IEAFCS Life Member Blog: Time to Contact the Governor

Here is some new information from Extension Partners. The budget process is moving along, and your support is still needed.

Also, I received the dues reminder for next year today. It included a list of current and past members. A quick count shows about 34 IEAFCS active and life members paid dues in 2010-2011. That is a good number, and thank you all! But it is only about half of us.

I noticed several names that hadn't renewed since 09-10 and some that have never been members. It's $35 this year, but will be money well spent. Even if you feel some of the Extension re-organization plans and policies don't best serve the clientele, it is important to get the funding if we want Extension to survive.

Dues can be sent to Extension Partners, P.O. Box 5531, Bloomington, IL 61702-5531. Thank you!!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeanne Harland <jharland@winco.net>
Date: Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Subject: EP Action & Pics

Legislative Update - Monday, June 6, 2011

For Fun......

Attached find some pictures of 4-H Legislative Connection. The Youth Leadership Team (YLT) pinning Senator Martin Sandoval (D) from Cicero and a former 4-Her, Representative Chapin Rose (R) from Charleston with State 4-H Office's Bill Million, YLT waiting at the Senate side door for Senator Sullivan (D) from Rushville, YLT questions for Senator Sullivan and YLT on the Senate Podium with Senator Sullivan. Aren't those green shirts impressive?

ACTION NEEDED

We need letters and post cards going to the Governor's Office on the following

House Bill 124 - Contains the Department of Ag's budget and the three line items for Extension. County Board Match, Youth Educator and Cook County Initiative. Ask the Governor to sign this bill "as is" no changes/amendatory veto.

House Bill 1683 - Changes the date on the payment of 4-H premiums allowing the counties flexibility. Again ask to sign the bill as written.

Senate Bill 744 - This is the expansion of gaming bill. There is money in this bill dedicated to Agriculture related line items. Extension, Soil & Water Districts (SWD), and County Fairs to name three. Extension's amount would be $4 million beyond the amount appropriated each year, and added to the County Board Match line item. CAUTION - This money will not be available until the provisions of the expanded gaming are put in to place. My best guess is two years, but one never knows. Again ask that this bill be signed "as is". The Governor has threatened to veto any expansion of gaming. Joining forces with SWD and the County Fairs, we should be able to generate several thousand letters/postcards to the Governor's office.

The cards/letters need to go to.........

The Honorable Pat Quinn,

Governor

207 State House

Springfield, Illinois 62706

(Hand written cards and letters are best, but if you want to send a fax: 217-782-3560)

Ask your neighbors, friends, and county board members to join in this campaign to get the Governor's signature on these crucial pieces of legislation.

SPECIAL THANKS to Senator John Sullivan and Representatives Chapin Rose and Frank Mautino (D) from Spring Valley for insuring the Agriculture items were placed in the gaming expansion bill and remained there through the process.

MY SPECIAL THANKS to all of you. Your legislative visits, your letters and your phone calls made a difference. Extension Partners and the Extension/4-H Community approached all of this year's issues, big and small, with integrity, honesty and top shelf class. I am proud and humbled to represent you.

It is horrible hot today.........good day to stay inside to write some letters and post cards!

Thanks again,

Pam Weber

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