Update on Key Issues Concerning Christian Citizens Four Signatures for Freedom Reminder to Sign Ballot Petitions! This weekend, there's an urgent need for passionate citizens like yourself to sign and circulate key ballot petitions as deadlines approach, specifically for the Secure MI Vote and Let MI Kids Learn initiatives. You can get involved by attending a signing event from today until March 20th. Click HERE to find out which signing location is closest to you. Education & Parental Rights Rochester Schools Ignore Freedom of Information Act Request From a Parent "The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation announced Tuesday they were suing the school district for withholding curriculum materials from two FOIA requests made by Carol Beth Litkouhi, the mother of two Rochester district schoolchildren. Litkouhi became alarmed when she read a teacher’s social media post, which highlighted reading materials selected for the district’s new ethnic and gender studies class. Seeking assurances the class would present various perspectives on class topics, she asked for clarification. The teacher deferred to the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion director as well as the superintendent. Litkouhi’s request yielded little more than a unit plan and an initial assignment but did not include any other course materials." CTV will continue to monitor this important case on governmental transparency and parental rights. Continue Reading here. Pro-Life Update US Senate Votes Against Bill that Would Have Nullified Pro-Life State Laws Anticipating that Roe v. Wade may be overturned, Congress introduced a bill that would render pro-life state laws null and void, but the U.S. Senate, with bi-partisan support, voted the bill down! State laws defending the unborn will continue to stand strong! Read the full story. Michigan House Passes Bill to Ban Research on Parts from Aborted Babies "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. Beware of Pro-Abortion Ballot Petitions Now in Circulation Right now, there is a ballot petition being circulated to remove all of Michigan's prolife laws and make abortion on demand 100% legal in our state, should Roe V. Wade be overturned. Please be on your guard and DO NOT sign these petitions should you encounter them. Help educate others by sharing the word. Abortion is not a choice; it is the end of a human life created in the image of God. 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. Resolution Introduced in MI Legislature to Value Privacy Above Life This Pro-abortion legislators introduced HR 0247 of 2022, a resolution to uphold Griswold V. Connecticut, a case from which the Supreme Court used to "create" a "right to privacy," particularly as it pertains to matters of life and conception ([link removed]). Should Roe v. Wade be overturned, such a resolution from the legislature could have strategic value in defining the Michigan Supreme Court's ability to rule on issues of life, including the interpretation and constitutionality of Michigan's current prolife laws. CTV maintains that life begins at conception and rejects the assumption that any so called right to privacy can ever pre-empt a human being's inherent right to life. Read the resolution. Good Governance & Good Policy Muskegon County Casino Expansion Deadline Looms; Governor Pledges Support For several years, CTV has been fighting this specific casino expansion, because it would violate previous compacts and allow unprecedented gaming expansion outside of tribal bounds. Making this exception would open the door for even more expansion across a state already flooded with casinos. CTV strongly opposes gambling and its destructive effects on the family. While some lawmakers are tempted by the revenue streams offered if the state opens this door, is it important to note that we will never gamble our way to prosperity. Read more. Legislator Introduces New Bill to Limit Governor's Emergency Powers Last week, Represntative Andrew Fink introduced a bill stripping the governor's authority to restrict citizens' rights to defend themselves during times of declared emergency. This is an important step to ensure constitutional, limited government and personal liberty remain in tact, even in times of crisis. Read the bill text here. Religious Liberty on Trial Michigan Supreme Court Hears Case on Religious Liberty  Our friends at the Great Lakes Justice Center recently argued an important case at the Michigan Supreme Court involving religious liberty, good governance, and gender identity issues. The case involves Rouch World, a Christian-owned wedding venue that declined to host a same-sex marriage ceremony. After facing discriminatory treatment, the owners decided to sues Michigan Department of Civil Rights, where unelected officials are trying to change the meaning of civil rights laws to mean something our legislators never intended. Defining legal terms and passing laws is the job of the people's elected representatives in the legislature. We hope that the Supreme Court will uphold the clear meaning of the law, defend the balance of powers between our branches of government, and uphold First Amendment liberties. Read more on this case. 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!