Judge Turns Down Request for Restraining Order on Same-Sex Partner Benefits
 Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk has denied a request from Attorney General Mike Cox to temporarily halt her prior ruling that allows the state to provide same-sex partner benefits to state employees. Cox filed a request for the restraint while he appeals the judge's ruling in the case.
The Michigan Senate also passed a resolution last week asking the Michigan Supreme Court to "take whatever steps necessary" to halt the Governor's plans to move forward with same-sex partner benefits. In the wake of Draganchuk's ruling, the Governor has asked the Civil Service Commission to begin implementation of the benefits, despite the fact that the ruling is being appealed.
"The Governor's push to move ahead with these benefits is premature, especially considering that the ultimate outcome of this case is still unclear," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "More importantly, the Governor's action is inconsistent with the will of the people, who cast their votes to prevent the state from recognizing unions that are 'similar' to marriage."
To read more about the Judge's ruling, click here. To read the text of the Senate Resolution, currently awaiting action in the House, click here.
Dobson Defends Statements on Miers Nomination
 Focus on the Family Founder and Chairman, Dr. James Dobson, this week addressed questions about statements he made previously about the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. Critics had accused Dr. Dobson of having "inside information" about Miers after a conversation with White House Advisor Karl Rove.
Dobson assured listeners and the media on Wednesday that what he had been told by Rove was no different than what was already being said about her publicly, namely that she is an evangelical Christian. He also firmly denied rumors that Rove had told him how Miers would vote on particular cases such as Roe v. Wade.
"We did not discuss Roe v. Wade in any context, or any other pending issue that will be considered by the Court," Dobson said. To read more of Dr. Dobson's comments, click here.
New Census Study Shows More Couples Delaying Marriage
 The median age for first marriages in the United States is now 26.7 years for men and 25.1 for women. That is roughly a year older than a decade ago for both, according to Martin O’Connell, chief of the Census Bureau’s fertility and family statistics branch.
This latest analysis of Census data also indicated that couples in the northeast and on the west coast marry later than their counterparts in the middle states. They are also more likely to live together before getting married. Couples in the southern states are the least likely to cohabit.
To read more about this new study, click here. To read the Census Bureau press release, which includes a link to the report itself, click here.
White House Panels Warns of Aging Crisis
 A White House panel warned this week that a looming explosion in the population of frail and elderly persons is pushing the U.S. toward a crisis in caring for the aged.
The number of elderly Americans is set to double by 2050, spurring massive demand for health and nursing home care for millions of aged Americans. It could also cause huge cultural shifts as tens of millions more working-age Americans become caregivers for elderly parents.
"This is why MFF continues to push lawmakers to establish tax credits for in-home eldercare and provide incentives for people who purchase long-term care insurance," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "Our elders deserve to be cared for with dignity and respect in their final days, and the state should provide practical ways to help families struggling with the care of an elderly loved one."
To read more about the White House Panel report, click here. To read more about MFF's commitment to Honor our Elders, click here.
MFF Hosts National Council for Adoption President, Tom Atwood
 Michigan Family Forum is pleased to welcome Mr. Tom Atwood, President of the National Council for Adoption, to Michigan. Atwood will speak at a luncheon for the Michigan legislature on Wednesday, October 19. His topic will be "Adoption: Why Should Michigan Encourage It?" The luncheon will coincide with the release of MFF's newest resource publication, "Infant Adoption in Michigan: Reviving a Vanishing Phenomenon."
Numerous legislators have signed up to hear Mr. Atwood and find out more about MFF's upcoming adoption initiative. Stay tuned to Forum Online for more details.
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