Sorry Duke, AB2683 signed by Governor

[Gerard F.]

on 9/23/04. I was really hoping to see a veto. Thanks for all your work and efforts. I can't believe all the silly little things they legislate.

Jerry Fuccillo

[Kevin M.]

Re: Sorry Duke, AB2683 signed by Governor

I read that this morning too. Too bad he made a big mistake.

Kevin

[Duke W.]

Re: Sorry Duke, AB2683 signed by Governor

I read the press release, yesterday. Needless to say I am very disappointed and a bit angry. This bill was ramrodded through the legilatures on lies, manipulated data, and junk science.

I'm very disappointed that the Governor did not see through this.

You can expect continuing future assaults on vintage cars. I hope everyone contributes to the effort to stop the cabal of "environmentalists" and stationary polluters who blame everything on old cars, and recommend this kind of legislation. Start by visiting www.smogcheck.ca.gov Then click on "Inspection and Maintenance Review Committee". Start paying attention to what they do at their monthly meetings. Write e-mails. If you live near Sacrmento, attend a meeting and make comments.

Every California vintage car enthusiast needs to get involved!

You can expect legislation in the not too distant future to "roll back" emission testing to cars that are currently exempt unless more effort is expended to stop the political cabal from manipulating data to blame air pollution on vintage cars.

Duke

[Dennis A.]

Re: Sorry Duke, AB2683 signed by Governor

Vintage cars are definitely clearner than motorcyles, Quads, lawnmowers, and Barbques...By the way, be sure and not pull any weeds in California!

[john lokay]

Re: Sorry Duke, AB2683 signed by Governor

As an aside, I just read in today's Wall Street Journal that California recently passed legislation prohibiting labor's from getting on their knees to pick weeds and such, as it supposedly results in back injuries, and requires them to use racks. Oh Boy, and I thought New York was bad!

[Donald M.]

Re: Sorry Duke, AB2683 signed by Governor

Duke, just a word of caution to those of us who think this is a "California only" problem. It may be for today, but, as we have seen in the past, wacko legislation tends to migrate East. If the liberal, mud-eating tree huggers get their hooks into uninformed legislators (read: just about any one of them) they can and will influence future laws that will severely restrict our free enjoyment of our classic automobiles. The only answer is to 1. Be Aware- read all you can about this proposed legislation in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, etc. and 2. Get Involved, even if it is only to call a politician's office or fire off an email (easiest way). We must guard our freedoms! Remember,Communism has found a new home and it is the environmental movement.

[Loren Smith]

Re: Sorry Duke, AB2683 signed by Governor

Time to start working on that fuel cell C1 resto.

[Gerard F.]

More to come, Duke

Duke,

Sorry again about AB 2683, but there is more to come. I noticed the attached article in today's local papers entitled "Strict air rules get attention". Just yesterday (isn't that a coincidence), the California ARB started taking up "the world's most ambitious rules to reduce car emissions that contribute to global warning"

California regulatory boards really don't need legislation, they just establish rules by directives. One very recent example of this is garbage trucks. The ARB recently established a rule requiring all garbage trucks in California to convert to the "best available control technology" and to use the higher cost diesel fuel (green diesel). At the rate increase hearing in my small city, the garbage franchisee reported a cost of $19,000 per collection vehicle, and $7000 more in yearly fuel costs. He got his rate increase and now I'm paying more in my monthly garbage bill. Compound this to every garbage truck in California.

I think our only hope is the Governor's California Performance Review and the reorganization of the California departments and boards, to break the California regulatory cycle. And that regulatory cycle is "More Money=More Regulators=More Regulations=More Money"

Best wishes,

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Joe L.]

Re: Sorry Duke, AB2683 signed by Governor

Duke-----

I've got the solution for all of this. In fact, it's an idea that has been "floated" by the governor and many others over the years so I really can't take credit for coming up with it. The solution? MAKE THE CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE PART TIME. The problem is that these folks have entirely too much time on their hands to dream up, kick around, and pass new laws. So, if they had a lot LESS time, they'd be forced to concentrate on things that are really important. Plus, we'd save a lot of money on legislative salaries and related costs.

You'll note that a year ago, or so, when the state was having its major "budget crisis", all other issues seemed to "go away". During that period of time, we were all "safe" from the legislature since they didn't have time for anything else other than the budget "woes". So, if we're going to have a full time legislature, then I hope we never get out of this "budget crisis". The "budget crisis" didn't affect most folks one bit; it wasn't even a "blip on the chart" as far as I was concerned.

Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm NOT saying that all environmental laws are bad or that we don't need to be very cautious about environmental damage. In fact, my whole professional working career was involved with environmental management and regulation. From that perspective I can tell you that the vast majority of environmental laws and regulations and money spent to "clean up the environment" is totally wasted. I've personally see MILLIONS utterly wasted and I've only seen a miniscule portion of the overall waste in this area.

You see, some clever folks have learned that when you promote things under certain mantles, no one dares disagree with you. The two most effective causes are "public safety" and "the environment". Both of these are nebulous things. Plus, when efforts and initiatives fail, you can just say that it was because you didn't go far enough or didn't spend enough money. That way, FAILURE IS REWARDED. That's the way that folks who have a vested interest in "public safety" and "the environment" can "feather their nests". All you have to do is to FAIL and the public can be fooled into throwing more money at you. No other business on earth has it so good.

Think of it this way: let's say that the GM corporate brass decides that a certain assembly plant needs to produce 2,000 cars per day. So, that's the goal that's set for plant management. Let's say that at the end of the month, they've only averaged 1,500 cars per day. So, the corporate brass say to plant management "what's the problem"? Plant management then says, well, if you give us more employees and raise our salaries, we'll make our quota. So, corporate management says OK (don't laugh; it could happen) and they hire more employees and raise the plant managers and line employees salaries. Another month goes by and now they're only making 1,400 cars on average per day. So, corporate management goes to plant management and says "What happened? We gave you extra employees and raised all of your salaries and now we're making even less cars per day! So, plant management says, well, if you give us more employees and raise our salaries even more, then we'll be able to meet our goals. So, corporate management gives the plant more employees and raises everyone's salary (don't laugh; it could happen). Next thing you know, the plant is only making 1,300 cars per day. Does this all sound pretty absurd? Well, that's EXACTLY what has happened with "public safety" and "the environment" ONLY it's been carried on FAR, FAR further than the "3 rounds" in the above example.

One other thing regarding this smog issue: if the legislature is going to legislate that 1976 and newer cars have to pass smog inspections, then they should also legislate that manufacturers continue to make available ALL parts for smog control systems on 30+ year old cars. What's been forgotten in this whole thing is that many smog control system parts for 30+ year old cars are no longer available. Many of these are life-limited parts that will eventually wear out and require replacement. So, if the cars have to meet smog regs, then the parts manufacturers should be required to make the parts available. After all, it's for the good of the environment!

[Clem Z.]

if people were smart

they would leave the state in droves like a lot of the manufacturing did because of the stupid liberial lawmakers who pass these laws. every thing has to take a s--t including people but these lawmakers think they can stop even that. these libs with their multi thousands square feet homes create more polution just heating and cooling them than any old car driven a few miles a year. the only state that is dumber to live in is fla. at least right now

[Chuck S.]

Another Alternative...

Emigrate from the Deomocratic Republic of California to the Republic of Texas. Leave behind the land of...er, uh, dates and almonds, high taxes, insanely high cost of living, and improve the political majority in both states.

But...be advised...application for Texas citizenship is accompanied by a "common sense" test. (Example Question: "Firearms are useful for (1) Recreational punching of holes in inanimate targets (2) Filling the freezer with wild game, (3) Putting bad people or animals to flight or worse if persistent, (4) All of the above, (5) Absolutely nothing since firearms have no purpose in a modern enlightened society.") Flunk the "common sense" test, and yer outta here.

[Clem Z.]

chuck i like your test *NM*

[Patrick H.]

I love your example, Joe. Too true. *NM*

[Gerard F.]

Millions wasted

Joe,

You must be talking about State Water Quality! They make the Air Pollution guys look like pikers. They just required our old County Landfill to be capped with 4' of imported clay after monitoring it for 10 years with no negative tests. I guess just to make sure; cost $5 million.

What was the additive to gasoline that the Air pollution regulators required to be put in some years ago, and then the Water Quality guys regulated it out? What did that cost consumers of gasoline?

I've been a Civil Engineer for 32 years now, and with all the regulations we have now, it is getting to be almost impossible to economically build anything in public construction these days. I really pity the new guys coming up in being able to get anything done.

Jerry Fuccillo
NCRS #42179