Hello All -
 
        I called the State House today to learn the latest re Bill #295 and
discovered that most everyone was on vacation celebrating St Paddy's day.  I
did talk to the sponsor, Rep Brad Jones of Reading though who was not yet
aware of the Wednesday hearings.  This apparently is not unusual though, he
not being Chairman & quite busy on other matters at the moment.  He knows
ferrets very well and said that calling him was like 'preaching to the
choir.'  Though hopeful, Brad is a realist and likes his job as much as the
rest of us.
 
        Anyway, according to what I can find out, hearings are still
scheduled for this coming Wenesday, March 21st at 2 PM in room 257.  At the
hearing four things can happen: 1) The Bill can be reported out favorably,
2) It can be reported out with a recomendation to reject it, 3) It can be
kept for further study and modification, 4) It can be sent to Ways and Means.
 
        Thus it is quite important that there are plenty of people at the
hearings showing an interest, and that the Committee members receive lots of
input between now and when they make a decision, that allows them a level of
comfort with it.
 
Here are the names and telephone numbers:
 
Senate Staff (617)722-1222
House Staff          -2060
 
Sponsors
        Rep Bradley H. Jones - N. Reading     (617) 722-2575
        Rep Janet W. Obrien - Hanover                  -2400
        Rep Bruce E. Tarr - Gloucester                 -2080
 
Representatives on the Committee
       Rep Eric Turkington - Falmouth         (617) 722-2396
       Rep Ronald Mariano - Quincy                     -2692
       Rep Evelyn G. Chesky - Holyoke                  -2060
       Rep William G. Greene - Billerica               -2060
       Rep Antonio Cabral - New Bedford                -2080
       Rep Joseph Wagner - Chicopee                    -2040
       Rep Paul Kujawski - Webster                     -2460
       Rep Colleen Garry - Drakut                      - ??
       Rep Anthony Verga - Gloucester                  - ??
       Rep Mary J. Murry - Cohasset                    -2400
       Rep Shirley Gomez - Harwich                     - ??
 
Senators on the Committee
      Sen William Keating - Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol  (617) 722-1222
      Sen Daniel Leahy - Middlesex                               -1630
      Sen Mike Creedon - Plymouth, Bristol                       -1200
      Sen Fred Berry - Essex County                              -1410
      Sen Theresa Murray - Plymouth & Barnstable                 -1330
      Sen Mike Knapik - Hampton & Hampshire                      - ??
 
Letters to:
 
        Representative (or Senator)
        House of Representatives (or Senate)
        State House
        Boston 02133-1053
 
        Any or calls or letters to these people would be very valuable right
now.  Even more so would be feedback to Dick Bossart, myself, or the FML,
concerning any concerns or reservations that you may uncover when you call,
so that they may be addressed.
 
        Thanks, the fuzzies are counting on us.
 
                                - Bill Williamson [and RS&J2 :)]
[Posted in FML issue 1137]