This Kansas Legislation, introduced in the House as Bill #2055, needs your support! You can either: Fill out the form and click the submit button below, or; Copy the letter of support, print it and send or fax the letter to your legislator. You can find out who your legislators are by clicking here to find your Kansas Legislators. Please do this for each of your legislators, House and Senate!You MUST select a legislator to send this message to! You MUST also supply your contact information! (Phone numbers are OPTIONAL!) Thank You!
You can read the entire bill by clicking here (.pdf format).
Select your Kansas Legislator (select one, either Representative or Senator) to send this letter to:
I am writing you to ask your support of HB #2055. The common bond among all horse owners is that they have a genuine desire to see the industry grow in Kansas. Kansas ranks 21st in number of horses by state with a horse population of 178,651. Based on the 1996 equine survey, Kansas has 28,000 equine operations and employs 2,340 workers using over 944,00 acres with asset values (equine on hand, land, fences, buildings, vehicles, equipment, tack and feed and supplies) of over $1 billion dollars. Kansas is the home to 93 stables, 116 equine organizations and 115 4-H clubs.
A big part of the equine industry in Kansas is the racing industry. There are over 7000 horses associated with the racing industry with a direct economic impact of $103 million. The total economic impact in Kansas is over $375 million. Kansas has been a leading state in the production of racehorses, ranking in the top ten nationally.
Despite our thriving past, the racing industry in Kansas is suffering. Lack of funding to support the industry has led breeders to move their operations to other states. Lack of funding has caused individuals to take their racehorses to other states where they have the chance to make more money. Our racing industry in Kansas is failing at an alarming rate and cannot continue on this current path.
The Kansas Horse Council endorses HB 2055. The positive ramifications of passing this bill for the good of the horse industry are astounding. Not only would this revive the racing industry, it will support the entire horse population in Kansas. It would allow funding for:
1. Therapeutic riding centers 2. Equine rescue centers 3. Public education 4. Tourism and event promotion 5. Seminars and clinics 6. Trail development 7. Scholarships for continued equine education 8. Research and development
These are just a few areas where money allocated to an equine industry research and promotion fund could support. This money would be generated by HB 2055.
I support HB 2055 due to the benefits and economic impact that this represents to the growth of the equine industry in Kansas.
I am asking that you support this bill and vote Yes for the equine industry in Kansas.
Please add your own comments:
Sincerely,
A copy of this e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address you provide.
