Every legislative session there are a few bills that really grab the public’s attention. Of all the high profile bills from last session, perhaps the most controversial for the general public (not policy or political wonks) was Lloyd Levine’s proposal to require every cat and dog in California be spayed or neutered (AB 1634). In fact, some lawmakers stated that they received more letters on this issue then any other issue debated last session. Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa humorously and effectively proved this fact during one assembly appropriations committee hearing by presenting a two-foot high stack of some of the letters his office had received opposing AB 1634.
Ultimately, despite heavy lobbying from the likes of Bob Barker, Pamela Anderson and William Shatner, the bill stalled before session ended. Mr. Levine learned the hard way that people are very protective of their four-legged companions. The bigger issue with this bill is that it—like many of the bills Mr. Levine proposes—seeks to control the lives and freedom of individual citizens. Yes, there is a problem with overcrowding in local animal shelters and we are euthanizing thousands of poor animals every year. But the answer is not taking away the freedom of citizens and their choices in owning domestic pets.
I was so outraged about this bill (my own beloved Labrador mutt was a pound puppy), that it prompted me to write to my senator, Dave Cox, and urge his opposition. I suggested that perhaps a better solution could be found—a solution that would respect the freedom of citizens while fixing (no pun intended) the problem. Well, Assemblyman George Plescia has done just that. Earlier this week he introduced a bill that would give a tax credit of 25% of the amount a pet owner pays to spay or neuter their cat or dog. This is the type of solution that will encourage citizens to be responsible pet owners, without the heavy-handed oversight of Assemblyman Levine and his cohorts. Granted, it would be nice to have a complete tax write-off for the cost of ensuring Fido and Kitty don’t have offspring, but it’s a great start.
This is the Republican way of governing: we don’t force people to give up individual freedoms in order to conform to our definition of responsibility. If there is a problem, we find a free market solution and do everything possible to protect people’s choices. Returning more of their money to taxpayers in the form of tax credits is a great incentive to help find the solution for a problem. Thank you, Assemblyman Plescia, for offering a freedom-protecting alternative to the freedom-squelching AB 1634.