Urgent Alert – Michiganders Unite for Wolves

[G_j]

http://wolfwatcher.org/2013/04/urgent-alert-michiganders-unite-for-wolves/#more-5546


Calls are urgently needed to Michigan Senators and Representatives. Ask them to oppose Senate Bill 288. If you are not a MI resident, please pass along to a Michigan voter!

Find your senator: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysenator/fysenator.htm

Find your representative: http://www.house.michigan.gov/mhrpublic/

FOR OUT OF STATE WOLFWATCHERS - If you are interested in being a voice for Michigan wolves, you can help by participating in the Keep Michigan Wolves Protected phone bank. Just send your name, phone number and email address to them and they will provide you with a list of call numbers - [e-mail]

Background:

In 1908 Michigan added initiative and referendum to its constitution. Initiative is the right of citizens to propose and vote on new laws and referendum is the right of citizens to vote to approve or reject new laws passed by the legislature. Even in 1908 referendum was limited to laws which did not have certain appropriations (spending) in them. The idea, presumably, was that you didn’t want citizens to interfere with the ability of the state to pay its bills or manage its budget.

In 2004, the Michigan legislature designated the mourning dove as a game bird and authorized a hunting season. Through the referendum process, Michigan voters rejected the law 69% to 31%.

This past December, Governor Snyder signed into law PA 620, designating the wolf a game animal, authorizing a hunting season. 253,000 signatures (90,000 more than necessary) were obtained within 67 days and submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State. If certified, this issue would be placed on the November 2014 ballot to be voted upon by registered voters.

Under current law, legislators can designate a species a game animal and then the Natural Resource Commission decides whether there should be a hunting season and establishes the rules and regulations governing the hunting season. A few years ago, legislators designated the Moose a game species, but the NRC did not establish a hunting season.

New Development

Yesterday, Senator Casperson introduced SB 288, which allows for either the legislature or the Natural Resource Commission to designate a species a game animal. It therefore, removes the checks and balances. The Commission would then have the authority to designate a species a game animal and develop the rules and regulations for the season. Citizens would not be allowed to challenge a NRC decision through the referendum process.

Senate Bill 288 includes an appropriation of $1 million by including the appropriation, this law, if signed by the Governor cannot be challenged through the referendum process.

Impact

It would mean, despite having the required number of signatures for the people to vote, citizens would be denied that right and wolves would become a hunted species. But, this is not about wolves. Any species, under this bill, can become a game and a hunted species.

Talking Points

1 – We need to maintain the checks and balances under current policy

2 – Wildlife belongs to all citizens

3 – Citizens must be allowed to challenge wildlife laws through the referendum process

[livvy]

1. Thanks for posting this.

Casperson is a bully and no friend of the environment. He is like the little kid on the playground who doesn't like the way the game is going, takes his ball and goes home. Casperson just writes another bill.

I agree with you. With the introduction of this bill, it goes way beyond the issue of the wolves. This is an effort to silence the voice and will of the people. It must not be allowed to pass, not just for the wolves, but for the people of Michigan. This abuse of power by Casperson and his pals must be stopped. I called both of my reps today, and it only took a few minutes.

[G_j]

2. Thank you

I don't live in Michigan, but have been watching with despair the cruel war on wolves in many states. Frightening how many bullies there are. Thank you for calling!

[livvy]

3. I was one of the volunteers who collected the signatures.

So his action is a double slap in the face. The good news is, through comments I've read in various newspapers, this is not a very popular bill. However the popularity of a bill has never seemed to have much impact on certain members of this group. Most people are seeing right past the issue of the wolves, and not appreciating another power grab. The bill will probably be voted on in the Senate on Tuesday or maybe Wed. So far there is no companion bill in the House.
Casperson was quoted in an article saying that one of the reasons he wrote the bill is that he felt the petition drive took away from the voice of the people. Really, he actually said that.
The wolf population data we were using during the petition drive was based on a count from 2 years ago (687 wolves). They just completed and released the numbers for another count (653 or something like that), so the population has decreased about 4%. The wolf population management committee, having these new numbers, still went ahead and recommended a hunt, limiting it to 40-43 wolves in 3 specific areas of the UP. It is unreal.
I am with you. It upsets me greatly to see what is happening to the wolves throughout the country. I really thought we as a people had evolved, but apparently not. I makes me very sad.

[livvy]

4. Rally on Tuesday, April 23

A companion bill has been introduced in the House. It is identical to the Senate bill. It has 41 co-sponsors. It has been printed and sent to the Natural Resources Committee. Once approved there, it will move back to the House for a vote. The Senate is expected to vote this week.