spends one percent of every highway dollar on bike lanes. We need to go to Salem and fight this crap!

 

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