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 2009 legislative session – e.g. testimony transcripts and video, written testimony, letters to House and Senate Committees, and other policy materials.
On this page: Bishops’ Letter Criminal Justice Economic Justice Education Ending Poverty Health Care Life Marriage Nonprofits
Bishops’ Letters
On February 18, 2010, the Minnesota Catholic Bishops wrote a letter to the Minnesota Legislature regarding the restoration of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC).
The Minnesota Catholic Bishops wrote a letter to the Minnesota Legislature on Monday, April 20th, 2009 regarding the state budget. Read the letter here.
On April 22, 2009, the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) held a press conference on Minnesota’s budget shortfall. Chris Leifeld, Executive Director of MCC, spoke at the press conference in regards to the Bishops’ letter to the legislature. You can read his comments here.
Criminal Justice
On February 22, 2010, Bishop Lee Piché spoke on behalf of the MCC at Second Chance Day on the Hill. You can read Bishop Piché’s remarks here.
For a better understanding of how Catholic Social Teaching informs Church teachings about Criminal Justice, read this document.
Economic Justice
On February 15, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons testified in the Senate Committee on Health, Housing and Family Security in support of Senate File 2243, which temporarily suspends the five-year lifetime limit for families receiving cash assistance under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). You can read her testimony here.
On February 24, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons testified in the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee in support of House File 2564, which temporarily suspends the five-year lifetime limit for families receiving cash assistance under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). You can read her testimony here.
On February 24, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons spoke at a press conference in support of a bill further regulating payday lenders. You can read her comments here.
Education
On March 3, 2010, Dr. Pete Noll wrote a letter to the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee in opposition to Senate File 2645 (Pappas): Responsible Family Life & Sexuality Education Program. Read his letter here.
On February 25, 2010, Dr. Pete Noll testified in opposition to House File 2986 (Hornstein): Responsible Family Life & Sexuality Education Program. You can read his testimony here.
On February 25, Dr. Pete Noll testified in opposition to House File 2910 which would strip transportation benefits from nonpublic school students. Read his testimony here.
On February 9, 2010, Dr. Pete Noll testified in front of the K-12 Education Policy Committee on behalf of parental choice in education. Read his oral testimony here.
Ending Poverty
On February 5, 2010, Deacon Jim Meyer testified on behalf of the MCC in the House Labor and Consumer Protection Division in support of the MCC’s bill, House File 2062, which establishes the Ladder Out of Poverty Task Force. You can watch his testimony here. (Deacon Jim’s testimony is from 35:25 – 41:50.)
On February 5, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons submitted a letter to the House Labor and Consumer Protection Division in support of the Ladder Out of Poverty Task Force bill. You can read the letter here.
On February 12, 2010, Deacon Jim Meyer testified on behalf of the MCC in the Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee in support of the MCC’s bill, Senate File 1770, which establishes the Ladder Out of Poverty Task Force. You can watch his testimony here.
On February 12, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons submitted a letter to the Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee in support of the Ladder Out of Poverty Task Force bill. You can read the letter here.
To read a list of organizations that support the creation of the Ladder Out of Poverty Task Force, click here.
On February 16, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons testified in the Health Care and Human Services Finance Division in support of House File 453, which allows more of our hungry neighbors to take advantage of federal benefits by removing the asset limit for food support households. You can read her testimony here.
On February 17, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons submitted written testimony to the House Housing Finance and Policy and Public Health Finance Committee in support of House File 2799, which appropriates funding for food shelf programs. You can read her testimony here.
On February 24, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons testified in the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee in support of House File 3071, which removes the asset limits under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and General Assistance (GA) for our neighbors who lost their job within the last 16 months, have exhausted or are ineligible for unemployment benefits and are eligible for MFIP or GA. You can read her testimony here.
Health Care and Human Services
On February 23, 2010, Alexandra Fitzsimmons testified in the Senate Health and Human Services Budget Division on the Governor’s proposed budget cuts to Health and Human Services. You can read her testimony here.
Life
Marriage
On March 2, 2010, Fr. Michael Becker testified on behalf of MCC in the Senate Judiciary Committee in defense of marriage. Read his testimony here.
On March 2, 2010, Dr. Peter Noll submitted written testimony to the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee in opposition to House File 3086 (Thissen): Access to Health Records by Domestic Partners. Read his testimony here.
On Monday, February 21, 2010, Fr. Michael Becker testified to the House Civil Justice Committee regarding the sanctity and definition of marriage. To read his testimony, click here.
On February 12, 2010, Dr. Pete Noll wrote a letter to the Minnesota House of Representatives in defense of marriage. Read his letter here.