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: March for Life Promotes the Value of the Human Person; MCC Issues Priorities for 2019-2020 State Legislative Session; Legislative Committees for 2019-2020: What Role Do They Serve?; USCCB Recognizes MLK's Example for Society in Advance of Holiday; National Catholic Schools Week Begins January 27. Read more…

On Monday, January 21, Americans will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including his commitment to racial equality and justice. In a statement, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) highlighted the positive impact of this dedicated civil rights leader, calling him a “messenger and true witness to the power of the gospel lived in action through public life.” The bishops also urged Catholics and people of good will to continue Dr. King’s work, fighting racism in the Church and in society. Read more…

Each year, the March for Life in D.C. sends a strong signal that every human life has value, including the unborn. The event began as a peaceful protest of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions that legalized abortion in America in 1973. The theme for this year’s rally is “Unique from Day One: Pro-Life is Pro-Science.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was pleased to see that during the event, President Donald Trump announced he will veto any measures that repeal or weaken existing pro-life laws or policies. Additional information on the March…

From January 27 to February 2, Catholic dioceses around the country will be celebrating National Catholic Schools Week with the theme “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” This year’s theme focuses on the important contributions that are provided by a Catholic education and that assist students in becoming critical thinkers, strong communicators, and active members of society. In 2017, over 51,000 Michigan students received a Catholic education in 224 schools, leaving a significant positive impact on the state’s communities. Read more…

The Catholic Church calls for engagement in society, including in politics, to create a better world. At the state level, MCC actively engages in the public policy process on behalf of the Church, seeking policies that recognize the inherent value of every person and promote the common good. In its January FOCUS, MCC outlines the ten guiding principles that will guide staff advocacy throughout the 2019–2020 Michigan legislative session. 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: Newly Elected Officials Head to Lansing in 2019; Priority Pro-Marriage, Anti-Poverty Bill Becomes Law; Webcam Abortion Ban & Safe Delivery Device Bills Vetoed; New MCC-Supported Law Recognizes the Grief of Stillbirth for Families; MCC Applauds Governor's Signature of School Safety Measures and Funding; With Governor's Signature, Petition Bill Becomes Law; Donor Privacy Measure Vetoed in Final Days of 2018. Read more…

Throughout the 2017–2018 Michigan legislative session, Michigan Catholic Conference reviewed more than seven hundred bills, suggested bill language, testified in public committees, and represented the Church’s positions to elected officials and the media. The Word from Lansing column from December reflects on successes from the two-year session and the importance of continued work in 2019. 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 Applauds New Laws to Protect Children, Create Safe Environments; Priority Measure for MCC-Pro-Marriage, Anti-Poverty Legislation-Passes; Measure Retaining Webcam Abortion Ban Sent to Governor; Legislature Allows All Students to Access State Mental Health Services; Supplemental State Budget Includes New Round of School Safety Grants; Stillborn Tax Credit Clears Michigan Legislature with Unanimous Support; Safe Delivery Device Bills Move Forward for Final Signature; School Safety Measures Continue to Gov's Desk with Bipartisan Votes; Both Chambers Approve Donor Privacy Measure, Moves Next to Governor; Petition Bill Continues to Governor Snyder . Read more…

Throughout 2018, MCC championed Senate Bill 752, a measure that assists low-income families in Michigan’s Family Independence Program (FIP). The bill, which passed the Michigan Legislature with bipartisan support, removes an obstacle to marriage for low-income couples with children and helps families build financial stability, without having to choose between marriage and retaining needed benefits for their children. MCC encourages Governor Snyder to sign this critical legislation into law. Read more…

“On Monday, December 17, Governor Rick Snyder signed six bills into law to help create safe environments for children, strengthen existing statutes, and give a greater voice to those harmed by sexual abuse. House Bills 5539, 5658, 5660–5661, 5794, and 5798 emerged out of months of deliberation in the House Law and Justice Committee and were actively supported by Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) throughout the legislative process. MCC is grateful to governor and the bipartisan lawmakers for their action on this critical issue. 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: "Raise the Age" Policies Fall Just Short in 2017–2018; Measure to Retain Webcam Abortion Ban Passes House; With Bipartisan Vote, House Clears Charitable Giving Tax Credit; Michigan House Approves Petition Bill Despite Concerns. Read more…

MCC is disappointed to report the Michigan Legislature will not take any further action on “Raise the Age” legislation this 2017-2018 legislative session. The bipartisan package of bills would have allowed 17-year-olds to access and receive services in the juvenile justice system, except in the most serious cases. Staff has worked with a diverse group of organizations as part of the “Raise the Age” Coalition and will continue to do so next year to pass these important reforms. Read more…