Ohio Auto Recyclers Display Powerful Grassroots Opposition to Senate Bill 273 at Statehouse

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the United Coalition of Ohio Auto Recyclers (UCOAR) from all across the state came together Tuesday in a powerful display of unified grassroots opposition to Senate Bill 273. Dozens of auto recyclers rallied together outside the Ohio Statehouse for hours, displaying bold signs of protest seen by legislators, passing motorists and others. The dramatic demonstration also involved parading in a continuous circuit a series of salvage cars that provided a first-hand look at the dangerous vehicles that could be returned to the roads of Ohio and made easily available to criminals, should the bill pass.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121206/FL25746 )

The men and women employed in the Ohio auto recycling industry who turned out in force to demonstrate then attended a hearing held by the House Insurance Committee. Nearly every seat in the public gallery was filled by opponents of the bill wearing "Crush SB273" T-shirts. Several representatives from industry coalitions and local auto recycling businesses testified before the Committee opposing SB 273. UCOAR Spokesperson George Sapir delivered an impassioned address outlining the many dangers the bill poses to the state.

"Ohio lawmakers both heard and saw a very clear and unified message from the auto recycling industry," said Sapir, who is the CEO of a 96 year-old family-owned business. "The deeply flawed SB 273 would create enormous risks for the people of Ohio. By undermining the sound legal framework for how badly damaged cars are sold, the bill opens loopholes for all the wrong people."

UCOAR is deeply concerned over the negative impacts of this bill. It will kill hundreds of productive Ohio jobs, endanger public safety, increase auto-related crime, harm the environment and drive a large number of small Ohio businesses into bankruptcy or out of business.

Yesterday's efforts at the Statehouse are the latest steps taken by Ohio's recyclers who have attended hearings, written letters, called legislators, and repeatedly warned of the potentially devastating consequences of Senate Bill 273.

Sapir noted: "Grassroots opposition to this bill has been extraordinary. So many members of the Ohio auto recycling industry have joined together to oppose this bill, which is not just bad for them, but is truly terrible for everyone who calls Ohio their home. We must save Ohio jobs and businesses by defeating this bill."

Updates from UCOAR on this important issue are available at www.ucoar.org.

Contact: George R Sapir
614-450-2886
[email protected]

SOURCE United Coalition of Ohio Auto Recyclers