Lunch + Legislation with Dayna Polehanki, Michigan State Senate

Legislators can introduce, sponsor, co-sponsor and vote on bills. Sen. Polehanki demonstrates that our elected officials have other tools and opportunities to advocate. View the video which includes many insights into the way the Senate works, and why she advocates … Continued

Lunch + Legislation with Ann Griffin, Michigan Humane’s Director of Advocacy

Today we welcomed Ann Griffin who has a wealth of knowledge about Michigan legislation. She gave us insight on working with a lobbyist, how animal welfare organizations can get involved with policy and legislation, and how individuals can do the … Continued

Lunch + Legislation #19: What’s Up With … Rep. Tommy Brann’s Animal Welfare Bills (and there are many to talk about!)  

Thanks to Rep. Tommy Brann, Michigan House of Representatives, for joining us to talk about his animal welfare bills now pending in the Michigan Legislature. He encouraged advocates to contact their elected officials with bill ideas and gave specific actions … Continued

Lunch + Legislation #17: Join Rep. Sowerby in What’s Up With … Testifying at a Committee Hearing

This month we were joined by special guest, Michigan State Representative Bill Sowerby. He provides invaluable insight into giving effective testimony at these hearings and how to handle questions from legislators who don’t share your point of view. Rep. Sowerby … Continued

“Deer and Wolves and Bobcats, Oh My!”: UPDATE

Timing is everything, and within hours of posting this article, important news broke. The US Fish & Wildlife Service order removing gray wolves from Endangered Species Act listing was “vacated” by US District Judge Jeffrey S. White, meaning that gray … Continued

Who Can Speak About Wolves?

Very few people indeed, if you listen to some in the Michigan Legislature and other pro-hunt proponents. Some members of the Michigan Legislature who represent the Upper Peninsula, joined by a number of their colleagues “Under the Bridge”, have long … Continued

Lunch + Legislation #15: What’s Up With … Redistricting (and how animal advocates can use it)

We’re starting the year with a discussion of a very important and topical issue from a different perspective. In Michigan and around the country, maps for Congressional and state district boundaries are being re-drawn, and will impact who gets elected … Continued

So … What’s the Rush?

We’ve scratched our heads and asked this question several times over years of following the Michigan Legislature; but lately we’ve seen more and more of this tactic. Those of you who work on legislative matters know that things can happen … Continued