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

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

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

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: Sara Amundson, HSLF, on Legislation in Congress

Today we welcomed Sara Amundson, Humane Society Legislative Fund President, to give us an introduction to a major topic that we’ve not delved into on Lunch + Legislation: promoting animal welfare bills in the U.S. House and Senate. You can … 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