From: Dropfred13@aol.com [mailto:Dropfred13@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 2:16 AM
10/30/2009
To: All within reading distance......
From:
Linda D. Witouski & Ken Sondej,
owners - the Monthly National Legislation Report, an IRS 527 PAC.
Greetings to All !
We have received numerous emails regarding the "Happy Act", i.e. HR3501, asking for our thoughts. We ask that you consider the below prior to signing any petition in support of this bill.
HR3501, although appearing to be very appealing and beneficial to breeders and animal owners, should be opposed.
It is of our opinion that this bill does exactly what it was intended to do. To draw in unsuspecting breeders who believe they are getting a "break" and it is being done exactly in the style to which we who work legislation are accustomed to seeing, or should be accustomed to seeing, by now.
Those who believe this is a 'good thing' should stop and reconsider how bills are amended as they make their way through Congress. Although some feel it worthy of support as currently written, consideration needs to be given regarding the amendments that HSUS could/would add that most likely will end up not benefiting breeders at all, rather, it could/would be more detrimental to your rights to own animals in the end. This is not an unfamiliar tactic in politics, as many of you more experienced in the legislative arena are aware - gain the support of the opposition with some "feel good" legislation, amend, amend, amend - and then advise Congress that it was "what everybody wanted." If you sign on to it in the beginning, you have no defense - you signed up to support it and your signature on any petition will be proof positive.
Everybody should be aware by now that the HSUS is looking at taxes that are not being collected from breeders, as evidenced in the not so long ago Indiana confiscation in which back taxes surpassed $130,000. No better way could possibly exist in tracking hobby breeders than to claim they were avoiding paying income taxes on their dogs. In order to claim deductions, you must first claim a profit, and in doing so, hobby breeders will no longer be considered as such and would then fall under other more stringent regulations, possibly causing the hobbyist to be reconsidered as a "business." In addition, there are many rural and urban areas that are not zoned for "business" and many hobby breeders will then be in the target scope and in jeopardy of losing their animals because of "zoning regulations and restrictions" in those particular areas that are not zoned for business. Professional, licensed breeders already deduct expenses. Hobbyists, by signing any petitions, would be voluntarily setting themselves up to lose their hobbyist status and would then be required to prove all expenses for their animals once they are considered as "professional breeders." While you, as a hobbyist, may gain on one level, you will surely lose on several others once your status is changed.
As "Happy" as this bill may sound, there are far too many unanswered questions when reading in between the lines and while this bill, as is currently written, appears to only entail "health care for animals", can you possibly conceive in your own mind that HSUS or any other anti animal group will leave it as is when it gives them the perfect opportunity to add to it as it makes its way through the legislation process?
Additionally, allowing (up to) a $3500. deduction also increases the potential of a dog's value. Animal rights attorneys are constantly testing the courts in this currently gray area for purposes of malpractice and emotional damages. Permitting deductions for dogs is one more step up the "they are family and should be in an elevated property status" ladder.
We fully realize that the "Happy Act", HR3501, is a "feel good" piece of nationwide legislation to unsuspecting supporters but we also realize that this bill has the potential of putting animals on the same level as humans and sets a very dangerous precedent in equating animals with the seniors, the elderly and children, who currently are permitted to have deductions taken by their caregivers. This bill creates the perfect backdrop for "guardianship."
As such, the Monthly National Legislation Report, and the organizations listed below, oppose this bill and asks that you take the time to consider all possible ramifications prior to making any decision other than opposition.
Currently, the following organizations have joined the MNLR in opposing HR3501:
SAOVA
MOFED
Nevada Animal Owners & Sportsmen - Voting Alliance
SC Animal Owners & Sportsmen Voting Coalition
SC Federation of Dog Clubs
*Note: If your organization would like to join the Opposed list, please drop an email to 4winds@viawest.net or dropfred13@aol.com
.
Read the bill here: HR3501 – The Happy Act - Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (“HAPPY”) Act
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
http://www.fund.org/press-releases/2008_endorsements_mi.html
Humane Society Legislative Fund Announces Endorsements in Michigan Congressional Races
Animal Welfare Group Will Target Rep. Joe Knollenberg in Michigan’s 9th District
WASHINGTON (Aug. 11, 2008)—Citing their leadership and support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund announced its endorsement of 11 Michigan candidates for U.S. Congress in the general election.
ENDORSEMENTS IN U.S. HOUSE RACES
DISTRICT 3: Vernon Ehlers (R)*
DISTRICT 5: Dale Kildee (D)*
DISTRICT 6: Fred Upton (R)*
DISTRICT 7: Mark Schauer (D)
DISTRICT 8: Mike Rogers (R)*
*Incumbent
DISTRICT 9: Gary Peters (D)
DISTRICT 11: Thaddeus McCotter (R)*
DISTRICT 12: Sander Levin (D)*
DISTRICT 13: Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D) *
DISTRICT 14: John Conyers, Jr. (D)*
HSUS supports HR 3501
http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/federal_legislation/companion_animals/
“We think this is as much a health care bill as any,” said Nancy Perry, vice president of government affairs at the Humane Society of the United States. “It’s a human health issue to ensure that pets are provided with better care because of the role they play in our families.”
ASPCA supports HR3501
https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2605
Humane USAcontributed to McCotter campaign
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/fec/?id=851&cycle=2007-2008
audio interview with McCotter,Starts at 6:11 minutes from beginning ...(pets are "family")
http://audio.wrko.com/m/audio/26691658/howie-and-congressman-thaddeus-mccotter.htm
Petition to support HR3501:
How would you like a $3500 tax break? PetPAC enthusiastically supports HR 3501, The HAPPY Act, which will help American families keep their pets by providing tax relief.
Please join us in signing the petition to help make this bill a law.
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) recently introduced HR 3501, entitled "Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act". This landmark legislation would permit pet owners to deduct up to $3500 from their taxable income for qualified expenses they incurred in providing care for their pets.
PetPAC believes that giving people the opportunity to deduct pet care expenses is a significant step toward ensuring that pets will receive proper health care, and will reduce the number of pets abandoned as a result of difficult economic times.
Share my video about HR 3501 with your friends and family, and ask them to help by contacting their Member of Congress. It is only through our direct action that significant change can happen. For your pets sake please join us today.
Sincerely,
Bill Hemby
Chairman
