I just received a call from Jeanne at the State Capitol.  She wanted me to
put the word out that we need to call our State Senators on the Natural
Resources & Wildlife Committee, starting tonight (July 7) and throughout
tomorrow (July 8).
 
Apparently, these Senators have received a lot of pressure from the
opposition; specifically the National Audubon Society, Sierra Club
California, California League of Conservational Voters, Planning &
Conservation League, California Waterfowl Association, and the California
Farm Bureau.  They even circulate their propaganda on a letterhead that
bears the names of all these organizations.
 
Jeanne predicts that after the initial vote in tomorrow's hearing, the bill
will go "on call." That means there will not be enough votes to pass or
reject the bill at the time of the vote.  So the committee will continue
with other business until they are finished with their calendar.  Members
may continue to vote or change their votes as long as a measure remains "on
call." Calls are usually placed at the request of a bill's author in an
effort to gain votes.  Calls can be lifted by request anytime during the
committee hearing, but cannot be carried over into the next legislative day.
If a Senator does not vote by the end of the day, they might as well have
voted No.  Because we need at least 5 Aye votes to pass.
 
So please pick up your phone and call your State Senator on the committee.
***For those of you in Senator Dede Alpert's (San Diego) and Senator Byron
Sher's (Redwood City) districts, it is especially important you give them a
call at their capitol phone numbers***.  They are the swing votes we need
for us to pass committee.  For your convenience, here are the Natural
Resources & Wildlife Committee phone numbers:
 
 Senator                District       Capitol Office Phone   Predicted Vote
Dede Alpert*** (D)      39th San Diego       (916) 445-3952        ???
Tom Hayden (D) Chair    23rd Los Angeles     (916) 445-1353        Aye
Maurice Johannessen (R) 4th  Redding         (916) 445-3353        Aye
Patrick Johnston (D)    5th  Stockton        (916) 445-2407        No
Tim Leslie (D)          1st  Roseville       (916) 445-5788        No
Dick Monteith (R)       12th Modesto         (916) 445-1392        Aye
Jack O'Connell (D)      18th Santa Barbara   (916) 445-5405        Aye
Byron Sher*** (D)       11th Redwood City    (916) 445-6747        ???
Mike Thompson (D) V/C   2nd  Napa            (916) 445-3375        ???
 
As always, please be polite and professional when making your calls.  If you
know people in these districts, please encourage them to call also.
 
Keep your fingers crossed for tomorrow.  We'll need every bit of help we can
get.
 
Scott Beisner, Webmaster
Californians for Ferret Legalization
[log in to unmask]
http://www.ferretnews.org
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~              Scott Beisner, Webmaster            ~
~              [log in to unmask]            ~
~        Californians For Ferret Legalization      ~
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[Posted in FML issue 1996]