Hello FMLers, I just spoke with the reporter from CBS evening news that conducted the interviews about the ferret issue in California. I knew things were heating up with the Freemen in Montanana (he's just returned from there), but we also had a flare up of activity here on another local issue-- sea lions vs. salmon fishermen! Four sea lions were found shot to death so John (the reporter) was in Monterey filming that story. John tells me that he's still working on the ferret story, and that it should air this week-- I hope so. But I did turn him on to another aspect of this issue. For quite some time now I have been receiving calls from folks out of state that own ferrets legally and either want to, or have to, move to California. I ask all of them to write letters about their situation and maybe 1 of 20 do so. Yesterday I received a letter from an ex-Californian with a charming 8 year old daughter. The husband, wife and daughter want to return to California, and the letters, one from the mom and the other from the daughter are wonderful. I faxed these to John and said if he's interested in broadening the story to the millions of folks owning ferrets in other states that find themselves unwelcome here, this would be an avenue for CBS to persue. The folks in PA are willing to participate, and John appeared interested but we'll just have to see what happens. On another front, I just received my FA newsletter and found two things I need to update folks on based on new information from our lobbyist. First, the CA Waterfowl folks and the Farm Bureau only dropped their opposition to HR 37. They (at least Waterfowl, and probably the Farm Bureau as well) will make their stand at the eventual Commission hearing. That is one of the reasons why, when our time comes for the ferret question to be heard, we need to write tons of letters to the Fish and Game Commission in support of legalization. It will also be a terrific help to dump the FA petitions on their desk and let's hope that, by that time, it's closer to 20,000 signiatures! The other thing is that Bob Naylor spoke to the legislative office of Governor Wilson and was told that the Governor does not have a position on the ferret issue. It's quite a shame that the low level staff in his office don't know this, and that some staffers have been telling the Capitol Press Corps that he does have a position, and that it's negative. This simply isn't true. I don't think it will hurt though, in fact, I think it will help, to write POLITE and POSITIVE letters to Governor Wilson reminding him that he has called for major regulatory reform in this state and that the last two Governors to legalize ferrets were Governor Weld of MA, and Governor Engler of MI. These Governors have all been known for championing less intrusive government and the ferret ban is a perfect opportunity for Governor Wilson to give his citizens, and folks from out of state, some relief from a clearly overzealous agency. Since Governor Wilson is neutral, please, let's not push him in the wrong direction. Make your letters upbeat and positive. If you wish to write to the Governor, write to: Governor Pete Wilson Governor's Office State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Thanks for all of the hard work many of you have been doing over these months, and in some cases years! I think the inevitable will happen, that ferrets will be legalized in California, and that the Department of Fish and Game's strategy is to delay the inevitable. But we'll keep pushing. Jeanne Carley Legislative Director ([log in to unmask]) [Posted in FML issue 1591]