Conservatively Speaking

The non-partisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) has a report that attempts to explain the long delay in Wisconsin’s budget process. WISTAX says there are two obvious reasons for the stalemate:

“Two of these factors were prominent in three prior budget delays—one in 1971 and two in the 1990s. First, major disagreement over creation of a university system held up the first of the three budgets. Second, in all three cases, partisan control of the legislature was split, making compromise between the two houses difficult. Wisconsin is currently one of only 12 states with divided control.

This year, both issue differences and party politics are in play. The combination makes the 2007 budget unusually difficult to pass. Waged to an unusual degree on national rather than state issues, the 2006 election led state Republicans to lose three seats and control in the upper house and eight seats in the lower house. With U.S. politics largely unchanged from two years ago, Democrats sense an opportunity to expand their senate majority and to capture the assembly. Republicans, on the other hand, fear being shut out of state government leadership for the first time in a generation.

If one number best summarizes the current deadlock, then, it is 2-0-0-8. The political stakes are unusually high, and both major parties are aggressively positioning themselves for the next election. For Democrats, health care is both the banner under which they hope to run and the weapon they plan to use against their GOP opponents. For Republicans, tax hikes, mainly to fund expanded health care, are the issue they hope to use against Democrats. In a top-10 taxed state, they say Wisconsin taxpayers cannot bear proposed tax hikes. Whether the budget contains the tax/fee increases recommended by the governor ($1.75 billion, b) or by senate Democrats ($9.5b), the GOP views them as excessive.”

WISTAX also says the public and the pres are partially to blame for the budget impasse. You can read the entire WISTAX report here.

One of the few media outlets to pick up on the Senate Democrats’ government health care plan subsidizing abortions on demand is the Badger Herald.

The newspaper interviewed me about my strong opposition to the health plan.

Wisconsin Right to Life has also issued a news release saying abortions will skyrocket in Wisconsin if the Senate Democrats’ plan is approved. You can read their news release here.

One of the great joys of being a state Senator is the wonderful opportunity I have to present commemorative plaques to young men that achieve the highest rank in scouting, Eagle Scout.

Making these presentations to young men destined to be productive members of society brings gratification that our great country’s future is bright.

I want to inform all Scouts about participating in a once-in-a lifetime-chance to be part of Boy Scouts of America (BSA) history. Scouts are invited to compete in the BSA 100th Anniversary Celebration National Logo Contest.

Every registered Scout is eligible to participate. The winning design will become the official symbol for the 100th anniversary of the BSA and placed on all official celebration materials. The winning logo will become a cherished BSA symbol for generations to come.

Centered on the theme, Celebrating the Adventure. Continuing the Journey, the winning logo design will be chosen by a select panel of judges for use as the official symbol of the 100th anniversary beginning in 2008 and for the duration of BSA’s widespread celebration culminating in 2010.

A distinguished panel of judges will select winners in several categories, including an overall winner and best design by a Tiger Cub/Cub Scout, /Webelos Scout, Boy Scout, Eagle Scout, and Venturer. The winner in each category will receive a trip, along with an adult guardian, to a May 2008 recognition ceremony at the BSA National Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif. In addition, the overall winner will also receive a trip, along with an adult guardian, to work hand-in-hand with renowned graphic artist and Eagle Scout Kit Hinrichs in his San Francisco studio to finalize the logo for use throughout the celebration.

Entry forms, rules and details can be found on the BSA 100th Anniversary Web site. All contest rules are on the Web site, and additional contest information will be packaged and sent to Boy Scout leaders and volunteers in councils, packs, troops, and crews across the country.

I encourage all Scouts to participate with your most creative design that best captures the rich heritage of Scouting in America.

Deadline for entries is November 30, 2007.

Good luck to all Scouts!

Great emphasis in the media is being placed on Wisconsin being the last state in the country without a budget. Little, if any attention has been focused on one of the key reasons why Wisconsin’s budget is late.

Passing a budget has been difficult in Wisconsin because we are swimming in red ink. All other states have beaten Wisconsin to the budget finish line because they have enjoyed higher-than-expected revenues, making the task of crafting and adopting a final budget much easier.

The handwriting was on the wall earlier this year as signs pointed to other states having far greater ability to hammer out budgets than Wisconsin. In Marc h, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) issued the results of a national survey showing that legislators in 42 states had unexpected funds to work with as they approached the end of their budgets for fiscal year 2007 and worked on their budgets for 2008.

"The current budget situation is giving states an important and much needed window of opportunity to restore and reinvest in state programs," said Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte, NCSL's president. "More money to work with also means more ability to innovate. Arkansas, for example, will use additional funding to build a new cancer research center. Many states are putting more dollars into higher education. Some states are saving, and still others are providing tax relief."

Other states had many positive budget options because of higher-than expected revenues and stable spending needs. Stable is an adjective rarely used to describe spending in tax-hell Wisconsin.

Legislators in other states had to feel like kids in a candy store. Lawmakers outside of Wisconsin had the enviable job of determining how to use unexpected resources.

The NCSL reported, “At least a dozen states are considering tax cuts. Alabama is looking at reducing sales and income taxes. Florida, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and Texas may provide property tax relief. New Mexico passed an earned income tax credit and North Carolina is considering one. Utah reduced business taxes.

Several states, including Arkansas, Vermont and Virginia, will fund one-time projects. Some states are putting additional dollars into their 2007 budgets to resolve overruns or support more programs.

Transportation projects and other capital expenditures are popular targets for extra revenues. Many states will reduce unfunded pension liabilities or will put money into state retiree health care.

At least nine states are stowing portions of their unexpected funds in rainy day or other savings accounts. Other states plan to carry extra revenues into 2008 to hedge against unforeseen circumstances or slowing revenue growth.”

As I blogged this summer, “Over 40 states are ending legislative sessions with more money in the coffers than expected. Governors in 23 of those states have put together tax cuts. Wisconsin is not one of them. As other states fix roads and schools and build up slush funds, all we can do is watch with envy what is going on in states like Utah and Idaho.”

Here’s my June blog comparing Wisconsin’s grim budget to other states.

Contrast these rosy budgets with what ahs happened here. While other states cut back their spending in the early part of this decade, Wisconsin kept spending and spending. The result is property tax relief has been approved in other states while in Wisconsin, Governor Doyle has proposed a budget with $1.75 billion in tax and fee increases. Not to be outdone, Senate Democrats have passed a budget with even more tax increases, featuring a government health care plan with an annual start-up cost of $15.2 billion.

Other states get tax relief. Wisconsin gets the largest tax increase in the history of America.

The current budget battle in Wisconsin is a classic example of how different the fiscal approaches are in each party. Republicans see deficits and out of control taxing and spending and call for restraint. Democrats pull out the Visa card.

The parties are billions of dollars apart. Because other states put on the spending brakes years ago while Wisconsin kept their drunken sailor uniforms on, the others have long finished their budget work, and are enjoying all sorts of benefits, including tax relief.

Wisconsin is late because it was much easier for other states to get the job done, and those other states can thank themselves for having the foresight to spend less and make conservative revenue estimates. Wisconsin did not, and that is why we are still at the budget table.

Last September, I issued a column on attempted abductions of children. There is reassuring news for parents that many of the attempts can be and are thwarted by the intended victims: innocent children.

The beginning of a new school year is an appropriate time to focus on the safety of children and reflect on the findings of a 2006 study by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that concerned parents need to know.

The study looked at over 400 attempted abductions in 45 states from February 2005 to July 2006. Attempted kidnappings happen more often when a child is going to or from school or a school function. In 70% of the attempted abductions, the suspect had a vehicle. The kidnappers more often go after girls between the ages of 10 and 14.

So how did the kids get away? Six out of ten victims fought back in some way by screaming, yelling, even kicking and pulling away. Three out of ten did not have physical contact with their would-be kidnappers. They walked or ran away. And the remaining 10% were assisted by nearby Good Samaritans, adults who got involved and saved the children. Clearly, in 90% of the incidents, it was the action that the children took themselves that allowed them to escape and prevent further danger.

The National Center for Exploited and Missing Children suggests parents instruct children to recognize danger. If approached or grabbed, children should resist loudly and attract attention by yelling, kicking, and running away. Ideally, young children should not walk to or from school alone.

It is not impossible for parents and their children to make it as difficult as possible for predators to commit their evil crimes. Children have demonstrated they can do whatever it takes to successfully escape an attempted abduction.

Legislative leaders meet this week with Governor Doyle at the Governor’s mansion to discuss the state budget impasse.

The Senate Democrats took their $15.2 billion government health care program off the budget table last Friday, and are still insisting on other big tax increases. Governor Doyle also has proposed a budget containing $1.75 billion in new tax and fee increases.

I continue to support the state Assembly’s aggressive move last week to approve legislation to fund schools and local government. The bold measures are a sign of real progress in the budget stalemate.

I urge Assembly Republicans to stick to their guns and refuse to agree to any compromise that would raise taxes. As I stated on Wisconsin Public Radio this week, Wisconsin has some of the highest taxes in the nation and lower than average per capita income. We can ill afford to pay the exorbitant taxes the Governor and Senate democrats are seeking. Higher taxes will continue to drive homeowners and businesses out of the state. Wisconsin certainly does not want to lose another Congressional seat due to a decrease in population.

A budget agreement should be reached, and it must be a document without tax increases. That message needs to be strongly delivered during the rest of the budget process by Assembly Republicans, and we must continue to offer encouragement and support.

The Milwaukee Business Journal has some grim news about local hospitals. The paper writes:

“The closing of a major hospital and changes in insurance contracts prompted big losses for some Milwaukee-area hospitals and lower profits for others in 2006.

The biggest financial loss was at St. Michael Hospital in northern Milwaukee, which closed last year. The hospital lost more than $100 million in fiscal 2006, according to financial filings made by the hospital's parent, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Glendale. Another Wheaton hospital, St. Francis in Milwaukee, lost about $10 million in 2006, compared with $1 million in net income in 2005. “

Remember, budgets proposed by Governor Doyle and Senate Democrats contain a tax on hospitals. The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) prepared an analysis of the Democrats’ hospital tax. The WHA writes:

“As part of its 2007-09 biennial budget, the Doyle Administration proposes a hospital tax equal to 1% of gross revenue, and to use the proceeds together with Federal matching funds to provide funding for Medicaid. Specifically, the plan proposes to tax hospitals a total of $418 million over the 2007-09 biennium, match it with $568 million of Federal funds, and increase hospital payments by $700 million, with a resulting net gain (after the tax) to hospitals of $284 million.

WHA has analyzed the plan, and has concluded that, contrary to a net gain, there would be a net loss of between $132 million and $186 million for hospitals over the biennium. This is because the payments proposed in the plan are either contrary to Federal rules, or based on questionable assumptions.”

With local hospitals closing and suffering big losses, Wisconsin needs to reject the hospital tax proposed by Governor Doyle and Senate Democrats.

I’m proud that Senate District 28 that I represent will be the future home of an elite bowling training center.

Here is the story.

News reports about Senate Democrats taking their $15.2 billion government health care plan off the state budget negotiating table are misleading and confusing.

The fact is the Senate Democrats offered to take their government health care proposal off the table IF Republicans would agree to other big tax increases. A state government health care plan isn’t going away. In typical Democrat fashion, they will work incrementally and incessantly, continuing to bring the plan back again and again.

I’ve written extensively about the problematic Senate Democrat plan. Los Angeles radio talk show host Frank Pastore provides another take, likening government health to an all-you can–eat buffet. Pastore writes in a column:

“There’s one fundamental dynamic that must be changed in our health care system, whether we go the liberal or the conservative route, and it has to do with basic human nature.

If something is free, it will be undervalued, underappreciated, taken for granted with a sense of entitlement, over-consumed, and ultimately wasted before finally being rationed. Think of those cafeteria-style restaurants with an all-you-can-eat buffet. Would we get healthier people and waste less food by giving them a “Free Buffet Coupon” every day for dinner or a $20 bill and the choice of ordering off a menu and keeping the change?

Obviously, someone does pay for the “free” healthcare provided to the poor: the American taxpayer.

But, instead of taxpayers handing a “Free Buffet Coupon” directly to the cashier for all the poor, what we’ve got to do is provide the poor—and all health care consumers—with a greater sense of ownership, individual responsibility and choice to eliminate the incentive to overeat and waste food.

The best way to do this is with money, either in the form of cash or credit.

After all, if we want people to save for college or retirement, we offer them a tax-free IRA.

If we want people to buy houses, we allow them to deduct the mortgage interest from their taxable income.

And, if we want people to save money for health care, we should let them open a tax-free Health Savings Account.

And, if we want them to buy health insurance, we should allow them to deduct the health insurance premiums.

Put simply, if we want people to lead healthier lives, we need to give them the incentive to do so.”

Here is Pastore’s column in its entirety.

It is appropriately entitled, “No More Free Lunch at the Health Care Buffet,” because free health care is far from free.

You can hear my interview with Joy Cardin of Wisconsin Public Radio by clicking here.

Then click LISTEN next to September 24, 7:00 AM.

Joy and I discuss the state budget. My interview portion is in the second half hour of the audio clip.

I will be a guest on the Joy Cardin program on Wisconsin Public Radio this Monday morning from 7:30 -8:00 am. Joy and I discuss the state budget.

Wisconsin Public Radio can be heard in our area on WHAD, 90.7 FM.

The state Assembly has taken an aggressive and ambitious move to jump-start the languishing state budget process and at the same time save Wisconsin residents hundreds of millions of dollars in property taxes. I fully support the Assembly’s bipartisan approval of bills that would fund schools and local units of government. Congratulations go to the Assembly for deciding to proactively take bold steps while the budget conference committee continues to spin its wheels.

Clearly, the next logical step is for the Senate to schedule a floor session to debate and ultimately approve the Assembly’s meritorious legislation. This could be accomplished by September 28, 2007, the date the state Department of Public Instruction says it needs to have concrete budget figures. Otherwise, the Department could be forced to use last year's budget figures to set state aid for school districts. The result would be no state aid increase, and local school districts would substantially raise property taxes to fund their school budget increases, a prospect that surely would not be in the best interests of some the highest-taxed residents in America.

Democrats are in control of the state Senate. They set the calendar and agenda for state Senate floor action. Unfortunately, the reaction by Democrats has been to remain close-minded. Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson says she will not schedule Senate action on the Assembly bills, Governor Doyle says even if the legislation got to his desk, it would go unsigned.

That means Senate Democrats and the Governor prefer to go the conference committee route; Senate Democrats because they wanted their $15.2 billion government health care plan to be on the table for discussion and Governor Doyle wants his package of $1.75 billion in tax and fee increases to be on the table. The Democrats insist on staying the course of the conference committee, a course that has gone nowhere.

Several editorial writers support the Assembly and want the Senate to follow suit.

The Waukesha Freeman writes, “Now the state Senate has a chance to do the right thing for taxpayers. The state Assembly found a way to shake the budget stalemate loose. The Senate should approve the Assembly’s plan and the governor should sign it. If they don’t, the hike you see in your taxes will be their responsibility.”

The Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel writes, “A proposal to fund K-12 and local governments separately - at higher levels than Republicans had proposed earlier - is progress.”

The Monroe Times writes, “Tuesday's vote can be a breakthrough if politicians can put politics aside. Republicans made a significant concession on education and local government funding. Assuming they stick to that concession, Democrats should be willing to compromise on another key area of contention -- health care.”

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram writes, “The Assembly has moved toward Gov. Jim Doyle's K-12 budget; if the two sides can't agree on a complete budget soon, they should at least pass this part of it to help end the stalemate.”

If Senate Democrats truly care about schools, teachers, students, property taxpayers, and local units of government, they will set aside rhetoric and political games and take appropriate action: schedule a Senate floor session early next week to take up the Assembly bills that fund schools and local government and set reasonable property tax levy limits. I am anxious to get to the Senate floor and vote to approve this important legislation.

An evaluation of the Division of Gaming in the Department of Administration by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) indicates the Division needs to conduct a more thorough and accurate review as it oversees the gaming operations of 11 tribes that have negotiated compacts with the State.

Oversight of Indian gaming is critical because casino players expect the games to be fair. The state and the tribes rely on accurate accounting of revenue to calculate payments the tribes make to the state. Compacts between the state and the tribes require tribes to inform of instances where amounts recorded by a meter in, for example, a slot machine, differ by at least three percent and more than $25 from amounts counted by casino staff. When there are differences, tribes are required under the Compacts to investigate and explain the cause since the discrepancies could point to possible theft or fraud at the casinos.

The LAB examined 2006 daily revenue recorded in the State’s Data Collection System that stores data on the transactions of electronic gaming devices, and found differences between amounts recorded by the electronic meters and amounts counted by casino staff for every day of the year. Making matters worse, the LAB found the Division was unaware of almost all of the discrepancies the LAB discovered. The Division claims the problems were due to computer errors.

Between March 2006 and April 2007, the LAB also found the Division did not review data kept by casinos to determine if the tribes had identified, investigated, and documented differences between amounts recorded by electronic meters and amounts counted by casino staff. While the LAB was conducting its research in May 2007, the Division once again began conducting the required reviews, after a lapse of 14 months.

It is alarming the Division not only was unaware of problems in the state’s data collection system, but also failed for over a year to conduct required reviews of the differences between data from electronic meters and data collected by casino staff.

The audit by the LAB uncovered some important numbers:

· The State’s revenue from gaming totaled $121.3 million in Fiscal year FY 2005-06.

· Tribal gaming revenue increased from $1.0 billion in 2002 to $1.3 billion in 2006.

· Tribal gaming profits, or revenue in excess of expenses, increased 13.3 percent, from $490.8 million in 2002 to $555.9 million in 2006.


Two years ago, after a similar audit, I issued a press release that Indian tribal casinos are cash cows and that Governor Doyle should negotiate compacts where tribes pay their fair share that result that result in the maximum payments possible to the state. After the latest audit, I continue to believe that compacts must be negotiated that give the state a better take.

I agree with the LAB recommendations that the Division of Gaming report to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee by January 31, 2008, on steps it has taken to ensure the State’s Data Collection System and the casinos’ electronic accounting systems are recording and calculating gaming revenue correctly, and the Division of Gaming, in every casino, incorporate procedures for determining whether tribes are appropriately identifying, investigating, and documenting differences between amounts recorded by electronic meters and amounts counted by casino staff.

I also renew my belief that the Legislature should have oversight over Compact negotiations. This is an authority that should not be exclusive to the Governor, Republican or Democrat.

Once again, the LAB has done a thorough examination and I commend the Bureau on its outstanding work.

Here is a link to LAB web site with complete details on the audit.

On February 8, 2007, in a blog entitled, Wal-Mart to the rescue, I wrote, “Government has been unable and may very well be ill-equipped to develop and implant a system that delivers high quality health care at affordable costs. Our best hopes lie with the private sector.”

I then offered examples of how Wal-Mart was opening clinics and providing prescription drugs at low cost.

I concluded my blog stating, “The best solution to provide top-notch health care at affordable prices is not going to come out of city halls, statehouses, or Washington D.C. Any talk of fixing health care in America should have Wal-Mart and other private sector executives at the discussion table.”

Wal-Mart has come through again, expanding its health care coverage. Workers at Wal-Mart will receive drugs for as low as $4 and monthly premiums for as low as $4.36.

Here are the details.

I applaud the state Assembly’s bipartisan approval of a bill to fund public schools and local units of government. These major expenditures comprise over half of the state budget. The Assembly is to be commended for being proactive and taking the necessary action to ensure property tax bills that taxpayers receive in December will not have huge increases.

The Assembly voted 70-27 to take care of schools by funding school programs over the next two years at $6 billion in the first year that began July 1, 2007, and $6.3 billion in the second year. This move by the Assembly is significant, as the 12.3 billion over the next two years is the greatest amount of state aid to schools in Wisconsin history.

The Assembly also addressed the needs of local units of government. Shared revenue will be funded at $854.7 million a year, amounting to full funding for counties, cities, towns, and villages. Shared revenue stays intact without cuts.

The concerns of taxpayers were met as the Assembly appropriately limited local property tax levy increases at two per cent, or the rate of new construction, whatever is greater. With every ranking showing Wisconsin has some of the highest taxes in the country, the Assembly came through in providing real property tax relief. The Assembly-approved property tax freeze is identical to the freeze signed by Governor Doyle two years ago.

With local units of government and school boards facing impending budget deadlines, it was important that the Assembly took the bold initiative of stepping to the plate and approving critical portions of the state budget. The leadership the Assembly displayed could provide the much-needed impetus needed to finally formalize a state budget.

Because of the Assembly’s visionary moves, the state avoids hundreds of millions of dollars in property tax increases, local school districts and local units of government are now armed with the tools to adopt fiscally responsible budgets, and property taxpayers get much-needed relief.

Now it is up to the state Senate to follow the exemplary leadership the Assembly demonstrated. I look forward to going to the floor of the state Senate and take the necessary steps to fund schools and local governments and provide real relief for hard-working Wisconsin families.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is holding two meetings in November in Waukesha to provide information on the various benefits and services available to our fine Veterans.

It’s called the Supermarket of Veterans Benefits, and takes place over two days at the Expo Center.

Here’s more information.

New data released by the Census Bureau on owner-occupied housing shows that Wisconsin taxpayers pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. The Tax Foundation in Washington D.C. put out the following data:

Top 10 States in Median Real Estate Taxes Paid, 2006
Rank-State-Median Real Estate Taxes Paid

1. New Jersey: $5,773

2. New Hampshire: $4,136

3. Connecticut: $4,049

4. New York: $3,301

5. Massachusetts: $3,195

6. Rhode Island: $3,186

7. Illinois: $3,061

8. Vermont: $3,036

9. Wisconsin: $2,845

10. California: $2,510


When taxes as a percentage of home value are considered, Wisconsin ranks number two.

Top 10 States in Median Real Estate Taxes Divided by Median Home Value

Rank- State- Median Real Estate Taxes as a Percentage of Median Home Value

1. Texas: 1.86%

2. Wisconsin: 1.74%

3. Nebraska: 1.70%

4. New Hampshire: 1.63%

5. New Jersey: 1.57%

6. Vermont: 1.57%

7. Illinois: 1.53%

8. North Dakota: 1.44%

9. Pennsylvania: 1.42%

10. Connecticut: 1.35%

When taxes as a percentage of income are considered, Wisconsin ranks number six.


How did individual Wisconsin counties rank?

When the factor of median property taxes paid on homes in 2006 is considered, here are the rankings for some Wisconsin counties:

45. DANE COUNTY: $3920

52. OZAUKEE COUNTY: $3840

56. WAUKESHA COUNTY: $3811

73. MILWAUKEE COUNTY: $3518

The rankings change when you consider taxes as a percentage of income:

31. MILWAUKEE COUNTY

58. DANE COUNTY

66. OZAUKEE COUNTY

78. WAUKESHA COUNTY

Conclusion: Wisconsin pays some of the highest property taxes in the nation, and the amount paid in property taxes chews up far more income than in other states. Wisconsin must get more serious in curtailing out of control taxing and spending.

Here is the Tax Foundation report.

Here is the Tax Foundation data by state and by county.

The Coalition for America’s Families has produced a spot criticizing the Senate Democrats’ $15.2 billion government health care plan.

There are four million women Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders. I learned to ride on a 250 Suzuki and last year graduated to a 650 Suzuki Savage. Because the Harley's are SO BIG, I said that when I grow up, I will get my Harley.

Being short in height and short limbed, I was hesitant to go Harley. That was until I sat on the new Harley Nightster while taking a break during the July 2007 Women in Motion ride at Dubuque Harley Davidson and again during the same ride at LaCrosse Harley Davidson. The moment I sat on the bike, I knew I found my Harley.

I came home and called every Harley dealer in the area looking for one. They are a hot item and hard to find. When I called West Bend Harley Davidson, I was told they were unpacking an 08 Nightster. That 08 Nightster is now mine and due for the 1,000 mile check-up.

My husband rode a motorcycle while he was in high school and while he was in the Air Force. Together we got Harley Fever during the 95th Harley Anniversary. He got a Harley 883 Sportster, and quickly moved to the Harley Ultra Classic. The Ultra is a touring bike and the biggest bike Harley makes. It is very comfortable and I have enjoyed the back seat on many group rides. We have visited many states and made a lot of friends over the years on the rides. This year on the group ride I enjoyed the attention that my 08 Nightster drew.

My hesitance to go big Harley is not shared by all women. I see women, including women short in height riding the big Harleys. The Women in Motion ride is a great place to see women of all shapes and sizes enjoying Harleys. The Women in Motion ride is a fundraiser ride for Accident Scene Management. Accident Scene Management provides A Crash Course For The Motorcyclist and others, teaching what to do at an accident scene until assistance arrives.

Motorcycling is all about safety first. I highly recommend the motorcycle training classes at the technical schools and at the Harley dealers. Motorcycling has a reputation of danger. My advice is do not get on a bike without a safety class. With the proper training, motorcycling is a very safe and very enjoyable experience.

After I took the motorcycle class, I insisted that my husband take the class, even though he was a seasoned rider and rode as a youngster. He took the advanced class and I continued to hound him until he took the beginner class. Of course, he aced the beginner class; however, he was pleasantly surprised with the class. The info in the class is amazing. Because we have both taken the class, we have the same frame of reference about riding behaviors and driving defensively. We immensely enjoy riding together.

I know there are a few riders out there with excessively loud pipes and wild, dangerous maneuvers. That disappoints me. However as in other parts of life there is the small percent that have disrespectful behaviors.

The Christian Science Monitor reports:

“Harley has been marketing to women since the turn of the 20th century, but these days, there are fewer barriers to break through. The profile of Harley riders in general has changed, riders say, making old stereotypes passé: Harley rallies aren't crowded with tattooed, pierced, leather-clad rebels – riders are just as often doctors, lawyers, accountants. ….there are so many of them (female riders). Explanations vary – increasing gas prices, more disposable income or women's empowerment – but female motorcycle ownership grew at almost double the rate of general motorcycle ownership between 1998 and 2003, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. Women make up more than 18 percent of solo riders. They also make up 12 percent of Harley motorcycle sales – triple that of 1990. Meanwhile, the average age of riders has jumped to 41.”

Here is the Christian Science Monitor article.

Even the New York Times has written about Harley’s appeal to women:

"Few companies, though, are doing more than Harley in reaching out to this group. Its dealers hold frequent garage parties for women, to let them learn about bikes, including the best way to stand up a 750-pound motorcycle that has tipped over (crouch down, with the small of your back against the seat, and push up and back while holding onto the bike).

The efforts are paying off, though slowly. About 12 percent of all Harley motorcycle sales are to women, roughly 32,000 new bikes in 2006, compared with 4 percent in 1990, 9 percent in 1998 and 10.6 percent in 2003. Women will spend about $300 million on Harley bikes this year in the United States, not including accessories, riding gear and clothes. 'I think 12 percent is just the beginning,' said Jerry G. Wilke, Harley-Davidson’s vice president for customer relationships and product planning. 'The opportunities to cater to women are endless, and we will continue to do more.'"


Here is the New York Times article.

So, don’t be surprised the next time you see a woman on a Harley. It just might be me.

Today marks the anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.

To mark last year’s fifth anniversary of 9/11, I wrote a column about my emotional experience touring the World Trade Center site. You can read my column here.