Submitted by Noella on Thu, 06/04/2015 - 11:30am Updated 06/11/15 - 12:37pm
Unfortunately preserving the state EITC was defeated.
On Wednesday, June 3 a bill was approved in committee that would eliminate the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This credit on state income taxes is an important policy that helps working individuals and families move out of poverty. Now this bill continues to the full House for a vote. It’s urgent that you email your state Representative to call for the defeat of this bill and the protection of the credit.
Opposing this bill is important because nearly 25% of Michigan’s children live in poverty today; the elimination of this state EITC would further harm these children. The preservation of this state Earned Income Tax Credit is an important anti-poverty tool.
The Michigan Catholic Conference has testified against House Bill 4609 highlighting the benefits of the state EITC: “Michigan’s elected officials know a solution is needed to fix the state’s infrastructure, with varying proposals and ideas continuing to come forward since the May 5 special election. While their effort to fix the roads is encouraged, Michigan Catholic Conference opposes efforts to generate revenue for these repairs by eliminating the state Earned Income Tax Credit. The roads are in crisis, yet poverty continues to remain a significant concern as, for example, Michigan ranks 35th among states with nearly 25 percent of our children living in poverty. The state EITC is a proven tax policy that gives low-income workers and their families a hand up, not a hand out. As conversations about state funding for road repairs move forward, Michigan Catholic Conference urges elected officials to hold the state’s EITC harmless.”
Hundreds of messages have already been sent to the Michigan House of Representatives in opposition to House Bill 4609. If you haven't already sent a message click here to send yours https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/RHgnM5G2uO487QsxoIbfpA
Bishops Call for End of Immigrant Family Detention (5/25/2015)
On May 15 the NY Times printed an editorial that clearly comments on the points the Bishops make in this report, Unlocking Human Dignity: A Plan to Transform the U.S. Immigrant Detention System. Go to http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/05/15/opinion/end-immigration-detention.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=opinion-c-col-left-region%C2%AEion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region&_r=1&referrer=
Go to http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/documents/Unlocking-Human-Dignity-Fi... to read the report in full.
Go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4htMXkPu1X_UF9hNWF3MGtITE0/view?pli=1 to read an Executive Summary.
Update on Unaccompanied Children (8/28/14)
Submitted by Noella on Thu, 08/28/2014 - 12:30pm
Migration and Refugee Services of USCCB (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops) approached DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) in June concerned about the number of families that DHS was forced to detain because they did not have family ties in the U.S. DHS asked MRS (Migration and Refugee Services to reach out to their networks for help and the response was one of overwhelming compassion.
Unaccompanied Children at the Border - Part 3 HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Submitted by Noella on Tue, 08/12/2014 - 3:15pm
How You Can Help!
Many of you have contacted USCCB/MRS asking what you can do to help. We are grateful for your generosity and interest in welcoming children and families who have been separated by migration.
Immigration Letter to Huizenga and Upton (7/26/13)
Submitted by connie.ayling on Fri, 07/26/2013 - 1:35pm