Wisconsin Hybrid Car Tax Credit Bill Needs Your Help!

[ericbecky]

Hello,

I just wanted to reconfirm for everyone that the show of support at last month's Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Wisconsin Hybrid Car Tax Credit Bill (AB 174) was a great success. Thanks again to those to members of the Madison Hybrid Group, Milwaukee Hybrid Group, CleanMPG, and others who came down and helped pack the room.

The next step is for everyone to take a moment to contact your State Representative and the Representatives on the Ways and Means Committee to let them know that you support Assembly Bill 174 which creates a $1,000 tax credit for the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for Wisconsinites. (see the Assembly Bill 174 news release for details http://tinyurl.com/376u68 )

Below I have listed all the Ways and Means committee members, their email addresses, some cities in their district, as well as a link to a district map.

We do not want the bill to die in committee. We hope that the committee chair, Representative Kerkman, will bring Assembly Bill 174 to a committee vote and act favorably on it.

Please be respectful in your correspondence. Here are some quotes from the press release, "We, as a state, should do everything we can to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. This tax credit will make it easier for average citizens -- those who need it most -- to be able to afford a fuel efficient automobile." "Every dollar saved at the pump will be another dollar that can be pumped right back into Wisconsin's economy."


Representative
Samantha Kerkman
66th Assembly District
Republican
Rep.Kerkman@legis.wisconsin.gov
Chair of the Ways and Means Committee
(Burlington, Twin Lakes, Salem, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...66/Adist66.pdf


Representative
Thomas Lothian
32nd Assembly District
Republican
Rep.Lothian@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Lake Geneva, Delevan, Geneva, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...32/Adist32.pdf


Representative
Eugene Hahn
47th Assembly District
Republican
Rep.Hahn@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Mazomanie, Merrimac, Columbus, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...47/Adist47.pdf


Representative
Suzanne Jeskewitz
24th Assembly District
Republican
Rep.Jeskewitz@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Germantown, Menomonee Falls, Richfield, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...24/Adist24.pdf


Representative
Jeffrey Wood
67th Assembly District
Republican
Rep.WoodJ@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Bloomer, Colfax, Elk Mound, Chippewa Falls, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...67/Adist67.pdf


Representative
Donald Pridemore
99th Assembly District
Republican
Rep.Pridemore@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Hartford, Sussex, Merton, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...99/Adist99.pdf


Representative
Patricia Strachota
58th Assembly District
Republican
Rep.Strachota@legis.wisconsin.gov
(West Bend, Addison, Slinger, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...58/Adist58.pdf


Representative
Robert Ziegelbauer
25th Assembly District
Democrat
Rep.Ziegelbauer@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Manitowoc, Hibert, Cleveland, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...25/Adist25.pdf


Representative
John Steinbrink
65th Assembly District
Democrat
Rep.Steinbrink@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...65/Adist65.pdf


Representative
Jason Fields
11th Assembly District
Democrat
Rep.Fields@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Milwaukee, see map)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...11/Adist11.pdf


Representative
Gary Hebl
46th Assembly District
Democrat
Rep.Hebl@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Stoughton, etc)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...46/Adist46.pdf


Representative
Barbara Toles
17th Assembly District
Democrat
Rep.Toles@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Milwaukee, see map)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...17/Adist17.pdf


Representative
Frederick Kessler
12th Assembly District
Democrat
Rep.Kessler@legis.wisconsin.gov
(Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, see map)
Map http://www.legis.state.wi.us//Assemb...12/Adist12.pdf


If you need any more information about these committee members please go to the Ways and Means Committee web ( http://tinyurl.com/2dnxrr )

[xcel]

Hi Eric:

___That was some post you put together! Would they accept a letter from a citizen of the state next door by chance?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[ericbecky]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Eric:

___That was some post you put together! Would they accept a letter from a citizen of the state next door by chance?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I'm sure a well phrased letter of support, even from someone out of state, would be helpful.
Especially someone of national stature, like you Mr. Gerdes.

[ericbecky]

Wow!

I got a call today from representative Parisi saying that the Wisconsin Hybrid Car Tax Credit bill is going to be voted on by the Ways and Means committee on June 13th!

This is a great first step.

Hopefully there are enough votes for the bill to be approved by this committee and move on to the next step in the legislative process!

Again I urge you to politely contact your legislators, especially if yours is one who is on the Ways and Means Committee.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us move things this far.

Also.....

A member forwarded a copy of what they wrote to the Ways and Means Committee members. I edited it slightly and am sharing it with you as an example that you are free to paraphrase/copy/edit to fit your needs when contacting legislators about the tax credit bill. I hope you find it helpful.

--
Eric Powers

Sample Template Letter or email
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Subject: I support AB 174, the Wisconsin Hybrid Car Tax Credit Bill

Representatives Kerkman and Lothian and the Ways and Means Committee members:

I am pleased to learn that the Ways and Means Committee will be voting in June on AB 174, the proposed $1000 tax credit for hybrid-electric motor vehicles.

As a hybrid car owner, I decided to purchase my vehicle because I care deeply about cleaner emissions and wanted to support a much-needed technology in the automotive industry. The cost of my vehicle was higher than its non-hybrid counterpart, but I felt the investment was worthwhile and was one I could financially afford to make. However, many people purchase their vehicles based primarily on the bottom-line cost. The tax credit would be one way of providing a purchasing incentive to those who are worried about spending more for a hybrid vehicle. While national tax credits are decreasing, Wisconsin's initiative to provide a tax credit will show that our state cares about air quality, decreased gas consumption, and innovative technologies.

We need to take all steps possible to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and to reduce emissions to keep our planet healthy and livable. I am in favor of the proposed tax credit and wanted to communicate my strong support to the Ways and Means Committee members.

Thank you again for your consideration of this bill.

Sincerely,

Susie Voter
Hybridtown, Wisconsin

* * * * * *

This particular person sent the email to the committee chairs
Rep.Kerkman@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Lothian@legis.wisconsin.gov

And cc'd the rest of the committee members
Rep.Hahn@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Jeskewitz@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.WoodJ@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Pridemore@legis.wisconsin.gov,
Rep.Strachota@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Ziegelbauer@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Steinbrink@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Fields@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Hebl@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Toles@legis.wisconsin.gov, Rep.Kessler@legis.wisconsin.gov