8
University Daily Kansan
Campus/Area
Friday, March 21, 1986
Law push called gimmick
By Abbie Jones
Staff writer
TOPEKA — The American auto industry has launched a million-dollar lobbying gimmick to push for mandatory seat belt laws as a guide to avoid installing air bags, a former Washington lobbyist said yesterday.
"I am against the tremendously manipulative and deceptive effort to pass seat belt laws as a public health measure, when the effort is in fact the biggest lobbying gimmick ever undertaken by an American industry group. It was appalacho, former regional director for the Highway Users Federation, a Washington lobbying group.
Pappalaraado appeared before the House Transportation Committee to oppose a bill that would mandate seat belt use in Kansas. State Rep. Rex Crowell, R-Longton, the chairman, said the committee would act on the bill next week.
If passed, the bill would allow a law enforcement official to issue a warning ticket for seat belt violations during the first year only when motorists are stopped for other traffic violations.
The measure, which would require everyone riding in the front seat of a vehicle to wear seat belts beginning in 1987, would impose fines of not more than $25 for violations.
In a packed room, other opponents pleaded that such a law would violate personal freedoms.
Proponents of the bill testified Tuesday.
Pappalardo said Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole issued a rule that forced the auto industry to either push for passage of seat belt laws or meet federal regulations by installing air bags.
The industry didn't want to install the airbags and could avoid it by pushing for seat belt legislation, said Pappalardo, who lobbed for seat belts before she was fired from her job with Highway Users.
Highway Users then formed a coalition — the New Hampshire Alliance for Safety Belts — with a $98,300 grant from Traffic Safety Now, she said.
Automakers created a $20 million shush fund and a new organization called Traffic Safety Now to disburse dollars to organizations such as Highway Users.
"We, the seat-bell robots, descended on the states by the hundreds, and invaded state houses," she said. "We lied through our teeth as we told legislators that we cared only about public health and welfare. I'm embarrassed to say that I was part of it."
Pappalardo showed the committee a copy of a check for $49,150 from Traffic Safety Now to the New Hampshire Alliance for Safety Belts.
In Massachusetts, a General Motors executive was hired to direct the Massachusetts Seat Belt Coalition and was given $180,000 for his first year, she said.
In Vermont and Maine new coilitions were given about $80,000 each for start-up operations, she said.
"I cannot give you the figures for the seat belt coalition and seat belt lobbyists here in Kansas, but I can tell you that if you search hard for answers you will be surprised how much this big bucks game is costing."
Her testimony drew both criticism and praise from legislators.
State Rep. Nancy J. Brown, R-Stanley, said Pappalardo was painting a false picture.
"I truly believe that most of the legislators in Kansas vote from their hearts and not from the lobbyists." Brown said. "The private citizen doesn't need money to influence a legislator."
Some legislators shook her hand and complimented her on her, testimony.
Bob Storey, the chief lobystar for Traffic Safety Now, dismissed her arguments.
The Associated Press supplied some information for this story.
Hope inflated for hydrogen geologist says
The Associated Press
TOPEKA - An official of the Kansas Geological Survey yesterday deflated high hopes lawmakers had of cashing in on a large hydrogen field near Junction City when he told a Senate committee there's little chance of commercial development.
Don Steeples, the survey's associate director for research, warned the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee the Legislature acted prematurely by considering a bill that would add hydrogen to the list of minerals subject to the 8 percent severance tax. The other minerals are oil, natural gas, coal and salt.
"The likelihood of commercially profitable hydrogen production in Kansas is remote," Steeples said. "We are concerned about placing a severance tax on what may be a phantom resource.
"Such action on the part of the Legislature may hamper viable exploration and engineering efforts or lend credence to promotional schemes that are not likely to bear fruit."
Steeples said action by the state to impose the tax would be exploited by "snake oil salesmen"
Boulder Rugby Football Club
KU Rugby Football Club takes on
Fort Riley Rugby Football Club
on Saturday, March 22 in 3 games at 1:30, 3:00, and 4:30 p.m.
come watch at 23rd and Iowa Food & refreshments are available
GAY & LESBIAN SERVICES OF KANSAS Back To School
DANCE
Friday
March 21,1986
9 p.m.
$3
Big Eight Room
Kansas Union
Now Through Sun.,March 23 Lawrence's Oldest Restaurant!
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Wolfe's CAMERA & VIDEO
635 Kansas Avenue • Phone 913-235-1906
635 Kansas Avenue + Phone 913-235-1386
Topeka, Kansas 66001-1600
A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO THE KU JAYHAWKS BASKETBALL TEAM ON THEIR RECENT VICTORIES! AND. GOODLUCK THIS WEEKEND!
WELCOME BACK FROM SPRING BREAK! THE HOUSE OF HUPEI HAS MISSED YOU WHILE YOU'VE BEEN GONE. And You May Have Missed Our Following Specials:
YEAR OF THE TIGER SPECIAL
20% off for Tigers (anyone born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, or 1986) during the Year of the Tiger (Feb. 9, 1986-Feb. 6, 1987).
HALF PRICE DINNER FOR TIGERS
HALF PRICE DINNER FOR TIGERS Tigers providing proof of the year of their birth can get dinner half price on the night of their birthday during the Year of the Tiger.
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A special new dinner has been created especially to appeal to the appetites of Tigers. Your choice from eight new dishes.
50 NEW MENU ITEMS
Appetizers and Entrees·Seafood, Chicken, Beef,Pork. Watch for our new specials in the coming weeks! THE HOUSE OF HUPEI AND EVERYONE IN LAWRENCE WISH THE KU JAWHAWKS GOOD LUCK IN BECOMING No.1 IN BASKETBALL THIS YEAR DISCOUNT FOR KU STUDENTS
10% off any dinner with the presentation of a K.U.I.D. Not good in conjunction with any other special. Expires 4/15/86
Open daily:
Lunch 11:30-2:30 p.m. fri. & Sat. *10:30 p.m.* 843-8070
Dinner 4:30-9:30 p.m.
next to Econolounge
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