Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Election-Related Civilize It Advertising Launches in Michigan; Committee Discusses Education Assistance for Prisoners, Those Impacted by COVID; Election Webpage Offers Information Resources for Catholic Voters; State Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Humiliation to Be Held Next Week. Read more…

As the level of civility and respect for others with differing opinions has diminished with each passing political campaign season, Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) has undertaken an advertising effort encouraging Catholics and residents of the state to pledge civility, clarity, and compassion when discussing and debating candidates and politics. To promote the nonpartisan Civilize It effort, a one-minute television commercial featuring a diverse range of Catholics taking the pledge has been produced and will begin to run today in various television markets across Michigan. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Michigan Catholic Conference Launches Election Webpage; House Committee Considers Further Jail Reform Bills; MCC Supports Day of Prayer Resolution and Charitable Giving Tax Credit. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Sanofi Pasteur Produces an Ethical Polio Vaccine; MCC Supports Jail Sentencing Reform in Committee; Labor Day 2020 “Somber” in Light of COVID-19 Challenges; World Day of Prayer Kicks off Month Dedicated to Care of Creation. Read more…

This election, Michigan voters will cast ballots to determine the outcome of numerous local, state, and federal races, as well the fate of several issue proposals. In its latest FOCUS, MCC offers resources to help Catholics develop a well-formed conscience, learn from the lives of the saints, and prepare their voting choices. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: MCC Responds to AG's Campaign Against Nonpublic Schools in COVID Aid; State Revenues Improved from May Estimates but Still Down; Report Highlights Move Away from Funding of Fetal Tissue Research; U.S. Bishops Lament New Federal Executions This Week; Ban of Abortion in U.S. Global Health Assistance Praiseworthy; September 1 Marks World Day of Prayer for Creation. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference released the following comments after a federal judge ruled against the U.S. Department of Education’s rule clarifying CARES Act funding to nonpublic schools to help deal with the impact of COVID-19. As an ardent supporter of nonpublic schools and school choice both in Michigan and across the country, MCC provided for the California court an amicus brief in support of the federal policy. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Support the Global Child Thrive Act in the U.S. Senate; The Word from Lansing: During Challenges, the Church Calls for Faith; 2020 Census: In Ten Minutes, Ensure An Accurate Count. Read more…

Over the summer, Michiganders have faced many challenges. Recent circumstances have highlighted the need for continued advocacy, especially regarding the concerns of those who are vulnerable or struggling in society. In The Word from Lansing for August, MCC shares why faith and action are critical in supporting the state’s women and children, assisting nonpublic school families, and fighting against expansions to the payday lending system. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Nonpublic School Advocates Tell Court Discrimination Must End; Last Day for Comments on Aid for Nonpublic Schools; MCC Supports Juvenile Expungement Bill in Committee. Read more…

In an effort to support the funding provisions of the federal CARES Act that recognizes the impact of COVID-19 on all students, Michigan Catholic Conference has joined a legal brief filed today in federal court opposing national litigation from Attorney General Dana Nessel, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Michael Rice that seeks to withhold millions of CARES Act dollars earmarked for nonpublic schools in Michigan and across the country. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Dismemberment Abortion Petition Comes to End—Catholic Conference Pledges Continued Efforts; Catholic Teaching Affirms Dignity of Black Lives; Bill for Families Grieving Stillbirth Continues to Senate; DNR Orders for Minors Unanimously Pass Committee; Agreements Reached for 2019–2020 Supplemental Bills; Legislation to Reduce Unnecessary Incarceration Moves Forward; USCCB Urges President to Rescind Census Memorandum. Read more…