Smart Talk Friday: agriculture, animals and special election politics
What to look for on Smart Talk Friday:
Sarah Speed
The Humane Society of the United States annually rates all 50 states based on their animal protection laws. California leads the pack with a score of 74 percent. Pennsylvania falls just outside the top ten. Its 54% HSUS rating ties it for 12th among states.
Coming up on Smart Talk Friday we’ll discuss the animal welfare organization’s top policy issues in Pennsylvania with state director Sarah Speed.
In 2013 the group hailed the enactment of a new state law that allows shelters that taken in abused animals to ask the owners to either pay for the cost of care, or surrender ownership of the pet. One of their top priorities, this year, is banning the possession of animal fighting paraphernalia.
After Mary Wilson‘s usual round up of news at the state Capitol, we’ll also hear from York Daily Record reporter Ed Mahon, who has his finger on the pulse of the upcoming special and primary elections in Pennsylvania’s 28th senatorial district.
The political dynamics are changing now that longtime Republican Senator Mike Waugh has resigned to become executive director of the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex & Expo Center.
Also on the political front, Congress appears to be nearing action on a new Farm Bill. Will consumers fall off the “dairy cliff,” or is there compromise in the air? We’ll find out from Lancaster Newspapers Editorial Page Editor Earle Cornelius.
Finally, we’ll preview the second annual “Squash Hunger!” event with Ashlee Shelton, founder of The Greenhouse. The volunteer group recovers area farmers’ unused produce, preserves and shares it with charities that serve midstate residents in need.
This pallet of squash is about to be turned into more than 400 servings of delicious, homemade soup.
The Greenhouse and LEAF Project PA have teamed up to organize this year’s “Squash Hunger!” event at the Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church this coming Sunday and Monday. Volunteers are still welcome.
Listen to the program:
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