Editorial Staff, Author at Kansas Catholic Conference

House, Senate Leaders Plan to Proceed Without Fixing Abortion Concerns

March 12, 2010 It appears that negotiations over abortion language between Pro-Life Democrat Bart Stupak and leaders of his party have broken down. News reports today indicate that the White House and congressional leaders are prepared to move forward with the health care legislation developed in the Senate without addressing the concerns of Pro-Life members …

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Health Care Bill’s Immigration Provisions a Concern

Healthcare / By Editorial Staff

March 11, 2010 Immigration advocates and concerned lawmakers are increasing the volume of their objections to language in the health care reform bill that would prevent illegal immigrants from being able to purchase health insurance in the new exchanges with their own money. Without such access, it is feared that many immigrant families would be …

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Church Hit Hard by DC Same-Sex Marriage Law

March 9, 2010 The Catholic Church in Washington has been hit hard by the D.C. Council’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage in the the nation’s capital city. In order to be in compliance with the new law, which failed to provide satisfactory religious exemptions for the Catholic Church, the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington had to …

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Today First Day for Same-Sex Marriages in Nation’s Capital

Marriage and the Family, Uncategorized / By Editorial Staff

March 9, 2010 Gay couples in Washington DC are able to obtain marriage licenses beginning today. In addition to the District of Columbia, five states allow gay marriage: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The DC law has harmed the ability of the Archdiocese of Washington to carry out its various ministries.

Medicaid a Casualty of Budget Cuts

Poor & Vulnerable / By Editorial Staff

March 9, 2010 The state is mired in the midst of an unprecedented budget crisis, and legislators are scrambling to find ways to balance the budget. Medicaid is facing a 10% cut, and other programs that serve the most vulnerable are at risk. Members of the Legislature have few easy choices before them, but they …

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Possibility of Worker ID Card Coming into Focus

Immigration / By Editorial Staff

March 9, 2010 Senators working to to draft immigration reform legislation are considering a controversial proposal that would eventually require every worker in the United States to obtain a national biometric identification card.

White House Health Care Proposal Retains Unacceptable Abortion Provisions

Healthcare / By Editorial Staff

February 23, 2010 This week the White House has unveiled its plan for an overhaul of America’s health care system. With respect to federal subsidization of abortion, the Obama plan essentially retains the features of the Senate bill, which has been declared unacceptable by the Catholic bishops. The Senate approach opted for by Administration proposal …

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Kansas Senate Defeats Death Penalty Repeal

Protecting Human Life / By Editorial Staff

February 19, 2010 Legislation abolishing the death penalty in Kansas was voted down by the narrowest of margins in the Kansas Senate. By a vote of 20-20, the Senate fell one vote short of what was needed to send the repeal legislation to the House of Representatives. Michael Jackels, Bishop of Wichita, testified earlier in …

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Kansas House Passes Covenant Marriage Legislation

Marriage and the Family, Uncategorized / By Editorial Staff

February 18, 2010 The Kansas House has approved legislation establishing covenant marriage, which is currently available in Arkansas, Arizona, and Louisiana. Under a covenant marriage arrangement, a couple volunteers to undergo pre-marital counseling and forfeits the right to no-fault divorce.

Kansas House Approves Bill Waiving Marriage Fee for Poor

Marriage and the Family, Uncategorized / By Editorial Staff

February 18, 2010 Under the approved bill, Kansas’ marriage license fee would be waived for those who cannot afford it.