In what is to be considered a major victory for the school choice movement, the United States House of Representatives yesterday voted to reauthorize the Opportunity Scholarship Program for students in the District of Columbia. The program allows low-income students to receive a scholarship to attend a private school of their parents’ choice. Michigan Catholic Conference released the following statement praising those who voted to support this policy.
Citing statistics from the Department of Human Services (DHS), Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy Tom Hickson today urged the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee to abdicate plans to pursue increased penalties and lifetime limits within the DHS Family Independence Program, which provides state financial assistance to families with children. Hickson also included in his testimony alternative suggestions for committee members if they were adamant about pursuing welfare reform.
Michigan Catholic Conference released the following comments from President/CEO Paul A. Long regarding Senate Bill 160, legislation which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today that would ban partial-birth abortion in this state.
In order to continue moving low-income workers out of poverty, to encourage work and to address the high number of poor children living in this state, Michigan Catholic Conference looks forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to preserve and protect the state Earned Income Tax Credit.
Recognizing the significant challenges that accompany a $1.8 billion state budget deficit, Michigan Catholic Conference today announced that protecting the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and maintaining adequate funding levels for state programs that benefit Michigan’s destitute population will top its advocacy agenda for the 2011–2012 legislative session.
Michigan Catholic Conference announced today that Tom Hickson has joined the MCC as Vice President for Public Policy. Hickson’s primary role will be to act as the chief liaison between state government and the Catholic Church in Michigan.
Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long made the following comments today in response to a proposal from House Republicans to eliminate the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit.
Michigan Catholic Conference today released the following statement regarding the appointment of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan as director of the Michigan Department of Human Services.
State Catholic conferences that utilize Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms are strongly supporting Bishop Ronald Herzog’s speech to the USCCB annual gathering this week on the need for the Church to engage further in social media.
Sister Monica Kostielney, R.S.M., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Catholic Conference, has been awarded the Holy Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pontiff) medal by Pope Benedict XVI.
