Speaker Draws Link Between Marriage and State
Budget Woes
 Michigan
Family Forum (MFF) was pleased to host economist Dr. Jennifer
Roback Morse for a special "Issues Luncheon" in Lansing
this week. Nearly 50 legislators, legislative staff and state
budget officials gathered to hear Dr. Morse speak about the link
between the decline of marriage and the state's budgetary shortfalls.
"Dr. Morse clearly articulated how one person's
'choice' as to what 'family form' they live in can radically affect
Michigan's budget," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely.
"The state spends millions of dollars every year to provide
services to broken families. Research also indicates that the
impact of being brought up without the influence and guidance
of both a father and a mother impacts a person throughout their
entire life - both emotionally and financially."
Many people today believe that adults should have
the freedom to engage in whatever sexual activity they choose
at that their relationships should be treated as equal to marriage.
"Unfortunately, the freedom and equality that these adults
demand are paid for by the next generation," said Dr. Morse."
She pointed out that children of unmarried and
divorced couples are more likely to do poorly in school, to spend
time in jail, to be poorer and lack health care and to suffer
emotionally. "At the same time," said Dr. Morse, "married
couple families and childless people are providing subsidies to
pay
for a vast social assistance state that provides for the well-being
of mothers and children."
To read more about Dr. Morse's work, click
here.
National Day of Prayer
 Today
is the National Day of Prayer. Millions have gathered around the
country at special events to pray for our nation and its leaders.
Michigan Family Forum was pleased to participate
in the state observance at the Capitol in Lansing. Executive Director
Brad Snavely spoke at the ceremony, introducing members of the
state Legislature.
Although an active participant, Michigan Family
Forum is not the "lead" organization for the Michigan
National Day of Prayer observance. Many requests have continued
to arrive at our office for copies of the Michigan Prayer Guides.
To order copies of the guide, contact Sylvia Tubergen at (616)
842-6414, or email her at ndpmichigan@hotmail.com.
To view highlights of this year's observance, click
here.
House Committee Reports
Video Game Bills
 The
Michigan House will soon vote on two bills designed to protect
children from and inform parents about the content of video games.
"HB 4702, introduced by Rep. Phillip Pavlov
(R-St. Clair), prohibits retailers from displaying or distributing
sexually obscene video games to minors," said MFF Public
Policy Director Dan Jarvis. "HB 4703, introduced by Rep.
Tom Pearce (R-Rockford), requires retailers to provide information
about video game ratings to parents by placing posters or brochures
in the store."
"The current rating system was designed by
the video game industry and is largely voluntary and arbitrary,"
said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "Most parents don't
understand how the games receive a particular rating. HB 4703
would provide parents with the information they need."
To view HB 4702, click
here. To view HB 4703, click
here. To contact your representative to ask for their support
of these bills, click
here.
Polls Show Growing Support
for Protecting Marriage
 Syndicated
columnist Maggie Gallagher, a strong proponent of traditional
marriage, recently published an article about encouraging polling
data regarding traditional marriage.
Several polls have been taken in recent years to
measure Americans' views about same-sex marriage. The numbers
of those opposed to the idea continue to grow. It appears that
the more Americans hear and learn about same-sex marriage, the
more opposed to it they become.
One of the more startling polls measured the attitudes
of America's incoming college freshmen. Support for same-sex marriage
has declined among this group by nearly 3-percentage points in
just one year. "This data is encouraging," said MFF
Executive Director Brad Snavely. "The message is starting
to sink in. Same-sex marriage is not an issue of freedom and equality
- it is an assault on the institution which is the foundation
of our society."
To read Gallagher's article and view the polling
data, click
here.
Michigan Prayer Breakfast
- Thursday, May 12
 Forum
Online readers are encouraged to join MFF and others at the annual
Michigan Prayer Breakfast. This year's event will take place on
Thursday, May 12, 7:30am at the Kellogg Center on the campus of
Michigan State University.
The speaker will be Commissioner James Osborne,
a third-generation Salvation Army member, who served as Chairman
of the Advisory Council to the General at Salvation Army Headquarters
in London, England.
The Michigan Prayer Breakfast also serves as the
site for the presentation of the national "Amy Writing Award."
The Award, acclaimed as the most popular writing contest in the
nation, offers a $10,000 first prize. Several state officials,
including the governor, supreme court justices, and legislators
are expected to be on hand for the breakfast and award ceremony.
Tickets are $16.00 per person. For more information
or to request tickets, contact David Chapman at (517) 319-8210,
or via email: dchapman@davidchapmanagency.com.
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