Lansing Update: Promoting and Preserving Access to Affordable Housing
Posted May 22, 2026
MCC Calls on Michigan to Opt in to Federal Education Tax Credit
MCC is calling for Michigan to opt in to the new Federal Education Tax Credit because the policy would make “substantial financial support available to public and nonpublic school families facing out-of-pocket education expenses,” according to an MCC press release distributed to media recently.
Beginning in 2027, any taxpayer could donate to nonprofit scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs) and receive a credit on their federal taxes. The SGO would then use the donations to distribute assistance to families to pay for out-of-pocket education expenses.
Families of children who attend either public or nonpublic schools would be eligible to apply for and receive assistance from the SGOs. The expenses covered would include tuition, tutoring, technology, special needs services, and more.
For nonpublic school families, the assistance could come in the form of much-needed help with tuition payments. For public school families, costs associated with tutoring or other additional support services would be covered.
However, the state of Michigan must formally opt into the program for families and students here to benefit. To that end, MCC has been promoting the benefit of the tax credit.
In addition to the recent press release advocating for the tax credit, a column authored by MCC President and CEO Paul A. Long was also recently published, including in Detroit Catholic, the digital publication of the Archdiocese of Detroit, as well as in an upcoming edition of U.P. Catholic, the newspaper for the Diocese of Marquette.
The federal education tax credit provides tremendous potential to open new revenue streams for education in Michigan. It would not raise taxes or divert existing funding that benefit Michigan schools, as the assistance for families would be funded by private donations.
A decision to opt Michigan into the program may not occur until after the general election this November, which will decide the state’s next governor. In the coming months, there may be an opportunity for members of the Catholic Advocacy Network like you to contact public officials to urge their support for Michigan to opt in to the federal education tax credit.
Action Alert: Tell the FDA to Stop Chemical Abortions in America
To protect women and unborn children across the country, Catholics and all people of goodwill are invited to send a message to the federal government to rescind its approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.
According to Human Life Action, the use of chemical abortion drugs such as mifepristone accounts for 63% of all abortions. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of unborn children who die, women who take the drug—including under no medical supervision—sometimes experience serious adverse effects.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently allow mail-order distribution of the chemical abortion drug mifepristone. A legal challenge has been brought against the drug’s approval, and while the case has made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, a recent ruling will continue to allow access to mail-order chemical abortion drugs.
To send a message to FDA leadership, click or tap here to urge the agency to rescind its approval of chemical abortion drug mifepristone, or at the very least, restore former patient safeguards, including the requirement that an in-person doctor's office visit take place before a woman can receive mifepristone.
Legislation to Promote Low-Income Housing Earns MCC Support
Legislation considered this week in the House and Senate to promote development of affordable housing for lower-income individuals received MCC support.
The bills would establish a state-level, low-income housing tax credit program to complement the existing federal low-income housing tax credit. The goal of the state credit would be to further incentivize developers to build housing specifically available for low-income individuals.
Increasing access to housing—particularly for lower-income individuals who may struggle to afford market rates—is among MCC’s advocacy priorities related to the Catholic social principle of promoting a preferential option for the poor.
The Senate version of the legislation is represented by Senate Bills 966–968, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor). The House version of the legislation is House Bills 5805 and 5807, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Aragona (R-Clinton Twp.), and House Bill 5806, sponsored by Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids).
Both packages have received committee hearings in their respective chambers but have not been voted on yet.
Bipartisan Bills Backed by MCC Would Better Protect Mobile Home Residents
The state Senate passed a bipartisan bill package supported by MCC to protect residents of mobile home parks from unjust practices on the part of mobile home park owners.
The legislation—Senate Bills 934 through 939—earned MCC support because it would implement accountability measures intended to prevent park owners from taking advantage of residents. The package is also intended to preserve mobile home ownership as an affordable housing option amidst the state’s crunch in housing supply.
The bills would, among other measures, prohibit mobile home park owners from charging more for utilities beyond the actual rate charged by the provider, and require state licensing and inspection of mobile home parks.
The package also institutes regulations related to the sale of mobile home parks, including ensuring park residents could organize and purchase the park themselves if the owner chooses to sell.
MCC supported a similar legislative package in a previous session. The current bill package cleared the Senate on a bipartisan vote and was referred to the House Government Operations Committee for further consideration.
This Memorial Day, Remember Also Those Who Have Recently Died
For Memorial Day this year, it is important to remember all men and women who have died in the line of duty—including those in the recent military operations around Iran.
According to multiple sources as of this date, at least 13 U.S. servicemembers have died in the recent hostilities. As people of faith, let us commend their souls to God, as well as the loved ones they left behind, as we also pray for peace in our nation and world:
Heavenly Father, we lift up in prayer today our brothers and sisters who have gone before us, sacrificing their own lives for the protection and safety of others.
May they inspire us to live selflessly in our own lives, as Christ calls us to do.
As we pray for those who lost their lives in conflict throughout our history, we recognize the ongoing war and violence that continues to plague humanity in many places, many forms.
Today, we pray for peace, which those we honor today fought valiantly to achieve.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.