Michigan UU’s Protect Children from TABOR

Unitarian Universalists in Michigan scored a recent win against TABOR (the Taxpayer Bill of Rights). TABOR is a restrictive measure that limits the state spending base and leads to social services cuts. A TABOR measure was in effect in Colorado from 1992 to 2005. During that time, the quality of services for children plummeted, especially in the areas of education and health care.

The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) took a stand for children by joining the Defend Michigan coalition. Defend Michigan led the way in opposing TABOR. The coalition united community organizations and emphasized the damaging effect that TABOR would have on children.

On September 8, Defend Michigan and the MUUSJN had a major victory, with the TABOR initiative being struck from the November ballot. The ruling that disqualified the TABOR initiative was in response to an outcry from Defend Michigan about improprieties in the collection of petition signatures.

Congratulations to MUUSJN!

(And to UU’s in the rest of the country: stay alert! Similar TABOR measures have also recently been proposed in Kansas, Pennsylvania, Maine, Montana and Nevada.)

Five Actions UU’s Can Take This Congregational Year to Support Children and Youth

1. Post comments on Promise the Children’s blog (here!) about children’s advocacy initiatives. (We welcome responses to ideas we have posted, stories about work being done in UU congregations, and general strategies for advancing children’s issues.)

2. Support the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act to promote comprehensive sexuality education in public schools.

3. Question electoral candidates about their stands on universal pre-kindergarten and others programs that affect children.

4. Ask congregations to endorse Project 2010, a campaign to support afterschool care.

5. Lead worship services about children’s issues in Unitarian Universalist congregations.

Chalice Chick and I Discuss the Role of Religious Groups in Politics

Over at the ChaliceBlog, CC and I are having a lively conversation about whether or not UU congregations and the denomination as a whole should engage in political activity. Please check it out and add your comments:

Chalice Chick’s original post is entitled "Standing on the Side of Keeping Religion Out of Schools," and addresses Sinkford’s call for Unitarian Universalists to advocate for comprehensive sexuality education.

My comment in response to her posting can be found in the comments on that story (scroll down to find).

Chalick Chick wrote a follow-up post entitled, "More On Keeping (Even My) Religion Out of the Schools."

My second comment, in response, can be found again in the comments on that story (scroll down).

If you would like to join the discussion, please comment at the ChaliceBlog (or, for the publicity-shy, e-mail me at shelby [at] promisethechildrenuu.org).