The Catholic Church strongly believes in protecting religious freedom, not just for Catholics but also for those of other faiths—or no faith at all. An important component in this protection is also standing up against incidents of religious bigotry in society. The Word from Lansing for April shares examples of religious bigotry today and encourages people of goodwill to instead take the lead in fostering a climate of respect and religious tolerance. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference released the following comments regarding a federal lawsuit filed by the Becket law firm in the Western District of Michigan seeking to protect the conscience rights of faith-based child placement agencies. 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: Committees Consider "Raise the Age"—MCC Testifies; MCC Raises Concerns on Sanctuary City Bills; Hospice Exemption Bills Continue to House Floor; MCC Submits Public Comments on MI-Post Forms; Suicide Prevention Commission Bill Has MCC 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: Discharge Petition Needs More Signatures for Vote on Born-Alive Act. Note: Michigan lawmakers are currently back in their home districts for the spring legislative recess. They will return to Lansing for regular session next week on Tuesday, April 9. 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: USDA Requests Comments on Proposed SNAP Change; Continued Pressure Needed: Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act; U.S. House Calls for Action on Equality Act; USCCB Opposes; U.S. Bishops Praise Expanded Mexico City Policy; The Word from Lansing: Prioritizing the Vulnerable in the State 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: Settlement Agreement "Does Nothing to Protect Foster Care Youth"; MCC Urges Stricter Regulations for E-Cigarettes; USCCB Opposes Equality Act; Reaffirms Authentic Human Dignity. Read more…

On March 5, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and State Budget Director Chris Kolb presented their Executive State Budget Recommendations for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year. These recommendations included several positive elements, including a doubling of the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Word from Lansing from MCC delves further into these elements, as well as budget items not included in the governor’s proposal but that MCC will continue to advocate for during the budget process. 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 "Raise the Age" Package; Nonpublic School Educators Meet with State Lawmakers; Hospice Fixes to Opioid Law Pass Committees. 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 Reacts to Executive State Budget Recommendations; "Raise the Age" Package Receives First Senate Hearing; Join Us: Pray for an End to Infanticide. Read more…

Following Gov. Whitmer’s budget presentation on March 5, MCC applauded a proposal to increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit in an effort to benefit the state’s working poor. However, MCC will continue to advocate for important pro-life and nonpublic school policies that the governor proposed cutting in her budget recommendations. 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: Born-Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act Fails in U.S. Senate; USCCB Commends "The Protect Life Rule" from DHHS; Governor to Present State Budget; Recommendations; Vatican Summit on Protection of Minors Comes to a Close. 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: Support Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act; Vatican Meeting Focuses on Protection of Minors; Senators Highlight Bipartisan "Raise the Age" Bills; MCC Supports Charitable Giving Tax Credit in Committee; USCCB Expresses Concerns on Border Wall Order; The Word from Lansing: Pushing Back Against Racism. Read more…