I remember back in 2011 when Governor Snyder and the state Republicans decided to make draconian cuts to Michigan’s welfare system and unemployment benefits. At that time, many of those GOP legislators stated that the private sector would be able to pick up the slack for this lack of funding. But, at the same time, they passed legislation to cut state funding to charitable groups that provided for soup kitchens and to food pantries that distribute groceries to the unfortunate. They also cut the tax credit for charitable contributions all to give away tax breaks to corporations.

To this day there is still no evidence to support that these tax breaks improved our state’s economy and it appears the only benefit was to make the rich wealthier. According to a recent report by The National Center on Family Homelessness, there are now 88,000 homeless children in Michigan. The 2011 cuts to the social safety net have had ugly consequences and proves that the callous decision by Republicans to choose big business over the children of this state has worsened the economic situation of many of Michigan’s families.

According to the national report, Michigan ranked 37th in the nation for child homelessness and that ranking was based off the number of homeless children, the overall health of children living in poverty, how these children perform in a school setting and the state funding and policies designed to deal with these issues.

The reason the report stated for the high homelessness rates in Michigan were: high poverty rates, lack of affordable housing, the ongoing effects of the great recession and racial disparities.

Another fact that the report pointed out was that 22 percent of Michigan households pay 50 percent of their monthly income in rent. That leaves very little for utilities, car insurance and a proper diet.

Even though the unemployment rate and economy appear to be improving, on the surface many of these new jobs don’t pay enough to support families. The median household income here in Michigan has dropped by $5,000 per year since 2008 and now many of these families are one financial emergency away from living on the street.

In 2011, the governor also imposed a 70-percent reduction in the state’s Earned Income, which essentially became a tax hike on the working families of Michigan. According to the Michigan League for Public Policy, since 2011 30,000 people in Berrien County have lost their food assistance benefits and local merchants have lost over $3 million in yearly revenue. That equates to less jobs in Berrien County and a sluggish economy.

The true number of homeless children in Michigan can’t be calculated because many families were not even measured by the report because after losing their state benefits, they were forced to move in with relatives. They have become another class of homeless often referred to as the unseen homeless.

The idea that the private sector could absorb the devastating effects of these cuts was ludicrous and insulting to the impoverished of our state.

I believe they were not concerned for these families in the least. They used the failing economy as an excuse to make themselves and their friends richer.

 

William Crandell is a community activist and member of the Michigan Education Association and the Michigan Democratic Party. He is also a member of the South County Democratic Club where he has served as their communications director and as the chairperson of the SCDC Blue Tiger Community Action Committee.