Children's Caucus will address quality of life

Rep. Michael Murphy, D-Lansing, and three fellow Michigan legislators will co-chair the Children's Caucus in order to "protect and promote children's interests in the Legislature."

Gov. Jennifer Granholm stressed the importance of strong early childhood education and development programs in her State of the State address.

The caucus will find ways to improve the quality of life for children with improved education and development programs, child protection services, child care and children's health care.

"It is important considering the constraints in the state budget that we focus on protecting our youngest citizens," Murphy said in a written statement.

"We have to balance the budget, but we don't have to balance it on the backs of our children."

Working with Murphy will be Rep. Barb Vander Veen, R-Allendale, Sen. Deborah Cherry, D-Burton, and Sen. Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck.

Medicaid patients feel effect of Engler's cuts

More than 50,000 Michigan parents, grandparents and legal guardians of children eligible for Medicaid will lose health benefits beginning March 1 as a result of former Gov. John Engler's executive order.

"Personally, I am concerned these parents and grandparents may not even be aware of the situation," Rep. Triette Reeves, D-Detroit, said.

The health benefit cuts are a result of Engler's last executive order in December, which cut nearly $500 million from the current year's budget.

"We are just now learning some of the practical effects of the cuts," said Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing.

Whitmer voted against Engler's executive order cuts and said those affected need to be aware that cuts are coming, and strong efforts are being made by the Michigan Department of Community Health to provide alternative health benefits for eligible citizens.

Recycling program will go under review today

Michigan's recycling program and beverage container law will go under review today by the Michigan Beverage Container and Recycling Task Force. The hearing will be at the Eberhard Center on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids.

Today's hearing is the first in a series of nine that will occur across the state. The last hearing is in Lansing on June 16. The task force will make recommendations to the Legislature on how the recycling program and law can be changed for the good of the environment, said Sen. Cameron Brown, R-Fawn River Township, chairman of the task force.

"I look forward to bringing the task force statewide so that area residents can offer valuable insight and opinion on how to make our state's recycling program one of the best in the nation," Brown said.

The hearing is from 7-9 p.m.