Federal Judge Stops Enforcement of New Violent Video Game Law
 A federal judge in Detroit has issued a preliminary injunction against Public Act 108, which restricts the sale of ultra-violent and sexually explicit video games to minors. Judge George Steeh's ruling prevents Michigan from enforcing the new law. However, according to the Detroit Free Press, Steeh's decision does not affect the part of the law that bars retailers from selling or renting sexually explicit video games to minors.
"Michigan Family Forum worked with Senator Alan Cropsey to help develop the language of PA 108," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "We thought it was important to tie the language in this bill to the already existing state laws regarding exposure of minors to obscene material. Apparently, this has resulted in the judge upholding the sexually-explicit portion of the law."
To read more about the judge's decision, click here.
Hoogendyk Bill Encourages Adoption
 State Representative Jack Hoogendyk has introduced legislation that would help encourage adoption in Michigan. HB 4736 would increase Michigan's refundable credit for adoption expenses for children who are wards of the state from a maximum of $1,200 to a maximum of $2,400.
"This bill is a good step towards making Michigan a more adoption-friendly state," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "Rep. Hoogendyk's bill would help encourage adoption of children in the state's foster care system. These children would benefit greatly from being raised in a loving home with a mom and a dad."
Michigan Family Forum recently released a new publication that includes a set of recommendations for lawmakers to encourage adoption in Michigan. Click here to view that resource. To view Rep. Hoogendyk's bill, click here.
Ninth Federal Circuit Rules Against Parental Rights
 A three-judge panel from the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court (California), has ruled that parents have no rights regarding what their children are being taught in public school. The ruling involved a group of parents who had sued for the right to view their school district's sex education curriculum. The district had taken measures to prevent the parents from doing so.
Writing for the unanimous panel, Appellate Judge Stephen Reinhardt said "there is no fundamental right of parents to be the exclusive provider of information regarding sexual matters to their children..." and "...parents have no due process or privacy right to override the determinations of public schools as to the information to which their children will be exposed while enrolled as students."
Focus on the Family and other like-minded groups issued scathing responses to the court's imposition on the rights of parents. Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, called the ruling "an egregious example of judicial tyranny." To read more about this controversial ruling, click here.
Texans Vote Overwhelmingly for Marriage
 Voters in Texas this week cast ballots that overwhelmingly protected marriage in that state. Proposition 2, which protects traditional marriage and prohibits similar unions such as civil unions, passed by a wide margin. In a sign of support for the proposition, the turn-out for the "off-year" election, which included only propositions, was the highest in more than a decade.
"The victory in Texas once again shows how strongly the American public supports marriage," said Family Research Council president Tony Perkins. "You would think the politicians in Washington would get the message."
Perkins' comments draw attention to the fact that the Texas amendment, like other state marriage amendments (including Michigan) could still be challenged in federal court. The only way to guarantee that these popular amendments remain in effect would be to pass a Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) is planning to reintroduce the FMA in the near future.
For more on this story, click here.
Kaiser Foundation Study Finds Increasing Sexual Content on Television
 A new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation has found that sexual content is flooding TV screens at a rate nearly double from seven years ago. Researchers witnessed nearly 3,800 scenes with sexual content in more than 1,100 shows studied, up from about 1,900 such scenes in 1998 - the first year Kaiser conducted the survey.
"This is a very disturbing trend," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "The networks have gone way too far in airing sexual images and content to the point that watching TV is no longer a safe 'family activity' - even during the traditional family hour." Experts with the Parents Television Council also have said that "kids who have repeated exposure to sexual content become sexually active at an earlier age."
To read a news report about the study, click here. To view the results of the study, click here.
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