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: USCCB Launches National Pro-Life Prayer Effort; ACTION NEEDED! Show Support for the "Protect Life Rule"; ACTION NEEDED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL! Protect Vulnerable Girls' Access to Education; The Word from Lansing: State Budget Successes and the Importance of Engagement; 2018 Election Year Guidelines for Catholic Organizations. Read more…

In June, Michigan lawmakers passed and the governor signed two measures into law that provide for the state’s October 2018–September 2019 budget. The Word from Lansing column for July highlights Michigan Catholic Conference’s advocacy during the budget process, as well as several key budget items that were included in the final version and were supported by MCC. Read more…

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has called for Catholics to participate in a nationwide prayer campaign, each Friday from August 3 to September 28. In light of the open U.S. Supreme Court seat, the campaign is focused on praying that the change in the Court will move the United States closer to the full protection and welcoming of every human life in law. Read more…

Michiganders have two elections coming up: the August 7 Primary Election and the November 6 General Election. In preparation for these events, and to facilitate appropriate participation in political and electoral activities, Michigan Catholic Conference offers guidelines for Catholic parishes, schools, and other 501(c)(3) organizations. 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: Governor Signs 2018–2019 State Budgets into Law; Medicaid Work Requirement Becomes Law; Second DACA Measure Defeated in U.S. House; USCCB Applauds SCOTUS for Upholding Free Speech in NIFLA v. Becerra; U.S. Bishops Express Concerns with SCOTUS Travel Ban Ruling; USCCB Expresses Disappointment in SCOTUS Janus v. AFSCME Ruling; Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy Announces Retirement. 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: Discussion Continues in U.S. House on DACA — Action Needed!; Bishops Comment on Family Separation; President Issues Executive Order; Feasts of Two Saints Kick-off Religious Freedom Week; The Word from Lansing Column: Elections—And Your Vote—Matter. Read more…

Two important dates are quickly approaching this summer. Monday, July 9 is the last day individuals can register to vote prior to the Michigan Primary Election, which will be taking place on Tuesday, August 7. The June column of The Word from Lansing speaks to the importance of these upcoming elections and why Michigan Catholics should take the time to get registered and prepared. 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: Legislature Issues Final Approval of Education Budget Bill; Omnibus Budget Bill Sent to Governor's Desk; Governor Signs Driver's License Bills Into Law; Changes to Do-Not-Resuscitate Law Unanimously Clear Senate; USCCB President Comments on Asylum Policy for Domestic Violence Victims. 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: Conference Committees Reach Agreement on 2018–2019 Budget Proposals; Sexual Assault Package Moves Forward to Full Senate; House Committee Approves Marriage Disregard Legislation With MCC Support; House Passes MCC-Opposed Healthy Michigan Work Requirement; School Safety Measures Debated in Michigan Legislature; Dual Enrollment Bill Moves to Full Senate; FOCUS: Promoting Religious Freedom Through Interfaith Dialogue; USCCB Applauds SCOTUS Decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop Case; U.S. Bishops Urge Administration to Keep Families Together. Read more…

The House Families, Children and Seniors Committee approved a measure today that would allow Family Independence Program (FIP) participants to retain their state benefit after marriage for a grace period of eighteen months. Michigan Catholic Conference has advocated for adoption of this common sense, bipartisan policy and urges the full House of Representatives to vote on Senate Bill 752 before summer recess. Read more…

Religious freedom is a cornerstone value for all Americans. Promoting Religious Freedom Through Interfaith Dialogue, June’s FOCUS, illustrates how collaborative efforts with individuals of other faiths can help to defend this important value. The FOCUS also highlights the comments given by Most Reverend Allen Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit, at the November 7, 2017 Interfaith Religious Freedom Conference. 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: USCCB: Separating Abortion from Title X Family Planning Program "Deeply Appreciated"; Driver's License Bills to be Sent to Governor's Desk; The Word from Lansing Column: Why Michigan Needs to Raise the Age; MCC Receives Four Bronze Tellys for Freedom to Serve Videos. Read more…