chrishajer
25th June 2007, 05:11
from http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070624/NEWS02/706240354/1152/NEWS
New injury fund has motorcyclists upset
By DOROTHY SCHNEIDER
dschneider@journalandcourier.com
June 24, 2007
A new fund for brain and spinal cord injury research has become controversial because motorcyclists have been singled out as the sole contributors.
Tucked into this year's state budget was a $10 surcharge that bikers will face beginning July 1 when they go to register.
Lawmakers hiked the motorcycle registration fee -- from $17 to $27 -- in hopes of raising about $1.6 million for a Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Fund. Money from the fund will go towards research at the state's hospitals and universities, such as Purdue University, where researchers have worked for years on treatments for paralysis and other traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
"This funding stream will, I believe, put us over the top to creating literally lifesaving treatments," said state Rep. Joe Micon, D-West Lafayette.
But while it's hard to argue against the cause, motorcyclists -- including Gov. Mitch Daniels -- are questioning whether this is the appropriate way to fund the research.
"We have nothing against medical research," said Jay Jackson, executive director of ABATE Indiana, a motorcycle advocacy group. "But we don't want to be the ones who are responsible for funding it solely. If it was a fair tax we would take our lumps like everybody else."
The fund was originally tied to an increase in court fees for traffic violations, but the bill was amended to instead increase the motorcycle fee. That language was then taken out after opponents rallied at the Capitol -- but was added back in the final days of the legislative session.
"There were many people who did not like that idea. I'm not sure (its the best fit), but I don't think the other method of funding would have passed," said state Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-Lafayette, who sits on the budget committee.
"It was a method of paying for it, and that's what they were looking for," Klinker added. "Right now I think it's very important we do this research."
Jim Wesner of Dayton, who's been riding a motorcycle for about 15 years, feels bikers sometimes get singled out for noise and safety concerns.
"It's a little unfair," he said. "But the money is going to a good cause and I guess it has to come from somewhere. It just seems like they should spread (the increase) out over all vehicle registrations."
Daniels said last week that he didn't know the fee increase was in the budget bill when he signed it and he believes it's unfair.
Rep. Carolene Mays, D-Indianapolis, pushed the proposal "because there is a proven link between motorcycle accidents and traumatic spinal cord and head injuries."
About 160,000 Hoosiers suffer from traumatic spinal cord or brain injuries, Mays said. But Jackson argues a higher percentage of the injuries come from other motor vehicle accidents, not motorcycles. He is encouraging bikers to register before July 1 to avoid the higher fee.
Dr. Jeff Crecelius, a neurosurgeon with Clarian Arnett Health, said he sees a lot of devastating brain injuries, especially from young people riding motorcycles and ATVs. He said the research may prove beneficial in the long-run but he believes a helmet law would be a quicker intervention for the problem.
"It's really hard for people without helmets to survive because they do so much primary damage to the brain," Crecelius said.
Mays maintains, "Research leads to reduced medical complications and hospitalizations, which helps cut health-care costs. States that have implemented similar programs have seen a 200 percent return on their investments in the form of new jobs and tax revenues and grants."
Eleanor Riggs of West Lafayette has spent months lobbying state leaders on behalf of the new research fund. Her granddaughter, now 18, was a paralyzed in a motor vehicle crash two years ago.
"I consider this a foot in the door," Riggs said. "This brings hope to people like my granddaughter."
The Associated Press and Indianapolis Star contributed to this report.
Why motorcycle registrations only?
If they really wanted to raise money, why not add $1 to every vehicle registration and not single out one particular group of vehicles.
--Chris
New injury fund has motorcyclists upset
By DOROTHY SCHNEIDER
dschneider@journalandcourier.com
June 24, 2007
A new fund for brain and spinal cord injury research has become controversial because motorcyclists have been singled out as the sole contributors.
Tucked into this year's state budget was a $10 surcharge that bikers will face beginning July 1 when they go to register.
Lawmakers hiked the motorcycle registration fee -- from $17 to $27 -- in hopes of raising about $1.6 million for a Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Fund. Money from the fund will go towards research at the state's hospitals and universities, such as Purdue University, where researchers have worked for years on treatments for paralysis and other traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
"This funding stream will, I believe, put us over the top to creating literally lifesaving treatments," said state Rep. Joe Micon, D-West Lafayette.
But while it's hard to argue against the cause, motorcyclists -- including Gov. Mitch Daniels -- are questioning whether this is the appropriate way to fund the research.
"We have nothing against medical research," said Jay Jackson, executive director of ABATE Indiana, a motorcycle advocacy group. "But we don't want to be the ones who are responsible for funding it solely. If it was a fair tax we would take our lumps like everybody else."
The fund was originally tied to an increase in court fees for traffic violations, but the bill was amended to instead increase the motorcycle fee. That language was then taken out after opponents rallied at the Capitol -- but was added back in the final days of the legislative session.
"There were many people who did not like that idea. I'm not sure (its the best fit), but I don't think the other method of funding would have passed," said state Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-Lafayette, who sits on the budget committee.
"It was a method of paying for it, and that's what they were looking for," Klinker added. "Right now I think it's very important we do this research."
Jim Wesner of Dayton, who's been riding a motorcycle for about 15 years, feels bikers sometimes get singled out for noise and safety concerns.
"It's a little unfair," he said. "But the money is going to a good cause and I guess it has to come from somewhere. It just seems like they should spread (the increase) out over all vehicle registrations."
Daniels said last week that he didn't know the fee increase was in the budget bill when he signed it and he believes it's unfair.
Rep. Carolene Mays, D-Indianapolis, pushed the proposal "because there is a proven link between motorcycle accidents and traumatic spinal cord and head injuries."
About 160,000 Hoosiers suffer from traumatic spinal cord or brain injuries, Mays said. But Jackson argues a higher percentage of the injuries come from other motor vehicle accidents, not motorcycles. He is encouraging bikers to register before July 1 to avoid the higher fee.
Dr. Jeff Crecelius, a neurosurgeon with Clarian Arnett Health, said he sees a lot of devastating brain injuries, especially from young people riding motorcycles and ATVs. He said the research may prove beneficial in the long-run but he believes a helmet law would be a quicker intervention for the problem.
"It's really hard for people without helmets to survive because they do so much primary damage to the brain," Crecelius said.
Mays maintains, "Research leads to reduced medical complications and hospitalizations, which helps cut health-care costs. States that have implemented similar programs have seen a 200 percent return on their investments in the form of new jobs and tax revenues and grants."
Eleanor Riggs of West Lafayette has spent months lobbying state leaders on behalf of the new research fund. Her granddaughter, now 18, was a paralyzed in a motor vehicle crash two years ago.
"I consider this a foot in the door," Riggs said. "This brings hope to people like my granddaughter."
The Associated Press and Indianapolis Star contributed to this report.
Why motorcycle registrations only?
If they really wanted to raise money, why not add $1 to every vehicle registration and not single out one particular group of vehicles.
--Chris