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What to do when activists want to pass a law in your area...
(From Pet-Law.com)


Almost none of us really want to be involved in lawmaking. We just want to be left alone to enjoy our pets. It can be a real shock to the system to discover that you and your fellow breeders, rescuers, owners of (name your animal) are suddenly in the crosshairs for a nasty bill or proposed ordinance. What to do?

Don't panic and do assume you can win. The animal rightists are a small minority; if you mobilize the majority and do the right things, even if some of them don't work, you will probably win.

This is the "Reader's Digest" version, but it's the condensed book section. In other words, it's long. The information here comes from our involvement (usually as bit players) in maybe a dozen of these fights. The wording is geared to dog laws because that's what we know best, but it can be applied to any pet laws.

1. Spread the word

2. Contact state federations and associations

3. Notify national clubs

4. Find or start a state 'pet-law' list

5. Look everywhere for allies

6. Do not compromise or negotiate

7. Contact lawmakers

8. Get tough and hang in there

Finally, don't expect rockets and national newspaper interviews when you win. Most commonly, bad animal laws die very quietly, either withdrawn by the sponsor because of a lack of votes or 'passed by indefinitely' by a key committee.

Unfortunately, most state bills you beat this year, will be back in the next session of the assembly. But you won't be a beginner then, and you'll be better able to beat them than you were this time. If you're too tired to lead again next year, serve in an advisory capacity. But don't quit on us...we need you and, yes, the animals need you.

Log On   Minnesota  ..... hearings, bills, schedules!
sent to your computer......

A clic away  With more than!million hits per week during the legislative session, the House Web site features tools to make your information search easier.
     Begin your search on the House Web page at
www.house.mn From here a user can get to member and leadership information, check the status of a bill, view committee and television schedules, watch or listen to archived audio and video and view downloadable Capitol area photographs.


     
Delivered to you  Many House offices and members offer free e-mail notification of availiable updates.
        Among the most popular are committee schedules and Session Dauly.
 
       
Committee Schedules: Delivered daily during the legislative session, the committee schedule provides the latest information about when and where committees are meeting on a particular day and the meeting agenda. To recieve the House schedule go to www.house.mn/list/join.asp?listname=houseschedule  .

       
Session Daily: Electronic updates on house happenings. The short stories generally cover the big and small bills at the legislature. each update also includes easy linkage to more legislation. To subscribe to Session Daily at  www.house.mn/list/join.asp?listname=sessiondaily .

     For a full list of availiable mailing lists, check out www.house.mn/mailist/mailinglist.asp .

Similar info is availiable for the Minnesota Senate    www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/

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