Tennessee Ethics Commission
Lobbying Expenditure Report (ss-8011)
That's how much money -- and how many lobbyists -- HSUS had working in the state during the six month period from January to June when our legislature was in session. Of course, HSUS will tell you that they only care about animals and they're not a political organization. They just spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in a state with a population of 6.5 million people -- quite small in terms of population -- because they like to spend money, right? Maybe the truth is that they like to control people and what they do with their animals. And they like to try to buy public opinion and sway lawmakers to spread an anti-agriculture agenda.
These figures are probably on the low side anyway. HSUS publicly boasted in the news when they were fighting Andy Holt's bill to require someone secretly videotaping animal abuse to share the video with law enforcement that they were spending over $100,000 on their media campaign in the state. They also took in a $25,000 contribution from Ellen Degeneres when Wayne Pacelle appeared on her show to talk about the the bill. The figures also don't include the hiring of "outreach director" Eric Swafford to lobby the Walking Horse community in the state during this same time. We wonder if these reported figures would bear much scrutiny from the Ethics Commission?
By the way, HSUS is listed as an "Employer of Lobbyists" in 40 other states besides Tennessee. That's a lot of lobbying for a group that claims it doesn't lobby.
We mustn't forget the ASPCA either. They use the same lobbyists in the state and they kicked in $25,000-35,000 for lobbying and lobbying expenses during this period.
Tennessee Ethics Commission
Lobbying Expenditure Report (ss-8011)
ASPCA does have a lobbyist who is active in Tennessee named Sherry Rout but she is not reported here which is odd since she apparently lives in Memphis.
Of course, ASPCA doesn't lobby either. It's all about the animals, right? So, just where do your donations go when you see those sad commercials on TV? Why, they go right here, to Tennessee when these charlatan organizations want to poke around in agricultural affairs. Did you really think they went to help puppies and kittens?