On Monday, April 4, 2011, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee head from the general public comments made regarding SB958 (Relating to the regulation of dangerous wild animals).
As I have previously posted, I am against this Bill. Now here is the lastest on what happened at the meeting as told to me by various parties.
Apparently 3 speakers spoke against the Bill and Global Federation of Sanctuaries sent 10 speakers to speak for the Bill.
During the course of the hearing, changes were made to the Bill. From what I understand, American Sanctuary Association was removed from the proposed Bill, leaving Global Federation of Sancturies as the only accreditation agency on the Bill.
You may recall in a previous email posted to this blog, this is exactly what Global was working towards--the removal of ASA from the Bill. Global wants to be the only accredidation in Texas.
So now I need to address this issue for Global should NOT be the only accreditation in Texas for the most obvious reason which I shall reiterate in my letter to the Committee.
Before I wrote the letter, I thought it prudent to see what 990s were on file with Guidestar and to learn if there were any directors from IFAW sitting on Global's Board of Directors.
IFAW was on time, filing its 2009 990 (tax return). On a personal note, I was amazed at how much goes towards salaries and lobby groups! According to the 2009 990, $20,000 went to the WAO for "support for operation costs."
Interesting enough, Global is late turning in its 990 for 2009 and wouldn't you know, Ian Robinson from IFAW, is a GFAS Director. Surprise, surprise. Patty Finch was listed as GFAS' Executive Director earning less than $16,000 in 2008. Should be interesting to see how much she made in 2009 (if its ever posted to Guidestar).
Oh, and the WAO has NOT filed it 2009 990 yet either. Another big whoop.
Later: Here's my analysis of SB958 which I sent out to various interested parties:
Later: Here's my analysis of SB958 which I sent out to various interested parties:
From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Fri, April 8, 2011 11:23:19 AM
Subject: SB 958 - Save TX Sanctuaries from "Animal Politics!"
Greetings Everyone:
As you may have heard, the Texas Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee held a public hearing regarding SB958. Sadly, this Bill is still alive and well at this time, unless something is done to stop it in its track. From what I understand, only 3 people spoke out against the Bill and GFAS had its lobbing group there to speak in favor of the Bill.
Please see the attached analysis as there was, yet again, another change made to the proposed SB 958.
You have my permission to cross post this analysis to other wild animal sanctuaries in Texas and don't forget to include their out-of-state friends. Encourage your folks to write either emails or send faxes to the Committee and its author, requesting they vote NO to SB958.
Texas animals need your help now to defeat this "animal political" Bill.
Kindest Regards,
Kristina Brunner
SB 958 Bill Information:
Texas Senate
Attention: Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910
Sen. Craig Estes (Chair)
Sen. Carlos Uresti (Vice Chair)
Sen. Glenn Hegar (Member)
Sen. Juan Hinojosa (Member)
Sen. Mike Jackson (Member)
Fax number to Committee: 512.463.8874
Email addresses of the Committee: Craig.Estes@senate.state.tx.us; Carlos.Uresti@senate.state.tx.us; Glenn.Hegar@senate.state.tx.us; Juan.Hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us; Mike.Jackson@senate.state.tx.us
Author of Bill: Senator jeff.wentworth@senate.state.tx.us
For Committee bill text and its analysis, see:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=SB958
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