Following are updates shared from submissions from ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) this quarter (formerly shared monthly). Full list and map of SPPOs available.
ARIZONA| KANSAS | PENNSYLVANIA | WISCONSIN
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona
Solveig Muus, Director
This spring, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), a ministry of the Grand Canyon Synod, has
been helping Lutherans “voice our common needs in the public square” by connecting congregations, synod leaders, ELCA Advocacy and community partners around hunger, immigration, civic engagement, health care and housing. LAMA’s 2026 priorities center on food insecurity, voting, health care and housing/homelessness, rooted in ELCA social teaching and carried out through partnerships with the Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network (which sponsors the ELCA Region 2 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge), Arizona Faith Network, Bread for the World, Arizona Food Bank Network, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and others.
In February, nearly 200 Lutherans and friends gathered at the Arizona Capitol for Lutheran Day at the Legislature – a time of learning, witnessing, meeting lawmakers and “activating our faith in love.” LAMA also supported congregational and interfaith engagement through liaison roundtables, Arizona Faith Network justice and voting-rights committees, monthly anti-hunger advocacy calls and presentations in local congregations.
Throughout March and April, LAMA amplified ELCA action alerts on Dreamers, asylum-seeker work authorization, voting access, hunger funding and the Farm Bill, while tracking the more than 2,100 bills and propositions that were introduced in the Arizona legislature. LAMA lifted up Bishop Deborah Hutterer’s public witness on Arizona’s steep decline in SNAP participation and shared urgent partner updates on SNAP, Medicaid (AHCCCS in Arizona), state budget pressures and food insecurity.
In May, LAMA joined faith leaders in meeting with U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and immigration policies, urging just treatment of immigrants, asylum seekers and vulnerable families.
Kansas Interfaith Action
Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director
These past few months we have continued to act and witness throughout and beyond a grueling 2026 legislative session that proved to be every bit as challenging as anticipated. Leadership in both chambers focused heavily on divisive, highly politicized issues, using procedural tactics to skip or stifle public debate and move bills directly to passage. Despite this hostile political climate, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) made a tangible difference under the dome this session, setting a moral tone and consistently witnessing for inclusiveness, human dignity and justice.
With the legislative session now behind us, KIFA is pivoting directly into robust community organizing, civic engagement and movement-building throughout the summer and fall. Driven by the foundational faith command of compassion for our immigrant neighbors, we recently hosted an immigration vigil and rally with over 100 people in attendance. Our public witness caught the attention of major regional outlets, with the Kansas City Star, the Kansas Reflector and the Johnson County Post all featuring coverage of the event and amplifying our message of solidarity across the state.
Looking ahead to the warmer months, we are thrilled to launch the Survival Revival tour in partnership with the Kairos Center and other like-minded allies. This initiative serves as both a form of creative protest and a blueprint for community care amid a challenging political climate. Through the revival, we will train community members on how to meet local unmet needs while building long-term power, study and pray together using lessons from our faith traditions, express our values through art and storytelling, and strengthen relationships across our networks.
In addition to this tour, KIFA staff and volunteers will be on the ground at Pride events across Kansas this June, sharing a clear, faith-rooted message that everyone is loved by God exactly as they are.
We are also expanding our civic engagement footprint to ensure every Kansan can make their voice heard in the upcoming elections. KIFA is currently hiring part-time election mobilizers in six cities across the state to boost voter turnout through deep, nonpartisan community conversations. A major focus of our education work will include informing voters about an upcoming constitutional amendment that would change how Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected.
Finally, we invite our community to join us next month for our 2026 Annual Fundraising Dinner, themed “Creating the Movement!” This gathering will celebrate how song, spoken word, dance and visual imagery help fortify our resolve, build our movement and embody the sacred truth that human needs are human rights. We remain incredibly grateful to our supporters for empowering us to do this vital work.
Contributing writer: Sagi Rudnick, KIFA Program & Administrative Associate
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania
Tracey DePasquale, Director
Citizens with the Saints: A Day in the Capitol as Church Together drew more than 240 people to the Harrisburg, Penn. in April – another record for Lutheran Advocacy in Pennsylvania’s (LAMPa) annual day of learning and advocacy. 
“I was reminded of the joy of being church together as we advocate for our neighbors across Pennsylvania,” said Policy Council member Deacon Amy Kelly. “While the focus of the day is on advocacy and our call to justice, there is an electricity that connects our seven synods through word and service, offering inspiration and restoration. We learn not just about important advocacy issues from experts, but we also have a chance to hear each other’s stories – what fantastic ministries are taking place across our state and what challenges our regions are facing.”
Advocates met with lawmakers about rapid data center development, the need for a stronger Sunshine Act, and food insecurity in their communities. 
In March, LAMPa Advocacy Fellow Daniella Garber joined ELCA colleagues in the Lutheran Office for World Community and delegates to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
“Here in the U.S., it can be easy to think of the UN as something that deals with problems in other countries—places more impoverished or unstable than ours, but that’s not the full picture. Many of the issues deliberated at the UN are live issues here at home, and the U.S. is not always a leader when it comes to women’s rights.” Read more of her reflection here.
Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin
Kacy Kostiuk, Director
The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) continues to advocate for policies that reflect our faith values, strengthen communities and promote the common good.
Legislation & Policy Updates
The Wisconsin State Legislature concluded its regular floor session in March. Since then, the governor has signed and vetoed various bills and called a special session focused on partisan gerrymandering. The legislature has kept the special session open through at least early May; there is also a veto review session this month.
Two important legislative successes this session include:
- Allocation of $72 million in funding for SNAP/FoodShare, helping to offset federal reductions and support food security for Wisconsin households.
- Access to professional licensure for DACA recipients, allowing individuals to work in fields such as education, health care, and skilled trades.
Other Advocacy & Activities
In April, LOPPW joined the EcoFaith Summit as a cosponsor. The summit brought together people of faith to build community and inspire each other to engage in environmental and climate action. LOPPW collaborated with Lutheran Advocacy-Minnesota to cohost an action station where attendees wrote letters to Members of Congress about U.S. Forest Service research facility closures. More information and materials to write letters can be found here.
Additionally, LOPPW recently joined more than 40 organizations to send a letter to our Wisconsin Congressional Delegation to express deep concern about the detainment of Salah Sarsour in Milwaukee by ICE. The letter calls for the protection of civil rights for all Wisconsinites. The letter is available here.
Civic Engagement & Election Year Planning
As we enter election season, LOPPW is preparing to support congregations and individuals in thoughtful, nonpartisan civic participation. Some planned activities include:
- An online learning event on ELCA social teachings and civic participation
- Practical, nonpartisan resources for congregations and individuals
- Training for ministry leaders on supporting the development of media literacy and recognizing misinformation for youth
- A post-election gathering to reflect, process, and prepare for continued advocacy.
Please visit our 2026 Elections webpage, which will be updated on a rolling basis throughout the year, for resources and information.
