Lunch + Legislation with Dan Centers, Chief of Staff to Michigan Senator Dayna Polehanki

The importance of a legislator’s staff can’t be overstated. As animal advocates, it’s important for us to develop a relationship with key staffers who have the ear of their bosses, are detail-oriented and aware of policy implications. Dan, who is … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: “Protect MI Pet”, with Ballot Initiative Advisor Tanya Hilgendorf

I don’t think people realize that often the animals are the only ones punished. Tanya Hilgendorf Earlier this year a ballot initiative campaign launched with a goal of amending the Michigan Constitution to “create a registry of convicted animal abusers … Continued

Lunch + Legislation with Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky

Today we welcomed Michigan Representative Laurie Pohutsky who is Speaker Pro Tempore of the House and Chair of its Natural Resources, Enviromental, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee. The Speaker Pro Tempore talked about her vision for the Committee as a … Continued

Lunch + Legislation with Adam Mason, ASPCA Senior Manager of Farm Animal Welfare and Environmental Policy

It’s our job [in the animal welfare movement] to make sure this bill is good for animals. Adam Mason The ASPCA’s Policy Platform, released in January 2023, is a good source of information to familiarize yourself with the 2023 Farm … Continued

The Farm Bill and Animals: Challenge and Opportunity

Every five years or so, Congress debates and passes a Farm Bill that will steer the course of farm, food, rural, nutrition, and agricultural policies in this country for half a decade. If you live in the United States, the … Continued

Sara Amundson Returns to Lunch + Legislation to Review the 117th Congress and Preview the 118th

If you were paying attention to the news recently, “dumpster fire” might be an appropriate description for the beginning of the new Congress last month. Sara has been advocating in the halls of Congress since 1988 and she has a … Continued