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.
Momentum continues in advocacy efforts to include religious protections in pending civil rights legislation, with grassroots sending thousands of messages to lawmakers and other groups joining MCC in the effort. Plus, we recap the release of our Blueprint for the Common Good. Read more in
Gun safety reforms moved to the top of the legislative agenda after the tragic MSU shooting. Find out more about what's been introduced and where MCC stands. Also, advocates are setting records for the messages they have sent to lawmakers urging them to include religious protections in pending civil rights legislation. Read about that and more in
Michigan would be the first state to not include religious protections in an expanded civil rights bill if pending legislation becomes law, a fact MCC is drawing attention to so lawmakers can address it. Plus, the Governor released her initial budget plans, and MCC reviewed proposed spending items of interest to nonpublic schools and agencies that serve the poor. That and more in
Both the state House and Senate recognized Catholic schools and the contribution they make to the state’s overall common good as part of National Catholic Schools Week. Plus, MCC staff visited with the offices of most of Michigan’s congressional delegation to advocate for important Catholic issues on the federal level.
MCC efforts to get the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expanded for working families took big strides this week after both chambers approved legislation to do so by large bipartisan majorities. MCC this week also commented on the Governor’s State of the State address and co-sponsored the annual school choice rally at the Capitol. Read about MCC’s advocacy efforts and more
The new legislative session kicked off this week and with it brought renewed momentum to deliver tax relief for the working poor through an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit. Read more about MCC’s continued advocacy to increase the EITC and help the working poor, plus more
After the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI last week, MCC President & CEO Paul Long offered a reflection on the former pontiff and his legacy. Plus, updates on the start of the new legislative session and more
The Legislature concluded the 2021–2022 session this week. Read about what outstanding MCC priorities made it out in time and which ones were left unfinished, plus an important legal development in the defense of religious liberty in Michigan,
This week, bills to proactively prevent child sexual abuse advanced in the Legislature, thanks in part to advocacy by Michigan Catholic Conference staff. Also, an MCC-supported measure to ensure organ donation access for people with disabilities moved forward.
After the passage of Proposal 3, MCC offered some reflections on where the pro-life movement goes next in the mission to uphold the dignity of all human life. Plus, the U.S. bishops are raising concerns over federal legislation that threatens the truth of marriage and the religious liberty of the faithful who hold to that truth.