[Moderator's note: Also forwarded by Chris Kibler <[log in to unmask]>  BIG]
 
Hello everyone,
 
Unfortunately, but not unexpectantly, I just heard today from our author's
office that AB 854 was put into the suspense file (the file for bills that
will cost the state more than $140,000) and was not allowed out of that
file by the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Patrick
Johnston D-5 (Stockton/Sacramento).
 
Senator Johnston has long been an opponent of ferret legalization.  He has
never allowed proponents of the bill to present him with any evidence that
contradicts his position.  He sits on the board of directors of the CA
Audubon Society, another opponent of ferret legalization.
 
Senator Johnston is term limited at the end of this session and, while his
replacement in the Senate will not necessarily chair this committee, we
hope that a less partial represenatitive will take his place.  But it is
up to all of you to ensure, with your votes this fall, that the ferret
issue gets a fair hearing from all of the new members.
 
As elections are held for State Assemblymembers and State Senators this
fall, please work hard to elect someone with an open mind to the facts on
the ferret issue.  The ferret legalization bill has passed the California
State Assembly time and time again with huge margins, but Senator Johnston
has blocked a vote in the Senate for the past several years.  This means
that we must start anew with a new bill and a new author.
 
It's entirely up to you what kind of reception ferret legalization gets
from the State Legislature next year.  If you want ferrets legalized, you
have to work hard for it, it's as simple as that.
 
Jeanne Carley
Californians for Ferret Legalization
www.ferretnews.org
 
P.S. Some of you e-mailed me individually asking about the results of the
hearing.  I apologize but I simply cannot respond to individual requests
for information that the CA UPDATE will cover when the information is
available.  It defeats the purpose of this mailing.  Thanks for your
understanding.
[Posted in FML issue 3155]