Lansing Update: June 12, 2015

1. MCC Applauds Signing of Faith-Based Adoption Bills by the Governor
2. MCC Disappointed in House Passage of Bill Eliminating the State EITC
3. Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Religious Censorship in Historical Instruction
4. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Legislation Continues to House

MCC Applauds Signing of Faith-Based Adoption Bills by the Governor

Governor Rick Snyder signed three key bills into law this week that uphold religious liberty rights for faith-based adoption and foster care agencies. House Bills 4188–4190 passed the final hurdle of the Michigan Legislature on Wednesday, June 10, and were signed into law the next day. MCC released the following statement upon the governor’s signing of the bills:

“Michigan Catholic Conference is grateful to Governor Snyder, as well as the Legislature, for their support of this legislation. It is critically important to solidify the State’s long-standing partnership with faith-based child placement agencies operating collectively in the best interest of the state’s most vulnerable children. House Bills 4188–4190 will not only promote a diverse range of child placement providers, they will ensure the state does not discriminate against social service agencies that serve the poor and vulnerable while providing foster care and adoption services to the general public.”

MCC is thankful to the Catholic Advocacy Network members and the Catholic agencies who have advocated on behalf of this issue to their lawmakers. MCC would like to especially thank Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale Counties, St. Vincent Catholic Charities, and Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties for sharing their stories and for participating in an informational video about the issue that is available on MCC’s YouTube page.

Please take some time today to thank Governor Snyder and your lawmakers who voted for these important measures. To view the Senate members who voted in favor of the bills, check page 14 (Roll Call Vote 281): http://1.usa.gov/1BbNoM2. To view the House members who voted in favor of the bills, check page 27 (Roll Call Vote 243): http://1.usa.gov/1cNOguD.

MCC Disappointed in House Passage of Bill Eliminating the State EITC

On Wednesday, June 10, the Michigan House of Representatives approved a twelve bill package to address funding for roads and transportation infrastructure. One of the bills in the package, House Bill 4609, eliminated the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for working low-income families, by a narrow 57–52 vote. MCC released the following statement after the bill’s passage:

“While almost every Michigander recognizes the need to finance road repairs, we are disappointed to see these funds shifted away from the working poor. The EITC is a powerful tool that helps people transition into a more stable situation. Michigan Catholic Conference encourages policy makers to be mindful of the impact that poverty has on low-income workers and vulnerable families, especially in Michigan’s more economically distressed communities.”

Michigan Catholic Conference is thankful to the 52 members who voted against this policy and to all the Catholic Advocacy Network members who sent messages to their elected officials urging them to maintain the state EITC. To see how your Michigan Representative voted, check page 11 (Roll Call Vote 235): http://1.usa.gov/1I3GXrq. If they were one of the 52, send them a thank you message and let them know you appreciated their vote.

Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Religious Censorship in Historical Instruction

On Thursday, June 11, the Michigan Senate approved a measure that prohibits schools from censoring religious references in the study of historical documents. Senate Bill 211 passed by a 30–8 bipartisan vote. Michigan Catholic Conference will support the bill’s passage as it helps students to understand the role religion played in the context of America’s founding and throughout history. It now awaits action in the House.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Legislation Continues to House

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved a bipartisan package of bills this week to update and enhance existing domestic violence laws. Among other aspects, House Bills 4476–4481 would:

• Revises existing law to better protect the privacy of victims,
• Increase penalties for those who assault a pregnant woman,
• Prevent actions taken by one parent to protect a child or her/himself from being considered negatively by the court in a custody dispute,
• Allow survivors of sexual assault, when a pregnancy results, to present evidence so a judge may prohibit custody or parenting time from being granted to the victim’s attacker.

Michigan Catholic Conference supports the bills, which now are before the full Michigan House for further consideration.

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