The Word from Lansing is a regular column written by Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) staff for Catholic news outlets. Through these columns, MCC outlines current advocacy issues of importance to the Conference and discusses the Catholic position and role in the political process. This publication complements the more regular updates provided by Michigan Catholic Conference’s Catholic Advocacy Network.
Ensuring equitable access is a guiding principle for MCC when it comes to advocating for more than 100,000 children who attend nonpublic schools. The new state budget recently signed into law continues to extend equitable access to state resources to students who attend both public and nonpublic schools.
The right to vote is among our most cherished American privileges, and for Catholics who are American citizens, the right to vote is also a moral obligation, as the Church recognizes that voting has implications for advancing the common good.
Michigan families of both public and nonpublic students could soon apply for and receive funding to pay for out-of-pocket education expenses under a federal education tax credit program. The state of Michigan must formally opt into the program for families and students to benefit.
Protecting children from harm while nurturing their growth is a goal both parents and policymakers often share, a goal aligned with the Church’s concern for families and children. This is why Michigan Catholic Conference has recently offered support to legislation limiting children’s access to artificial intelligence companion chatbots and addictive social media feeds.
As the process for a new state budget begins, MCC shares how its advocacy efforts last year played a critical role in securing the support Catholic and nonpublic schools received in the current year budget.