Blog: Way to go, Connecticut! Veterinary tax proposal defeated

A few weeks ago I highlighted a battle in the Connecticut state legislature over a sudden plan to add a 6 percent sales tax on veterinary services. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) took the lead in opposing this bad idea (SB 946), and I urged folks to help the cause.

Hats off to Executive Director Betsy Grenier and the CVMA team as they convinced the Connecticut Legislature to back down. Each year one or two states look to expand state revenues on the backs of pet owners and small animal veterinarians, and so far the profession has defeated each initiative: California, Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota and now Connecticut.

What this proves is that veterinarians can be effective in political arenas, with credit to state veterinary medical associations and industry. The same may be said for the American Veterianry Medical Association and industry in five years of successful battles with big box retailers in Congress over pet medications. It's no time to relax, but it is time to celebrate another win.

Mark Cushing, JD, is founding partner of the Animal Policy Group, providing government relations and strategic services for various animal health, veterinary and educational interests. He maintains offices in Portland, Ore., and Washington, D.C., and is a frequent speaker at veterinary conferences.