News Release: MCC to Urge “No’ Vote on Proposal 5

(Lansing)—The Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors earlier this week adopted a position to oppose Proposal 5, the ballot question that will ask Michigan voters if tax increases should only be approved with two-thirds support from both the Michigan House of Representatives and the State Senate. Michigan Catholic Conference President and C.E.O. Paul A. Long commented on the Conference’s opposition to Proposal 5:

“Michigan Catholic Conference in its nearly 50 year history has consistently stated that it is the responsibility of the Legislature to determine the level of revenues that may be needed to fund the operations of state government vital to promoting and protecting the common good. The ‘two-thirds’ proposal would nullify the ability for a simple majority of elected officials to modify state revenues when needed, which the Conference believes is contrary to the principles of representative democracy and the ability to promote the common good for all Michigan citizens.”

The Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors is comprised of the seven (arch) diocesan bishops in the state, five lay persons, one diocesan priest and one religious sister. Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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