Catholics brace for legislative battles on marriage, taxes, schools

Published: 2005-01-21

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- With 43 state legislatures in session in January, Catholics around the country were bracing for battles on a wide range of issues including same-sex marriage, textbook funding for Catholic schools, assisted suicide, cloning and budget matters. In Minnesota, the Catholic bishops vowed to promote an increase in the state income tax as a way to address the budget deficit. "We believe that we will be judged according to the way in which we respond to the 'least' of our brothers and sisters," the bishops of Minnesota's six dioceses said in a Jan. 10 pastoral statement. "Because human needs require it and other resources are not available to meet these needs, we believe that it is right and proper to raise income taxes justly and equitably." They said Minnesota's budget deficit for the next two years is estimated at $700 million or, adjusted for inflation, $1.4 billion. Oregon also faces a projected $1 billion gap between expected revenue and what state program heads want to continue services. Bob Castagna, executive director of the Oregon Catholic Conference, said the state's fiscal climate and tax policies mean that vulnerable people will "fall through the cracks."

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