State task force, Whitmer urge new state policies to tackle root causes of poverty
“Creating conditions that give every Michigander access to economic opportunity and prosperity is one of the most sacred duties of state government.”
Credit: Governor Whitmer Published: 12:52 PM EST February 17, 2021 Updated: 12:52 PM EST February 17, 2021
LANSING, Mich. Lifting millions of Michiganders out of poverty will require bold new initiatives, expanded state policies and a significant financial investment, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Michigan Poverty Task Force.
The group recently presented its findings – a list of 35 policy recommendations – to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. She created the task force back in December 2019 to identify new ways state government can help low-income Michiganders transcend poverty.
The boost in spending – made possible primarily through federal COVID relief funds – is an acknowledgement of a growing child care crisis in Michigan that threatens to hobble the state’s economic recovery.
The crisis has grown during the pandemic, with many child care centers still closed, or reopening at reduced capacity because of staff shortages and to allow for greater social distancing.
Whitmer called the funding increase a “game changing investment” in early learning that could help low- and moderate-income families. The funding will “Immediately, and directly helps parents continue working while giving them the peace of mind to know that their kids are continuing to grow and learn, Whitmer said Thursday
9 & 10 News
February 11, 2021
The state of Michigan is already looking to the post-COVID world and how they will pay for everything.
The first hints came Thursday morning as Governor Gretchen Whitmer unveiled her budget plan for the fiscal year 2022.
As with everything in the past year, the weight of COVID-19 hung heavy over the state budget process. Both what it cost the state to fight the pandemic and also a lack of tax revenue as the economy was closed and then slowly re-opened. However, the initial fears weren’t as bad as they turned out to be and that has led Gov. Whitmer to proposing a $67.1 billion budget for next year.
WATCH: Whitmer seeks boost in tuition, child care, bridge spending in budget proposal
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David Eggert
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks with reporters, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, at her office in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/David Eggert)
Posted at 8:58 AM, Feb 11, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-11 11:26:21-05
LANSING, Mich. (AP) â Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed a $67 billion budget on Thursday that she says would aid the state s pandemic recovery by solidifying new programs to attend community college for free, expanding child care assistance and boosting local bridge repairs.