Lansing Update: March 13, 2015

Posted March 13, 2015

  1. Action Will Soon Be Needed to Pass Critical Faith-Based Adoption and Foster Care Bills
  2. School Choice Telephone Town Hall to Be Held Next Wednesday
  3. MCC Interview with Michigan Talk Radio Highlights Current Legislative Issues

Action Will Soon Be Needed to Pass Critical Faith-Based Adoption and Foster Care Bills

Michigan Catholic Conference staff has been closely monitoring House Bills 4188, 4189, and 4190, which ensure faith-based agencies such as Catholic Charities can continue to place Michigan’s children in loving homes while staying true to the teachings of their faith. The bills are expected to be voted on in the full Michigan House of Representatives in the next week or two. As soon as MCC staff receives word that the bills will be considered, we will provide further background information and sample messages so that you can contact your State Representative through the Catholic Advocacy Network in support of the legislation. In the meantime, if you would like to familiarize yourself with your lawmaker, click here.

School Choice Telephone Town Hall to Be Held Next Wednesday

A call-in town hall style meeting on the topic of school choice will be held next Wednesday, March 18 and is open to those who are interested in participating. Michigan Catholic Conference is sponsoring the call, along with the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools (an organization of which most Catholic schools in Michigan are a member), the Mackinac Center, and the American Enterprise Institute. The call features Michael Q. McShane, Ph.D. and research fellow for Education Policy Studies with the American Enterprise Institute, to discuss why recent reforms have not triggered a large increase in high-quality private school options. Also joining the conversation is Bruce Braun, Superintendent of Michigan District Lutheran Schools Missouri Synod, to share his perspective on the state of private schools in Michigan and the viability of expanded school choice. Click here to register and participate in the event by phone. To watch the event live online, tune in to www.mackinac.org next Wednesday.

MCC Interview with Michigan Talk Radio Highlights Current Legislative Issues

Michigan Catholic Conference recently spoke with Michigan Talk Radio on the “Capitol Pressroom” program regarding legislation of interest to the MCC. Religious liberty, poverty, and immigration were among the topics discussed. To hear the interview, click here. To learn more about MCC advocacy principles, approved by the Board of Directors for the 2015–2016 legislative session, read MCC’s A Blueprint for the Common Good.

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