MUUSJN
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network
Dear Friends:
Today was a red letter day for low and moderate income Michigan families, The Michigan Senate and the Michigan House rapidly passed bills that would expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. This is legislation that Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in her state of the state address on Wednesday, called the “Working Families Tax Credit”.
The new bills would expand the amount of state match that Michigan would pay to supplement the federal income tax credit from 6% to 30%. Both the House and the Senate legislation would give the bills immediate effect and would expand the tax credit to low and moderate income working families from 6% up to 30% of the federal rate.
An example of what this state benefit increase could mean: A single mother earning $17,000 per year who has two children would receive $350 from the current credit. Expanding the credit to 30% of the federal credit would mean that she’d receive about $1,700. A married couple with no children would only be eligible if they earned less than $22,610 in 2022. But a couple with three kids would be eligible for the credit it they earned less than $57,187/year.
Governor Whitmer, who made this one of her priorities in 2023, is expected to sign this legislation. Last year, MUUSJN agreed to work for this goal in 2023 and joined a statewide EITC coalition.
Here’s part of MUUSJN’s testimony given to the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee earlier this week:
“One of the core principles of Unitarian Universalism is that each person should be treated with dignity. We support SB-3 because it would support low-income working people who often struggle with purchasing food, paying rent, buying clothes for their children and paying their utility bills. Increasing Michigan matching funds for the federal EITC from 6% to 30% will help families live with greater dignity.”
Dear Friends:
January 11th was the first day of the new Michigan legislature. On January 12th, Democrats wasted no time introducing House and Senate versions of six bills that address social and economic justice issues. Our statewide justice network has a history of advocating for three of these issues.
For more information about these bills and their sponsors, click HERE.
MUUSJN has been advocating for the repeal of a 1931 anti-abortion law that’s still on the books — in spite of adoption of the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot proposal. Two bills were introduced that would repeal parts of the 1931 law that makes it a crime for women to get an abortion.
Legislation to expand the Elliot- Larsen Civil Rights Act to include anti-discrimination protections for people based on their sexual oriention or gender identity. In 2020, MUUSJN supported a ballot proposal to amend this civil rights act that would have extended protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The new bills would expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low income working families from 6% up to 30% of the federal rate. Last year, MUUSJN agreed to work for this goal in 2023 and joined a statewide EITC coalition.
If you haven’t aleady done so …
Click HERE to find the name and contact information for your State Senator and your state Representative.
Dear Friends:
It’s been a challenging and a rewarding year for Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) activists and our allies as we continue to work for justice for all people in Michigan. We mobilized volunteers to collect signatures to put voting and reproductive rights on 2022 ballot. And the voters agreed! We responded to hate and violence toward LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities with educational forums and advocacy. We organized in support of real climate change. We ‘ve worked in coalition to advocate for raising the wages of low income people. We are committed to make justice happen!
With your support, we will continue to work for justice in 2023!
Visit uujustice.org/become-a-member to make a payment by PayPal or credit card
OR
Write check payable to MUUSJN and mail to
Randy Block, Director
4220 Arlington Dr., Royal Oak, MI 48073
BACKGROUND
Assault weapons are considered to be the weapons of choice of those who wish kill large numbers of people in a short amount of time. In 2021, there were 692 mass shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive. This source defines a mass shooting as one that results in four or more people being killed or wounded. As of November 23, 2022, there have been 608 mass shootings since the beginning of this year! While all mass shootings are tragic, the mass shooting of LGBTQ+ people at the Q nightclub in Colorado Springs is disturbing because the homophobic hatred fomented by some politicians toward LGBTQ+ people creates an atmosphere which promotes violence. It’s also disturbing that five people were killed and 18 injured at the Q with an AR-15 assault rifle.
For the third time this year, President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass a ban on assault weapons, This ban has already been adopted in eight states: Delaware, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. The U.S. House, in July, adopted such a ban. Now the next step for stopping needless deaths from assault weapons is to urge the passage of S. 736, which is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Debbie Stabenow is a co-sponsor of S.736 but Sen. Gary Peters has not yet done this.
S 736 would make it unlawful to import, sell, manufacture or transfer:
Individuals would be allowed to sell existing assault weapons but only after the completion of a Brady Background Check.
We must stop the epidemic of deaths by deadly assault weapons;
Assault weapons are meant to be weapons of war, not a killing machines for unstable people;
Urge Sen’s Peters & Stabenow to vote for an assault weapons ban NOW!
This week will be an important time to call Michigan’s two Senators. Urge them to support the “Respect for Marriage Act”.
This bill would protect same sex and interracial marriage. The right to marry who you love seemed to be established law. However, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the door was opened to some conservatives who may want to take away these rights. The “Respect for Marriage Act” bill was adopted in July in the U.S. House in a vote that included 47 Republicans. Now a group of bi-partisan Senators have crafted language they believe can be adopted in the Senate. They’re starting voting this week.
LGBTQ+ people and their allies have fought long and hard for marriage equality.
Here are some talking points drawn from an action alert from the Interfaith Alliance:
GET REGISTERED – If you haven’t yet cast your ballot, there is still time to exercise your right to have your voice heard. Here are some tips for making sure your vote is counted:
* VERIFY THAT YOU’RE REGISTERED TO VOTE AND LEARN IF YOUR POLLING LOCATION CHANGED:
* IF YOU’RE NOT REGISTERED, DO SO ASAP:
*LEARN ABOUT THE CANDIDATES AND FIND OUT WHAT’S ON YOUR BALLOT:
* VOTE!
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH A FRIEND OR RELATIVE!
Shortly after 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 7th, the U.S. Senate voted 50 – 50 to adopt the Inflation Reductive Act of 2022. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie breaking vote. Senator Joe Manchin (D – W.VA) and Senator Krysten Sinema (D – AZ), two outspoken opponents of comprehensive Build Back Better proposals that Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network and other progressive organizations supported during 2021, negotiated to make this historic legislation work for them and many others. Now the bill will be voted on next Friday, August 12th in a special session of the U.S. House.
The bill (HR 5376) includes what Senator Chuck Schumer called the “greatest pro-climate legislation in history”. To pay for $430 billion in new spending in this package, the bill would generate $730 billion in new revenue by closing tax loopholes on wealthy individuals and establishing a 15% minimum tax on corporations.(At least 55 of the largest corporations paid NO FEDERAL CORPORATE TAXES during the most recent fiscal year.) Also, the bill would generate savings allowing Medicare to negotiate prices on a limited number of prescriptions that benefit older and disabled persons on Medicare.
The Senate was able to pass this legislation with only 50 votes due to a Senate “reconciliation” rule that required the legislation to address federal budget matters. After a two day weekend marathon of debate, the Inflation Reduction Act maintained most of its key provisions. Here’s are highlights of those benefits:
Greetings People In MUUSJN’s Statewide Network:
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) Board members invite you to consider making a donation or purchasing tickets to a Detroit Repertory Theater performance of “Fairview” at 3 p.m. at the Detroit Repertory Theater on July 30th.
ABOUT THE PLAY
Fairview is the winner of a 2019 Pulitzer Prize. It’s “hilarious searing examination of deep seated paradigms of race in America”. It was described by the Pulitzer committee as “a hard-hitting drama that examines race in a highly conceptual, layered structure, ultimately bringing audiences into the actors’ community to face deep-seated prejudices.” The play was written by Jackie Sibblies Drury and is directed by Will Bryson.
MUUSJN and THE REP
MUUSJN has partnered with Detroit Repertory Theatre for this event. A portion of each ticket purchased and all donations will benefit MUUSJN’s work. Throughout our communities statewide, we foster social justice and community service in numerous areas including voting rights, reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, and racial, LGBTQ+, environmental, and economic justice.
DETROIT REPERTORY THEATRE
The Detroit Repertory Theatre is a model of grassroots artistic development and remains in the forefront of race transcendent casting, casting without regard to ethnicity unless germane to the play, and when possible, gender. It operates under an Actors’ Equity Association Small Professional Theatre contract. Parking is available adjacent to the theatre at 13103 Woodrow Wilson St. in Detroit. It is accessible and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Reserved seating spaces are available for those with mobility needs.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased here. That url is https://MUUSJN-Fairview.eventbrite.com
If you can’t attend, there’s an option to make a donation to support MUUSJN’s work.
The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network is pleased to be awarded two grants, one from the Unitarian Universalist Association for a “UU the Vote” campaign in Michigan and one from Michigan Voices to do reproductive justice education and outreach. Those funds will allow MUUSJN to hire three part-time Outreach Workers — preferably in different parts of the state — who will each be paid $15/hour for up to $400/month to work to support Get Out the Vote activities and to help with reproductive justice education and outreach on a statewide basis. MUUSJN works with 24 UU congregations who will be involved in these activities and also will provide educational services to the general public.
Click HERE for a job description of the MUUSJN Outreach Worker.
SEND RESUME/COVER LETTER TO: Randy Block, randyblock@yahoo.com or mail to: 4220 Arlington Dr., Royal Oak, MI 48073. For more information, call or text Randy at 248-224-5572.
The Reproductive Freedom For All (RFFA) ballot proposal will be turning in signatures of their successful ballot campaign on Monday, July 11th. MUUSJN volunteers played an important part of this effort. This means that an amendment to Michigan’s Constitution to protect women’s right to choose an abortion and to have access to a range of reproductive services will be on Michigan’s ballot this fall. Sign up HERE to join RFFA’s Virtual Celebration at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 11th.
There is excitement among the leaders of three ballot campaigns that signatures for their proposals will be turned in next week. MUUSJN’s statewide network of faith activists has worked with our partner, Fem’s for Democracy, on all of these campaigns:
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL (RFFA) – This Constitutional Amendment would repeal the 1931 law that makes abortion a felony and would enshrine reproductive freedom in Michigan’s Constitution. Reproductive freedom includes the right to obtain contraceptives, to have an abortion, and prohibits prosecution for terminating a pregnancy or helping someone to exercise their reproductive freedom. The campaign, led by the Michigan ACLU, Planned Parenthood of Michigan and Michigan Voices, is scheduled to turn in their signatures at a press conference at 10 a.m. on Monday July 11th in Lansing. Michigan Voices, a strong supporter of this campaign, is holding a “RFFA Celebrates Virtual Event” at 7 p.m. Monday night. See: www.michiganvoices.org
According to Julie Campbell-Bode, Fem’s for Democracy Board Chair, this organization’s volunteers (that included MUUSJN volunteers) collected over 100,000 signatures. The number of volunteers doubled after the U.S. Supreme Court leak and expanded another 50% after SCOTUS declared abortion to be illegal!
FAITH LEADERS: INTERESTED IN SIGNING MUUSJN AMICUS BRIEF SUPPORTING LAWSUITS TO PROTECT WOMEN’S RIGHT TO AN ABORTION? Our brief supports Planned Parenthood of MI and Governor Whitmer’s lawsuits to block the 1931 anti-abortion law and declares that right wing religious groups are discriminating against many other people of faith who believe abortion should be legal all or most of the time. If you are a faith leader, consider adding your name or that of your faith group to this brief. Click HERE for more information and to sign up. So far, MUUSJN and its partner organizations, Jews for a Secular Democracy and Inclusive Justice, have gathered names of 140 faith leaders from 19 religious groups. We would welcome more!
RAISE THE WAGE MICHIGAN – This proposal would gradually raise Michigan’s minimum wage to $15/hour by 2027 for all workers. This campaign, supported by the One Fair Wage Campaign, is planning to turn in its signatures next Wednesday to put its proposal on the 2024 ballot.
PROMOTE THE VOTE MICHIGAN – This Constitutional amendment would would make voting more accessible. Among other things, it would create early voting, guarantee the right to vote without a photo ID, make it easier to obtain absentee ballots, establish more drop boxes, and establish that audits can only be done by clerks and elected officials. Promote the Vote signatures will be turned in on Monday, July 11th.
UPDATE ON MICHIGAN RIGHT TO VOTE CAMPAIGN – The Michigan Right to Vote campaign has two proposals that are making progress in collecting signatures to put two constitutional amendments on the 2024 ballot. The proposals would block the Michigan legislature from suppressing the vote on a ballot issue by-passing review by Michigan’s Governor and by-passing a vote of the people! This campaign plans to continue to collect signatures until September 30, 2022. To volunteer or donate to support this campaign, go to the Michigan Right to Vote campaign website: www.mirighttovote.com