Summary of this week’s public policy news and events.
AB 2223 Fails to Clarify Question of Infanticide Protections
In response to Tuesday’s Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks’ AB 2223, the bill that seeks to decriminalize infant deaths from pregnancy-related causes, California Catholic Conference Executive Director Kathleen Domingo issued the following statement:
“Today’s hearing on Assemblymember Wick’s AB 2223 in the Assembly Judiciary Committee left open the question of legalizing infanticide in California, despite Wicks’ prior assurances to the contrary.
“The stated intent of AB 2223 is to ‘prohibit a person from being subject to civil or criminal liability for … a pregnancy outcome.’ The CCC worked with Assemblymember Wicks and her staff to clarify and narrow the bill language to protect innocent newborns and allow coroners to investigate infant deaths; however, we are incredibly disappointed that the imprecise language remains.
“AB 2223 now includes “perinatal death due to a pregnancy-related cause.” However, according to California Welfare and Institutions Code 14134.5, the term “perinatal” is defined as “the period from the establishment of pregnancy to one month following delivery.
“The California Catholic Conference opposes AB 2223 unless amended to definitively exclude infant death due to abuse or neglect.”
CCC Executive Dir. Kathleen Domingo on EWTN News In Depth
California Catholic Conference Executive Director Kathleen Domingo joined Montse Alvarado on EWTN’s News In Depth to discuss the Catholic Church’s role in helping mothers and families and navigating California’s political landscape to do so.
Kathleen also appeared on The Bishop’s Hour, hosted by Bob Dunning in the Diocese of Sacramento, discussing advocating for Catholic values inside the Capitol.
Jesuit Advocacy Day
Late last month, 36 Jesuit high school students from throughout the state visited lawmakers at their offices during Jesuit Advocacy Day.
“The students all had a fabulous experience and are very excited to be more involved in advocacy,” said Jesuits West Provincial Assistant for Justice & Ecology Organizing Director Annie Fox, who organized the event. “I think it was such an empowering experience for them.”
Students spent nearly 90 minutes with Senator Steve Bradford, who also introduced them to several other officials, including Senator María Elena Durazo, who is a parishioner at the Jesuit parish in Boyle Heights Dolores Mission.
The students were also able to speak with Assemblymember Phil Ting, chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, about passing a $150 million budget line item for tenant legal aid.
“We were quite happy that a student from San Francisco was able to speak to Assemblymember Ting, who is chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, about passing a $150 million budget line item for tenant legal aid,” Fox said. “[Ting] will have a big voice on whether or not the fund is created.”
The participating students attend Jesuit high schools throughout the state, including Verbum Dei High School and Loyola High School in Los Angeles; Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland; Jesuit High School in Sacramento; St Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco; and Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose.
Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime.
Every April, the U.S. Officer for Victims of Crime leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW.
This year NCVRW will be observed from April 24–30. The 2022 NCVRW theme is Rights, access, and equity for all victims. The theme underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services, and ensuring equity and inclusion.
The 2022 NCVRW Resource Guide is available to help you raise awareness about victims’ rights, protections, and services in the months leading up to NCVRW, during NCVRW, and throughout the year.
Earth Day Resources
Earth Day is April 22, and the California Catholic Conference has prepared a bulletin insert in English and Spanish detailing ways to celebrate and contribute to the care of all creation. You can also find the information here.
Use the ideas listed or explore others on the Ladauto Si’ Action Platform to support the Church’s work in caring for our common home. Your unique “culture, experience, involvements, and talents” are needed on our journey towards greater love for our Creator, each other, and the home we share (LS 14).
You can also find the Bishops’ statement, God Calls Us to Care for Our Common Home, and their vision of the implementation of Ladauto Si.’
Tax Day Reminders
With Tax Day, April 18, just around the corner, keep in mind the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), a generous tax credit available depending on income level.
Other credits to consider are the federal Child Tax Credit and California Young Child Tax Credit for parents.
In addition, the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.
The Season of #Lenten calls us to place our faith and hope in the Lord, since only if we fix our gaze on the risen Christ will we be able to respond to the Apostle’s appeal, “Let us never grow tired of doing good” (Gal 6:9).
@Pontifex
April 8, 2022
Vol. 15, No. 12