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…

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: ACTION NEEDED! Urge House to Vote on 'Raise the Age'; Measure to Retain Webcam Abortion Ban Continues Forward; Senate Approves Sexual Assault and Child Protection Bills; Senate Next to Consider School Safety Measures; Committee Widely Supports Charitable Giving Measures. 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 House Committee For Passing 'Raise the Age' Bills; School Safety Measures Clear Senate Education Committee; Senate Passes Measure to Retain Webcam Abortion Ban; Donor Privacy Measure Moves to House Committee; Wrongful Imprisonment Fix Now Before Full House; MCC Supports Legislation to Establish Forensic Science Commission. Read more…

The House Law and Justice Committee passed legislation today raising the age for youth sentencing to 18 years old. Michigan is one of only four states in the country that continues to automatically charge 17-year-olds as adults, regardless of the severity of the crime committed. MCC is thankful to the Committee and urges the House to pass the bills in the coming weeks. 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: ACTION NEEDED! Urge Adoption of "Raise the Age" Policies; U.S. Bishops Approve Pastoral Letter Against Racism; USCCB Applauds Cancellation of FDA Fetal Tissue Contract; The Word from Lansing: The Synod on Young People, Faith & Vocational Discernment. Read more…