[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]