Michigan

"The problem will continue to grow next year, when thousands of families lose jobless benefits and other cash assistance. Despite scarce resources, school districts and the state must do more to reduce the number of homeless students and ensure that those who are homeless graduate and succeed."

"Stubbornly high unemployment has increased the share of low-income students at local schools by 19 percentage points over the last decade, from 29 percent to 48 percent. Thirty-nine percent of Lakeview's students were low-income last fall, a 30-point hike over the 2000 count."

"One in eight children in Michigan lives in a household grappling with job loss and one in every 20 has had his or her life disrupted by a home foreclosure. This year, as in previous years, creating an economic climate that leads to more jobs remains the top priority for our governor and lawmakers. An emphasis on educating kids and putting their parents back to work is the best weapon for fighting poverty."

"Last year, we saw a massive 83% corporate tax cut to replace the Michigan Business Tax without a shred of proof offered that it will create jobs. Yes, the MBT was broken, but, no, it should not have been fixed at the expense of the elderly, low-income residents and Michigan's homeless shelters and other nonprofits."

"Things could have been different for Charles Shelton's daughter. The 26-year-old Battle Creek man said he recently went through a divorce that turned nasty. He said he faced legal problems and went to jail, putting him out of a job and out of his home. He ended up at the Haven of Rest Ministries homeless shelter downtown."

"Thousands of Detroit children from low-income families stuck on waiting lists to get into the Head Start early learning program because of poor management by the city may get new opportunities."