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: 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…

All children have dignity, and the promotion of that dignity should be a critical priority in society. During the month of June, several days have been designated to raise awareness about threats to children, including the International Day of Innocent Child Victims of Aggression and the World Day Against Child Labor. In the last fifteen years, the Catholic Church has taken a leading role in efforts to protect young people and is continuing to take steps to improve safety in its institutions. In The Word from Lansing for June, Michigan Catholic Conference details more about this role and other legislative efforts to improve the situations of children and families. 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: 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…

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: 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…

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: 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…

As the U.S. Senate turns its attention to federal health care reform, the U.S. bishops have provided lawmakers with a series of moral principles to consider in their discussions. In a letter sent to all senators on June 1, the U.S. bishops wrote of the Church’s continued commitment to ensuring all have access to medical care and outlined their concerns with the legislation passed by the U.S. House, the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The five principles emphasized by the U.S. bishops for a good reform policy include universal access, respect for life, true affordability, the need for high quality and comprehensive medical care, and conscience protections. 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: 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…

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: 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…

Early in May, a presidential Executive Order was signed to address religious liberty. One aspect of the Order directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue amended regulations regarding conscience-based objections to the HHS contraceptive mandate. Michigan Catholic Conference welcomed the shift in policy and encouraged discussions to continue to alleviate unnecessary restrictions on people and organizations of faith. The Word from Lansing for May discusses the freedom of these same individuals and organizations to serve others, motivated by their religious beliefs. The column also touches on the need for further action at all levels of government to protect conscience rights. Read more…

The statistics surrounding opioid abuse are distressing, but even more distressing is the human face of addiction, which includes relatives, neighbors, friends, parishioners, and community members. This issue of FOCUS explores the growing opioid crisis — abuse of prescription drugs and use of heroin — and efforts to address addiction by the Catholic Church and the State of Michigan. Contact MCC to order additional copies of this publication at no cost to the parish, school, or other Catholic entity. 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: 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…

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: 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…