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A GIFT FROM GOVERNOR PATERSON TO ALBANY’S TOP LOBBYISTS
Every legislative session a handful of bills pass both houses of the Legislature that have no real public support and benefit one special interest or lobby firm. Typically these special interest bills are introduced and start to move at the very end of session when everyone is distracted and it’s hard to kill bad bills. The award for this year’s gift to Albany’s special interests deals with the Segway scooter. This legislation was written to make sure that a particular product for a particular manufacturer—the Segway Scooter—could be legally used in most areas of New York. For those of you who haven’t seen these monstrosities on TV, Segway scooters are motorized two wheeled scooters—they look like a souped up chariot without the horse. Segways accelerate quickly and hit top speeds of over 12 miles per hour—as fast as an Olympic runner and about four times the speed of a pedestrian. They’re also heavy—with some models weighing 120 pounds, not including the rider. One reason you might not have seen them is that in addition to having been illegal in the state. Segways are extremely expensive, costing more than $5,000 for a basic model. Segways—like all motorized vehicles—had been banned from New York’s sidewalks, bike paths, skate lanes and jogger lanes. The Segway bill, introduced late in the legislative session, creates a new category of vehicle in New York, given the clinical name “electronic personal assistive mobility device.” Don’t be fooled: the bill applies only to Segways and gives Segway users the right to operate them outside of New York City on local roadways, bike lanes, runner paths and local hiking trails. There are other similar scooters – one is the “Q electric chariot” which has a similar design and is cheaper ($800), but has four wheels instead of two, so it is illegal to use under the new law. Despite the safety concerns related to the foreseeable injuries that will be caused by fast moving, heavy motorized vehicles, special Segway legislation requires no insurance, driver’s test or periodic safety inspections. In contrast, mini-bikes and motorized bicycles may not be driven on public roadways or sidewalks under any circumstances. All Terrain Vehicles, however, must be registered—even if to be used solely on private lands—and carry insurance. A broad coalition of consumer, transportation, disability and environmental groups opposed legalizing Segways. Opponents included NYPIRG; Consumers Union (publishers of Consumer Reports Magazine); AAA, the Auto Club of New York; Sierra Club; American Lung Association; and the American Council for the Blind of New York. You may be wondering who supported this special interest legislation. Segway and its lobbyists, among Albany’s top grossing lobby and most politically connected firms. In fact for years Segway paid $90,000 a year to have its bill pushed in the Legislature. Despite being introduced in 2003, after six legislative sessions and having passed both houses twice, the Segway bill was never the subject of a public hearing or of real debate. In 2007, then-Governor Spitzer vetoed a Segway bill, citing a host of public safety issues and concerns about burdening local governments with regulating Segway use in their communities. This year advocates were hopeful that Governor Paterson would again veto the Segway bill. Unfortunately the governor not only signed the Segway bill, but his staff negotiated the bill with Segway’s lobbyists behind closed doors—without bringing other groups to the table. Why did Governor Paterson negotiate and approve a bill that was opposed by consumer transportation, environmental, civic and disability groups? Since the governor didn’t issue any statement when he signed the bill, we don’t know. But bills—like Segways—more fast and silently and sneak up on you when you least expect it. If you’re out for a walk, ride, skate or hike and a Segway almost runs you over, you can thank Governor Paterson for giving this gift to one of Albany’s top lobbying firms. That’s all for now. I’ll be keeping an eye on the Capitol and will talk to you again next week. |
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