Women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy will no longer have access to state funds for maternal and child well-being support from local non-profit organizations after Governor Gretchen Whitmer today vetoed $700,000 in funding for the Michigan Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services Program. In addition to eliminating funds to help women in crisis pregnancies, Governor Whitmer also vetoed from the state budget monies that help ensure health and safety protections for students enrolled in nonpublic schools. These cuts were among 147 line-item vetoes issued by Governor Whitmer today from departmental budgets previously passed by the legislature.
The Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA) has recognized Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) for the second year in a row by honoring the organization with three top awards for excellence in public relations and communication. CMPRSA presented MCC a first-place Pinnacle Award in the Speeches category and two second-place Excellence Awards in the category of Newsletters and Guest Columns/Op-Eds.
Michigan Catholic Conference released the following comments regarding a federal lawsuit filed by the Becket law firm in the Western District of Michigan seeking to protect the conscience rights of faith-based child placement agencies.
Following Gov. Whitmer’s budget presentation on March 5, MCC applauded a proposal to increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit in an effort to benefit the state’s working poor. However, MCC will continue to advocate for important pro-life and nonpublic school policies that the governor proposed cutting in her budget recommendations.
Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long offered the following sentiments regarding the death of former U.S. congressman Mr. John Dingell: “The outpouring of sympathy and condolences following the death of John Dingell in no small way exemplifies the extent to which ‘The Dean’ influenced so many in this state and the nation’s capital.”
Throughout 2018, MCC championed Senate Bill 752, a measure that assists low-income families in Michigan’s Family Independence Program (FIP). The bill, which passed the Michigan Legislature with bipartisan support, removes an obstacle to marriage for low-income couples with children and helps families build financial stability, without having to choose between marriage and retaining needed benefits for their children. MCC encourages Governor Snyder to sign this critical legislation into law.
“On Monday, December 17, Governor Rick Snyder signed six bills into law to help create safe environments for children, strengthen existing statutes, and give a greater voice to those harmed by sexual abuse. House Bills 5539, 5658, 5660–5661, 5794, and 5798 emerged out of months of deliberation in the House Law and Justice Committee and were actively supported by Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) throughout the legislative process. MCC is grateful to governor and the bipartisan lawmakers for their action on this critical issue.
The House Law and Justice Committee passed legislation today raising the age for youth sentencing to 18 years old. Michigan is one of only four states in the country that continues to automatically charge 17-year-olds as adults, regardless of the severity of the crime committed. MCC is thankful to the Committee and urges the House to pass the bills in the coming weeks.
Michigan Catholic Conference shares its profound sorrow with the parishioners, clergy and family of Bishop Joseph Cistone, who passed away unexpectedly the evening of October 15th due to the complications of cancer. We remember the joy in which he approached his ministry as bishop and his service to this organization as a member of the Board of Directors.
According to the Focus document: "Questions about this proposal considered by the MCC Board of Directors, which includes the diocesan bishops of the state, asked if this measure promotes the common good and uplifts the moral fiber in the state. After careful review, the MCC Board is urging a No vote on the measure, citing the harm it may cause for Michigan families, health outcomes, communities and workers.”
