Washington has been keeping busy, and Congress will be breaking for the President's Day recess from February 15th through the 19th to do work in their districts.

It is important for you to stay connected or get connected with your U.S. Representative and Senators to ensure that your voice is heard in issues affecting children and families.

We have outlined some of the main issues currently affecting children and families in Michigan, like health reform, the federal budget, education, and early childhood policies, that you can talk about with your U.S. Representative and Senators.

Read more in our latest Action Alert, Lots of Federal Buzz: Connect with Your Congressional Members While They Are Home!

On Thursday, February 11, 2010, Governor Granholm released her proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2011). The Governor's budget addresses a projected deficit of $1.5 billion as a result of declining revenues and additional spending pressures.

In her budget message, the Governor proposed to address the FY 2011 budget deficit through a combination of budget cuts, and tax and governmental reforms.

The current fiscal year budget (FY 2010) included major cuts in services for children and families that will be continued into FY 2011.

Our Budget Basics publication with a complete analyses of the Departments of Human Services and Community Health and K-12/School Aid budgets are coming soon!

The Center for Michigan in cooperation with Public Sector Consultants is hosting a public policy town hall designed to engage more community members in statewide issues, facilitate interaction with decision makers, and help to set a solutions-oriented policy agenda.

The town hall is a free event and will take place on March 10, 2010 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Eagle Eye Golf Club located at 15500 Chandler Road in East Lansing.

Michigan's Children President & CEO Jack Kresnak is among a distinguished lineup of confirmed speakers, including Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan, Kalamazoo Valley Community College President Marilyn Schlack, American Federation of Teachers-Michigan President David Hecker, and University Prep Academy Superintendent Doug Ross, and Early Childhood Investment Corp. President Judy Samelson.

Seating is limited so reserve your spot today by emailing lbraun@pscinc.com. Please visit the Center for Michigan's event page for more information.

A report conducted by Wilder Research of St. Paul, Minnesota, for the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) examining the economic impact of Michigan's school readiness efforts was unveiled late-January and demonstrates the benefits of earlychildhood investments.

Among the highlights of the report is the finding that in 2009 alone, the state realized an estimated $1.15 billion in cost savings and revenues due to the investments in school readiness over the past 25 years.

Click here to read the full report.

Visit Michigan's Children's Facebook page to see video from Wilder Research Economist, Paul Anton, and State Superintendant Mike Flanagan.