On March 25th, the Senate passed their versions of the fiscal year 2011 budgets for the School Aid and Departments of Education and Community Health.

The Senate rejected revenue proposals included in both budgets by the Governor, and are built on continued cuts from the current year and new cuts for the FY 2011.

Read more in the two summaries, "Senate Passes FY 2011 School Aid and Department of Education Budgets" and "Senate Passes FY 2011 Department of Community Health Budget," by visiting our Budget Basics library.

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The Michigan budget is the single, most powerful expression of the state's priorities. As the legislature debates priorities for the fiscal year 2011 budget, how will youth be affected?

The discussions are taking place following significant reductions in the per pupil grants to all local school districts, reductions to Intermediate School Districts, and cuts to programs improving school readiness, adolescent health, and high school completion.

Michigan is facing an unprecedented economic crisis. There has never been a more critical time to make sure that young people get the support, education and training that they need to help drive economic recovery.

Read more about how Michigan decisionmakers plan to invest in our youth in "The Fiscal Year 2011 State Budget: Highlights of Recommendations Affecting Youth," by visiting our Budget Basics library.

Michigan's Children has outlined several specific priorities for the fiscal year 2011 state budget, including:

• Ensuring That At-Risk Children Have Access to High Quality Early Learning Programs;
• Protecting the Child Care Enhancement Program for At-Risk Infants and Toddlers; and,
• Using "Express Lane Eligibility" To Ensure Health Coverage for All Kids.

We encourage you to use these factsheets in your own advocacy. To read more about each of these priorities visit our Budget Basics library.

The Budget Watch project is generously funded by the Detroit-based Skillman Foundation.