While most Pennsylvanians eyed local and county races in last Tuesday’s election, there was an interesting voter question in Maine which passed overwhelmingly.

It’s a question we hope is either posed on the ballots in other states and/or addressed - in a way supporting the public’s desire - by federal lawmakers.

Maine voters approved a “right to repair” question, which mandates that auto manufacturers will have to standardize the electronic onboard diagnostic systems which have become prevalent in the industry and make proprietary information and parts inaccessible to independent garage and vehicle owners.

This would include wireless data.

The resolution passed with 337,594 votes in favor to 63,018 votes opposed: 84.27 percent to 15.73 percent.

What Maine voters feel is this assures that independent auto repair shops will be able to stay in business.

I spoke to a mechanic I use locally, and he feels that independent auto repair shops will someday be virtually eliminated. Car repair shops are having a more difficult time getting the codes for diagnostic system, paying high prices for such codes and even having difficulties getting parts. Some of these problems might stem from shortages still associated with the COVID slowdown but it’s believed that manufacturers are becoming more controlling of repairs.

Maine is the second state to approve such a question. Massachusetts voters passed a similar measurer in 2020. It is being challenged in the courts by manufacturers and others.

Opponents feel that independent garages will disable anti-pollution systems and even shortcut safety systems.

As of 2023, four other states - California, Colorado, New York, and Minnesota - enacted right to repair legislation. The right to repair laws in California, Minnesota, and New York pertained to electronic and digital equipment, while the right to repair law in Colorado pertained to agricultural equipment.

An auto repair monopoly by manufacturers will increase repair prices as well as cause a major inconvenience to many individuals, especially those living in non-suburban regions. Frankly, I use a local mechanic because of the inconvenience of traveling to another city for minor repairs or service needs, including inspections.

Already dealerships charge in excess of $125 per hour per mechanic for car repairs including brake work, inspections, wheel alignments and even oil changes; things that a local garage should be able to accomplish at a much lower fee.

Some manufacturers give you specific “free” services for a number of years after purchasing a new vehicle but are they really free? Are they included in the price of the vehicle? After that free period ends, you’re still saddled with the high costs.

How about if your vehicle experiences a breakdown? You’ll have to be towed to a dealership which could be quite a distance. Presently, especially with vehicles several years old, a local mechanic might get your car running without the inconvenience of having it taken to a dealer in another county.

Farmers, especially those in the Midwest, are feeling the impacts of industry-maintained repair monopolies.

American farmers are increasingly turning to hacked firmware in order to repair their John Deere tractors. The reason they’re doing so is because John Deere has a license agreement wherein only Deere dealers and “authorized” shops can perform work on tractors.

The problem is the cost of repairs to farmers having John Deere do the repairs is reportedly excessive. Also, if the tractor breaks down in the field, it could take a while for the John Deere mechanic to arrive, which affects the farmer’s bottom line.

Kudos to Maine legislature for putting the auto repair bill on the ballot. Lets hope legislators, and judges, heed the wishes of the people. Also, hopefully similar legislation will be passed throughout the country. That legislation must include that the information is shared with local mechanics at a reasonable price, and that local repairs won’t harm your warranty.

By RON GOWER/TNEDITOR@TNONLINE.COM