In an effort to support the funding provisions of the federal CARES Act that recognizes the impact of COVID-19 on all students, Michigan Catholic Conference has joined a legal brief filed today in federal court opposing national litigation from Attorney General Dana Nessel, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Michael Rice that seeks to withhold millions of CARES Act dollars earmarked for nonpublic schools in Michigan and across the country. 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: Dismemberment Abortion Petition Comes to End—Catholic Conference Pledges Continued Efforts; Catholic Teaching Affirms Dignity of Black Lives; Bill for Families Grieving Stillbirth Continues to Senate; DNR Orders for Minors Unanimously Pass Committee; Agreements Reached for 2019–2020 Supplemental Bills; Legislation to Reduce Unnecessary Incarceration Moves Forward; USCCB Urges President to Rescind Census Memorandum. Read more…

Right to Life of Michigan has announced that it is ending its effort to place citizen-initiated legislation before the Michigan House of Representatives and State Senate that would prohibit the second trimester dismemberment abortion procedure due to an insufficient number of valid signatures. According to MCC: “It goes without saying that after countless hours and with myriad people volunteering at hundreds of Catholic parishes across the state to collect signatures that this outcome is disappointing. Each and every person who assisted in this petition drive is cherished and thanked.” 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: Continued Action Needed to Support Catholic Schools; The Word from Lansing: Do Justice, Love Goodness, and Walk Humbly; Federal Executions Resume: Speak Out Against the Death Penalty; USCCB Opposes Proposed Rule Eliminating Protection for Asylum Seekers; Learn About "Walking with Moms in Need" Initiative. Read more…

Discussions around the country regarding race, injustice, and police reform provide critical opportunities for mutual understanding and positive change. Within these discussions, Catholics must be willing to move beyond the rhetoric, to listen to one another, and to truly address the root causes of racism. 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: Lawsuit Discriminates Against Nonpublic School Students; USCCB Welcomes SCOTUS Decision Preserving Religious Freedom; Michigan Dual Enrollment Expansion Signed into Law; SCOTUS Ruling Recognizes the Church's Right to Choose Own Leaders. Read more…

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and State Superintendent Michael Rice announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, seeking to withhold needed pandemic relief from Michigan students in nonpublic schools. MCC decried the action’s utter disregard for families and students, simply because of the school they attend. 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 SCOTUS Decision Against Blaine Amendments; SCOTUS Ruling Prioritizes Abortion Business Over Women's Safety; REMINDER: Share Concerns About Payday Lending with Senators; MCC Wishes All A Happy Independence Day; Catholic Conference Honored with Three PR Awards. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference released the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 5–4 in Espinoza v. Montana. The Court found unconstitutional that state’s policy to prohibit religious schools from equal access to a public education benefit. The full impact of the ruling on the State of Michigan and Article 8 Section 2 of the state constitution — Michigan’s “Blaine Amendment” — will require additional review and study. Read more…

In June Medical Services v. Russo, the U.S. Supreme Court narrowly ruled to strike down a Louisiana law requiring abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) decried the decision and its disregard for the health and safety of women. At the same time, USCCB renewed its commitment to fight for justice for mothers and children. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is honored to have received from the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of Michigan (CMPRSA) three awards that recognize the organization’s efforts to communicate its public policy work. The awards include a first-place Pinnacle Award for an annual legislative report and two second-place Excellence Awards, one for an op/ed column and one for MCC’s FOCUS publication. Award winners were announced the evening of June 23, 2020 at an online ceremony. 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: Advocacy on Payday Lending Appreciated, State Lawmakers Leave for Short Recess; New Law Extends Telemedicine to Medicaid Recipients; MCC Supports Bills to Reduce Unnecessary Incarceration; Discussion Continues Around Police Training; Dual Enrollment Expansion Close to Governor's Desk; U.S. Bishops Celebrate Religious Freedom Week; Catholic Conference Offers Prayers for Father's Day. Read more…