Anti-Whistleblower Bill (SB 373) still being considered by Indiana legislature! Calls and letters needed!

Thanks so much to everyone who took a few minutes to speak out for Indiana’s animals by contacting the members of the Corrections & Criminal Law Committee and urging them to vote NO on Senate Bill 373, the Anti-whistleblower bill that wouldcriminalize important undercover investigations by animal welfare organizations and public interest groups – particularly impacting animals in CAFOs (factory farms). Big Ag lobbying is on the move and 5 states have already passed this terrible legislation. Unscrupulous businesses don’t deserve protection against whistleblowers!

Unfortunately, the bill passed out of committee with a 7-2 vote on Tuesday. See below for how each member of the Committee voted.

The bill will now move before the full Senate and your Senator needs to hear from you! Please contact your state senator today or tomorrow and urge him or her to vote NO on Senator Holdman’s Antiwhistleblower Bill, SB 373!

To follow bills through the General Assembly, go to: http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo

If you are not sure who represents you in the State Senate, please follow this link: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/

Once you determine who represents you in the State Senate, please contact him/her – you could say something along the lines of:

“Hello, my name is _______________ and I am a constituent calling from Senator ________________’s District in ______________ (city/town), Indiana. I am urging you to please vote NO on Senator Holdman’s Antiwhistleblower bill, Senate Bill 373. Thank You.”

Unlike in the past, this time you will only need to contact one Senator – the State Senator who represents you (see link above). And just a friendly reminder to make sure you’re contacting your State Senator – NOT our U.S. Senators, Donnelly &/or Coates.

Votes from Committee on Senate Bill 373, the Anti-whistleblower bill:

Voting NO (against Anti-Whistleblower bill)

(if you have a moment, please send these two Senators, Stoops & Randolph, a quick email to thank them for their no vote on Senate Bill 373)

Senator Mark Stoops (Bloomington) s40@in.gov

Senator Lonnie Randolph (East Chicago) s2@in.gov

Voting YES (in favor of Anti-Whistleblower bill)

Senator Rodric Bray (Martinsville)

Senator Susan Glick (LaGrange)

Senator Brent Steele (Bedford)

Senator Jim Tomes (Wadesville)

Senator John Waterman (Shelburn)

Senator Michael Young (Indianapolis)

Senator Joe Zakas (South Bend/Granger)

Absent: Senator Karen Tallian (Portage)

There has been some excellent media coverage of this issue & legislation. Click here http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130212/NEWS07/130219831 and here http://www.indystar.com/article/20130212/NEWS05/130212009/Bill-takes-aim-undercover-videos-farm-conditions?gcheck=1 to read some of the coverage.

If you don’t understand the importance of this issue, please watch the special report from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ag-gag-laws-animal-cruelty-exposes-blocked/story?id=18337864

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