Three chairmen of the bishops’ committees working on health care reform urged the U.S. Congress to improve current health care reform legislation, expressing their “disappointment that progress has not been made on the three priority criteria for health care reform” cited in their previous letters. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit, which provides a small benefit for those who are working but pay a disproportionate level of payroll taxes, is in jeopardy due to state budget difficulties. According to recent reports, the average median income of those who receive the tax credit is between $10,000 and $15,000. Please take a brief moment to telephone your legislator and the governor today, and kindly ask them to oppose any measure that halts full implementation of the state earned income tax credit. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

One of Michigan’s two U.S. senators, Debbie Stabenow, sits on the Senate Finance Committee, where national health care reform legislation is being discussed. Please take a moment to contact Sen. Stabenow and urge her to support the Hatch/Enzi amendments that would protect conscience rights and prohibit public funding of abortions. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy Paul Long and Michigan League for Human Services President and CEO Sharon Parks have co-authored a letter supporting current funding levels for the state’s clothing allowance program. The program, which is in jeopardy due to the state’s $2.8 billion budget deficit, helps the most needy children in Michigan afford clothing for the new school year. The piece has been distributed to newspapers across the state. Read more…

Several elected officials are calling for a “shared pain” approach to balancing the state’s $2.8 billion budget deficit. MCC is urging opposition to this position as the state departments responsible for ensuring the health and safety of Michigan’s poor and vulnerable population have already suffered harmful budget cuts. It’s time to say “enough is enough.” Please take a few moments to contact your elected officials today and urge opposition to any approach that further harms those most in need. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

This week House Republicans introduced a plan to balance the state’s $1.7 billion deficit, which includes halting the full implementation of the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit. For several years MCC fought for the creation of this policy in an effort to lower the disproportionate tax burden on the working poor. More information about the EITC can be found in Anderson Economic Group’s “A Hand Up for Michigan Workers” 2008 report below. Read more…

“For decades, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care reform that leads to health care for all, including the weakest and most vulnerable.” [Link no longer available —Ed.]

Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, reacted to final guidelines for human embryonic stem cell research issued July 6 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [Link no longer available —Ed.]

Paul Stankewitz, MCC Associate for Public Policy, discusses the concept of restorative justice, and the need for the state to reform its system of providing public defense for the indigent. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

The Catholic Church on May 24 celebrated World Communications Day, and to commemorate the celebration the Vatican launched the Web site Pope2You.net, which features applications for popular sites and devices such as iPhone and Facebook. Read more…