MCC outlines 2005 legislative issues to be addressed

The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota representing six dioceses. In this regular Faith in the Public Arena column, the MCC will provide updates and advice for Catholic voters throughout the 2005 legislative session.

At the start of each new legislative session, the MCC issues a statement expressing the church’s general public policy priorities as well as an agenda of legislative objectives. This agenda is prepared in consultation with advisers from the six dioceses of Minnesota. It also is developed with the guidance and approval of Minnesota’s Catholic bishops. In addition, MCC staff works collaboratively with broad-based community partners on a range of issues affecting the common good.

In response to the needs facing Minnesotans, in defense of the poor and most vulnerable among us, and in the hope helping to build the common good, the MCC will share the church's perspective and address the following issues during

the 2005 Legislative Session. MCC staff will also respond to other matters of concern that arise throughout the session.

- Oppose abortion, promote life-affirming alternatives to abortion, support families and oppose public funding of abortion;

- Promote marriage between one man and one woman;

- Promote a just and equitable income tax increase, based upon each individual's ability to pay, to raise necessary revenues to resolve the budget deficit and increase funding to some services and programs that serve the poor, vulnerable, disabled, children and elderly;

- Advocate for the repeal of the "Family Cap" incorporated into the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) during the 2003 legislative session;

- Promote MFIP policies establishing reasonable work requirements for participants enrolled in post-secondary educational or vocational programs and support the continuation of the 24-month partial employment exemption for participants enrolled in post-secondary educational or vocational programs;

- Oppose legislation seeking to ease restrictions on the issuance of handgun permits to individuals;

- Promote an increase in the Minnesota state minimum wage;

- Support the existing rights of local governments to enact ordinances stricter than state minimum standards as appropriate for their individual communities;

- Promote school readiness initiatives;

- Promote increased access to broader school choice options through access grants;

- Promote enhanced special education services;

- Promote restoration of Technology Access Revenue Program (TARP) and;

- Promote nonpublic school representation on local special education advisory committees.

For additional information on these and other legislative issues contact the Minnesota Catholic Conference,

(651) 227-8777 or visit online at www.mncc.org.