The Arizona House of Representatives tentatively approved a religious freedom bill yesterday that now faces an important Third Read vote probably next week. 

 According to this bill (SB 1178), Arizona’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) statute would be updated in order to better allow individuals to assert these freedoms in court. 

Additionally, SB 1178 clarifies that a person may assert a RFRA claim if his/her religious freedom is likely to be burdened as opposed to waiting until after the infringement has occurred.  The current litigation surrounding the HHS contraceptive mandate has shown the need for this type of language in order to better preserve religious freedom.

 SB 1178 is a common sense, but important, piece of legislation and deserves your support!

CLICK HERE  TO TAKE ACTION NOW!

The pattern of past debates is clear. Immediately, sides form and positions harden. Emotions flare and disagreements persist; gridlock sets in. Politicians lose their nerve, become cautious and step back. We have been there several times already since President Reagan signed a legalization bill in 1986.

Simple, easy answers fall short of addressing the complexities of the issues surrounding immigration reform. Formulating legislation that can guide the nation through the intricate maze of issues remains daunting and can become paralyzing.

When can we become sure the border is secure? What is a fair and reasonable way to allow migrants living in the shadows to attain legal status? How can we provide needed workers, including low skilled workers, with legal access to work while protecting their rights? How can we unite families long-separated from one another? What kind of benefits should immigrants receive? What should happen for undocumented immigrants who came to our country as children and have only known life in the United States?

Despite the challenges, despite the complexities, despite the controversy, and despite the failures of the past, the nation must act now. Now is the time for a bi-partisan solution that can repair a broken system. We cannot wait to put an end to the separation of families, the exploitation of workers, and the death of hundreds of human beings in the desert every year. This suffering must end.

The “gang of eight” senators, including two from our State of Arizona, have worked hard to craft a bill to move the nation forward. Their efforts give the nation a chance to address a long standing impasse. I commend their leadership and courage.

Surely some will shout that this proposal goes too far. It rewards those who violated the law. Others will demand that the draft leaves families divided, sets unreasonable conditions for a pathway to citizenship and expands Operation Streamline. So the discussion and debate begin again. In the effort at comprehensive immigration policy reform in 2007, angry, strident voices captured the moment and the legislation failed.

This time far more balanced voices need to speak up. No legislation is perfect but we cannot be stymied by expecting the perfect. The proposed legislation needs careful attention and modification which can occur through the engagement, the advocacy and the commitment of all to get involved in the debate.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has long called for comprehensive immigration policy reform since this is an issue that affects human dignity, impinges on our communities, and has a moral dimension that needs to be considered. The bishops will work to improve the legislation where needed, but in a constructive, not destructive, manner.

Now it is critical to communicate with legislators and to speak up about the legislation and how it can be amended to most effectively address the wide range of issues it seeks to resolve. We believe most Americans understand that our immigration system is broken. Here is our chance to fix it.

Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas
Bishop of Tucson

Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted
Bishop of Phoenix

Most Rev. James S. Wall
Bishop of Gallup

Most Rev. Eduardo A. Nevares
Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Legislative Update (04-18-13)

School Choice Bill Passes Senate

 The Arizona Senate has passed an important school choice bill (HB 2617) today that would expand the pool of potential donors under the existing corporate scholarship (tuition) tax credit to include S corporations and Limited Liability Companies.

 HB 2617 now heads back to the House of Representatives where it will eventually need a final vote before going to the governor.

 While the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) is pleased with the progress of HB 2617, many of the bills still alive are being slowed down in the process while budget discussions are occurring. This means that virtually all bills that could have any fiscal impact are being temporarily held up, including the effort to streamline the charitable organization tax credit (SB 1172).

 Presently, the expectation is that resolution of the budget and Governor Brewer’s Medicaid expansion will come relatively soon. Along these lines, the ACC has been supportive of Governor Brewer’s proposal and is also working to add even more pro-life protections to existing law in this area.

 Once an agreement is finally reached, we are prepared to act quickly to make sure none of the bills we are supporting are lost in the race to end the legislative session.

Please feel free to forward this message and encourage the people you know to sign up for these free updates at www.azcatholicconference.org so that we can continue to expand our influence on matters of importance to the Catholic Church

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Legislative Update (03/22/13)

 Movement on School Choice and Religious Freedom

 The Senate Finance Committee approved an important bill (HB 2617) this week relating to school choice. According to the provisions of HB 2617, the pool of potential donors under the existing corporate scholarship (tuition) tax credit would be expanded to include S corporations and Limited Liability Companies.

 The corporate scholarship tax credit is means tested and is designed to provide low income children with the ability to switch from public to private schools if that better suits their needs. HB 2617 is strongly supported by the Arizona Catholic Conference and is now headed for an eventual vote on the Senate floor.

 Another important development also occurred this week when the House Appropriations Committee passed a strike-everything amendment to SB 1178 strengthening Arizona’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) statute.

 SB 1178 makes sure that Arizona maintains the highest level of protection for religious freedom in light of recent legal challenges to similar laws in other states. The bill is expected to move to the House floor in the near future.

Please feel free to forward this message and encourage the people you know to sign up for these free updates at www.azcatholicconference.org so that we can continue to expand our influence on matters of importance to the Catholic Church

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Legislative Update (03/08/13)

House Passes Significant School Choice Bill

 On Thursday, the Arizona House of Representatives passed a significant school choice bill (HB 2617) that would expand the potential donors under the existing corporate tuition (scholarship) tax credit to include S corporations and Limited Liability Companies.

 The corporate tuition tax credit is targeted toward economically disadvantaged students switching from public to private schools.  Because this law is targeted to switchers, it is designed to save the state money while better enabling parents to provide for the education that best fits the needs of their children.

 A few years ago, the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) worked diligently to make this credit become law. HB 2617 is certainly an enhancement to the existing law by making it easier for other corporate donors to participate. This measure now heads to the Senate where it should be considered later this month.

 Finally, on another matter taking place outside of the legislature, Bishop Kicanas is inviting everyone receiving this message to join him at a special Parish Social Ministry Regional Training conference in Tucson the evening of Friday, March 15^th through Saturday the 16^th.   According to Bishop Kicanas, “this training will be inspirational, educational, and a great resource for all attending as well as a chance to meet persons who minister in the areas of social mission on a national, state, diocesan, and parish level.”

 More information and details about the event can be found at http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/what-we-do/trainingandevents/

Please feel free to forward this message and encourage the people you know to sign up for these free updates at www.azcatholicconference.org so that we can continue to expand our influence on matters of importance to the Catholic Church.

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Legislative Update (03/01/13)

Charitable Tax Credit Bill Moves Forward

 Following testimony from the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC), the House Ways and Means Committee passed legislation (SB 1172) this week designed to assist faith based and other nonprofit organizations serving low income people.

 Under the current law, donors are able to take a tax credit for donations made to certain organizations helping the most vulnerable in our society. For individuals, the maximum credit is $200 and for married couples the credit is $400. Unlike any other tax credit, however, this one is limited only to people itemizing their taxes. SB 1172, which is sponsored by Senator Steve Yarbrough, attempts to fix this problem by eliminating the itemization requirement.

 The charitable organization tax credit is a great benefit to crisis pregnancy centers, St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, and many other outstanding agencies. It is our hope that SB 1172 goes to the House floor in the near future and eventually becomes law.

 With regard to other legislation, both the Senate and the House are keeping to their deadlines as the legislative session moves forward. Along these lines, a number of important bills, including those related to school choice, are expected to receive floor votes in the next week or two.

Please feel free to forward this message and encourage the people you know to sign up for these free updates at www.azcatholicconference.org so that we can continue to expand our influence on matters of importance

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Legislative Update (02/22/13)

Important School Choice Bill Moves Forward

On Thursday, important school choice legislation supported by the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee and should be ready for a floor vote soon. Specifically, HB 2617 is a bill that will improve the corporate tuition (scholarship) tax credit by expanding the list of potential donors to include S corporations and Limited Liability Companies.

 The corporate tuition tax credit has been a tremendous benefit to Catholic and other school tuition organizations that help children in need to attend the school that is the best for them. Because this credit targets children who switch from public to private schools, it also creates a monetary savings to the state.

 This week also saw the Senate Health Committee pass positive legislation (SB 1376) that would require reporting from those in the medical community engaged in the practice of in vitro fertilization. Because of the many concerns surrounding this industry, a study committee would also be created so that lawmakers can have a better understanding of what is actually happening in this area.

 Finally, this week was the final week for bills to get a committee hearing in their house of origin. Although various forms of amendments can always bring back a defeated proposal at any time until the legislative session is over, the fact that a bill has not received a committee hearing at this point typically means it is dead.

 Having issued that caveat, the ACC is pleased that legislation to destroy the rights of conscience for health care providers, eliminate the charitable and tuition tax credits, roll back numerous pro-life gains, unfairly target undocumented immigrants, and open the door for assisted suicide have all failed to get a hearing.

Please feel free to forward this message and encourage the people you know to sign up for these free updates at www.azcatholicconference.org so that we can continue to expand our influence on matters of importance to the Catholic Church.

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (02/08/13)

Senate Bill Filing Deadline Arrives

 The deadline for filing bills in the Senate arrived on Monday with a flurry of activity as senators raced to get their bills introduced. A similar phenomenon will occur next Monday when the bill filing deadline for the House occurs. In the meantime, there are two weeks left for bills to have a committee hearing in their house of origin.

 With respect to legislative activity this week directly impacting the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC), the Senate approved SB 1172 by a 28 -0 vote. SB 1172 is the measure that would further simplify the charitable organization tax credit so that people no longer would need to itemize their taxes in order to take advantage of this credit.                             

A significant number of nonprofit organizations serving low income clients benefit greatly from this credit, including many faith based organizations such as crisis pregnancy centers and soup kitchens. SB 1172 now heads to the House for further action.

Please feel free to forward this message and encourage the people you know to sign up for these free updates at www.azcatholicconference.org so that we can continue to expand our influence on matters of importance to the Catholic Church

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

February 1, 2013

Arizona Bishops Make Huge Impression at the Capitol

  This week was an exciting and very productive week for the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC). The Bishops met with a number of key elected officials over two days to discuss important issues ranging from religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, immigration, school choice, and ways to help the most vulnerable in our society.

 Of particular note this week was the fact that the Bishops met at length with Governor Jan Brewer and expressed gratitude for her recent proposal to help low income individuals maintain their current health coverage by extending Medicaid in Arizona. This proposal will not only help those in need, but it is being structured to also reduce the current amount of money already being spent in the general fund for the same health services for the indigent.

 The Bishops also were strongly supportive of the Governor’s plan to provide emergency funding to Child Protective Services this week to better protect a large number of children who are at risk across Arizona. Thankfully, this proposal has received widespread bipartisan support and was expedited through the legislative process.

 In addition to the meetings with elected officials, the Bishops hosted the 11^th Annual Catholic Schools Rally on Wednesday. The rally was a huge success and drew almost 1,000 Catholic school students, teachers, parents, and supporters. We are especially grateful to have had numerous dignitaries speak at the event, including House Speaker Andy Tobin, Senate President Andy Biggs, and State Treasurer Doug Ducey.

 Finally, the ACC also had a significant legislative victory this week when the Senate Finance Committee voted unanimously to approve SB 1172. This bill, which was initiated by the ACC and sponsored by Senator Steve Yarbrough, would increase contributions made under the charitable tax credit by eliminating the requirement that only those itemizing their taxes are eligible.

 Many faith based nonprofit organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, and crisis pregnancy centers rely on the charitable tax credit and would benefit from this legislation if it becomes law.

Please feel free to forward this message and encourage the people you know to sign up for these free updates at www.azcatholicconference.org so that we can continue to expand our influence on matters of importance to the Catholic Church.

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (01/25/13)

 Catholic Schools Rally Time!

The Eleventh Annual Catholic Schools Rally will be held on the lawn in front of the Senate and the House on Wednesday, January 30^th from noon until 1:00 p.m. You are encouraged to join the Catholic Bishops and nearly 1,000 students, teachers, and parents who will be on hand to show our support for Catholic Schools and school choice legislation.

 Among the quality entertainment provided by our schools, appearances will also be made by House Speaker Andy Tobin, Senate President Andy Biggs, State Treasurer Doug Ducey, and others. Catholic Education Arizona and the Catholic Tuition Support Organization will also be hosting a hospitality tent for their donors at 11:30 a.m. that day, so please plan on getting to the rally early.

 Next week is also the time when the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) make their annual trip to the State Capitol. As part of these meetings, they will meet with Governor Brewer along with key legislators as part of an effort to build relationships and discuss important issues facing our State.

 A growing number of bills continue to be introduced every day, but relatively few have received a committee hearing as of this week. This situation, however, is expected to change quickly as committees begin to ramp up their work on a number of issues.

Please feel free to forward this message and encourage the people you know to sign up for these free updates at www.azcatholicconference.org so that we can continue to expand our influence on matters of importance to the Catholic Church