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PA Family Update

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FAMILY UPDATE
Volume 4, Issue 18
July 11, 2008
The Pennsylvania Family Institute's weekly update to concerned citizens.
Michael Geer, President
Attention: PA Family Institute has printable versions of the Family Update that can be downloaded and printed easily!Follow this link to get a 1-page version that you can hand out to your friends and family: http://www.pafamily.org/index.php?pID=78
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Quote of the Week

"I have tried at every point to seek God's wisdom on the decisions I made, and I made it my business to speak up on behalf of the things God tells us are important to Him." ~ Sen. Jesse Helms, R-NC, (Oct. 18, 1921 - July 4, 2008)
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Pennsylvania News
First Indictments Announced in Bonusgate Probe. Attorney General Tom Corbett announced criminal charges after a 17-month-old investigation into legislative bonuses against former Minority Whip Mike Veon, D-Beaver, Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver, and 10 House Democratic staffers. "The investigation has uncovered the illegal use of millions of dollars in taxpayer's funds, resources and state employees for political campaign purposes," Corbett said. Timeline of the scandal, from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
Budget Passed - PA General Assembly Adjourned for the Summer. The 2008-09 session begins mid-September. For more information and commentary on the $28.2 billion budget, see this article.
School Choice Scholarship Program Plans to Serve More Families this Year. Amidst the budget debate, PA legislators voted to expand the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), making it easier for businesses to contribute scholarship money so children can attend the school that best fits their needs, regardless of family income. Last year, 44,000 children received EITC scholarships. Learn more about PFI's Family Choice Scholarship Program at www.pafamily.org.
Graduation Tests Still Voluntary for Now. Governor Rendell's plan to require all graduating high school students to pass 10 subject-specific final exams has been stalled by strong opposition in the General Assembly. The new budget does, however, provide funds to develop graduation tests for school districts to use on a voluntary basis. Both the House and Senate have introduced bills to take the authority for graduation requirements away from the State Board of Education, and give it to the General Assembly.
Required School Attendance Age Lowered in Philadelphia. Children in Philadelphia will now be required to start school at the age of 6, instead of 8, as a result of legislation passed as part of the state budget. Supporters hope that this requirement will soon extend to the state as a whole, while opponents worry that it takes control away from parents. Homeschooled children are exempt from the new age requirement.
News posted daily at www.PAFamily.org!
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Pro-Life News
Grand Jury Fails to Indict Kansas Abortionist. Fifteen jurors refused to deliver indictments against abortionist George Tiller, citing lack of evidence and unclear state abortion laws. Tiller is accused of performing illegal late-term, partial-birth abortions. He faces additional charges at a trial scheduled for July 28.
Planned Parenthood Expands Abortion, Birth Control Industry to Suburbs. They hope their upscale "hip" new clinics will attract wealthier clients as a first choice for contraception and abortion. While the organization has always targeted lower-income women, this new push shows that they really do care more for profit, prestige, and political agenda than for struggling families. Of course, abortion continues to be their number one "service"!
Michigan Voters to Decide on Expanding Embryonic Stem Cell Research. On the ballot this fall is an initiative to loosen restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, which would allow more embryos to be destroyed. Meanwhile, Spanish scientists have discovered that in the near future, Cord Blood May Treat Hepatitis. Umbilical-cord stem cells have been shown to improve liver function in lab animals. Yet again, stem cells from an ethical source (not embryos!) are yielding significant medical advances.
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Marriage and Family News
Oklahoma Court Rejects Same-sex "Divorce" Case. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has sided with a lower court that refused to grant a "divorce" to a lesbian couple who were never legally married in the state. The majority opinion read, 'Recognizing a same-sex divorce would mean recognizing a marriage that doesn't exist.'
Pro-Life Teachers Protest at NEA Convention. The National Education Association (NEA) has been supporting pro-abortion policies and organizations. At the national convention, students and educators protested the NEA's stance, saying that the teacher's union should at least adopt a neutral position on abortion.
Tighter divorce laws proposed in Texas. The Texas legislature has the opportunity to buck recent national trends by making it harder for a couple to obtain a divorce. The proposed bill would require a husband and wife to either wait two years or take a class designed to save their marriage before being granted a divorce. Under Texas law it currently takes 60 days to finalize a divorce.
News posted daily at www.PA4Marriage.org!
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PFI News
July 18-19 – Truth Project training with Dr. Del Tackett of Focus on the Family at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills (Philly area). You can register through Focus at www.truthproject.org.
September 15 – 2nd Annual PFI Golf Tournament at Bent Creek Country Club to benefit City on the Hill. Sponsored by WDAC. Be a sponsor or sign up to play by visiting www.pafamily.org/golf.php!
October 11 – Two Friends of the Family Events featuring Gov. Mike Huckabee. A luncheon at the Mendenhall Inn in Mendenhall at 12 Noon and a dinner at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.pafamily.org/huckabee.php for sponsorship and registration info.
Don't Miss Michael Geer's The Common Good and Family Update Radio Shows on Christian Radio Stations throughout Pa. and online through our podcasts.
This Week's Guest: Matt Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth Foundation.
Topic: The impact of the recently passed state budget.

The Pennsylvania Family Institute is a non-profit organization made possible through financial donations from our supporters. To donate to Pennsylvania Family Institute, click here: www.pafamily.org/donate
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