Appeals Court Halts Ruling on Same-Sex Benefits
 The Michigan Appeals Court ruled earlier this week to halt a lower court ruling that would allow governments and public universities to provide insurance benefits to the same-sex partner of an employee. Attorney General Mike Cox had requested that the lower court ruling be halted until the higher court has an opportunity to hear arguments in the case.
"We supported the Attorney General's decision to seek this injunction," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "This issue needs to be settled completely before any government entity or public institution prematurely offers same-sex benefits. We are confident that the higher court will rule in favor of the people's vote which bans same-sex marriage and recognition of it or a 'similar union' for any purpose."
Governor Granholm had announced plans to move ahead with offering the benefits after the initial lower court ruling. The Governor's spokesperson said she was "disappointed with the ruling," but was also "encouraged that the case will be expedited." To read more about this story, click here.
Bouchard Announces Senate Bid
 Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator. Bouchard, a former state Senator, had intentions of running earlier this year, but was briefly sidelined by health issues.
Bouchard joins Rev. Keith Butler of Detroit and Rev. Jerry Zandstra of Grand Rapids as potential candidates attempting to unseat incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow. Mr. Bouchard said he has been "overwhelmed by the calls I've received from people throughout Michigan encouraging me to reconsider getting into the United States Senate race." To read more about Bouchard's Senate bid announcement, click here.
President Nominates Alito to Supreme Court
 The nation was abuzz this week with news of President Bush's nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Judge Alito would take the place of retiring justice Sandra Day O'Connor. His nomination followed on the heels of Harriet Miers' decision to withdraw as a nominee.
Judge Alito has been making his rounds in Washington visiting Senators to introduce himself and discuss his judicial philosophy. Senate Democrats have voiced concern about Judge Alito's conservative credentials, while Republicans have mostly lauded his history of faithful and fair service to the public.
"We are hopeful that Judge Alito will receive the fair and timely hearing that he deserves in the Senate," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "We are pleased that Judge Alito has a history of strictly interpreting the Constitution and not legislating from the bench."
Focus on the Family has provided a website listing comments about the nomination from both conservative and liberal organizations. To view these comments, click here. For more information about the nomination and Judge Alito, click here.
Bill Would Allow Unmarried Couple Adoption
 Michigan Representative Paul Condino (D-Southfield) introduced legislation to amend Michigan's adoption laws to allow "second parent adoption." Under current law, a married couple or a single person may adopt a child. However, if an unmarried couple is living together (heterosexual or homosexual), one "parent" may adopt, but the "partner" has no legal rights to the child.
"Michigan Family Forum opposes this legislation because it is not in the best interest of our state's children" said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "Research clearly indicates that children fair better when they are raised in a loving home by two, opposite-sex parents. The state should not support living arrangements that are not in the best interest of the child."
MFF recently hosted National Council for Adoption President Tom Atwood at a legislative luncheon and released its latest report, "Infant Adoption in Michigan: Reviving a Vanishing Phenomenon." Mr. Atwood was clear that a married-couple household is almost always best for an adopted child, and MFF's research substantiates that fact.
Rep. Condino's bill, designated HB 5399 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. To view the legislation, click here. To download a copy of "Infant Adoption in Michigan: Reviving a Vanishing Phenomenon," click here.
White House and First Lady Announce "Helping America's Youth" Initiative
 First Lady Laura Bush recently hosted the first White House conference on Helping America's Youth. More than 500 parents, civic leaders, faith-based and community service providers, foundations, educators, researchers, and experts in child development gathered to discuss various problems facing America's youth and solutions shown to be successful in overcoming those challenges.
The conference was designed to encourage families, schools and faith-based organizations to help children avoid risky behavior and build their lives to become responsible adults; to share best practices and network organizations and communities; to encourage new partnerships and creative solutions; and to release a new "Community Guide to Helping America's Youth."
Information from the conference as well as a web-based version of the new Community Guide are available at www.helpingamericasyouth.org.
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