By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-846865.mp3
EAST LANSING, MI – As state lawmakers struggle to find consensus on budget disputes for the coming fiscal year, activists say proposed program cuts that affect children have gone too far.
Among the proposed cuts are $110 per K-12 student, a roll back of before-and-after-school programs and the elimination of early childhood abuse prevention programs.
Jack Kresnak is with Michigan's Children.
"We're hitting bone," he says. "We're hitting into bone or cutting off limbs in order to balance the budget on the short term on the backs of children - of needy children and families."
Kresnak says the state will need to raise and restructure taxes to reflect Michigan's growing service-based economy. He says all children's programs on the chopping block could be funded by raising Michigan's beer tax by a nickel a bottle.