2016 Legislative & Budget Outlook
As we head into a new year, one our Holy Father has devoted to Mercy, 2016 legislative and budgetary directions will begin to become clearer in the next few weeks. New bills are just now being introduced but it’s likely the California Catholic Conference will concentrate on the following:
- Restorative Justice – We will continue our collaboration with a faith-based coalition working on prison sentencing reform. Another priority – carried over from previous years – will be to eliminate juvenile solitary confinement.
- Education – The strong preparation and support of an exceptional K-12 teaching force serving all California’s students in our public and private schools will continue to be a very high priority. Another will be to further expand access to quality, affordable early childhood education for those most in need.
- Economic Justice – Taking precedence is abolishing the Maximum Family Grant Rule and continuing our efforts with the coalition that is implementing the Earned Income Tax Credit.
- Reverence for Life – Abortion supporters will continue their relentless efforts to push boundaries in California, both legislatively and in the courts. The Conference will continue its strong defense of life in the difficult environment of California politics. Legal efforts to force Catholic health care to violate Catholic teaching are also under way in the state.
- Unfortunately, physician-assisted suicide legislation was passed and signed by the Governor last year although it will not become law until 90 days after the special session ends (which has not been determined yet.) The Bishops are committed to enhancing education efforts on dying well in addition to supporting legislation that expands palliative care.
- Environmental – In the spirit of Laudato Si, the bishops will remain committed to supporting environmental stewardship legislation. This will include ecological measures which ensure accessibility to clean, fresh drinking water and that protect the Earth’s climate as a common good.
- Budget – This week, Governor Jerry Brown announced his proposed budget. He funds two major areas that he failed to find consensus for last year – transportation and Medi-Cal – and places more money into reserves than he is required to by law. He also continues to fund the Earned Income Tax Credit and has proposed a cost-of-living increase for the blind, elderly and disabled. The Conference has worked many years on both of these issues. You can read Governor Brown’s press release here.
Since 2016 is also an election year, the California Catholic Conference will examine the new edition of Faithful Citizenship and offer analysis of all initiatives that qualify for the November ballot. (There will be many!)
Time Runs out on Referendum to Overturn Physician-Assisted Suicide
On Monday, Bishop Jaime Soto, Sacramento, and President of the California Catholic Conference, issued a statement on the referendum to overturn the physician-assisted suicide law (ABx2-15) in California:
“Dear Fellow Catholics and Friends,
“On behalf of my brother Bishops in California, I express my gratitude on your admirable efforts to overturn the physician-assisted suicide law (ABx2-15) passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown in the fall of 2015. Your energy and passion in gathering signatures to overturn this “travesty of compassion” demonstrates to all Californians and elected officials your firm commitment to protecting life at all its stages.
“Today [Monday, January 4] is the deadline for turning in petitions. We are disappointed that the required number of signatures has apparently not been reached. The requirements for a successful referendum are very high. That was clear from the start. Nevertheless, tens of thousands of Californians are demanding the right to have a public voice in one of the most dangerous public policies ever enacted in California.
“Your efforts and those of many other Californians during the regular legislative session stopped the push to allow physicians to give patients a lethal dose of drugs. It was only through the manipulation of the legislative process that the bill eventually passed. The initial defeat of the law – as well as the thousands of signatures gathered in the referendum effort – demonstrate that when the dangers of physician-assisted suicide are allowed to be properly aired, the concept is soundly rejected.
Year of Mercy
Q: What are the Works of Mercy?
A: The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.
– Catechism of the Catholic Church- 2nd Edition
Saint of Light, Saint of Darkness
Pope Francis: “I have confidence in your prayers.”
Starting this week, the traditional monthly prayer intentions of Pope Francis will be available on video, thanks to a new initiative launched by the worldwide Apostleship of Prayer. Many Catholics are accustomed to using these intentions in their daily devotions. The video, in 10 languages, will be available on YouTube as well as on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In the first message, the Pope asks for “sincere dialogue among men and women of peace.” You can sign up at the Apostleship of Prayer website.
January 8, 2016
Vol. 9, No. 1