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

Defeat EATS Coalition Fights On: 5/28/24 Update

Margo Miller, board secretary, is AFA’s representative to the nation-wide coalition. Here’s her report. On May 21, 2024, House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson introduced H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, which was slated … 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

Lunch + Legislation: Alicia Prygoski on Strategic Legislation (Part I)

The purpose of Lunch + Legislation is to think strategically about legislation, through a series of guests who provide insight into the process. We are so pleased to welcome Alicia for Part I of a 2-part series (she’ll join us … Continued

Lunch + Legislation: Sen. Dayna Polehanki on #MILeg Bills to Watch in 2024

We welcomed Sen. Polehanki to start off the year with a discussion of three bills pending in the Michigan Legislature which re-convenes on Jan. 10, one that passed last year, and some ideas for future legislation. She talked about Teddy’s … Continued

Endangered Species Act: Happy 50th Birthday at a Pivotal Moment

The Act reflects our democracy Zygmunt Plater, environmental law professor, Boston College, quoted in “50 years ago, Democrats and Republicans agreed to protect endangered species”Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, December 28, 2023 President Richard Nixon signed the ESA into law 50 … Continued