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

Help Put Farm System Reform into the Farm Bill

It’s been said that the Farm Bill should be called “The Food Bill” because not everyone farms, but everyone eats. It’s misleading to call it the “Farm” Bill because most people do not think of CAFOs (factory farms) when they … 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

“The 102nd”: Following the Michigan Legislature 2023-2024, #2 — A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Governor’s State of the State Speech

It’s the Governor’s big night (and a speech required by the state constitution[1]) but that doesn’t mean the legislature has no role to play. The Governor speaks before a joint session of the legislature in the House Chamber of the … Continued

“The 102nd”: Following the Michigan Legislature 2023-2024, #1 — Committees Formed

Our goal is to provide up-to-date and practical information for animal advocates. Our resources are easily accessible and aren’t found elsewhere. With the beginning of the new Michigan Legislature, we begin The 102nd, a series of posts to give you … Continued

Lunch + Legislation with Lobbyists Kirk Profit and Samantha Zandee, Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.

January 2023 marks the beginning of a new Michigan Legislature session. Who better to review the last session and preview this brand new one than Kirk and Samantha with Lansing-based GCSI. This episode marks the first time we’ve had a … Continued

Important Themes in Animal Law and Policy: 2022 Annual List

We’ve been doing these lists since 2015 and it’s become something of an annual tradition. But it’s also important for animal advocates because this assessment brings perspective to our work. We often celebrate a victory for the animals to discover … Continued