Put A Legislator In Your Tool Box!

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That is what the SEMA Action Network will do for you, they are your political oil pressure gauge. Once you sign up they will send you alerts letting you know what is bad, or good, legislation is going through your state legislature. They will not spam you or overwhelm you. In my home state there were 3 alerts last year.   When you get your alert you can contact your local legislator and ask them to support or not support that legislation.  Legislators do respond to constituents.

I also recommend you contact your legislator before you need something.  It is good to know who your legislator is, but it is better if your legislator knows you. He or she might just be a motorhead too!  Politicians need to meet people and they respond to the people they meet. You want them to meet other motorheads. Invite your local legislator to a car show and make sure everybody is on their best behavior.  Let them see how you express yourselves through your cars.  After all freedom of expression is one of the natural rights guaranteed by the US Constitution.

Even if they never modify a car or build a Hot Rod, they will know you and they will know that the hobby is large and enjoyed by a lot of constituents when it comes time to vote on legislation, they may just pick up the phone and call you for your opinion first. That my friends is a tool you want on your tool box.

About the Author

Delegate Gary Howell of West Virginia is the National Chairman, State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus representing about 600 state legislators nationwide.  He has worked extensively in the motorsports industry, raced both stock cars and drag cars, built winning race cars and award-winning show cars, and designed racing parts.

He has also hosted a syndicated motorsports radio show, written automotive magazine articles and appeared on and served as a technical expert on automotive TV shows.  His company is also a recipient of the John Lingenfelter Trophy given to the top tuners in the nation by Car & Driver.

As the owner of Howell Automotive, Howell entered politics because he saw the obstacles to growth put in the path of business and the automotive hobbyist. His home state, West Virginia, has one of the worst business climates being ranked one of the worst in the nation.  He seeks to change that using his knowledge as a business owner and motorhead he helps make the changes to grow his state’s economy and support the car hobbyist.