2024

Pending bills in both the House and Senate would make Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards available to applicants who do not have proof of U.S. citizenship but can prove their identity and Michigan residency. Without a driver’s license, more than 100,000 Michiganders who lack federal documentation cannot legally drive to buy groceries, drop their kids off at school, or get to work.

MCC is responding with profound disappointment and offense taken to a video the Governor appeared in that appears to mock the posture and gestures of Catholics receiving the Holy Eucharist, and is calling for a return to a level of public respect, civility, and appreciation for those who have found peace and fulfillment in life by worshiping God and serving their neighbor.

A man crouching down in the street, offering assistance to another, homeless, man.

MCC said the state budget, which was signed into law today, is a moral statement and one that indicates the priorities state officials are willing to support with public tax dollars. Inspired by Christ’s teaching to care for ‘the least of these,’ MCC believes that taking care of the poor and vulnerable is and should remain among the top public spending priorities, and was encouraged to see that critical programs that provide for pregnant mothers in need, families experiencing homelessness, and foster children were preserved or increased.

A teacher lecturing to a classroom full of young school children in uniform.

Upon the Governor signing the latest education budget into law, MCC issued a statement indicating that state lawmakers could have provided more support to ensure all Michigan students are safe and secure at school and have access to healthy meals, regardless of the schools they attend. Lawmakers in recent years have identified school security upgrades and ensuring all students have access to free meals at school as public priorities, but the new budget fell short of making adequate investment into these areas for all students.

A close-up of a pregnant woman protectively holding her belly with one hand and signing a contract with the other

State lawmakers failed to consider the totality of concerns present with paid surrogacy contracts, concerns that include protecting vulnerable women from exploitation and human trafficking, along with how the practice minimizes the dignity of motherhood and childbirth into a sale and delivery mechanism for the gain of others, Michigan Catholic Conference said in response to the signing of bills allowing the practice in Michigan.

Close-up of a pregnant woman protectively holding her belly with both hands

Allowing individuals to enter compensated contracts for the creation of children puts vulnerable surrogate mothers at greater risk of exploitation, MCC said in opposition to legislation that passed a state Senate committee, which would allow for compensated surrogacy contracts in the state and also make Michigan an outlier among the international community, which largely views surrogacy as a human rights violation.

A payday loan application form attached to a clipboard next to a laptop and a cup of coffee

MCC commends the state Senate for providing bipartisan support to legislation that would stop payday lenders in Michigan from charging exorbitant interest and fees on short-term loans that ensnare low-income customers in a cycle of debt.

A happy family consisting of a mother, father, and two children standing at the edge of a river launching paper boats.

With the Governor delivering her annual State of State address this week and her next budget recommendation due to be released soon, MCC issued a press release urging her and lawmakers to pursue policies primarily aimed at helping families support themselves.

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Final State Budget Reflects Priorities—and People—Michigan Policymakers are Willing to Support

Nonpublic Schools See Cuts to Safety Funding Under New State Education Budget

New Surrogacy Laws Place Vulnerable Women at Greater Risk, Undermine Natural Bond Between Birth Mother and Child

Despite International Alarms Over the Practice, Legislature Moving to Legalize Compensated Surrogacy Contracts

Catholic Conference Applauds Senate Vote to Protect Poor from Predatory Payday Lending

Following State of the State Address, Catholic Conference Urges Priority on Families