The Minnesota Catholic Conference lobbies Minnesota’s elected officials on issues affecting the common good. Catholic social teaching calls us all to work for the common good, protect human life and dignity, and lift up our sisters and brothers who are poor and vulnerable. Below you will find the MCC’s legislative materials from the 2011 legislative session – e.g. testimony transcripts and video, written testimony, letters to House and Senate Committees, and other policy materials. To read our complete legislative agenda, click here.
On this page: Bishops’ Letter Constitutional Amendment Ladder Out of Poverty Education Health Care Life
Bishops’ Letters
On Wedensday, March 16, 2011 the Minnesota Catholic Bishops and the Minnesota Lutheran Bishops sent a joint letter to the Minnesota House and Senate urging them to solve the budget crisis in a just manner. The bishops all agree that a just increase in revenue should be part of the conversation. Read the letter here.
Constitutional Amendment
Ladder Out of Poverty
On March 25th, Katie Conlin testified in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee regarding Omnibus Bill S.F. 760, speaking in appreciation for the protections for the unborn in the bill and calling for protections for marginalized people in our state. Read the testimony here.
On March 23rd, 2011 Katie Conlin addressed the Health and Human Services Finance Committee about Omnibus Bill H.F. 927, raising important issues about protecting the marginalized in our society during intensive budget workings. To read her address, click here.
On March 15th, 2011 Katie Conlin wrote the Health and Human Services Reform Committee concerning H.F. 171 discouraging the support of a bill that would limit how Minnesota Families in poverty could use their EBT cards. The bill would place many heavy restrictions on their use, inconveniencing many in need. To read her letter, click here.
On March 14th, 2011 Katie Conlin testified before the Committee on Local Government and Elections against Senate Files 509 and 479, which would require Minnesotans to provide a Photo ID in order to vote in an election. Many Minnesotans, including the elderly, poor and disabled, go without a photo ID and therefore would be barred from their right to vote. To read the full testimony, click here.
On February 23rd, 2011 Katie Conlin wrote Governor Dayton about S.F. 4 & H.F. 9, urging him to veto the bills, which would lift the moratorium on issuing certificates of need for nuclear power facilities, if they reached his desk. If passed, the bill would disproportionately affect people living in poverty, potentially exposing them to higher levels of radiation. To read the full letter, click here.
Education
On March 22, 2011, Dr. Pete Noll testified to the Senate Taxes Committee. He was advocating for a creative solution to close the achievement gap in Minnesota. Read his testimony here.
On March 11th, 2011 Dr. Pete Noll testified on behalf of students stuck in consistently low-performing schools at the Education Finance Committee hearing. By testifying in support of H.F. 273, the goal was to give students more options for their education. This bill passed out of the committee! To read more, click here.
On March 10th, 2011 Dr. Pete Noll testified at the Senate Education Committee Meeting in support of S.F. 641, which would increase access to more educational options for low- and moderate-income families. This would help close the achievement gap and empower Minnesota families. To read the testimony, click here.
Health Care
Life
On March 17th, 2011 Fr. Thomas Knoblach submitted testimony on behalf of S.F. 695, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, urging its support. This bill, along with its House companion, passed. To read Fr. Knoblach’s testimony, click here
On March 16th, 2011 Fr. Andrew Cozzens testified on behalf of the MCC and the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis in the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee in support of H.F. 936, which would ban abortions at or after 20 weeks of gestation. You can view Fr. Cozzens’ testimony here shortly after the 1:43 minute mark.
On March 15th, 2011 Fr. David McCauley wrote to the Health and Human Services Reform Committee urging their support of H.F. 201, which would limit the use of funds for abortion in state-sponsored health programs. To read the letter, click here.