Agricultural News
Oklahoma State Representative Scott Biggs Says Threats Offer Preview of State Question 777
Mon, 22 Feb 2016 18:32:28 CST
Oklahoma State Representative Scott Biggs is standing up for Oklahomans and is making some enemies in the process. A proposed law that would prohibit animal-rights organizations from raising funds in this state to spend in another state or on political campaigns has gotten the attention of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). House Bill 2250 introduced by State Representative Brian Renegar would forbid any animal-rights charitable organization, professional fund-raiser or professional solicitor engaged by such an organization, from soliciting contributions in Oklahoma for use on "program services or functional expenses outside of this state, or for political purposes inside or outside this state."
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays interviewed Oklahoma State Representative Scott Biggs. Click or tap on the LISTEN BAR below to listen to the interview.
The bill was brought up recently by the House Agriculture Committee. During the meeting, questions were asked about HSUS and what happened following the Moore tornado disaster. Biggs said HSUS was running television ads, benefit concerts and were sending emails to solicit support. He said it has been reported that HSUS raised $1.7 million and spent only $110,000 of that money on animals and shelters in Oklahoma.
"Of course those facts were embarrassing to them (HSUS), so instead of responding, they responded by way of threatening letters, with threats of lawsuits, demands that we apologize and retract statements and basically attempted to silence our voice in pursuing legislation that protects Oklahomans," Biggs said.
Biggs told House members last week that he and Representative Renegar received a letter from former Attorney General Drew Edmondson. In the letter, Edmondson said that the HSUS advertising after the Moore tornado "did not use the Moore tornado or promised relief from the Moore tornado."
Edmondson is now associated with the Oklahoma Stewardship Council, a group that will urge a "No" vote on State Question 777, the Right to Farm Constitutional amendment that will be voted on by Oklahomans in November. Edmondson also sued Attorney General Scott Pruitt when he opened an investigation into HSUS. In getting closer to the November election, Biggs said we're seen a prime example of the tactics that will be used.
"We have a constitutional protection here in Oklahoma for us as lawmakers to pursue legislation that looks to protect Oklahomans and instead of respecting that, they came in with bullying, threatening and intimidating tactics," Biggs said. "I think that exactly what we're going to see on 777. We're going to see threats of whatever in nature, bullying tactics and try to intimidate people into voting no. That's what they have done in other states and they just showed their hand this week with Dr. Renegar and myself, as to what they're going to do in the future."
Last week, Representative Scott Biggs responded to what he calls "the recent attacks of Drew Edmondson and HSUS." Click or tap here to listen to his comments on the Oklahoma House Floor.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
