Right to vote threatened by Michigan Senate Bill 288

Photo of wolf © Brandi Nichols and courtesy National Wolfwatcher Coalition. Reprinted with permission.

LANSING -- In a desperate move, State Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) introduced in Committee today Senate Bill 288 which, if signed into law, will prevent voters from having a say in what happens to Michigan wildlife.

In a 2006 referendum, Michigan voters overwhelmingly said "no" to the hunting of mourning doves. Last month, the signatures of 253,000 registered Michigan voters were submitted to the Secretary of State, requesting a similar referendum, opposing the designation of the wolf as a game animal.

"The referendum process is the right of citizens to vote to approve or reject new laws passed by legislature," according to Nancy Warren, U.P. resident and Great Lakes Regional Director, National Wolfwatcher Coalition.

Senate Bill 288 would allow the Natural Resources Commission -- an appointed, not elected, decision making body -- to designate any species a game animal and thus a hunted species which cannot be challenged by Michigan voters.

Warren said, "This bill removes the checks and balances currently in place and is an assault against the rights of Michigan citizens."

In a 5-2 vote, SB 288 was approved in Committee today and now moves to the full Senate.* Warren urges Michigan voters to contact their Michigan Senators and Representatives and ask them to oppose SB 288. Don’t let your voice be silenced.

If you are not a Michigan resident, please pass this 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. Email ellie@keepwolvesprotected.com.

For more information visit www.wolfwatcher.org and http://keepwolvesprotected.com/.

* Editor's Note: The Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes has 5 Republican members and 2 Democrats. State Sen. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), who introduced SB 288, is the chair of this committee. Click here for a Detroit News article on that committee's meeting today, Apr. 11.

Humane Society: Call Michigan State legislators to claim public's right to protect wildlife

[Editor's Update: Yesterday, Apr. 9, just a couple of hours after we posted our article, "Petition against Michigan wolf hunt submitted; Natural Resources Commission to consider DNR wolf hunt proposal," we learned that our State Sen. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) has now proposed two more bills that would not only facilitate a wolf hunt but also prevent the referendum against PA 520 (his original wolf hunt bill) because these new bills -- SB 288 and SB 289 -- contain appropriations. We are posting here a plea from the Humane Society of the United States concerning this proposed legislation.]

Dear (Michigan resident),

In an appalling power grab by politicians in Lansing, legislation (S.B. 288) has been introduced that would undermine Michiganders' longstanding right to have a say in what happens to the state's wildlife.

Just last month, the Secretary of State received more than 250,000 Michigan voter signatures in support of a referendum petition to keep Michigan wolves protected from trophy hunting. In 2006, voters in Michigan decided via referendum that mourning doves should not be used for target practice. Michigan voters clearly have a longstanding tradition of protecting wildlife.

But now in a stunning assault on our voting rights, S.B. 288 would put all power in the hands of politicians and the Natural Resources Commission, and prevent voters from having a say on these issues. The agency bureaucrats could open a new hunting season on any (game) species without public input ... and there would be no way for voters to intervene.

Please make a brief, polite phone call to Rep. Scott Dianda (517) 373-0850 and Sen. Tom Casperson (517) 373-7840 urging opposition to S.B. 288. You can say, "As your constituent, I'm asking that you please oppose S.B. 288."*

After you call, don't forget to send a follow-up message.
Wayne Pacelle
Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO
(Humane Society of the United States)

* Marquette area residents have been asked to call Sen. Casperson and Rep. John Kivela (517) 373-0498. Michiganders in other districts can click here to find their state representative and senator by simply typing in their zip code. S.B. 288 and S.B. 289 are on the agenda for the April 10, 2013, meeting of the Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes.