Lunch + Legislation: Kara Shannon, Director of Farm Animal Welfare Policy, ASPCA, “Farm Bill Update”

A massive piece of legislation that dictates what our public dollars are going to support in agriculture. It’s… our opportunity — instead of propping up factory farming (which…has been done for decades) to…seeing those billions of dollars… supporting meaningfully higher … Continued

Focusing on the Farm Bill

Image: Scott Bayer, USDA “The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. It provides an opportunity for policymakers to comprehensively and periodically address agricultural and food issues.”[i] This massive piece of … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: Rep. Veronica Paiz and How Bills Evolve to Focus on Service Animals, Artist as Advocate

Something that would have people more mindful, more considerate of their behavior or actions … Rep. Veronica Paiz, Lunch + Legislation, Saturday, June 8, 2024 Rep. Paiz spoke of HB 5525, a bill that would create civil liability for death … Continued

The 102nd #6: Lonely in Lansing

This edition of the 102nd will answer the burning question: “why is Lansing so lonely the week of Memorial Day?” Here’s a hint: “why is Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel so crowded this week?” The Mackinac Policy Conference sponsored by the … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: Rep. Stephanie Young, Including Animals in Sentencing Guidelines

We welcome Rep. Young, who represents the 16th District in the Michigan House, to talk about the importance of the bill package she is leading, to put animals into the picture when judges are sentencing defendants who have been convicted … Continued

The 102nd #5: “It’s Always Something”

A tip of the hat for Detroiter Gilda Radner who inspired the title of today’s post. But the expression perfectly captures the way it’s been for animal-friendly legislation moving (or not) in this session of the legislature. The Democratic trifecta … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: Cheryl Ruble, MD: Becoming an Advocate and Challenging CAFOs

I focus on challenging industrial agriculture, particularly CAFOs. I pretty much work full-time doing this. Cheryl Ruble, MD, Lunch + Legislation, April 1, 2024 Ten years ago, Cheryl had a different full-time job. She was working as a physician, practicing … Continued

Alicia Prygoski: Strategic Legislation (Part II): How You Can Be a More Effective Animal Advocate

Alicia returns for another L+L. In February, she gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the strategy that leads to successful animal advocacy at federal, state and local level. Today’s focus is on how individual animal advocates or members of a … Continued