Neumann discusses early childhood education cuts
Sean HarkinsOver 20 people, including state Rep. Andy Neumann, gathered to discuss proposed cuts to early childhood development programs on Monday.
The group, which met at the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District building in Alpena, consisted of people who work with the programs or have an interest in them.
The focus of the discussion was on a budget presented by the state Senate that would cut child day care funding and eliminate funding to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.
Former state Rep. Matt Gillard, who is now a legislative and policy consultant for ECIC, said the Senate's 2010 budget had about $1.4 billion in cuts from the 2009 budget. Currently, groups are working in Lansing on ways to potentially raise revenue and salvage some cuts.
Gillard said it is more likely there will be fewer cuts the longer it takes the budget to be adopted, which must happen by Oct. 1.
Neumann said it is basically a waiting game until that happens.
"I don't know what we're going to have for revenue. We keep doing revenue estimates, but I hope none of these early childhood programs or services gets eliminated. I hope we can survive with them with some minor cuts," he said.
Neumann said studies on the programs have shown they help kids avoid problems further on in life.
"That saves the state money because you're not paying for some social program for them," he said.
Less than $10 billion of the roughly $44 billion budget is made up of the state's general fund, which legislators control, Neumann said. Because most of the proposed cuts are to that fund, the budget process has been difficult and some cuts have been inevitable, he said.
There was discussion that early child care programs, which have been promoted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, had deeper cuts than other programs due to a political agenda of the Republican-led Senate.
"I hope nobody is using (children in need) as bargaining chips, but yet in the back of my mind I wonder if they're not trying to do that," Neumann said.
To avoid the cuts, Neumann advised those in attendance to start spreading the word on the importance of early childhood programs and have residents contact state Sen. Tony Stamas.
Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.
|
ExcellTrinity
|
|
|---|---|
|
07-28-09 11:14 AM
|
"I don't know what we're going to have for revenue. We keep doing revenue estimates..." Do what you do best pal...raise taxes!
|