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Lobbying 101...For the Animals

February 27, 2007, 12:0AM MT

By Karol Dellit

Story and photos by Karol Dellit, Best Friends Animal Society

Story and photos by Karol Dellit, Best Friends Animal Society

Entering the state capitol is a daunting and intimidating task for a newbie. People have set up shop to sell one thing or another to the powers that be. The capitol rotunda was swarming with people on phones, the media, special interest groups, people dressed in their Sunday best and looking important.

Pictured above is Mary Jane Garcia, the bill’s sponsor.

The New Mexico State Capitol is a beautiful place. Located in downtown Santa Fe, the architecture is territorial and Neoclassical, the interior is bright, yet rich and contemporary. It was built to emulate the Zia Sun Symbol, our state’s emblem. This is a sacred symbol to the Zia Indians, meant to represent the four points of the compass; the four seasons of the year; the four periods of each day; and the four seasons of life. In stark contrast, the Capitol’s bowels are dark and foreboding to someone who’s never navigated around the Senate and House of Representatives.

Randi Bildner, the Pit Stop creator/editor and Best Friends staff member, and I took our seats in the center of the rotunda. Bustling teens in matching shirts, from a previous news conference, sat around us. We waited for OUR news conference about Senate Bill 10 – Cockfighting Ban, featuring Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Mary Jane Garcia (the bill’s sponsor) and others. This bill has been in play for nearly 18 years. Its time has come.

Gov. Richardson was introduced by Lisa, a lobbyist with Animal Protection Voters, a non-profit activist group based in New Mexico. Gov. Richardson spoke briefly and warmly about his commitment to see the ban of this cruel “sport.” He was the consummate politician, yet one could see his intent is for the ban, no matter what his political motives are.

Pictured, Gov. Bill Richardson

Sen. Garcia was the second speaker who spoke of her passion for seeing the end of animal cruelty. She is the Democrat representative of the rural county of Doña Ana and sees the plight of animals in this state on a regular basis. Sen. Garcia is also a cosponsor on Senate Bill 122 and House Bill 227, the Animal Sheltering Services Act. These bills are crucial because their motive is to create some uniformity in the animal shelter industry. New Mexico’s shelters can range from state-of-the art to barely having a budget for food, water dishes, tarps and fencing. These bills also want to mandate regular training for shelter staff, especially for those involved in “kill facilities,” as there have been may botched euthanasia attempts and terrible stress and pain involving the animals undergoing the procedure. Sen. Garcia is a very compassionate person and wants to see the state’s animals treated to more humane methods. The issue of spay and neuter was echoed by each speaker.

Another bill being presented is House Memorial Bill 19, which is a bill that is making its introductory rounds to see if it will play out as a bona fide bill in the future – this bill is essentially a study in chaining. Those of us active in the animal field understand the obvious need for such regulation; but, the powers that be need presented with facts, studies and statistics. So, the process begins. We’re still a far cry from “preaching to the choir.”

Pictured, the side of Timber’s vest – a commentary on chaining.

Timber, a shepherd mix was led in to meet the key speakers at the news conference. He represented House Memorial Bill 19, as a rescued dog who lived on the end of a chain and has been rehabilitated. It was a very strong reminder to many of the attendees about what was needed to be done, as many times people respond strongly to the presence of a pet. Timber received many accolades, pets and kisses – even from Gov. Richardson. Randi had the opportunity to interview Timber and his person. This article will also be written and posted on the New Mexico Network.

The news conference was extremely brief, as one may expect. It was a quick few sound bites, with some cheers and polite applause. Here’s where our job kicked in. Randi and I needed some hand-holding and our mentors from HSUS and Animal Protection Voters armed us with names, room numbers, maps and we had a guide help us navigate the labyrinth of the House and Senate offices. We were also quickly learning the appropriate protocol for calling someone out of session. This lobbying stuff is laborious, difficult and one must be extremely patient, tactful, well-researched and well-spoken. We felt like two kids on a field trip -- a very intimidating field trip.

During our quick tour of the Capitol, we were introduced to the gallery, which was located on the second floor. Both the House and Senate chambers have viewing areas above them. It looks like a balcony to a theater. One can look upon sessions, hearings and debates.

Pictured, the APV information table.

Our first stop was recommended to us by APV and HSUS, as they wanted for us to speak directly to the law makers in our own district. Rep. Rhonda King, a Democrat from Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance counties, was our home representative. We heard she was an animal lover and one to speak with. Randi passed a note to the Sgt. At Arms and we waited nearly half an hour for her to make an appearance. We decided to head to our next appointment with Sen. Phil Griego (a Democrat representing Bernalillo, Los Alamos, Sandoval, Santa Miguel, Santa Fe and Torrance counties). As we turned and headed down the hallway, the Sgt. At Arms told us that Rep King had come out to meet us. We hurried back and passed her another note. She came back out to speak with us a few minutes later. She was a lovely, warm woman who said she was committed to the cockfighting ban and would vote on behalf of the bill.

During the wait I was listening to conversations and watching others pass notes to their representatives. There were so many special interest groups. I had to wonder what went through the minds and hearts of these law makers. It was my hope they were sincere. I also saw why government took forever to get anything done. There were endless committees, studies, debates and stages for bills to become laws. It gave me a deeper respect for the process, as it were.

Randi and I headed to the Senate side of the Capitol in search of Sen. Griego. Evidently, he was speaking. An abrupt Sgt. At Arms told us he was not there, in error. We traveled up to the 3rd floor to find his office and to see if he could be located there. Randi spoke with his receptionist for awhile and they were listening to him speak over a monitor by her desk. She didn’t know when he’d be available. We were unable to speak with him.

Pictured, a tired Timber

This was our day spent in Lobbying 101. It was extremely interesting. The one thing I found most informative was the fact that, in New Mexico, we have very available law makers. They are always taking calls, emails and personal visits from their constituents. We were encouraged to phone and ask a law maker to lunch. They’re THAT available. I also learned, surprisingly, that they were often swayed by personal phone calls. Many people don’t feel they have a lot of power or that their call won’t make that great an impact. That is a myth in this state. I hope it’s also true other other states.

As of the writing of this piece, the cockfighting ban has nearly cleared all of its hurdles. It has one last vote and its finally law. The House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee voted for passage on Feb. 24 by a vote of 6-1. It also passed the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 26 by a vote of 9-1. This bill may reach the House floor as early as Thursday, March 1.

It doesn’t take much effort to drive a few minutes from New Mexico’s three largest cities (Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces) to see just exactly what is going on here. It is a cultural mine field to launch into right and wrong, as so many of us have been raised elsewhere and with such different values when it comes to what animals are and what they deserve with regard to quality of life issues. They key is education and we are in the beginning stages of that process. We are very hopeful of its positive impact.

There has been a long-standing argument that cockfighting is a cultural issue amongst Hispanics. There’s also the urban vs. rural argument, for what that accomplishes. This mindset is changing, slowly. There is no convincing some people of the real issue: animal cruelty. It’s a very lucrative business. That seems to be the REAL issue. People’s sole lively-hoods consist of raising and fighting game cocks. Someone, over the course of the lobby, mentioned to me an alternative spin is public safety. If you can’t sell a politician on the issue of animal welfare, then sell them on public safety. When you have fighting events set up and you can be very sure illegal gambling, gangs, alcohol, drugs and guns are available. Yet, the proponents of fighting insist it’s a “family tradition.” Families bring their young children to see these birds strap on razors and literally shred their opponents to pieces. The loser ends up as dinner.

Pictured, a magical New Mexico dusk.

New Mexico is a very poor state with many, many socioeconomic issues. Its demographic is closely an equal mix of Hispanics and Anglos, with very small percentages of Black, Asian, Native American and others. The areas outside of the main cities are primarily impoverished Hispanic and Native American people. The educational system is extremely poor with nearly a 60 percent drop-out rate in some areas; the domestic violence, alcoholism and drug rates are epidemic. With these social woes, animals rank close to the bottom of the issues. So, it’s incredibly difficult to lobby for someone’s sympathetic ear when these other things are so pressing and urgent. But, thanks to the growing awareness and persistence through law makers, activist groups, media, networking and so forth, the animals are becoming important here.

So, as the Indian skies melt over the mesas with the last light of the sun in this “Land of Enchantment,” tradition or not, we can be completely certain the politicos of this great state are beginning to wake up and smell the chile. With this forward movement in leadership, one can only hope its people will take it to heart.

My special, heart-felt thanks goes out to Randi (randilee), who braved the process with me and whose input and kind editorial assistance helped a lot. -- Karol (bullydog)

Comments

Posted March 01, 2007, 7:53PM by ruthy92

There's also the important issue that- bird fighters & dog fighters don't pay taxes on all that money!!

They don't contribute to the community. In fact, they TAKE. That's it.

But keep in mind that pet profiteers of every persuasion are very willing to fight dirty.

They are willing to lie, spread rumors, and hurt others in their quest to fight anti-cruelty legislation.

And yes, money is at the heart of their activities.

One tactic is to label those in animal welfare as "terrorists" and smear people who love animals.

Suggestion- don't put up with that for a second!!

It's a desperate tactic to keep the animal cruelty businesses alive.

Get to know the ringleaders- their writings, their activities, their allies.

Posted March 02, 2007, 12:24PM by bullydog

Thanks ruthy92. That was also a comment I wanted to put into the article at its inception - regarding taxes. I'm pretty sure these people don't enter: Animal Fighting as their occupation on their 1099's. Also, an interesting bit of info: one of the researchers mentioned to me that some of these people can see more than $100,000 prize in a single fight. When you don't want to get a "real" job, why not? Who wouldn't want to sell their soul for several hundred thousand tax-free bucks a year? Not me. I'd rather sleep at night.

Posted February 27, 2007, 11:6PM by cattees

This is very promising - thank you for attending and providing this informative update!

Posted February 28, 2007, 1:50PM by rmlamasney25

Excellent article, Karol. Thank you for your efforts for the animals and for this well written and crucially important information.

Timber, you are a top-notch ambassador and a real love.

Posted February 28, 2007, 2:45PM by laura

Great article!! So much information and a real look at the workings of a legislature.

Click here for information on how you can contact your New Mexico legislator and call or write and urge him or her to vote yes on S.B. 10 and ban cockfighting in New Mexico! It's time New Mexico joined the other 48 states which have banned this blood sport!

http://network.bestfriends.org/animallawcoalition/news/12242.html

Posted February 28, 2007, 8:32AM by katmac

"Wearing their Sunday best" - excellent! Dressing professionally can make a real difference in this arena.

Lobbying for the animals is critical, so kudos!

Posted February 28, 2007, 9:32PM by kathy_g

Great info, Karol...:-)
A huge thanks to both you and Randi for braving the process!

Posted February 28, 2007, 10:33PM by thedoggirl

Great article! Thank you for sharing your experiences dealing with the legislative process. This is probably the most enlightening and useful article I"ve read on the topic. Thank you!