Voices for Action Region 3: Welfare Bills Harmful - from Michigan League for Human Services

Welcome

Voices for Action is a statewide effort to reduce poverty 50% in Michigan by 2020.

Led by the Michigan Department of Human Services, the initiative has created a network of organizations including human service organizations, government agencies, local faith-based and community organizations, non-profits, and businesses.

This space is for you to share your Voices for Action stories and current information. There are three ways to share.

- Submit a post via email to: voices4action3@haltpoverty.org and we'll post it for you, be sure to include contact info

- Submit a post through blogger: Google account required; request author invite by sending an email with name & organization information to: voices4action3@haltpoverty.org

- Comment on published posts, no login required

You can use tags to highlight themes, such as 'asset building', 'workforce development', 'food assistance', etc.

Here are current poverty statistics for Region 3:

2009 Poverty and Median Income Estimates - Counties
Name	Poverty Estimate All Ages	Poverty Percent All Ages	Poverty Estimate Under Age 18	Poverty Percent Under Age 18	Median Household Income
Ionia	8,952	15.8	3,068	20.7	46,926
Kent	86,639	14.5	31,431	20.3	47,684
Lake	2,455	23.4	830	42.5	29,373
Mason	5,024	17.8	1,569	26.4	38,073
Mecosta	8,053	20.9	2,107	26.2	37,840
Montcalm	11,868	19.9	4,264	29.1	38,143
Muskegon	31,179	18.6	10,542	25.2	38,916
Newaygo	8,900	18.6	3,210	26.7	39,059
Oceana	5,569	20.6	2,271	33.7	37,655
Osceola	4,268	19.1	1,529	28.7	34,823
Ottawa	26,051	10.3	7,295	10.9	52,107

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Estimates Branch
Internet Release date: December 2010

Region 3 Poverty Data by County Map

View Michigan Counties - Region 3 Poverty in a larger map

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Welfare Bills Harmful - from Michigan League for Human Services

League statement on the passage of bills to enact a 48-month lifetime, retroactive limit on cash assistance.

“The passage of House Bills 4409 and 4410 will negatively affect children across the state. As Michigan recovers from a deep, deep recession and jobs remain in short supply, this is the wrong time to implement this policy.... "

See full statement.

Speak up! Although the bills are finalized and Gov. Snyder is expected to sign them, it's important to let lawmakers and the governor know that this legislation to be the wrong priority for Michigan, especially in this era of high unemployment.

Click here to contact Gov. Snyder.

Click here to contact your state representative.

Click here to contact your state senator.