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: 2020 Census: Apply Now for Temporary Positions; Citizen's Redistricting Commission Accepting Applications; The Word from Lansing: Advocacy Successes in 2019. Read more…

The beginning of January marks the halfway point of the 2019–2020 state legislative session. While the process of making good public policy is gradual and there is much work left to be done, MCC celebrates several recent advocacy successes at the State Capitol. The Word from Lansing column highlights successful efforts regarding juvenile justice reform, the protection of human life, and suicide prevention. 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: Petition Drive to Ban Dismemberment Abortion Advances to State Board; Michigan Legislature Returns to Lansing. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is applauding the Catholic community in this state for gathering tens of thousands of signatures that are among 379,418 total signatures submitted to the Board of State Canvassers to end the second trimester dismemberment abortion procedure. “It cannot be overstated how grateful Michigan Catholic Conference is for the participation of the seven dioceses in the state and the hundreds of Catholic entities that worked to support this initiative,” MCC said in a news release. “The Catholic community has been engaged since day one, and the level of participation only escalated the more informed citizens became of the barbaric nature of this particular abortion procedure.” Read more…

Michigan is known as the first government in the English-speaking world and first American state to abolish the death penalty. While Michigan’s constitutional ban remains in effect, the U.S. Department of Justice recently announced it would resume the death penalty for federal crimes. The Word from Lansing column for December examines the new federal policy and why it is the wrong response for America. Read more…

MCC’s advocacy agenda places a heavy emphasis on supporting policies that positively impact vulnerable persons and others in need. From protecting the Children’s Clothing Allowance to expanding Medicaid coverage, to weatherization assistance and prioritizing marriage in state assistance programs, MCC is an advocate for the poor and vulnerable. This edition of FOCUS touches on these subjects while highlighting the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers. 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: DEADLINE TODAY: Petition Forms to End Dismemberment Abortion Must be Postmarked or Delivered to Right to Life of Michigan TODAY!; Some Budget Vetoes Restored by Legislature; More Work to be Done; Governor Files Brief Declaring Nonpublic School Mandate Reimbursement Unconstitutional; MCC Opposes Legislation to Expand Payday Lending; Marijuana Warning Label Requirement Passes Senate Committee; School Safety Building Code Changes Moving Forward; Suicide Prevention Commission Bill Headed to Governor. Legislature Adjourns Until January 8, 2020 Merry Christmas! Read more…

Despite federal statistics indicating that the practice of payday lending places low-income residents in the way of financial harm, the Michigan House Committee on Regulatory Reform passed legislation this morning that expands payday lending in the state by allowing consumers to borrow additional money at unreasonable rates. Opposing the legislation, MCC said the following: “It is our hope that if this legislation moves further through the process it can be amended to include a more reasonable interest rate and an honest evaluation of someone’s ability to repay the loan.” Read more…

Governor Whitmer and Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Michael Rice are mischaracterizing provisions of the Michigan Constitution to prevent the state from reimbursing nonpublic schools for complying with mandated health and safety requirements, Michigan Catholic Conference stated in response to a legal brief from the governor’s office. “The days are becoming numbered for public officials to rely on a discriminatory provision of the constitution that treats nonpublic schools as second-class institutions,” MCC said. 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 Supports Tax Credit for Donations to Food Banks and Homeless Shelters; DEADLINE IS THURSDAY: Only One Week Remains to Sign the Petition Drive to End Dismemberment Abortion! 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: REMINDER: Help the Petition Drive to End Dismemberment Abortion Finish Strong in December; TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Oppose Budget Amendment Enriching Global Abortion Providers; School Safety Building Code Change Approved by House; November is Adoption Awareness Month; The Word from Lansing: Safe Delivery Law Saves Michigan Newborns; Legislature on Break Until December 3; Happy Thanksgiving! Read more…

At least 241 babies have been saved in this state over the past two decades, thanks to Michigan’s Safe Delivery of Newborns Law. Public Act 232 of 2000 allows for parents to surrender anonymously and voluntarily their newborn child—up to three days old—to an emergency service provider without fear of legal charges. Michigan enacted the Safe Delivery Law, with the support of Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) and Right to Life of Michigan, to protect newborns from being abandoned or otherwise harmed Read more…