(Aug. 22, 2008) -- By a lopsided 5-27 margin -- in which state Senators Alan Lowenthal (D., LB-Paramount) and Jenny Oropeza (D, southbay) switched their votes from "yes" to "no" when it became clear the bill would fail regardless of their votes -- the state Senate killed amended spay/neuter legislation (AB 1634) which author Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D., Van Nuys) had rewritten to apply basically to unlicensed, roaming pets.
The legislation was no longer called the "CA Healthy Pets Act"...and the American Kennel Club had (according to Assemblyman Levine's office) changed its position to "neutral" on the revised bill.
To view the amended bill text that the state Senate declined to pass, click here
To view a legislative analysis of the bill which includes arguments pro and con -- and includes a lengthy list of supporters and opponents of the measure -- click here.
LB area supporters listed in the legislative analysis included Vice Mayor Val Lerch and LB Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga, Friends of LB Animals [disclosure: a LBReport.com advertiser], Long Beach Spay & Neuter Foundation, Starlight Stepping Stones Cat Rescue, Hearts for Hounds Dog Rescue...and It's a Grind, Inc., (statewide, 30-40 locations, CA based) [LB's homegrown (now-nationwide) coffee house firm founded by husband and wife entrepreneurs, Marty Cox and Louise Montgomery].
LB area opponents listed in the analysis were the German Shepherd Dog Club of Long Beach and the LB Kennel Club.
In 2007, AB 1634 in its original (pre-amended) form was fiercely opposed by the LB Convention & Visitors Bureau and LB Area Chamber of Commerce, which feared passage (prior to revision) might prompt the AKC to make good on its threat to move its annual televised dog show out of LB (and out of CA) if the bill became law. Both groups lambasted Assemblymembers Betty Karnette (D., LB) and then-Assemblywoman Laura Richardson (D, Carson-LB) for not killing the bill outright; Karnette and Richardson voted "yes" on the original measure, allowing it to advance to the Senate for possible amendments (which were made).
During Senate floor colloquy on the amended measure, Senator Lowenthal asked if the AKC had dropped its opposition...and was told that the group had changed its position to "neutral." Sen. Lowenthal then voted "yes," as did Senator Oropeza...but when it became apparent that AB 1634 would fail by a large margin even with their "yes" votes, Senators Lowenthal and Oropeza changed their votes from "yes" to "no."
When the presiding officer asked if the Senate floor manager "moved a call" [sought additional time round up supportive votes or change minds], laughter was heard on the Senate floor...although reconsideration was officially granted.
On June 3, AB 1634's author, Assemblyman Levine, lost a Dem primary battle for a state Senate seat to former Assemblywoman Fran Pavley...and Levine is "termed out"...leaving the Assembly by November.
