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 Denounces Possible Abortion Petition Drive; Pledges to Promote Culture of Life; January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month; State Legislature Back in Session Through Spring Break; State of the State to be Delivered Virtually. Read more…

On January 7, a group of pro-abortion rights organizations announced the formation of a ballot committee to consider a petition drive to enshrine abortion in the state constitution. In response, MCC Policy Advocate Rebecca Mastee said “More than anything, women considering an abortion deserve support, love, and compassion. For decades, abortion has been touted as the only option, harmless and easy, yet we know this is a lie. Abortion hurts women.” 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 Weighs In On Religious Liberty Concerns In State Supreme Court Case; New Bishop Appointed By Pope Francis For Diocese Of Gaylord; Governor Signs Into Law Measure Promoting Organ Donation For HIV-Positive People; MCC Holiday Schedule & Merry Christmas. 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: Funding for Afghan Refugees, Low Income Renters, COVID School Testing Included in Spending Bill; U.S. Bishops Criticize Ending In-Person Dispensation Requirement for Abortion Pills; No Legislative Session Until Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. 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: Major Lift for Working Low-Income Families Supported by MCC; Bills Cracking Down on Unnecessary Incarceration Clear Senate Committee; Feast of Immaculate Conception Marks Opportunity to Pray for 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: U.S. Supreme Court Hears Case That Could Overturn Roe v. Wade; MCC Backs Bill Banning Research on Tissue Taken From Abortions; Water Filters in School Requirement, Funding Both Advance in Senate; U.S. Bishops: Faith-Based Providers Excluded From Expansion to Childcare, Pre-K Programs; Bill Allowing Organ Donations Between HIV-Positive Individuals Heads to Governor. Read more…

Nearly fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a controversial decision, established a constitutional right to abortion. But now, the nation’s highest court has been asked to reconsider the decision it made in the 1973 case known as Roe v. Wade. MCC’s Word from Lansing column takes a look at how a successful outcome in Dobbs, potentially coming in June 2022, could prohibit abortion in 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: Take Action Now to Oppose Abortion Funding in Federal Government Spending; Governor Vetoes Student Opportunity Scholarship Bills; House Adoption and Foster Care Bipartisan Taskforce Release Report; MCC Supports Productivity Credits for Incarcerated Individuals; House Passes Legislation to Ensure Accuracy of Background Checks; Bipartisan Sexual Abuse Prevention Package Passes House; Nation Observes Veterans Day; Legislature on Break until November 30. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is responding to Governor Whitmer’s veto of Education Savings Account legislation by encouraging the Governor and lawmakers to help students whose academics have been impacted by the Covid pandemic. MCC had offered its support for the ESA bills due to their ability to assist families enrolled in both public and nonpublic schools with education-related costs. 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: House and Senate Send Student Opportunity Scholarship Bills to the Governor; MCC Opposes Elimination of Gun Free Zones for Schools and Churches; MCC Supports Community Solar Energy Legislation; MCC Supports School Drinking Water Safety Bills; House Passes Vulnerable Child Abuse Prevention Bills; Bill to Expand Mandatory Reporters of Suspected Abuse Passes House Judiciary Committee; Mark the Calendar: November 18 "Pray for Dobbs" Nationwide Prayer Event; Respect Life Resources Available Throughout the Year. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is urging Governor Gretchen Whitmer to sign into law legislation that would assist parents and students by allowing for the creation of Educational Savings Accounts. According to legislation that has passed both the Senate and House of Representatives, each student in Michigan would have access to financial resources for use toward qualified expenses in either a public or nonpublic school setting. The bill package allocates up to $500 million from the state’s General Fund, rather than the resources coming from the state School Aid Budget. 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: House and Senate Pass Student Opportunity Scholarship Bills; Pregnancy Tax Exemption Passes Senate Committee; Additional Sexual Abuse Prevention Measures Advance from House Committee; House Committee Considers Legislation to Ensure Accuracy of Background Checks; Senate Adopts Religious Liberty Resolution; Biden Administration Rescinds "Protect Life Rule" in Family Planning Program; November 18 "Pray for Dobbs" Nationwide Prayer Event. Read more…