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Trusted Conveyor (Legislative)
Of
Legislative Issues
rhalbert1@stny.rr.com
AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
Roberta Harrison, P.O. Box 1552,
Syracuse, NY 13201
Jared Woolley, 8903 Farmington Rd.,
Forestville, NY 14062
EDUCATION
Donald Drake, 105 John Deere Rd., Cherry
Valley, NY 13320
Leslie Rathbun, 3272 Co. Hw. 35,
Schenevus, NY 12155
FEDERAL ISSUES
Theodore Schwabrow, 334 Moonlawn Rd.,
Troy, NY 12080
Gerald Batsford, 1199 Church St.,
Cortland, NY 13045
HEALTH
Susanna Colquitt, 446 Williams Rd,
Oxford, NY 13830
David Brands, 54 South Parliman Rd.,
LaGrangeville, NY 12540
STATE ISSUES
Dorothy Rathbun, 3272 Co. Hwy. 35, Schenevus, NY 12155
Carl Bullock, 15 OK St., McGraw, NY
13101
TAXATION
Richard Church, 1596 Peruville Rd., Freeville, NY 13068
Rosanna Clark, 4466 State Rt. 37,
Malone, NY 12953
Legislative Priorities 2007 | Resolutions |
The Grange has a similar resolution process on county, state and national levels. If the issue is of significance beyond the local level, it should be sent through the channels of the Grange to arrive at the highest appropriate level. The Grange supports a staff of people at the state and national level to promote Grange policy determined through the resolution process.
Areas of Concern include but are not limited too: Agriculture, Conservation, Education, Federal Citizenship, Grange Affairs, Health, Labor and Judiciary, and State Citizenship and Public Affairs.
requests the New York State Legislature and the State Board of Regents refrain from issuing new costly educational programs, unless additional funding accompanies these initiatives.
seeks support of local communities and civic leaders as well as the NYS Legislature to urge the passage of the No Child Left Behind Improvements Act of 2007
urges our State Legislature to retain our local and village courts and to have all of our judges elected by the people whom they serve.
supports the efforts of school districts in implementing better security and safety measures improving the learning atmosphere of our schools and making them safer.
strongly urges the implementation of the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and that Congressional funding be made to accomplish this.
supports passage of legislation to protect lands from being taken over by eminent domain for the sole purpose of economic revenue.
Urges Congressional leaders to pass legislation to increase efforts to ensure biosecurity for agriculture, increase penalties for bio-terrorism and increase funding for research into control and/or eradication of diseases that may be used by bioterrorists to disrupt our food supply
supports the following issues in the Commodities Title of 2007 Farm Bill (extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract Program until 2012; the price of cheddar cheese, butter and nonfat dry milk by government purchase of such products; reestablishing the Dairy Forward Pricing Program; extension of the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP); and requirement of importers and dairy producers in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico to participate in funding the Diary Research and Promotion Program).
supports legislative action that would make the volunteer firemen and medical emergency personnel deduction a line item deduction of no less than $500 in place of an itemized deduction.
supports more stringent patrols of the U.S./Mexican border.
This is one of the most important tools we have to build our Granges and our membership. The strongest and growing Granges are ones that take an active part in legislative issues on a local level as well as a state and national level. The Grange has long been recognized for its common sense approach to issues and its non-partisan position.
Let's learn from our past, participate in our present and actively plan for our future. We, the Grangers, of today, have this opportunity by becoming involved in the legislative work of the Grange. Through "Leadership and Service", Grange can provide the leadership and also serve the needs of our people.
How do we become more involved?
A Grange active in legislation is a growing Grange. Now is the time to become more active in your local issues. How can we become more involved?
When you write resolutions about local issues, send them to your local town boards, city councils, or county governments. Let them know what the problem is and suggest ways to correct it. Follow up by attending the meeting where your resolution will be discussed. You will be available to answer questions about your resolution.
Attend town meetings on a regular basis. You can report back to the Grange on topics discussed and what may be discussed in the future. If there is an issue of concern, do not hesitate to attend local board meetings in a group. There is always strength in numbers.
When speaking on an issue, use caution. Be positive and confident, but not combative or demanding. Your point will be more acceptable if you present it in an informed, pleasant manner. Be sure to listen to others' points of view. Be willing to compromise on your position, if you can, and if it becomes necessary.
By hosting public forums and inviting the public to attend, you open your hall to potential new members. Be sure to publicize your meeting. This helps to keep people informed about issues that affect your community.
If there is a regional issue you are concerned about, don't be afraid to do something about it. Work with neighboring counties that are also affected. Keep your efforts coordinated. Be sure to ask other organizations to join you in your efforts and together to make a change.
Be legislatively involved on a local level. By working for change at home as well as on a regional and state basis, you become a more visible, active Grange. This is a good membership building tool that benefits your Grange and your community.
It is very important to research a resolution. Background information with resolutions will help others to understand the reasons for writing your resolution and for the actions you want to have taken. The proper background research information could make the difference on whether your resolution is passed at State Grange Session.
Researching a resolution
- Check newspapers or magazine articles on the subject. Avoid editorials unless the facts in them are well documented in the editorial. Editorials are opinions of the newspapers and are usually based very loosely on one side of an issue.
- Call your local representative in government and request a copy of a bill and any background information they may be able to provide. They will be glad to send you a copy. If you have trouble obtaining a bill, please contact the State Grange Legislative Department. We will be glad to assist you.
- Talk with your local resource people, such as local government people, doctors, firemen, etc. They have sources of information which may not be available to the general public. Document who you talked to and where they obtained their information.
Back to Top What happens to your resolution?
- Bring your resolution to your Subordinate Grange for adoption. After the Grange has adopted it, it should be forwarded to your Pomona Grange for consideration.
- Your Pomona Grange will consider your resolution for adoption. If it is approved, they will forward it to State Grange for consideration.
- It is forwarded to State Grange where it is assigned a number and assigned to a sessions committee for discussion and consideration by the delegates at the State Grange Convention in October.
- To find out what happened to your resolution, check with your delegates to State Grange or in the Journal of Proceedings when it is published.
- All resolutions to be considered at the Annual State Session shall be in the hands of the Legislative Director by September 1st.
Writing to your government
Have you written to your Congressman or State Representatives? How else will they know what we would like them to do? It is important to let them know what we, as the Grange and as individuals, feel about what is going on in the state and federal governments.
When you write to your representative, use this guide:
- Be brief, and have one subject in your letter. A well thought out letter on one topic will be more effective than one trying to cover several issues.
- Identify the issue clearly. Give the bill number and name of the legislation, if possible.
- State specifically why you are writing. Tell them exactly how you and your area may be affected by the pending legislation, pro or con.
- Avoid sending a form letter. A personal letter will have more impact.
- Be reasonable and courteous in your request for action.
- Write your letter when the legislation is being considered on the floor or in committee hearings, if you know them.
- Be sure and let your representatives know they are doing a good job. Everyone likes to hear that and it makes everyone more receptive and responsive.
Important Phone Numbers and Addresses
| New York State | Federal Government | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor's Office | 518-474-8350 | U.S. Senate and House of Representatives |
Main telephone number 202-224-3121 |
|
| Senate Majority Leader | 518-455-3191 | Cannon Office Building | COB | |
| Assembly Speaker | 518-455-3791 | Rayburn Office Building | ROB | |
| Legislative Office Building | LOB | Longworth Office Building | LOB | |
| Capital Building | CAP | Senate | U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 |
|
| Senate | NYS Senate Albany, NY 12247 |
House of Representatives |
U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 |
|
| Assembly | NYS Assembly Albany, NY 12248 |
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2008 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCES
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Horseheads Grange, Chemung Co., 26th, 2 PM
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Adams Center Grange, Jefferson Co., Sat., May 3, Continental Breakfast 9:30 AM, Program-10 AM-Noon
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Legislative Day 9/27th, 10:00 AM - Continental Breakfast, Program starts at 10:30 AM concludes at 2:30 PM.
- Mellonville Grange, Columbia Co., Sat. 9/20, Continental Breakfast 9:30 AM, Program-10 AM-Noon
Invited to each meeting: State Senators, Assembly Representatives and U.S. Members of Congress
All Meetings are Open to the Public