MEDIA ALERT
SB 56 to ban gas chamber euthanasia scheduled in Senate Committee
WHAT: SB 56 – Animal Shelter Amendments sponsored by Sen. Peter C. Knudson (R) is on the agenda to be heard by the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Standing Committee Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in room 415 at the State Capitol.
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.
SB 56 is third on the agenda
WHO: Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Standing Committee
WHERE: Utah State Capitol, room 415
350 North State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
WHY: For the third year in a row, this bill seeks to remove gas chambers and ban their use for companion animal and wildlife euthanasia in animal shelters. Euthanasia by injection (EBI) is the preferred and humane method used by the majority of Utah shelters. EBI is safer for employees, painless for animals, faster and less expensive than CO gas chambers. Utah is one of four remaining states in the U.S. where gas chambers exist. Out of 57 known animal shelters, only seven still use a gas chamber.
Media Contact: Deann Shepherd: cell 801-747-9136, deann@utahhumane.org
About the Humane Society of Utah
The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the HSU has been sheltering abandoned animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals across the state. As an open-admissions shelter, the doors are always open for any animal we can legally accept. The HSU is a member of the No-Kill Utah Coalition and works hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters the facility will be placed into a loving home. In 2016, 11,019 pets received positive outcomes, and we maintained no-kill standards for both cats and dogs. The Humane Society of Utah is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization that does not receive any tax dollars or government funding and is not a branch of any national organization. We are solely funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations in our community. Read more about the HSU online at utahhumane.org.
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MEDIA ALERT
Animal advocates lobby Utah lawmakers to ban the gas chamber
WHAT: Utah residents participating in Humane Lobby Day 2017 will meet with lawmakers to lobby for better animal welfare laws and learn about current issues. Attendees will be supporting S.B. 56 – Animal Shelter Amendments to ban gas chamber euthanasia in animal shelters and S.B. 136 Animal Shelter Revisions to better define shelter for dogs in extreme weather. The Humane Society of Utah and Humane Society of the United States are jointly supporting Humane Lobby Day.
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017
10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Group photo, appointments with legislators
WHO: Utah constituents will have the opportunity to meet with their Senators.
WHERE: Utah State Capitol Rotunda
350 North State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
WHY: Euthanasia by injection is less expensive, faster, painless and safer for personnel than the use of gas chambers. Utah is one of four states in the U.S. that still uses gas chambers for euthanasia of shelter animals. Also, under current Utah state code, there is no definition of what shelter means for dogs in extreme weather. Utah residents will learn about other current animal welfare issues and meet with their state legislators to discuss why these issues are important to them.
Media
Contact: Deann Shepherd: cell 801-747-9136, deann@utahhumane.org
Media Note: Group photo opportunity at 10:30 a.m. on the West steps of the Capitol.
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New Poll: Utahns Split on Income Tax Initiative
(Utah) – A new Utah survey of likely 2018 general election voters regarding an effort to increase the state income tax was released today. The survey showed a split electorate on the potential ballot initiative being pushed by 'Our Schools Now.' The survey also asked several additional questions informing participants of the financial ramifications of the tax increase, as well as a question about possible alternatives to raising the state income tax. The Trafalgar Group (TFG), recognized for having the best polling in the 2016 battleground states and electoral college projection, conducted the poll from January 31st through February 3rd. The survey was commissioned by the Libertas Institute and the Utah chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP).
The first question, phrased in the same manner as previously commissioned polls, showed that 50% of likely voters support the initiative, with 45% against.
On questions 2 and 3, when participants were informed of the effective percentage increase of about 20%, leading the average Utah family to pay $900 more a year, support for the initiative wanes significantly. Specifically, over 50% of those who initially indicated support for the initiative said they were less likely to support based on the 20% increase. Nearly 60% of those who initially indicated support for the initiative, said they were less likely to support based on the additional $900 in state income tax per year.
Participants were virtually even on question 4, with support not changing when informed that Utah is last in per student spending. Over 45% of participants opposed all alternative proposals for tax increases conveyed in question 5, with increasing the gas tax being the most chosen, at 16%.
TFG surveyed over 1,050 likely 2018 general election voters using a random sample of registered voters in Utah. The margin of error is +/- 2.98.
Commenting on the survey, TFG Senior Strategist Robert Cahaly said, "Like most issues, public opinion reveals itself based on the presentation of the question. When presented with a single digit fraction the income tax seems insignificant, but when the true cost of the tax increase is revealed there is a major opinion shift."
Cahaly also stated, "The question on cost per student affirms that in the abstract the public is willing to consider additional education support. This poll demonstrates that most Utahns share the current American consensus opinion on spending and taxes: 'We want everything considered important to be well funded and we don't want to pay more in taxes to make it happen.'"
Cahaly concluded, "Republican legislators should pay particular attention to the warning these results provide. Republican voter's opposition to raising income taxes is significant. Supporting this proposal could create difficult primaries and/or miserable caucuses/conventions."
The Trafalgar Group is widely recognized as the best polling firm of the 2016 election cycle, correctly forecasting the results in key battleground and other states (PA, FL, NC, MI, OH, CO, GA) and exactly predicting the Trump electoral college margin of victory (306-232). The results and information of their polls have been featured in thousands of US and global news stories, television networks, and high-profile polling websites like Real Clear Politics.
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Editor’s note: Full report, including methodology can be found at the link below.
Click here for the Full Poll Report
