Ask the Vet: Concerns over taxing rabies vaccines

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/may/26/concerns-over-taxing-rabies-vaccines/

http://tinyurl.com/36xkuk9

Ask the Vet: Concerns over taxing rabies vaccines

By Tracy Dewhirst

Posted May 26, 2010 at midnight

Tennesseans know that our state constitution requires a balance budget, no deficits, and for that we are thankful. In this recessionary time Gov. Phil Bredesen and legislators do have their work cut out for them as they race to balance the budget this summer.

A quiet and underpublicized Band-Aid to fund $1 million of the Tennessee State Health Department's budget is in a recently proposed bill sponsored by state Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, waiting to be heard by the Senate Finance Committee. The bill, SB3850, would place a fee, or tax, on every rabies vaccine given in Tennessee.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the new rabies fee/tax will help raise revenue to support the salaries of the Environmental Health Services state environmentalists. This department oversees public health issues such as clean drinking water, sewage removal, food safety, and restaurant inspection. It also investigates animal bite incidences, and, according to the Health Department, the environmentalists from Nashville spend 20 percent of their time on rabies related issues, equivalent to one workday a week and $1.8 million.

Knoxville and other metropolitan areas of Tennessee do not receive funding from the state to cover rabies control costs, and in Knox County the Knox County Animal Control, Knox County Health Department Environmental Division, and the Knoxville Veterinary Medical Association are responsible for following up on bite incidents, raising public awareness, and administering vaccines.

While this tax/fee seems minimal in the minds of the legislatures, there are serious concerns about taxing a public health program, setting precedence to tax other medical procedures, and fining participants who abide by the state's vaccine mandate. Legislators who believe pet owners can easily afford the fee need to join me at a county rabies clinic and witness people paying with coins collected in a Mason jar and hear owners admit they can only afford to vaccinate two of their four pets. And shelters and rescue organizations will feel the financial strain more than anyone as their donation dollars have declined and their facilities are at maximum capacity.

The fee also seems unfair in light of the fact that the state does not fine owners of an unvaccinated animal involved in a bite investigation; people ignoring the law have no financial liability. Perhaps the state could recoup money from the very people keeping them busy.

No cure has been found for rabies in animals or humans, prevention is the only protection against this aggressive virus that attacks the nervous system leading to convulsions, paralysis and eventually death. Vaccinated animals create a protective barrier between rabies in wild animals and the human population; the entire community benefits from every vaccine administered.

Veterinarians and public health officials are concerned that the fee will place a hardship on low-income and multi-pet households thus reducing the number of animals vaccinated. Estimates show that only 20 percent of animals in Tennessee are vaccinated, and epidemiologists cannot predict what a drop in compliance would mean for public safety, but fewer vaccinated animals would ultimately affect overall protection.

Veterinarian Tracy Dewhirst is a freelance contributor for the News Sentinel.

Rabies Tax Update

A few people have asked what's happening with the rabies bills. They keep being pushed back in their committees.

actions taken on sb3850

Assigned to Gen. Sub of: S. FW&M Comm.

actions taken on hb3834

Action Def. in Finance, Ways & Means Committee to last calendar

Since the bills would add/subtract money from the state budget, they've become tied up with the budget. They may not be considered until something is decided about the bigger budget, especially in the House Finance, Ways & Means committee where the bill isn't scheduled to be heard until the "last calendar." But they can still hear it that day, vote on it, pass it and rush it up to the floor to pass it.

Please make some more phone calls and let the committee members know that you OPPOSE the rabies tax bills. Ask them to vote NO on these bills. Talk to your vets. Talk to your local animal shelters and rescues. They're going to be especially hard-hit by these bills since they vaccinate so many animals. This law would effect their budgets since it would cost more to vaccinate animals. Ask them to call committee members to oppose these bills.

You can find your own legislators by going to the Tennessee General

Assembly web site and looking on the righthand side of the page:

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ There’s a column with the

heading “Find My Legislator.” Just type in your street address and

city. It will bring up your local representative and state senator.

You can contact them about anything that concerns you but they may

not be on a particular committee that is considering a bill.

However, they will be voting on each bill that makes it to the House

or Senate floor so it’s always a good idea to drop them a line or try

to speak to them.

To write to the committee members about the rabies tax bill, here’s a

sample letter. The committee members are listed below with their

phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Please contact them and ask

them to oppose this bill!

Rabies tax sample letter (formal letter)

Your name

address

phone number

e-mail address

date

State Senator Dear Senator Doe:

The Honorable John Doe

State Senator

(Nashville mailing address)

or

State Representative Dear Representative Doe:

The Honorable John Doe

State Representative

(Nashville mailing address)

Salutation: (Dear Senator ___ or Representative ___:)

I’m writing you because I’m concerned about (SB 3850 for the Senate

or HB 3834 for the House). This is the rabies bill that you are

considering in the Finance, Ways & Means Committee. This bill would

add a minimum of $1 and possibly more to rabies vaccinations in the

state. I would like to ask you to oppose this bill.

[Reasons why you oppose the bill. Reasons why the legislator should

oppose.]

I agree with the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association that adding

these fees to rabies vaccinations will reduce the number of people

who vaccinate their pets against rabies.

In addition, many communities already add additional fees and

licenses to vaccinated animals which makes it expensive to do the

right thing and give your pet good veterinary care. These fees would

only add to this burden.

As proposed with these fees, the pet owners who are vaccinating their

pets would carry the entire cost of the state’s rabies program. This

would place an unfair tax burden on responsible pet owners.

Finally, this is a public health and safety issue. If fewer people

vaccinate their pets there will be a greater chance that someone in

Tennessee will contract rabies.

Please oppose the rabies bill when it comes before your committee.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

name

clubs

positions held

Members of the Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee

Sen. Randy McNally, Chair - 615-741-6806,

sen.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Douglas Henry, Vice-Chair - 615-741-3291,

sen.douglas.henry@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Tim Burchett, Secretary - 615-741-1766,

sen.tim.burchett@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Diane Black - 615-741-1999, sen.diane.black@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Joe Haynes - 615-6679, sen.joe.haynes@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Roy Herron - 615-741-4576, sen.roy.herron@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Jim Kyle - 615-741-4167, sen.jim.kyle@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mark Norris - 615-741-1967, sen.mark.norris@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Doug Overbey - 615-741-0981, sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Bo Watson - 615-741-3227, sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Jamie Woodson - 615-741-1648, sen.jamie.woodson@capitol.tn.gov

Members of the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee

Craig Fitzhugh, Chair - (615) 741-2134 ,

rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov

Charles Sargent, Vice-Chair - (615) 741-6808,

rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov

Johnny Shaw, Secretary - (615) 741-4538, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov

Joe Armstrong - (615) 741-0768, rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov

Stratton Bone - (615) 741-7086, rep.stratton.bone@capitol.tn.gov

Harry Brooks - (615) 741-6879, rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov

Kevin Brooks - (615) 741-1350, rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov

Tommie Brown - (615) 741-4374, rep.tommie.brown@capitol.tn.gov

Glen Casada - (615) 741-4389rep.glen.casada@capitol.tn.gov

Kent Coleman - (615) 741-6829, rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov

Lois DeBerry - (615) 741-3830, rep.lois.deberry@capitol.tn.gov

Bill Dunn - (615) 741-1721, rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov

Jimmy Eldridge - (615) 741-7475, rep.jimmy.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov

Michael Harrison - (615) 741-7480, rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov

Curtis Johnson - (615) 741-4341, rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov

Mark Maddox - (615) 741-7847, rep.mark.maddox@capitol.tn.gov

Debra Maggart - (615) 741-3893, rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.gov

Steve McDaniel - (615) 741-0750, rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov

Steve McManus - (615) 741-1920, rep.steve.mcmanus@capitol.tn.gov

Larry Miller - (615) 741-4453, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov

Richard Montgomery - (615) 741-5981,

rep.richard.montgomery@capitol.tn.gov

Jason Mumpower - (615) 741-2050, rep.jason.mumpower@capitol.tn.gov

Jimmy Naifeh - (615) 741-3774, spk.eme.jimmy.naifeh@capitol.tn.gov

Gary Odom - (615) 741-4410, rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov

Dennis Roach - (615) 741-2534, rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov

Donna Rowland - (615) 741-2804, rep.donna.rowland@capitol.tn.gov

Janis Sontany - (615) 741-6861, rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov

Harry Tindell - (615) 741-2031, rep.harry.tindell@capitol.tn.gov

Mike Turner - (615) 741-3229, rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov

Les Winningham - (615) 741-6852, rep.leslie.winningham@capitol.tn.gov

HSUS Gets It Wrong

This article first appeared in the May 7, 2010 issue of Dog News magazine and is reprinted here by permission of the author.

HSUS Gets It Wrong

Carlotta Cooper

The following piece was written for individuals, kennel clubs and state dog/animal federations to use when contacting legislators, especially following Humane Society of the United States Lobby Day visits. These visits can leave your legislators with the impression that HSUS speaks for all animal lovers and that they are experts on animal care. Nothing could be farther from the truth! A look at the HSUS web site reveals many ways in which their hands-on knowledge of animals is very lacking.

Here are some ways that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) “gets it wrong” about animals:

Dog/pet breeding. For anyone who knows the slightest thing about breeding animals, it’s almost laughable to visit the HSUS web site.

Dogs do not have “breeding partners.” They’re dogs not people.

Dogs do not need to be “forced” to breed, as HSUS claims on their site when they write about “puppy mills” or commercial dog breeders. In fact, most dogs have to be restrained from breeding whenever a female is in season. Female dogs are ready and willing to breed whenever their hormones tell them they’re ready.

Every single time HSUS “assists” with an animal seizure, it’s the “worst case” they’ve ever seen. The animals are ALWAYS living in deplorable conditions. And, every state where they try to pass a bill is the “worst state” for animal cruelty, “puppy mills,” or whatever else they are trying to pass. Every state is a "puppy mill" capital! HSUS used this phrase at least a dozen times in 2009 to refer to different states.

HSUS even told the Tennessee Senate about a breeder’s dog with a dissolving jaw, blaming it on being over-bred — yet such a condition had nothing to do with breeding. Instead, loss of teeth and the loss of jaw is a condition that can occur in many Toy breeds of dogs, as well as other breeds that are prone to teeth problems.

And, contrary to those population figures HSUS is so fond of quoting (“one cat can produce a gazillion kittens; one dog can produce a trillion puppies”), the fact of the matter is that, according to research, relatively few of the kittens and puppies produced by stray animals actually live to maturity to reproduce. http://www.ncraoa.com/myths.html

Oh, and Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS, the man who stars in those sad commercials on TV with the pitiful animals asking you for your money? He had this to say about his feelings for animals:

“I don’t have a hands-on fondness for animals…To this day I don’t feel bonded to any non-human animal. I like them and I pet them and I’m kind to them, but there’s no special bond between me and other animals.” Wayne Pacelle quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt, by Ted Kerasote.

Spaying and neutering. Spaying and neutering pets is a veterinary medical decision that should not be made by the government. Instead, this decision should always be made by an owner who is fully informed of the pros and cons. Dogs who are spayed or neutered are more likely to suffer from many kinds of cancer and they are more likely to develop orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia and cruciate ruptures, especially when they are spayed or neutered at a very young age. Spaying and neutering is most often done for the convenience of the owner. It does NOT cause pets to be more affectionate or less aggressive. In fact, according to research, spayed female dogs are more likely to become aggressive. Removing a female dog's ovaries can lead to them having shortened lives. An ovario-hysterectomy is a serious operation for a dog, just as it is for a human woman, and it should not be chosen lightly.

Even HSUS admits that some 75 percent of dogs in the U.S. are already spayed and neutered and 87 percent of owned cats are spayed and neutered. There is no reason or need to spay and neuter any animals that are needed to be used for intentional breeding. In fact, we need intentionally bred dogs to act as seeing eye dogs, hunting dogs, service and assistance dogs, show dogs, herding dogs and to fill many other special roles with their humans.

Spaying and neutering animals is a personal choice and it should remain so. Spaying and neutering all animals will not stop animals from ending up in animal shelters. Better enforcement of existing leash laws are necessary, as well as offering low-cost spay/neuter services to people who want to alter their pets. Education is the key. Mandatory spay/neuter laws (MSN), such as those backed by HSUS, do not work.

HSUS is one of the few organizations that still promotes mandatory spay/neuter laws. These laws have failed everywhere they have been tried in the United States. The American Veterinary Medical Association and even the ASPCA now oppose mandatory spay/neuter laws (MSN), as do practically every other animal organization. Yet HSUS has not disavowed this failed approach which punishes responsible animal owners. They still believe that the way to reduce shelter populations is to spay and neuter the cats and dogs of responsible pet owners who are kept safely at home instead of offering low cost spay/neuter to people who would like to have their pets altered. Instead of focusing on containment issues, they want to use surgery to force people to spay and neuter their pets. Instead of trying to increase adoptions, they want to use strong-arm tactics. And, instead of looking at the reasons why people surrender their pets, they want to charge people with intact pets higher fees. HSUS’s approach on mandatory spay/neutering is archaic, at best, and totally out of step with leaders in this area.

Breed-Specific Legislation. The Humane Society of the United States has one of the worst records imaginable when it comes to breed specific legislation — legislation that targets specific breeds of dogs. They have repeatedly shown themselves to be intent on killing “pit bulls,” even as young as newborn puppies (North Carolina). In the Michael Vick case they raised money to care for the dogs taken from Mr. Vick’s premises while telling The New York Times that the dogs should be killed on the grounds that they could not be rehabilitated. Of course, as we soon discovered, the dogs were never actually in the care of the HSUS, so they were raising money under false pretenses. Plus, virtually all of the dogs were rehabilitated by others and are now leading happy lives. Shame on HSUS!

HSUS seeks to encourage breed specific legislation in every city and state where they have the chance, often using higher licensing fees for Bully breed dogs and other so-called “dangerous dogs” for no good reason. Or, trying to pass mandatory spay and neuter laws for these breeds as a way to reduce their population. This is a form of discrimination.

Horse welfare. For people who cannot keep their horses in the current economy HSUS recommends that they donate them to riding schools and police departments — places which have to be extremely selective about the horses they accept. Just how many riding schools and police departments with horse units does HSUS think this country has?

If that doesn’t work, HSUS tells people to donate their horses to “sanctuaries.” Unfortunately, these refuges for unwanted horses are already filled to overflowing. So, as a last resort, HSUS tells people to consider euthanizing their unwanted horses. But, they don’t tell you what to do with your dead horse. Because it’s rather expensive to euthanize a horse and it’s even more expensive to dispose of the body. Most people don’t have a place to bury a horse, especially if they board their horse at a stable.

The wrong focus in dogfighting. Most people can agree that dogfighting is a bloody and disagreeable sport. Yet HSUS has managed to stigmatize people who love these dogs, including people who rescue them. They talk about recognizing the “signs” of dogfighting as though simply having a pit bull and a treadmill in your home makes you a dogfighter! Many people exercise their dogs using treadmills. They’re very popular with dog show people to keep their dogs in good physical condition. Many people with dogs use springpoles so their dogs can get more exercise by leaping after a toy or something fun on the end of the pole set just out of reach. It’s very entertaining for a dog. But, according to HSUS, this is another sign that you’re a dogfighter. Breaking sticks, used to stop a dog fight, are considered another sign that you’re a dogfighter. The truth is that if you keep more than one dog, especially a large breed of dog, it’s possible that your dogs may fight or squabble on their own. Some people may choose to break up a fight with a breaking stick. It doesn’t mean that they are operating a dogfighting ring.

This is another instance where HSUS shows that it does not understand (or deliberately misunderstands) animal husbandry.

And, then there is the infamous “rape stand” used by so-called dogfighters. Ordinary (non-HSUS) people call these breeding stands. According to HSUS these stands are used so female dogs can be “raped” by male dogs for breeding. But, as already mentioned, breeding does not happen between dogs until the female says so. It’s a matter of hormones and timing. A breeding stand holds the female steady and in a good position to make it easy for the male since they will stay together for some time after the act. It makes things more comfortable and keeps the dogs from accidentally injuring each other by turning or getting twisted while they’re still connected. That’s all it does. There is no “rape.” And these stands are used by people who are not dogfighters. Even people with the gentlest dogs may use a breeding stand to help their dogs reach each other at a good angle.

Attacks on so-called "factory farming. HSUS relentlessly attacks what they call “factory farming.” Yet most farms in the U.S. are family-owned. What HSUS characterizes as “factory farms” are simply farms that use modern methods of farming. Besides raising the cost of production (and the cost of animal products at the grocery store), the "humane" methods that HSUS advocates often result in increased mortality, increased injuries, and decreased overall health of the animals themselves. Many people wouldn't be able to afford to buy these products at the grocery store. Most people don’t realize that HSUS promotes a vegan lifestyle and would actually like to see an end to animal agriculture. That is one of the real reasons behind these attacks on modern agriculture. They don’t actually care if people can afford to buy bacon or beef products. Please keep this in mind the next time you hear HSUS attack “factory farming.”

These are just a few of the ways that HSUS “gets it wrong.” If you look at their web site there are many other ways. They may seem like an organization that’s friendly to animals but they’re not. In many cases they don’t actually know anything about the animals they talk about. They really don’t know about animals and yet they are in our legislature, talking to lawmakers, trying to tell you how to pass laws.

Please think twice before listening to HSUS.

Thank you.

HumaneWatch Editorial in The Tennessean

Take a look at this page: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100514/OPINION03/5140330/Make-the-most-of-donation-by-giving-to-a-local-pet-shelter

Great comments about HSUS on The Tennessean site.

Make the most of donation by giving to a local pet shelter

BY DAVID MARTOSKO • MAY 14, 2010

Tennessee Voices

This week, Nashville is host to a large animal-care expo for shelter professionals. It seems like a noble cause. But who's behind it — and what their goals are — might surprise you.

You're probably familiar with the slick infomercials from the Humane Society of the United States. The TV ads are everywhere, asking for monthly pledges while taking you on a tour through tear-jerking pictures of homeless cats and dogs. Just give $19 a month, the ads suggest, and your money will be used to help these poor puppies and kittens.

But what if it's all smoke and mirrors? Most Americans — 71 percent, according to a recent Opinion Research Corp. poll — think the Humane Society of the United States is an umbrella group for pet shelters.

It isn't. It is not affiliated with any local humane societies.

That poll also shows that 59 percent believe the group gives "most of its money" to local pet shelters. That's false, too. In fact, hands-on dog and cat shelters at the local level received less than 1 percent of the $86 million HSUS raised in 2008.

So, if you pledge $19 a month to Humane Society of the United States, $228 a year, barely $1 will trickle down to pet shelters. What's going on? What else would an "animal welfare" group do with $86 million in donations and $150 million-plus in the bank?

The answer isn't very cuddly.

You can see the group's money — your money, really — at work in statehouses, courtrooms and ballot boxes. That's where the organization pushes for animal rights, not to be confused with animal welfare. HSUS is driven by the belief that animals deserve legal rights, including the right to not be eaten as food and the right to sue people in court.

So while HSUS does precious little for the dogs and cats in its TV ads, it does work overtime to drive a wedge between animals and people. The group works to reduce everyone's consumption of meat, eggs and dairy, for instance. It does this by filing lawsuits, lobbying for new laws and pushing for ever-tighter regulations — driving up the cost of being an egg producer or a cattle rancher.

If these farmers won't give cows, pigs, and chickens their "rights," the group will just drive them out of business.

The Humane Society of the United States plasters its ads with images of pets. The warm-and-fuzzy approach is clearly fundraising gold. But is the animal-rights industry's agenda really what well-meaning Americans want to support with their $19 monthly donations? I doubt it.

It's getting so that there's only one way animal lovers can be sure their donations actually go to help pet shelters and animal welfare programs: Give locally. Help the shelters in your community, not the big-bucks animal-rights lobby in Washington.

David Martosko is director of research at the Center for Consumer Freedom, a nonprofit watchdog group that deals with activities of tax-exempt activist groups.

Discussion of HSUS in The Tennessean

Take a look at this page: http://blogs.tennessean.com/opinion/2010/05/19/humane-society-deserves-better-than-recent-criticism/

Be sure to read the comments!

You should also read another follow-up post by the HSUS paid lobbyist in Tennessee:

http://blogs.tennessean.com/opinion/2010/05/22/make-no-mistake-this-group-isn’t-animal-friendly/comment-page-1/

Again, read the comments. You'll see that there is a serious lack of support for HSUS once people know how little of their money they actually donate to animal shelters.

Rabies Tax Info — Contact Legislators NOW!

You can find your own legislators by going to the Tennessee General Assembly web site and looking on the righthand side of the page: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ There’s a column with the heading “Find My Legislator.” Just type in your street address and city. It will bring up your local representative and state senator. You can contact them about anything that concerns you but they may not be on a particular committee that is considering a bill. However, they will be voting on each bill that makes it to the House or Senate floor so it’s always a good idea to drop them a line or try to speak to them.

To write to the committee members about the rabies tax bill, here’s a sample letter. The committee members are listed below with their phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Both the House and Senate Finance, Ways & Means committees are hearing the rabies tax bills on 5/11. Please contact them and ask them to oppose this bill!

Rabies tax sample letter (formal letter)

Your name

address

phone number

e-mail address

date

State Senator Dear Senator Doe:

The Honorable John Doe

State Senator

(Nashville mailing address)

or

State Representative Dear Representative Doe:

The Honorable John Doe

State Representative

(Nashville mailing address)

Salutation: (Dear Senator ___ or Representative ___:)

I’m writing you because I’m concerned about (SB 3850 for the Senate or HB 3834 for the House). This is the rabies bill that you are considering in the Finance, Ways & Means Committee. This bill would add a minimum of $1 and possibly more to rabies vaccinations in the state. I would like to ask you to oppose this bill.

[Reasons why you oppose the bill. Reasons why the legislator should oppose.]

I agree with the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association that adding these fees to rabies vaccinations will reduce the number of people who vaccinate their pets against rabies.

In addition, many communities already add additional fees and licenses to vaccinated animals which makes it expensive to do the right thing and give your pet good veterinary care. These fees would only add to this burden.

As proposed with these fees, the pet owners who are vaccinating their pets would carry the entire cost of the state’s rabies program. This would place an unfair tax burden on responsible pet owners.

Finally, this is a public health and safety issue. If fewer people vaccinate their pets there will be a greater chance that someone in Tennessee will contract rabies.

Please oppose the rabies bill when it comes before your committee.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

name

clubs

positions held

Members of the Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee

Sen. Randy McNally, Chair - 615-741-6806,

sen.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Douglas Henry, Vice-Chair - 615-741-3291,

sen.douglas.henry@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Tim Burchett, Secretary - 615-741-1766,

sen.tim.burchett@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Diane Black - 615-741-1999, sen.diane.black@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Joe Haynes - 615-6679, sen.joe.haynes@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Roy Herron - 615-741-4576, sen.roy.herron@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Jim Kyle - 615-741-4167, sen.jim.kyle@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Mark Norris - 615-741-1967, sen.mark.norris@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Doug Overbey - 615-741-0981, sen.doug.overbey@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Bo Watson - 615-741-3227, sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Jamie Woodson - 615-741-1648, sen.jamie.woodson@capitol.tn.gov

Members of the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee

Craig Fitzhugh, Chair - (615) 741-2134 , rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov

Charles Sargent, Vice-Chair - (615) 741-6808, rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov

Johnny Shaw, Secretary - (615) 741-4538, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov

Joe Armstrong - (615) 741-0768, rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov

Stratton Bone - (615) 741-7086, rep.stratton.bone@capitol.tn.gov

Harry Brooks - (615) 741-6879, rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov

Kevin Brooks - (615) 741-1350, rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov

Tommie Brown - (615) 741-4374, rep.tommie.brown@capitol.tn.gov

Glen Casada - (615) 741-4389rep.glen.casada@capitol.tn.gov

Kent Coleman - (615) 741-6829, rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov

Lois DeBerry - (615) 741-3830, rep.lois.deberry@capitol.tn.gov

Bill Dunn - (615) 741-1721, rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov

Jimmy Eldridge - (615) 741-7475, rep.jimmy.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov

Michael Harrison - (615) 741-7480, rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov

Curtis Johnson - (615) 741-4341, rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov

Mark Maddox - (615) 741-7847, rep.mark.maddox@capitol.tn.gov

Debra Maggart - (615) 741-3893, rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.gov

Steve McDaniel - (615) 741-0750, rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov

Steve McManus - (615) 741-1920, rep.steve.mcmanus@capitol.tn.gov

Larry Miller - (615) 741-4453, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov

Richard Montgomery - (615) 741-5981, rep.richard.montgomery@capitol.tn.gov

Jason Mumpower - (615) 741-2050, rep.jason.mumpower@capitol.tn.gov

Jimmy Naifeh - (615) 741-3774, spk.eme.jimmy.naifeh@capitol.tn.gov

Gary Odom - (615) 741-4410, rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov

Dennis Roach - (615) 741-2534, rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov

Donna Rowland - (615) 741-2804, rep.donna.rowland@capitol.tn.gov

Janis Sontany - (615) 741-6861, rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov

Harry Tindell - (615) 741-2031, rep.harry.tindell@capitol.tn.gov

Mike Turner - (615) 741-3229, rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov

Les Winningham - (615) 741-6852, rep.leslie.winningham@capitol.tn.gov

National Pet Week

May 2-8: National Pet Week

May 2-8: Be Kind to Animals Week

This is a very good week to contact legislators about anything animal-related. Remember that SB 3850, the rabies tax, is still in the Senate Finance, Ways & Means committee. It's been deferred a couple of times and it will be heard on 5/11. The house version of the bill, HB 3834, has been sent to the House Finance, Ways & Means committee. Please continue to spread the word about these bills and ask people to contact the committee members.

It's also a good week to contact your legislators and remind them that HSUS does not speak for animal lovers. If you belong to the Tennessee Pet-Law e-list you can check the TN Pet-Law files for a Letter-to-Legislators.doc and HSUS Gets It Wrong. Similar letters and statements are being sent to legislators this week in other states.

Keep us posted if people in middle and west Tennessee need help. I know the national news isn't covering it as much as they should.

Proposed rabies fee spurs dogfight

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/may/03/proposed-rabies-fee-spurs-dogfight/

http://tinyurl.com/3ab5trb

Proposed rabies fee spurs dogfight

By: Andy Sher

NASHVILLE -- With Tennessee's budget already going to the dogs, state health officials want permission to tack a $1 fee on rabies vaccinations to continue funding investigations into potential cases of the deadly disease.

Veterinarians are barking mad about the plan. Lawmakers, meanwhile, are baring their teeth at each other with a top Democrat accusing some GOP critics of preening like peacocks with their opposition.

Underscoring the tension is a stark fiscal reality: In a three-year period ending July 1, 2011, recession-battered tax revenues will have forced Tennessee to slash general state spending by an estimated $1.5 billion or 21 percent. It also doesn't help that a fight is brewing over the proposed 2010-11 budget.

"I'm just opposed to us adding a tax, a fee in this economic environment and putting the costs of this program on the backs of citizens that are now trying to be law abiding and have their animals vaccinated," said Rep. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, arguing that fewer animals would be vaccinated because of the fee.

Only one in five dogs and cats is vaccinated by their owners, say veterinarians, most of whom oppose the $1 fee.

Rep. Hensley's comments came last week in a House Health and Human Resources Committee.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner, however, countered that "we're talking about eliminating services. ... Everybody's talking about 'I'm against something,' but no alternatives have been brought up yet how we're going to do this."

He predicted "this next couple of weeks is going to be real interesting, especially with all these peacocks putting their feathers out and really pontificating."

MAKING THE CASE

The state Health Department wants authority to impose up to a $2 fee on rabies vaccinations to avoid cutting17 to 24 environmentalists whose jobs include inspecting restaurants, hotels and swimming pools and investigating animal bites and possible rabies outbreaks.

Officials maintain the fee would be $1 although they acknowledge it could be raised in future years. The plan would generate about $1 million for the $1.8 million program, now paid for through general fund revenues. The state conducted nearly 2,800 investigations last year. There were 89 cases of rabies, most of them stemming not from pets but wild animals such as bats and raccoons.

There were five cases in which humans were exposed.

"Is it worth $1 million to find five cases of rabies?" asked Rep. Vance Dennis, R-Savannah.

Replied Cookeville veterinarian Steven Copeland: "It is if you're one of the five cases."

Dr. Copeland, who supported the proposal, said most of his colleagues oppose it.

The committee eventually passed the measure out on a 16-10 vote. All 10 no votes were cast by Republicans. Rep. Vince Dean, R-East Ridge, was among the nays. Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga, a registered nurse, voted in favor of it.

The bill now goes to the House Budget Subcommittee. It passed the Senate General Welfare Committee earlier in the session on a 6-1 vote. Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, was the lone no vote.

While some Republicans are disturbed over the $1 fee to raise $1 million, most have shown little concern about voting for a 3.52 percent fee or assessment on hospitals that would raise $310 million and attract additional federal funding to offset TennCare cuts.

Hospitals have asked for the assessment. But most veterinarians are vehemently opposed to the $1 fee on rabies vaccinations. Dr. Randy Hammon, a Chattanooga veterinarian and past president of the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, has testified against the fee.

"If we end up having an increased cost in the rabies vaccination, that's going to discourage people from vaccinating their pets," he said last week in an interview.

Dr. Hammon said one of the problems is that local governments already charge pet licensing fees. In Hamilton County, those fees range from $3 to $50 depending on whether a pet has been spayed or neutered.

"What we worry about is the best way not to pay those fees is not to have your pet vaccinated for rabies," Dr. Hammon said.

It also hasn't helped that some revenue-hungry lawmakers wanted to add additional fees to rabies vaccinations to cover pet neutering and even meals-on-wheels programs for the elderly. Both those ideas, however, have been dropped.

As the House debate appeared to be on the verge of spiraling out of control last week, Health Commissioner Susan Cooper dashed back to the Capitol from the airport, where she had been scheduled to fly to Washington for a conference highlighting the state's special work in diabetes, a program that has been reduced to one-year funding.

"We have eliminated programs over the course of the past three years that have served people," she reminded lawmakers. "We have capped programs that are for people that have HIV and AIDS."

The bottom line, she said is, "we have cut to the bone already and what we're trying to do again is to maintain those absolutely necessary programs to protect public health."

If the fees aren't approved, she said, "it is likely this program will diminish in size." She downplayed concerns some pet owners would forego vaccinations if a fee is implemented.

What's next

House Bill 3834 is scheduled to be heard Tuesday in the House Budget Subcommittee. The Senate version, Senate Bill 3850, is on the Wednesday calendar of the Senate Finance Committee.