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2007 Legislative Memorandum
To:
Bishops of Florida, Diocesan
Department Heads, Conference
Committees, and Interested Others
2007 Legislature
The 2007 Florida Legislature will be in regular session from March
6 - May 4, 2007. The Conference’s report on
2007 Public Policy Issues addresses areas of interest to the Church
that
will be under consideration.
Conference Web Site Legislative Page
The following items are available via the Conference's
Public Policy and
Legislation Page: 1)
resources, including a list of bills followed by
the Conference, key legislative votes, and access to legislators’ contact
information; 2)
action alerts; 3) legislative
reports; 4) correspondence; and 5) testimony.
FCC Advocacy Network
The Conference maintains an electronic network that includes diocesan
leadership, members of Conference committees and individuals interested
in the public policy work of the Church in Florida. FCC Advocacy
announcements are sent via email and allow concerned
Catholics to stay informed and fulfill the call to faithful
citizenship. Interested parties may subscribe to the FCC Advocacy
Network by completing the
online form
on the Conference’s Web site. FCC Advocacy notices include:
·
Legislative Reports
The first 2007 legislative report
will be released in early February. Subsequent reports will be issued
periodically during the legislative session, with a final report after
the session concludes.
·
Weekly
Legislative Summaries
Summaries on actions of interest will be issued on Friday
afternoons throughout the Legislative Session.
·
Action Alerts
During the
2007 session, the Conference will frequently email action alerts. These
alerts seek timely action by members of our advocacy network, such as
contacting a legislator to voice a position regarding pending
legislation. The specifics of the message and all necessary contact
information are provided with each alert.
Staff Contacts
Larry D. Keough, Associate Director for Education – rights of
Catholic school children in state and federal education programs, scholarships/vouchers, teacher
certification, testing and school health services,
lkeough@flacathconf.org
Michael B. Sheedy, Associate Director for Health - health care
accessibility, stem cell policy, end-of-life care, and general
health care,
msheedy@flacathconf.org
Sheila S. Hopkins, Associate Director for Social Concerns/Respect Life
- children and families, adoption, immigrants, domestic violence, affordable housing,
homeless, elderly, environment, disabled, farmworkers, incarcerated, abortion and
death penalty,
shopkins@flacathconf.org
Michele M. Taylor, Associate for Communications – FCC
Advocacy Network, media relations, Web site,
mtaylor@flacathconf.org
D. Michael McCarron, Executive Director - church and state
issues, tax exemption, miscellaneous,
mccarron@flacathconf.org
Communicating with Legislators
Each of us shares in the responsibility to instill the values of the
Gospel as a norm for society. We are called to become informed, active
and responsible participants in our country's political process. When we communicate to a legislator on an issue
of public policy, we fulfill both spiritual and civic purposes. Please
join us in our legislative efforts by becoming informed, talking with
others, and communicating with your legislators. And, please pray for
all those serving in government.
The Florida Catholic Conference is an agency of the Catholic Bishops of
Florida. It speaks for the Church in matters of public policy,
serves as liaison to government and the legislature, and coordinates
communications and activities between the Church and secular agencies.
The Bishops of the seven (Arch)dioceses in Florida constitute its Board
of Directors.
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