The Michigan Humane Society's (MHS) legislation to create a voluntary state income tax donation mechanism that could significantly inprove animal welfare in our state  (jointly introduced in the Michigan State Senate in Lansing by Senators Valde Garcia (R-Howell) and Bob Emerson (D-Flint) in December)  will soon begin moving through the Senate when they go back into session THIS WEEK on 1/24/06.

BACKGROUND & INFO. TO USE IN YOUR LETTERS

SENATE BILLS 951 & 952, are "tie-barred" since they are both needed to make the necessary changes required to create the proposed new law (i.e., one cannot be implemented without the other).  When passed, they would allow state income tax payers to either designate a portion of their state income tax refund, or make a voluntary donation, to a new interest-bearing "Companion Animal Welfare Fund" in the state Treasury.

The Treasury Dept. would invest these funds and annually transfer money from this fund to the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture (MDA), which would then make monetary grants to MDA-licensed humane society shelters and public animal control shelters, or to state-registered non-profits involved in pet sterilization and adoption.  The grants would

be used by shelters to increase the number of pets who are sterilized and adopted in our state, or to improve enforcement of local and state animal anti-cruelty laws.  Registered non-profits would receive grants to increase the number of pets who are sterilized and adopted.   THE BILLS DO NOT COST THE STATE ANY MONEY, and allow

the MDA to rely upon its already existing Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to advise and assist it with the review of requests for grant funds.  This Committee, which consists of experienced animal welfare professionals who serve on a voluntary basis (including the MHS and the Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers), has been working

within the MDA for over 20 years and is well qualified to help determine which requests should be granted.  

SBs951/952 have the potential to greatly increase the number of pets that are sterilized and adopted in our state;thereby, reducing the tragedy of unwanted and lost pets and needless euthanasia----which cost millions of public and private dollars annually.   Moreover, shelters could acquire grant funds to improve enforcement of animal anti-cruelty laws:  badly needed in our state where we have tough laws but not enough people to go out and enforce them.

Even though these bills should be relatively non-controversial, and already have the support of a majority of Senators, we cannot take anything for granted.  There are extremely conservative members of the legislature who will not regard the bills' goals to reduce unnecessary killing and to improve anti-cruelty law enforcement as important. 

Studies have shown that people who are violent toward animals are also a danger to humans. Thus, those who don't care about cruelty to animals should at least realize that such crimes are an early warning system to be taken seriously. 

THE  MHS CANNOT STRESS STRONGLY ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT THESE BILLS ARE TO US, TO SHELTERS AND NON-PROFITS AROUND OUR STATE, AND MOST  CRUCIALLY, TO THE ANIMALS THEMSELVES!   The MHS regards this as some of the most significant animal protection legislation we have ever initiated in all the decades we have worked in the State Capitol.  If we can all work hard together to get these billsquickly passed into law, and then work equally hard to publicize their existence to everyone in our state who cares about the welfare of animals, we can generate sums of donation dollars significant enough to really make a tangible,

quantifiable reduction in the number of adoptable animals being euthanized, as well as the number of cruelty cases investigated.  We would like to get these bills passed in time to meet the Treasury Dept.'s printing deadline for the 2005 state income tax forms that come out in the spring.   But without your help, this will not happen.

SHARE THIS ALERT WITH OTHERS YOU KNOW WHO CANNOT RECEIVE IT FROM US VIA EMAIL.  PLEASE PHONE OTHERS OR MAIL OTHERS COPIES OF THIS ALERT SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ALSO BE A POLITICAL VOICE FOR ANIMALS!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

As soon as you receive this ALERT: 

     1)  Contact (whether by mail, fax or email) the Chair and Members of the Senate Finance Committee

where SBs951/952 are under consideration.  (We do not advise phoning legislators unless there is a time constraint and we suggest it, or if that is the only way you are willing to make contact.  Letters sent by mail, fax or email are more effective and more welcome by overworked staffers.)   Refer to my arguments in favor of the bills above, and ask

he Chair and members of this committee to please quickly and favorably vote the bills out of committee to the full Senate for a vote.  (One of the bills' sponsors, Senator Garcia, is also on this committee but there is obviously no need to ask for his support.)

Senator Nancy Cassis (R-Novi), Chairperson, Senate Finance Committee, 305 Farnum Bldg., Lansing, MI 48909;

Fax:  517-373-0938; email:  senncassis@senate.mi.gov

Senator Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau), 905 Farnum Bldg., Lansing, MI 48909; Fax: 517-373-0741;

email: senmmcmanus@senate.mi.gov  

Senator Samuel "Buzz" Thomas (D-Detroit), 610 Farnum Bldg., Lansing, MI 48909; Fax: 517-373-5227;

mail, fax or email to your State Senator to explain the important of these bills and to ask him or her to vote in support of them when they come before them on the Senate floor.