Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long offered the following comments today after the introduction of Senate Joint Resolution G, which would allow for the death penalty for first degree murder of a peace or corrections officer while in the line of duty: “The death penalty is an antiquated and inhumane method of punishment representing nothing more than retaliation and more violence. It has no place in a civilized society. The prohibition against capital punishment in the 1963 Michigan Constitution is clear: the state has no right to decide who lives and who dies.” Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long provided the following comments this evening regarding Governor Rick Snyder’s State of the State speech: “A clear indicator of the moral strength of a society is the manner by which it cares for its most needy citizens,” said Long. “Every person is deserving of human dignity, and state efforts to promote this right through poverty reduction should be pursued. Merging the Departments of Community Health and Human Services presents an opportunity for policymakers to enhance the assistance citizens need to distance themselves from poverty.“ Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long responded to today’s decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to hear cases this year from the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit addressing state policies that define marriage as between one man and one woman, including the 2004 voter-approved Michigan Marriage Amendment: “This is a significant moment for the nation’s highest court to move toward settling one of the most important societal questions in recent history,” said Long. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is applauding Governor Rick Snyder and the Michigan Legislature after the Governor signed into law yesterday Senate Bill 847. Contingent upon passage of a May statewide ballot question focused on road funding, the legislation would fully restore the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in 2016 to 20 percent of the federal credit. The EITC, which the Legislature created in 2006 after years of advocacy from Michigan Catholic Conference and others, was reduced to six percent in 2011 when the state tax code was remodeled. “Michigan Catholic Conference could not be more pleased for the legislature and governor to address the economic concerns of the working poor in our state,” said Tom Hickson, Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference today is applauding the Michigan House of Representatives for passing several bills that protect religious liberty rights for citizens and faith-based entities across the state. Creation of a Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act, conscience protections for faith-based child placement agencies, and school attendance records that respect religious holidays all passed the House this afternoon and now await consideration from the State Senate. “For the House of Representatives to pass out these important policies today indicates the level of respect that lawmakers have for religious liberty,” said Tom Hickson, MCC Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy Tom Hickson made the following comments this morning after the House Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 5958, which would create a Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act: “The committee’s approval is a most welcome first step; it is now incumbent upon the full House to pass Speaker Bolger’s bill quickly to allow for the Senate to address this critical policy as soon as possible,” said Hickson. “A Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act is good for tolerance and diversity, it is good for individual and religious liberties, and it is for the common good of society.” Read more…

In order to promote religious liberty and conscience rights, and to help encourage diversity in the public square, legislation introduced today by Speaker Jase Bolger to create a state Religious Freedom Restoration Act, House Bill 5958, is needed now more than ever, said the President and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference. "In the name of tolerance, religious organizations and individuals are not being tolerated,” said Paul A. Long, Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO. Read more…

On Thursday, November 6 a three judge panel in Cincinnati ruled 2-1 to uphold the 2004 voter-approved Michigan Marriage Amendment as constitutional. The majority opinion from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturns a lower court decision in Michigan, and also finds constitutional traditional marriage amendments in the states of Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky. The Michigan case was defended by the office of state Attorney General Bill Schuette, which Michigan Catholic Conference supported through an amicus (friend of the court) brief that was filed back in May. Following the Circuit Court’s ruling, Michigan Catholic Conference released a statement saying “Today’s ruling is a joyous occasion for many communities and families across the state that have sought to protect the traditional definition of marriage.” Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference today offered its appreciation for the state’s effort to curb the practice of human trafficking as Governor Rick Snyder signed into law this morning nearly two dozen bills that seek to restrain this modern day form of slavery. The signing of the bills is a culmination of nearly two years of conversation and work that sought to uphold and defend human dignity by creating new protections and services for survivors of human trafficking. “Human trafficking is an affront to the dignity of the human person, and vulnerable women, men and children deserve greater protection from its harm,” said Rebecca Mastee, Michigan Catholic Conference Policy Advocate. An event that witnessed Governor Snyder sign the bills into law took place today in Troy, Michigan at Walsh College with Michigan Catholic Conference staff in attendance. Read more…

“We are blessed to have Bishop Raica and his many talents, keen insights and invaluable experience join with his brother bishops, religious and lay persons at the MCC Board of Directors,” said MCC President and CEO Paul A. Long. “With deep appreciation for his service both overseas and as a priest in the Diocese of Lansing, Bishop Raica will be instrumental toward helping to guide the work of the Michigan Catholic Conference in its mission to promote sound public policy for the common good of all and to administer benefit programs for the Catholic Church in Michigan. As a longtime friend and collaborator of the MCC, we wish Bishop Raica prayerful best wishes for his Episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Gaylord and look forward to his service to the Church in the Province of Detroit.” Read more…