Update on Key Issues Concerning Christian Citizens Election Integrity Petition Drive A Citizen Led Effort Could Restore Election Integrity in Michigan and You can Help! Every illegally cast vote erodes the integrity of our Representative, Constitutional system of government and reduces the influence of legal votes. We want to restore faith in Michigan elections and fight voter fraud by requiring a valid ID at the polls. CTV supports SecureMIVote.org in this upcoming ballot initiative and is looking for passionate individuals to help gather signatures. Visit our website to get your petitions now and be a part of historic election reform in Michigan or contact our office. Education Choice & Parental Rights Let MI Kids Learn Petition Empowers Parents You have the chance to support an initiative led by the"Let MI Kids Learn" ballot committee to put more power/resources in the hands of PARENTS as they make decisions for the education of their children. This initiative will allow parents to take advantage of scholarships and tax breaks if they contribute to a statewide fund that could be used for private education, including homeschooling, private schools, tutoring, and other educational resources. CTV strongly supports this measure, as it empowers parents to make the best decisions for their children by giving them real choices in educational options. Petitions are ready now. Visit our website to order yours now! Legislators Defend Parental Rights We applaud the State House members who just introduced this resolution in support of parental rights. This should be self-evident since the Michigan Revised School Code already has this very strong language in Section 380.10: “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children. The public schools of this state serve the needs of the pupils by cooperating with the pupil’s parents and legal guardians to develop the pupil’s intellectual capabilities and vocational skills in a safe and positive manner.” Sadly, there are those in the field of education who believe that our children belong to the state, rather than to the parents. This resolution has been referred to the MI House Committee on Education chaired by Representative Pamela Hornberger. Read the Resolution. Michigan Representatives Call for Transparency in Classrooms CTV applauds the efforts of Representative Gary Eisen and the House Education Committee, who are working to restore transparency in schools across our state. Last week, HB 5722 was introduced to require that schools openly inform parents and the public of what is being taught in our schools, including, "Textbooks, literature, research projects, writing assignments, and field trips that are part of the curriculum." This is meaningful tool to help parents guide their child's education. Read the bill here. Michigan Board of Education Votes in Support of Teaching CRT On January 11, 2022, Michigan’s State Board of Education adopted a Resolution, to oppose Senate Bill 460 and House Bill 5097, two bills prohibiting so-called “critical race theory” in state curriculum standards. More than 650 parents and citizens spoke in opposition of the resolution during the board meeting, but the State Board of Education still voted (5-1) to pass the resolution. While the resolution is largely symbolic, Christian parents need to know the real agenda behind the resolution’s alarming language. Read the full article. Pro-Life Update MI Lawmakers Pass Bill Banning Aborted Babies Being Used In Research Earlier this week, "The Michigan state House has passed a pro-life bill to ban research using the body parts from aborted babies. Lawmakers approved a bill banning the sale or donation of aborted babies’ body parts with a vote of 55-51, along partisan lines...House Bills 5558 and 5559, sponsored by state Reps. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, and Bronna Kahle, R-Adrian, taken together would prohibit research with body parts or tissue obtained from babies killed in abortions and ban the option to donate remains of aborted babies to medical research, as well as make using cells or parts from aborted babies in medical research a five-year felony." Read more here. US Supreme Court Rejects Big Abortion Second Time, Upholds Texas Abortion Ban The SCOTUS has rejected a request by the abortion industry to take the case on the Texas SB8 away from the Texas Supreme Court and give it to a pro-abortion federal judge. For now the law continues to remain in place and save lives. This is a great victory for the unborn and gives us continued hope as we await the court's ruling on the Mississippi case that could overturn Roe. Read more. Group launches petition drive to 'explicitly affirm' abortion rights in Michigan As always, CTV will vigorously oppose this ballot initiative, “…that would amend the Michigan Constitution to "explicitly affirm" reproductive rights, including abortion…” We must be a voice for the voiceless and always strive to protect innocent unborn human life-the most defenseless among us. Read more about this petition drive here. To partner with CTV in standing against this initiative,, sign the pro-life pledge. Michigan Satanist Swallows Abortion Pill on Live TV to End a Pregnancy As a cavalier stunt to propagate the death of helpless children, Jex Blackmore ingested a mail-order abortion pill during a televised interview with a local station last Sunday. She wanted to make the point that abortion is no big deal. Of course, the interview did not film the second pill or the painful and dangerous process of expelling the baby, or consider the cost of the life that was ended. In December 2021, the FDA lifted a restriction on abortion pills (previously only available through a doctor’s office), and is now allowing them to be available for mail order to pharmacy pick-up. The drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, are effective in ending the life unborn children, but can also have devastating side-effects for mothers, including severe bleeding and even death. The idea that women no longer need to see a doctor for a prescription or be under medical care when they take the second pill, which induces severe cramping, bleeding, and pain, is certainly not a “pro-woman” policy, nor does it advance “women’s health” in any way. Everyone should be repulsed by this horrifyingly callous disregard for human life! CTV will continue to fight for the inalienable right to life and will not rest until there is justice for the unborn. Read more. A Win for Religious Liberty Michigan Child Welfare Services Return to Contracting with Faith-Based Agencies After a settlement agreement was announced on Tuesday, the Health and Human Services officials announced they would resume working with St. Vincent, a Catholic charity who sued for religious discrimination. In 2019, State of Michigan authorities discriminatorily ceased working with faith-based adoption agencies who, for reasons of religious conscience, would not place children with parents living lifestyles contrary to the teachings of scripture. In June 2020, the US Supreme Court ruled in a similar case involving Catholic charities in Philadelphia, and found the state to be in violation of the First Amendment by refusing to work with the Catholic agency because the agency did not work with same-sex couples. The Michigan Catholic Conference applauded Tuesday’s settlement, commenting that the agreement "provides affirmation that society, families and children are well served by dedicated and highly competent religious organizations and individuals that provide services to the general public, especially vulnerable persons and those who are suffering. We believe this agreement advances the common good, benefits Michigan's vulnerable children, and upholds the constitutional right to religious liberty that is a cornerstone of our state and nation." CTV also applauds the settlement. Truly, this is a victory for religious conscience, families, and the children of Michigan. Read the full story. Consider How You Can Support CTV Citizens for Traditional Values relies on the support of grassroots activists and concerned citizens who care about preserving, protecting, and promoting the faith-based values that sustain good governance. Your prayer support and financial contributions enable us to be effective as we stand for truth in local communities, Lansing, and beyond. Donate now! Citizens for Traditional Values | PO Box 80295, Lansing, MI 48908 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!