| March 20, 2008 E-Newsletter |
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Easter Joy!
"Our faith... rests on the reality of Jesus' resurrection. We base everything on the truth of the story. But establishing that truth is not a matter of science, history or archaeology; rather, as we seek to grow in faith, we call upon the Holy Spirit, who lives within the Christian community. In the Easter Gospels, we hear the witness of the first followers of Jesus: Jesus was risen; they had experienced him, alive in their midst. Their testimony in the Spirit moves us to a faith-filled 'Alleluia.' Our Easter Gospel is a story of living faith, in which we are participants, and to which we are now witnesses. The Spirit of the living Christ has called us to testify to its truth."
—Excerpted from "Sunday Soundbites,"
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed; for they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned home. —John 20: 1-9
The Vatican has released a detailed itinerary for the Holy Father's trip to the U.S., which lists among other activities, a visit to the White House, celebrations of the Mass at the National Shrine in Washington, New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral and at two baseball parks (Washington and New York); an address to the United Nations General Assembly, and a stop at Ground Zero.
2008 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES The California Budget is a major priority this year—particularly because the largest of the Governor's proposed cuts come in spending for either social services or education. In early January—following the release of his FY 2008-2009 budget, which proposed a 10 percent across the board cut in spending, the Governor called the Legislature into special session to deal with the then estimated $14.5 billion shortfall. By the time the Legislature approved emergency cuts and new borrowing in late February—the estimated deficit had reached $16 billion. In reaction to the Governor's proposed budget, beginning the first of March, thousands of teachers across California received pink slips for the next school year—although no one actually knows how many teachers will end up unemployed. Experts and lawmakers alike agree that the situation is dire. Regardless of the usual political grandstanding and partisan gamesmanship that accompany budget negotiations, the state does has a growing deficit, and education and social services for those in need will take a hit in FY 2008-2009. 
On Monday, March 17, 2008, while the Legislature was in recess, Governor Schwarzenegger began a statewide tour to bring attention to his proposed budget reform—a constitutional amendment that would limit spending and increase the governor's authority to make cuts, saying: "Sacramento created this problem, so why go and punish the people?" Assembly Speaker Nunez's spokesman countered with the observation that such an initiative would do nothing to help get the state out of its current mess. Complicating the chances for a swift and just resolution of the budget problem is the fact that Democrats, who control both houses of the legislature, will likely not agree to balance the budget through program cuts and the Republican minority is not likely to vote for new taxes. (Tax increases require a 2/3 majority vote—which means Democrats need Republican votes.) Proposed Legislation—New and Two-Year Bills Bills introduced in 2007, which failed to pass their House of Origin by the end of the first half of the 2007-2008 session—but which passed their House of Origin by January 31, 2008-are called "two-year" bills. Those bills—as well as the "new" bills introduced by February 22, 2008—have until August 31, 2008 to complete their "legislative journey." For more details about deadlines, please go to the 2008 Legislative Calendar. The Legislature is currently on its Spring Recess (March 13-March 24). The budget morass has placed a damper on the Legislators' usual exuberance. The Assemblymembers introduced 1,751 bills in 2007 but only 1,231 in 2008. Likewise, Senators introduced 1,052 bills in 2007 but only 728 this year. Of these proposed laws, we are watching 134 Assembly bills and 78 Senate bills. Several dozen of these bills are of major or significant concern to the CCC—which means we will either support or oppose them publicly. Those public actions include letters to authors and committee members, meetings with the author and his/her staff, and in some cases testifying in committee hearings. The major and significant bills are listed in a report available on our website.
Currently there are two efforts underway to gather signatures in order to place initiatives on the November ballot: Sarah's Law and Protect Marriage. Many Catholics and some parishes are helping with the efforts—both of which must collect over one million signatures by the first week in April. It is the protocol of the California bishops as a conference to refrain from taking a position until an initiative qualifies for the ballot. Read the information and background on this long-standing policy. When and if these initiatives qualify for the ballot, the Conference of bishops will review them and undoubtedly support them—meaning that CCC staff will be directed to prepare and provide materials for use during the campaigns for passage—in conformance with the bishops' policy of only distributing CCC—or USCCB—generated information in parishes. Those materials have historically included bulletin inserts, homily notes, fliers and/or study guides.
IF YOU HAVEN'T joined the Catholic Legislative Network (CLN), please consider doing so. 
Using an email alert system the CLN highlights legislation, regulations and other issues in California, the nation and the world on which Catholics may want to take action. The CLN provides information on the relevant Catholic teaching and encourages participants to email, call or write their legislators or other officials. To learn more or to join go to our Catholic Legislative Network.
CATHOLIC LOBBY DAY: APRIL 22, 2008
Catholic Lobby Day will be a gathering of people of faith raising their voices in "sincere dialogue... and with anxious interest... seeking the common good." For the tenth consecutive year, the CCC is hosting Catholics from all over California who are interested in exercising their "faithful citizenship" in their state's Capital. The CCC welcomes all who are interested in meeting with elected officials to speak on behalf of those who are poor, vulnerable or voiceless. A CCC-facilitated committee of representatives from the various diocesan ministries, lay organizations and the two seminaries plan the agenda for the one-day event which will include information sessions, a rally at the Capitol, visits with legislators, and a Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Please register promptly and begin to pray for all who will join together that day—raising our voices as faithful citizens who are working for justice and searching for the common good. The CCC recommends that individuals contact their diocesan representative in order to join in the preliminary educational activities offered.
View a retrospective of the 2007 Catholic Lobby Day.
A WIN IN THE COURTS FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
In 2005, then Attorney General of California, Bill Lockyer, filed a suit challenging the "constitutionality" of the Weldon Amendment which prohibits any federal funds going to a state that subjects a healthcare entity to discrimination because it does not provide, pay for, or refer for abortions. The Alliance for Catholic Healthcare, with Jim Sweeney as their attorney, applied to be "intervenors" in original suit—a request that was granted. The case has been in the Courts for three years. Basically, the Court said that because there isn't an actual case of harm to a woman, it would not rule. Planned Parenthood, et. al., who had joined the A.G. in his quest, painted a grim scenario that implied pregnant women would be harmed by Catholic hospitals if the Weldon Amendment was allowed to stand. The Court said that the state's case posed an unlikely hypothetical situation and that until there was a case that had actual facts and a conflict in the law to resolve the constitutional challenge was rejected. It may well be that the U. S. Supreme Court's Carhart decision last April-upholding the constitutionality of the ban on partial birth abortions—has set a new and improved standard for bringing challenges to laws involving abortion laws. In that case, the Court ruled that abortion was no longer an exception to the standards that applied to other legal challenges, i.e., there must be actual harm—not hypothetical harm.
"We are extremely pleased that ... the Court ... saw through the overheated rhetoric and baseless claims of the State and the amici curiae supporting the invalidation of the federal conscience protections with a ruling that very effectively demonstrates just how ill-conceived and politically motivated this lawsuit was."
"The Weldon Amendment is not about the right to abortion per se, but rather about protecting the rights of conscience of healthcare providers who may have moral or religious objections to certain medical procedures and practices. The moral, ethical and religious beliefs of ... health care providers are important and worthy of deference and protection. The court's decision yesterday merely recognizes what has always been the case in our country: liberty of conscience and religious freedom matter." CCC STAFF CHANGE
Al Hernandez Santana, J.D., Director for Hispanic Affairs and Senior Lobbyist at the California Catholic Conference is leaving March 20, 2008 to become the Executive Director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. He remarked in a notice he sent to his public policy and diocesan colleagues: "I am energized about this unique opportunity and hope that it will allow me to continue working with my many friends and colleagues on health issues. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with each and every one of you, and I feel grateful to have enjoyed your support over the years." We at the CCC thank Al for his many years of generous and dedicated service. We will miss him and wish him the best in his new endeavor.
Conference Staff
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William J. Cox, President of the Alliance of Catholic Healthcare, commenting on the decision said:
Ned Dolejsi, Executive Director of the California Catholic Conference, also expressed his satisfaction with the ruling which affirmed the religious liberty of healthcare practitioners, saying,
