For Immediate Release
Jan. 13, 2016
Animal Protection Voters
SANTA FE, N.M. – Today, Animal Protection Voters (APV) released its 2015 Scorecard, reporting on where all 112 New Mexico state legislators stand on the most critical animal protection issues facing New Mexico families and communities last year. Readers can view the 2015 Scorecard on the APV website.
In 2015, twelve state senators (29%) and twenty-seven state representatives (39%) earned perfect animal protection scores—an overall low number compared to the past decade. Still, 2015 saw some important victories for animals that directly improve the strength and health of families and communities.
“Companion animals saw increased resources and protections, thanks to the passage of a new tax form donation option to support spay/neuter services, as well as much-needed recurring funds for the Companion Animal Rescue Effort program that helps human and animal victims of domestic violence,” said Jessica Johnson, APV Chief Legislative Officer.
But wildlife protection bills hit obstacles and failed, and a look at the state House of Representatives dynamic explains why. After the 2014 general elections, leadership in the House changed hands and committees were reorganized such that all wildlife protection bills are now referred to and must pass through the House Agriculture, Water & Wildlife Committee.
“Certain powerful industrial ranching interests have fostered an anti-carnivore culture in the House, which doesn’t align with the values of wildlife enthusiasts, conservationist hunters and pragmatic small ranching families,” Johnson said. “The result was that common sense and popular measures to restrict cruel traps and poisons on public lands and to prohibit coyote killing contests were stopped dead in their tracks.”
APV also worked with a coalition of organizations to defeat a harmful anti-whistleblower bill, also known as “ag-gag” legislation, that would have hindered factory farm investigations that expose animal abuse, environmental violations and worker safety concerns – just as one did on Winchester Dairy in Dexter, N.M., in 2014.
This is the 12th year that APV has produced a Scorecard, tracking every vote in the state legislature on measures that impact the well-being of animals, including the ways that these decisions affect families and communities as whole. As in years past, the 2015 Scorecard features:
- Descriptions of APV’s 2015 legislative priorities, along with many other bills that serve to protect or harm our state’s animals – including wildlife, companion animals, equines and farmed animals – as well as the people who care about them.
- A letter from APV Executive Director Elisabeth Jennings, offering an overview of the 2015 state legislative session, highlighting the year’s biggest victories and challenges.
- Key information about how voting scores were calculated.
However, the 2015 APV Scorecard also includes new features, such as:
- Testimony highlights from our legislative champions.
- A report on Governor Susana Martinez’s track record on both legislative and regulatory animal issues.
- A review of federal legislation in Congress and where NM’s delegation stands.
As the 2016 state legislative session begins on January 19, 2016, APV hopes legislators will continue to see animals as a vital puzzle piece in the big picture of a thriving New Mexico. Johnson said, “Many animal protection measures truly help people, too – helping to address common issues like public health, food safety and tax dollar savings. That’s why animal protection should be a priority for our elected officials.”
Changing the Laws to Change Their Lives
Animal Protection Voters (APV) is a 501(c)4 organization which promotes and supports animal-friendly legislation at the local, state and federal levels; builds an effective political voice for animal advocates in New Mexico; and holds New Mexico’s elected officials accountable on animal issues.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Sara Palmer, Communications Director, APV
Cell: (505) 908-0622
Email: sara@apvnm.org
