{"id":8726,"date":"2026-05-20T10:39:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T15:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=8726"},"modified":"2026-05-20T14:58:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:58:00","slug":"spring-updates-state-edition-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/spring-updates-state-edition-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Updates: State Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a> available.<\/em><\/p>\n

ARIZONA<\/a>| KANSAS <\/a>| PENNSYLVANIA <\/a>| WISCONSIN<\/a>
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

Solveig<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Muus,\u00a0<\/span>Director<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This spring, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), a ministry of the Grand Canyon Synod, has\"A<\/a> been helping Lutherans \u201cvoice our common needs in the public square\u201d by connecting congregations, synod leaders, ELCA Advocacy and community partners around hunger, immigration, civic engagement, health\u00a0care\u00a0and housing. LAMA\u2019s 2026 priorities center\u00a0on\u00a0food 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\u00a0<\/span>ELCA Region 2 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge<\/span><\/a>), Arizona Faith Network, Bread for the World, Arizona Food Bank Network, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and others.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In February,\u00a0nearly 200\u00a0Lutherans and friends gathered at the Arizona Capitol for <\/span>Lutheran Day at the Legislature<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a time of<\/span>\u00a0learning,\u00a0witnessing, meeting lawmakers and \u201cactivating our faith in love.\u201d LAMA also supported congregational and interfaith engagement through liaison\u00a0roundtables, Arizona Faith Network justice and voting-rights committees, monthly anti-hunger advocacy calls and presentations in local congregations.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>Throughout March and April, LAMA amplified ELCA action alerts on Dreamers, asylum-seeker work authorization, voting access, hunger\u00a0funding\u00a0and the Farm Bill, while tracking the more than 2,100 bills and propositions that were introduced in the Arizona legislature. LAMA lifted up\u00a0<\/span>Bishop Deborah Hutterer\u2019s public witness on Arizona\u2019s steep decline in SNAP participation<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and shared urgent partner updates on SNAP, Medicaid (AHCCCS in Arizona), state budget pressures and food insecurity.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In May, LAMA joined faith leaders in\u00a0<\/span>meeting with\u00a0U.S.\u00a0Senator Ruben\u00a0Gallego<\/span><\/a>\u00a0from Arizona\u00a0on\u00a0Immigration and Customs Enforcement\u00a0(ICE)\u00a0and immigration policies, urging just treatment of immigrants, asylum\u00a0seekers\u00a0and vulnerable families.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kansas Interfaith Action<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

Rabbi Moti Rieber<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Executive Director<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>by the foundational faith command of compassion for our immigrant neighbors, we recently<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>hosted an immigration vigil and rally with over 100 people in attendance.\u00a0Our public witness<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>caught the attention of major regional outlets, with the Kansas City Star, the Kansas Reflector<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and the Johnson County Post all featuring coverage of the event and amplifying our message of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>solidarity across the state.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Looking ahead to the warmer months, we are thrilled to launch the Survival Revival tour in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>partnership with the Kairos Center and other like-minded allies. This initiative serves as both a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>form of creative protest and a blueprint for community care amid a\u00a0challenging\u00a0political climate.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Through the revival, we will train community members on how to meet local unmet needs while\u00a0building long-term power, study and pray together using lessons from our faith traditions,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>express our values through art and\u00a0storytelling, and\u00a0strengthen relationships across\u00a0our networks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to this tour, KIFA staff and volunteers will be on the ground at Pride events\u00a0across Kansas this June, sharing a clear, faith-rooted message that everyone is loved by\u00a0God exactly\u00a0as they are.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are also expanding our civic engagement footprint to ensure every Kansan can make their\u00a0voice heard in the upcoming elections. KIFA is currently hiring part-time election mobilizers in\u00a0six cities\u00a0across the state to boost voter turnout through deep, nonpartisan\u00a0community conversations. A major focus of our education work will include informing voters about an<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>upcoming constitutional amendment that\u00a0would\u00a0change how Kansas Supreme Court<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>justices are selected.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Finally, we invite our community to join us next month for our 2026 Annual\u00a0Fundraising Dinner, themed “Creating the Movement!” This gathering will celebrate how song,\u00a0spoken word,\u00a0dance\u00a0and visual imagery help fortify our resolve, build our\u00a0movement\u00a0and\u00a0embody the sacred truth that human needs are human rights. We\u00a0remain\u00a0incredibly grateful to\u00a0our supporters for empowering us to do this vital work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contributing writer: Sagi Rudnick, KIFA Program & Administrative Associate\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania<\/a><\/h3>\n

Tracey DePasquale, Director<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Citizens with the Saints: A Day in the Capitol as Church Together\u00a0drew more than 240 people to the Harrisburg, Penn.\u00a0in April \u2013 another record for\u00a0Lutheran Advocacy in Pennsylvania\u2019s\u00a0(LAMPa<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0annual day of learning and advocacy.\u00a0<\/span> \"Group<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was reminded of the joy of being\u00a0church\u00a0together as we advocate for our neighbors across Pennsylvania,\u201d said Policy Council member Deacon Amy Kelly. \u201cWhile 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\u2019s stories \u2013 what fantastic ministries are taking place across our state and what challenges our regions are facing.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Advocates met with lawmakers about rapid data center development, the need for a stronger Sunshine Act<\/span>,<\/span> and food insecurity in their communities. \"Person<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

In March,\u00a0LAMPa\u00a0Advocacy Fellow Daniella Garber joined ELCA colleagues in the Lutheran Office for World Community and delegates to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere in the U.S., it can be easy to think of the UN as something that deals with problems in other countries\u2014places more impoverished or unstable than ours, but\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0not the full picture. Many of the issues deliberated at the UN are live issues here at home, and the\u00a0U.S.<\/span>\u00a0is not always a leader when it comes to women\u2019s rights.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Read more of her reflection here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

Kacy Kostiuk,\u00a0<\/span>Director<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0continues to advocate for policies that reflect our faith values, strengthen\u00a0communities\u00a0and promote the common good.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Legislation & Policy Updates<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Two important legislative successes this session include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n