Report Cites Increasing Kids Poverty

A new report says there are now more Michigan children living in poverty than there were during the Great Recession.

The “Kids Count” report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation says while most states, including neighboring ones, have seen improvement in child well-being over the past five years, Michigan kids continue to lag.

One in four, totaling more than a half million Michigan children, now live in poverty.

Laura Speer of the Casey Foundation, which authored the report, says the economic recovery clearly hasn’t hit everyone.

The report recommends more taxpayer spending on programs for both children and parents, and returning the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit to previous levels.