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: Advocacy Continues for EANS Dollars for Nonpublic Schools; Educational Assistance Legislation Continues to Michigan Senate; MCC Supports House Bills to Reduce Unnecessary Incarceration; U.S. Bishops Decry Chemical Abortion Pill Policy Change; Catholic Guidelines for End of Life Decisions Offered by MCC. 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: Walking With Moms Demonstrates Continued Need for Wraparound Support. 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: Nearly $90 Million in COVID Funding for Nonpublic Schools Sent to Governor; Child Abuse Prevention Legislation Continues Forward in State Legislature; The Word from Lansing: Small Steps of Love in the State Budget Process; USCCB Welcomes House Passage of Bipartisan Immigration Reform; Upcoming Webinar: The Equality Act and What it Means for Catholics. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is expressing its gratitude to the Michigan Senate today for passing legislation that appropriates some $87 million in federal dollars to assist Catholic and other nonpublic schools in the state with costs associated with the COVID pandemic. 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 Assistance Vetoed—MCC Emphasizes Student Safety Needs; MCC Testifies in House Committee on Payday Lending; Bills Addressing Educational Assistance and COVID Continue to House Floor. Read more…

Each year, the State of Michigan makes budget determinations for its people, just as a family makes decisions for the good of its members. If done well, the budget can act as a document of love and of care, recognizing all Michiganders have value and considering carefully the needs of the marginalized. The Word from Lansing column for March provides thoughts about the 2021–2022 state budget process and the priorities MCC believes should be included in the final version. 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: Action Alert! Federal COVID Relief Continues to U.S. Senate — Your Voice is Still Needed; State Legislature Approves Funding for Nonpublic Schools in COVID-19 Relief Package; Michigan Bishops Address Moral Concerns with Johnson & Johnson Vaccine. Read more…

In December of 2020, in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Catholic bishops in Michigan provided insights about the benefit of vaccinations for public health outcomes. The bishops also addressed moral questions for Catholics about the COVID-19 vaccines available at the time: Pfizer and Moderna. With the introduction of a new option from Johnson & Johnson that is now available in the state, the Michigan bishops have revised their statement to share moral concerns with the vaccine’s design, production, development and testing. 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: Contact Officials on COVID Relief, Equality Act. Read more…

The Catholic Church has many inspiring models of faith, including Sr. Thea Bowman, a religious sister in the early stages of consideration for sainthood. Sr. Thea’s life of service to others and dedication to her faith remind Catholics that it is important to stand up for the vulnerable and the common good, even in difficult community and policy conversations. The Word from Lansing column for February reflects upon Sr. Thea’s example and calls for Catholic to be a voice for others. 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: Urge Your U.S. Officials to Oppose Discriminatory Legislation; Speak Out to Oppose Payday Lending Expansion; Catholic Conference Supports Net Metering Legislation. 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 Testifies on Behalf of Support for Pregnant Women, Mothers; Catholic Conference Urges State Lawmakers to Act on Education Funding; Executive Recommendations Include Several MCC-Priority Items—Continued Work Needed; Advocacy Report on the 100th Michigan Legislature Released by MCC. Read more…