Lansing Update

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.

    MCC Defends Vulnerable Women, Stands Against Commodifying Children

    Rebecca Mastee, policy advocate for MCC, testifies in opposition to the commercial surrogacy package before a Senate committee.

    Just months after Pope Francis issued a call for a global ban on surrogacy, Michigan lawmakers resumed consideration of legalizing commercialized, compensated surrogacy contracts in this state, which would make Michigan an international outlier. Learn why MCC testified against this legislation and why it’s harmful for the vulnerable women who become surrogates in this week’s Lansing Update.

    This Week in Capitol Advocacy: Protecting the Poor From Predatory Lending; Protecting Mothers Who Chose Adoption

    Tom Hickson, MCC vice president for public policy and advocacy, testifies for legislation to cap payday loan rates and shows the Senate committee a document listing alternative low-interest lending options for people in need. Behind him is Lorray Brown, managing attorney of the Michigan Poverty Law Program.

    MCC advocates testified before lawmakers this week for legislation to cap interest on predatory payday loans as well as against legislation that would remove the promise of confidentiality for birth mothers who chose adoption. Read about the implications of these issues and why the Church in Michigan is speaking to them in this week’s Lansing Update.

    MCC Backed Bills This Week to Help Foster Kids Graduate, Protect Low-Income Families

    A young woman donning her graduation cap.

    MCC supported policies this week that ranged from improving foster care education, to protecting mobile home residents from unjust rent increases, to improving access to driver’s licenses. Plus, gun legislation backed by MCC has now taken effect in Michigan, but work remains to promote awareness of gun safety and prevent the loss of life. Read more in this week’s Lansing Update.

    Help for the Poor, Funding Cuts for Nonpublic Schools Among MCC’s Takeaways on Governor’s Budget

    A man pours a cup of coffee for a man less fortunate than himself.

    In the Governor’s budget announced this week, MCC took note of a number of funding increases for programs that help the most poor and vulnerable, while also expressing concern over cuts to funds nonpublic schools had previously been granted. Read more about the start of the conversation for the next state budget in this week’s Lansing Update.

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