Phone Calls Needed to STOP Rabies TAX!

The administration and some members of the legislature are attempting to add up to $2.50 in taxes, fees and "surcharges" to rabies vaccinations in Tennessee. This will discourage many people from having their pets vaccinated and put many more pets and people at risk of being bitten by an unvaccinated animal. It would increase the incidence of rabies bites in the state. This is a public health and safety issue.

We need as many people as possible to call the members of the committees who are hearing these twin bills this week, HB 3834 and SB 3850. Below you'll find the committees hearing the bills and the phone numbers for the committee members. PLEASE make phone calls before Tuesday, April 27. Tell the committee members to vote NO on these rabies taxes!

You don't have to be a TN resident to call. If you drive through TN, visit for dog events, or might be thinking of taking a vacation in TN this bill affects you, too! Low rabies compliance in the state affects everyone.

Thanks.

PLEASE CROSSPOST WIDELY

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 Health & Human Resources Committee

Rep. Joe Armstrong, Chair - 615-741-0768,

rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Joey Hensley, Vice-Chair - 615-741-7476,

rep.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Joanne Favors, Secretary - 615-741-2702,

rep.joanne.favors@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Charles Curtiss - 615-741-1963, rep.charles.curtiss@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Vince Dean - 615-741-1934, rep.vince.dean@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. John DeBerry - 615-741-2239, rep.john.deberry@capitol.tn.gov

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

Rep. Vance Dennis - 615-741-2190, rep.vance.dennis@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Joshua Evans - 615-741-2860, rep.joshua.evans@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Dennis Ferguson - 615-741-7658, rep.dennis.ferguson@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Henry Fincher - 615-741-1875, rep.henry.fincher@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Dale Ford - 615-741-1717, rep.dale.ford@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Curtis Halford - 615-741-7478, rep.curtis.halford@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Mike Harrision - 615-741-7480, rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Sherry Jones - 615-741-2035, rep.sherry.jones@capitol.tn.gov

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

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

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

Rep. Mary Pruitt - 615-741-3853, rep.mary.pruitt@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Bob Ramsey - 615-741-3560, rep.bob.ramsey@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Barrett Rich - 615-741-6890, rep.barrett.rich@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Jeanne Richardson - 615-741-2010,

rep.jeanne.richardson@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. David Shepard - 615-741-3513, rep.david.shepard@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Tony Shipley - 615-741-2886, rep.tony.shipley@capitol.tn.gov

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

Rep. Mark White - 615-741-4415, rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov

Tennessee TAX on Pet Vaccinations

Here is the latest information on SB 3850/HB 3834 in the Tennessee legislature. This bill has taken on a life of its own. Right now we don't know how much the state of Tennessee could end up tacking on to the cost of a rabies vaccination. The bill is still in committee so it hasn't passed yet.

From a friend with some inside information:

This started as a bill to increase from three days to five days, the amount of time an owner has to legally claim a dog or cat that is not wearing a vaccination tag or other identification, before the dog or cat may be adopted or destroyed.

The original bill has an unfavorable fiscal note (and little to no chance of passage), but an amendment has been filed that substitutes and replaces the original bill. This amendment has morphed the bill into something completely different.

If the bill passes, they will be raising the cost of rabies certificates in order to fund the state's rabies licensing program through fees rather than using money from the state's general fund. According to the revised fiscal note, this plan is already reflected in the Governor’s FY10-11 Recommended Budget, and the added fee will amount to $1 per registration.

According to an outside source, there is some pressure to add a further 25 to 50 cents onto the fee to pay for spay neuter programs.

The TVMA is OPPOSED to the bill (as amended), but momentum appears to be on the side of the amended bill passing. Why wouldn't it pass: it is projected to increase state revenue by $1 million and decrease state expenditures (from the general fund) by $1 million.

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