This week: House and Senate Agree on Education Funding in 2017–2018 State Budget; Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Budget Approved by Lawmakers; Measure to Continue OK2SAY School Safety Program Passes the Michigan Legislature; Bill on Local Governments and School Sale Close to Governor's Desk; House Approves Measures Addressing Prostitution Exemption, Spina Bifida, and MI-POST; Shared Parenting Time Measure Continues Forward to the House of Representatives; Senate Opioid Package Approved by Full Senate; U.S. Bishops React to Health Care Reform, Possible Deportation of Iraqi Refugees. Read more…

This week: Omnibus Budget Bills Return to Conference Committees; Governor Signs Bill Allowing Expert Testimony in Human Trafficking Cases; The Word from Lansing Column: Raising Awareness About the Dignity of Children; Legislation Addressing Prostitution Exemption for Law Enforcement Clears House Committee; FGM Package Headed Soon for Governor's Desk; Senate Approves Knights of Columbus Fundraising Plate With Wide Support; Health Policy Committee Sends MI-Post Legislation On to Full House; Michigan House of Representatives Widely Supports Opioid Package. Read more…

This week: Lawmakers Greet Michigan's Bishops at State Capitol Luncheon; U.S. Bishops to Gather for Mass of Prayer and Penance for Survivors of Abuse; Conference Committees Pass Revised Budget Proposals for 2017–2018 Year; Human Trafficking Expert Testimony Legislation Awaits Governor's Consideration; Knights of Columbus Fundraising Bill Continues to Full Senate; After Passing the House, Senate Committee Next Stop for FGM Package; Sanctuary City Debate: MCC Neutral on Legislation But Raises Concerns; Opioid Measures Continue Forward in Both Chambers; Bill on Local Governments and School Sale Passes House Committee. Read more…

This week: USCCB Urges Broadening of HHS Mandate Exemption; Conference Committees to Meet Next Week on State Budget; Senate Committee Unanimously Reports Expert Witness Testimony Bill; Spina Bifida Information Bill to Be Considered Next By Full House; U.S. Bishops Regret President's Withdrawal From Paris Agreement; U.S. Bishops Provide Senators With Moral Principles for Health Care Reform. Read more…

This week: Defer and Dismiss Measure for Human Trafficking Victims Becomes Law; Bills Aimed at Preventing Opioid Abuse Continue to Full House of Representatives; Knights of Columbus Fundraising Plate Considered in Senate Committee; Bills to Address Vaccination Waiver Rules Receive Much Debate in House Committee; President Trump and Pope Francis Meet at the Vatican; Memorial Day Mass Honors Ultimate Sacrifice of Service Men and Women. Read more…

This week: Defer and Dismiss Bill for Human Trafficking Victims Headed to Governor's Desk; Revenue Estimating Conference Shows General Fund Down, School Aid Fund Up; Senate Unanimously Approves FGM Bills—Discussion Turns to House of Representatives; Human Trafficking Expert Witness Testimony Bill Moves to Michigan Senate; Spina Bifida Information Bill Considered in Committee; MCC Introduces June FOCUS: Confronting Michigan's Opioid Crisis; The Word from Lansing Column: Religious Freedom—An American Right for All. Read more…

This week: Measures Move Forward in the Michigan Senate to Address Human Rights Issue; MCC: Senate E-Cigarette Bill Does Not Do Enough to Protect Children; Senate Committee Approves Measure Regarding Local Governments and School Sale. Read more…

This week: Religious Liberty Executive Order Lays Groundwork for Future Efforts; USCCB Calls On U.S. Senate To Strip Harmful Proposals From House-Passed Health Care Bill; Michigan House and Senate Approve 2017–2018 State Budget Proposals; Defer and Dismiss Prostitution Bills Continue to Michigan Senate; Measures Passes Senate Committee to Preserve OK2SAY School Safety Program. Read more…

This week: 2017–2018 State Budget Proposals Continue to Full House and Senate; USCCB Pro-Life Chair Calls Pro-Abortion Pledge Extreme, Disturbing, Intolerant; Safe Delivery Update Passes House Unanimously; Senate Approves Measure to Eliminate Prostitution Exemption; House Approves Charitable Gaming Bill Package With Bipartisan Support. Read more…

This week: House and Senate Subcommittees Move 2017–2018 DHHS Proposals Forward; Measure to Eliminate Prostitution Exemption Passes Senate Committee; The Word from Lansing Column: Confronting Michigan's Growing Opioid Crisis. Read more…