A bill (S.B. 316) has been introduced in the Vermont State Senate by State Senator Virginia Lyons (vlyons@leg.state.vt.us) that would implement a vehicle scrappage program and finance it with a progressive purchase and use tax and higher registration fees for some new motor vehicles based on fuel efficiency ratings. Funds collected under the program would be used dismantle vehicles deemed by the state to be “clunkers,” regardless of their historical value or collector interest. If this effort is successful, purchasing the vehicle of your choice could be significantly more costly. Further, this proposed scrappage program could deny hobbyists the availability of vintage cars and parts for restoration projects.

We Urge You to Contact Members of the Vermont Senate Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to S.B. 316

• S.B. 316 ignores the fact that all scrappage programs hold the potential for enthusiasts to lose a valuable source of rare parts for vehicle restoration projects.
  
  
• S.B. 316 is unfair to the low-income vehicle owners, many of whom depend on the low-cost transportation that older cars provide and on parts available from older cars in order to maintain their own vehicles.
  
  
• S.B. 316 ignores the fact that scrappage programs are difficult to police and subject to fraud.
  
  
• S.B. 316 ignores studies that show that most cars scrapped are infrequently used second or third vehicles. In addition, the vouchers the state plans to give owners who scrap their older cars is not enough money to enable many consumers to purchase a newer car.
  
  
• S.B. 316 ignores the fact that older cars are infrequently used, generally well maintained and not a good or cost-effective source of emissions reductions.
  
  
• S.B 316 will limit consumer choice in purchasing vehicles by making popular performance and luxury cars, as well as SUVs, light trucks and minivans, substantially more expensive to own.
  
  
• S.B. 316 will do little to improve air quality. Air quality has more to do with overall basic vehicle maintenance than it does with owning and operating any particular class of vehicle.

Please contact members of the Vermont Senate Transportation Committee by phone, fax or e-mail to urge their opposition to S.B. 316.

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.

Senate Transportation Committee

Senator Richard Mazza – Chair
Phone: 802/863-1067

Senator Phillip Scott
Phone: 802/223-5135
Fax: 802/223-0940
Email: pscott14@aol.com

Senator Donald Collins
Phone: 802/868-7975
Fax: 802/868-9816
Email: dcollins@leg.state.vt.us

Senator M. Jane Kitchel
Phone 802/684-3482
Fax: 684-3929
Email: janek45@hotmail.com

Please e-mail a copy of your letters to us at Rcarroll@hagerty.comor fax: 231-932-6887.

Thank you for your commitment to the future of collector cars and the hobby.