MCC-backed bills to implement gun safety reforms have passed the Legislature and are headed to the Governor. Plus, MCC weighs in on other measures before the Legislature dealing with abortion, helping prisoners return to society and helping the working poor. That and much more in this week’s Lansing Update…
MCC applauded the House and Senate for passing legislation this week that requires the safe storage of guns in homes and expands background checks on the purchase of all guns, and expressed hope that the conversation around gun safety and awareness of the violence in society will lead to a greater appreciation for the value of all human life and the dignity that every person possesses from his or her conception as a child of God. Read more…
MCC spoke out on bills moving through the Legislature that promote abortion extremism, including a bill to force some employers to cover elective abortions as part of their employee benefit plans. Also, read about updates on legislation MCC does support to improve access to clean drinking water and promote gun safety in this week’s Lansing Update…
MCC so far this legislative session has supported policies that have won bipartisan support, just Democratic support, or just Republican support—sometimes all in the same day. It is a reflection of how MCC’s advocacy is guided by principles grounded in Catholic social doctrine and aimed at promoting the common good. Read more…
A majority of Michigan lawmakers are quickly moving a bill to force employers to pay for elective abortions as part of their employee benefit plans, a clear violation of the constitutionally protected rights of conscience for individuals, employers, and faith-based institutions and yet another example of continued abortion extremism in the Legislature. Read more…
MCC issued a statement against legislative efforts to end legal protections for unborn children and removing statutory language to protect women from harm, including penalties for administering an abortion that results in the death of the woman. Read more…
MCC celebrated the signing into law this week a substantial tax cut for the working poor, capping years of advocacy. But there was less to celebrate as legislation that fails to protect religious organizations from discrimination moved forward, as did legislation that could make abortion more dangerous for women. More updates on those issues and other important bills of interest to MCC in this week’s Lansing Update…
The Michigan House of Representatives voted to amend the state’s civil rights act that will likely create a right to target religious organizations for their teachings, beliefs and practices related to traditional marriage and biological gender differences, Michigan Catholic Conference stated after the vote. Read more…
With the release of the biennial Blueprint for the Common Good, Michigan Catholic Conference shares how public policymaking—which should be directed toward advancing the common good—must be evaluated by how it advances or diminishes the life of the individual person. Read more…
MCC testified on high-profile abortion legislation and gun bills and spoke out against Senate legislation that moved this week that failed to include religious protections among expanded civil rights. Also this week, nearly 170 Catholics met with lawmakers in Lansing to advocate for driver’s licenses for immigrants and refugees. Read more in this week’s Lansing Update…
Michigan Catholic Conference expressed disappointment today with the Senate voting to pass legislation that adds new categories to the state’s civil rights law without an amendment that protects religious organizations from discrimination, which MCC believes will lead to targeting of faith-based social service, educational and charitable organizations, and force small non-profit religious organizations into lengthy litigation in state courts. Read more…
Momentum continues in advocacy efforts to include religious protections in pending civil rights legislation, with grassroots sending thousands of messages to lawmakers and other groups joining MCC in the effort. Plus, we recap the release of our Blueprint for the Common Good. Read more in this week’s Lansing Update…