Legislation voted out of the House Tax Policy Committee this morning to increase the Homestead Property Tax Credit would provide simple tax relief for both low-income residents and senior citizens, Michigan Catholic Conference stated today in support of House Bill 4871. The bill, sponsored by Representative Martin Howrylak (R-Troy) would amend the Income Tax Act so that the Homestead Property Tax Credit would be adjusted annually based on the rate of inflation. “This is good tax policy that addresses the economic reality for Michigan’s low-income families and senior citizens,” said Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy Tom Hickson. Read more…

"Today’s decision from the U.S. Supreme Court to redefine marriage represents a profound legal turning point in the contemporary and cultural understanding of spouses and family. We continue to teach that every human person deserves respect and compassion. The experience of same-sex attraction is a reality that calls for attention, sensitivity and pastoral care. While every person is called to love and deserves to be loved, today’s momentous decision will not change the truth of the Church’s teaching on marriage." Read more…

Today Governor Rick Snyder signed House Bills 4188–4190 into law to uphold religious liberty rights for faith-based adoption and foster care agencies in Michigan. Michigan Catholic Conference applauds Governor Snyder and the Legislature for their support of these bills, which will maintain the State’s long-standing partnership with faith-based child placement agencies that has been successful in serving Michigan’s vulnerable children. “House Bills 4188–4190 will not only promote a diverse range of child placement providers, they will ensure the state does not discriminate against social service agencies that serve the poor and vulnerable while providing foster care and adoption services to the general public,” said President and CEO Paul Long. Read more…

The Michigan House of Representatives today voted to eliminate the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in an effort to divert some $117 million toward road repair and improvement across the state. The EITC, which qualified recipients can claim on their state return in the amount of six percent of the federal EITC, is an important anti-poverty tool that recognizes the tax burden on low-income workers. “While almost every Michigander recognizes the need to finance road repairs, we are disappointed to see these funds shifted away from the working poor,” said MCC Vice President for Public Policy Tom Hickson. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is praising the State Senate today for passing legislation that will protect a diverse range of child placement agencies in the state by upholding religious liberty rights for faith-based agencies. House Bills 4188-4190 will solidify these agencies’ long-standing relationship with the State of Michigan for years into the future, Michigan Catholic Conference said. “The State of Michigan has sought the participation and support of faith-based child placement agencies for decades, so we welcome this legislation that will solidify the relationship for the sake of vulnerable children,” said Tom Hickson, MCC Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy. Read more…

On June 2, the Michigan House of Representatives Roads and Economic Development Committee discussed House Bill 4609, legislation that would eliminate the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as a means to generate revenue for infrastructure and road repairs. Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy Tom Hickson testified against the legislation in committee as the Conference is a long-time supporter of the EITC due to its proven record of providing a hand-up to low-income workers. “As conversations about state funding for road repairs move forward, Michigan Catholic Conference urges elected officials to hold the state’s EITC harmless,” said Hickson. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference released the following comments this afternoon after the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation with bipartisan support, House Bills 4188–4190, that recognizes diversity in child placement and protects the right of faith-based adoption and foster care agencies to operate according to their religious mission: “We are grateful to the House for passing this legislation and now encourage the Senate to address these important measures soon,” said Tom Hickson, Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy. “Securing diversity in child placement and protecting religious liberty rights for faith based agencies will move children out of the foster care system.” Read more…

Child placement legislation that passed out of the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee this morning is in the best interest of vulnerable children and will help to secure a wide network of faith-based and secular providers in the state, Michigan Catholic Conference stated today regarding House Bills 4188-4190. According to Tom Hickson, Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy: “This legislation helps to preserve diversity in child placement and ensures children are of first and foremost concern. Solidifying the state’s long-standing relationship with faith-based child placement agencies will result in more providers, which means more placement of foster children into ‘forever families.’ Read more…

Protecting faith-based child placement agencies in Michigan will benefit children, help to ensure diversity in adoption and foster care and solidify the long-standing relationship between these agencies and the state, Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) testified this morning before the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee in support of House Bills 4188, 4189 and 4190. “Supporting diversity in child placement protects the presence of faith-based entities, which in turns guarantees more placements and moves more children out of the foster care system,” said Tom Hickson, MCC Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy. Read more…

Legislative efforts to defend human life and dignity, religious liberty and policies that assist the poor and vulnerable are at the forefront of Michigan Catholic Conference’s advocacy principles for the 2015–2016 legislative session. Titled A Blueprint for the Common Good, the Conference’s advocacy framework for the 98th Michigan Legislature also calls for greater educational choice, defending the traditional definition of the family, restorative justice policies, and comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level of government. “The work of promoting the dignity of the human person involves policies that address the beginning and the end of life, with equal attention to the years in between,” said Paul A. Long, Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO. “We’ve published A Blueprint for the Common Good to call attention to our advocacy on behalf of all human life, including the sick and the destitute, the abandoned and the unborn. Read more…