LANSING (WKZO) — The Latest Kids Count Data book is being released today and while it shows the state continuing its economic recovery, the statistics suggest that Michiganders living in poverty are being left behind in the “ new economy” including their children.
The report says poverty can have a toxic effect on children, one that is difficult to rise above and escape.
Jane Zehnder-Merrill says one in every four children in the state lives in Poverty and she says decisions in Lansing that eliminated the earned income tax credit, put additional restrictions on food assistance, unemployment insurance and child care subsidies have only made it worse.
She says they applaud the governor’s efforts to improve third grade reading and provide pre-school, but none of his programs are directed at relieving poverty which is the problem that when solved, eliminates many other problems.
For look at the data from Michigan go to http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data#MI/2/0
