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State Representative Jim Buchy
Voters Want Smaller
Government; So Why Don’t We Listen?
Many days have passed since Election Day, now we have had an
opportunity to reflect on the results and strategize our next steps
forward. As I traveled the district in the last few months it is
clear people want jobs, and they want smaller government that
encourages economic growth. I will work to remove the noose that
government red tape and bureaucracy have placed over our lives in this
state.
This week the Ohio House will be finalizing Senate Bill 130 known as
the “Puppy Mill Bill.” Moving control of large scale dog breeding
facilities, 9 or more litters annually, from the local level to the
state level has been a matter of discussion for many years and would
mainly impact breeders such as those in Holmes County, where the dogs
are bred and sold much like livestock through the pet industry.
As research on this bill, local dog breeders made my office aware of
the struggles new regulation would cause their businesses. In
addition, two questions were presented to experts in Columbus. 1.) Why
do we need these increased regulations? 2.) What will the costs be of
these new regulations?. An answer to both questions made it clear
the “Puppy Mill Bill” is not right for Ohioans.
As an answer to the first question; why do we need these increased
regulations? It was explained that out of state interest groups were
the major drivers for the new legislation and that the Department of
Agriculture was willing to house a new regulatory structure to appease
their concerns. This is a common trend we have witnessed in the
past year, first they opened a zoo by regulating exotic animals and now
they are gracious enough to expand government with a dog breeder
permitting program. Those involved in the industry should act with
responsibility, and Ohio’s leaders should be standing up against those
who want to destroy agriculture. We need to stop caving to their
pressure.
As an answer to the second question the funding for the program will
ideally be derived from a permitting structure for the dog
breeders. This is a tax hike on business. The Department of
Agriculture has plenty of places where costs could be cut to provide
funding for the new program if it were truly needed. Asking Ohio
businessmen and women to pay increased taxes is a step backward in this
state and we need to stop it. This is all part of a plan by
animal rights activists to end agriculture as we know it.
The “Puppy Mill Bill” is another spinoff from a 2010 agreement between
Governor Strickland, the Ohio Farm Bureau and the Humane Society of the
United States. This is a gateway to the animal rights activists
who want to harm agriculture and outlaw eating a hot dog at a
Cincinnati Bengals game. Right now its dogs and next it will be
hogs. In farm country we cannot support this movement.
Thank you for the honor of serving you as your State
Representative. In this position we must listen to your concerns
and act appropriately. The voters have made it clear we must vote
for legislation that makes Ohio jobs friendly. The “Puppy Mill
Bill” makes Ohio less jobs friendly. I will continue to work for
you and will defend our way of life in west central Ohio.
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