2006-2007 Louisiana Humane Scorecard

(October 12, 2007)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) today posted its Louisiana Humane Scorecard for the 2006-2007 state legislative session at www.humanescorecard.org. The scorecard provides a snapshot of Louisiana lawmakers’ records on animal welfare policies. Lawmakers are scored on floor votes on bills and amendments addressing such issues as cockfighting, disaster preparedness for animals, Internet hunting and exotic pets.

"The Louisiana Humane Scorecard provides an easy way for constituents to assess how their state lawmakers acted on animal protection issues, and it helps chart the progress of our public policy work on behalf of animals," said Michael Markarian, president of Humane Society Legislative Fund. "In 2006 and 2007, Louisiana lawmakers passed bills to include animals in disaster planning, ban ownership of exotic pets, stop the practice of Internet hunting, and finally rid the state of legal cockfighting. The anti-cruelty laws of a state are a reflection of our basic values and attitudes toward animals, and this collection of bills is a measurable step forward for the state of Louisiana."

Highlights from the 2006-2007 Louisiana Humane Scorecard include:

• A bipartisan group of 11 Senators and 14 Representatives led the scoring.
• The average Senate score was a 77. The average House score was a 72.
• Eleven Senators scored 100 (6 Democrats, 5 Republicans). Fourteen
• Representatives scored 100 (3 Democrats, 11 Republicans).

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan: 301-548-7778, hsullivan@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. On the web at www.hslf.org.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 519 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.