|
|
|
Before the legislative session, I was approached by members of the South Kansas Kennel club, who are constituents in my district, about introducing a bill that would make the Cairn Terrier the State Dog of Kansas. I have also received communications from first grade classes who are writing letters and making pictures in regard to the issue. For these classes, the issue has become a learning experience about how the Legislature works.
While I have received many positive letters of support, I have received a few letters criticizing me for “wasting legislative time” when we should be discussing more important issues. I have even received a letter from PETA demanding that I immediately withdraw the Cairn Terrier legislation because it would, in their opinion, cause the proliferation of puppy mills and the mistreatment of small breed dogs. I believe the cause-effect relationship in PETA’s argument to be tenuous if not nonexistent as are many of their arguments in regard to agriculture. I do not intend to withdraw the legislation. At this point, I have simply introduced the bill. If the issue follows true-to-form, it should waste little legislative time.
I have not once sought publicity for the issue, even though it has now received national attention as a human-interest story. No doubt, the issue will be used in the upcoming election to argue that I do not focus on important legislative issues. Before voters believe that, they might consult retirees, persons in education, members of the disability community, veterans, senior citizens, and the business community. I believe people know that my efforts in the Legislature are more than just about a simple bill for a group of constituents. This is not the only issue I am supporting this year. I have helped introduce and continue to support many bills that would benefit Kansas, residents. One example is a bill that would give financial incentives to small business when they create new jobs, HB 2547.
The state dog bill does not hurt anyone, does not create increased spending, increased unemployment, raise taxes, or discriminate against anyone, which is more than I can say for many bills now in committee in the House. I hope people understand, the bill was only an effort to help people who are my constituents. I believe that is my job.
– Ed Trimmer, Kansas State Representive, 78th District
Before the legislative session, I was approached by members of the South Kansas Kennel club, who are constituents in my district, about introducing a bill that would make the Cairn Terrier the State Dog of Kansas. I have also received communications from first grade classes who are writing letters and making pictures in regard to the issue. For these classes, the issue has become a learning experience about how the Legislature works.
While I have received many positive letters of support, I have received a few letters criticizing me for “wasting legislative time” when we should be discussing more important issues. I have even received a letter from PETA demanding that I immediately withdraw the Cairn Terrier legislation because it would, in their opinion, cause the proliferation of puppy mills and the mistreatment of small breed dogs. I believe the cause-effect relationship in PETA’s argument to be tenuous if not nonexistent as are many of their arguments in regard to agriculture. I do not intend to withdraw the legislation. At this point, I have simply introduced the bill. If the issue follows true-to-form, it should waste little legislative time.
I have not once sought publicity for the issue, even though it has now received national attention as a human-interest story. No doubt, the issue will be used in the upcoming election to argue that I do not focus on important legislative issues. Before voters believe that, they might consult retirees, persons in education, members of the disability community, veterans, senior citizens, and the business community. I believe people know that my efforts in the Legislature are more than just about a simple bill for a group of constituents. This is not the only issue I am supporting this year. I have helped introduce and continue to support many bills that would benefit Kansas, residents. One example is a bill that would give financial incentives to small business when they create new jobs, HB 2547.
The state dog bill does not hurt anyone, does not create increased spending, increased unemployment, raise taxes, or discriminate against anyone, which is more than I can say for many bills now in committee in the House. I hope people understand, the bill was only an effort to help people who are my constituents. I believe that is my job.
– Ed Trimmer, Kansas State Representive, 78th District
