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Eliminating program that supports needy is wrong way to go

A program designed to assist Michigan’s neediest residents with food and heating bills was axed Tuesday by a state Senate committee as part of an effort to, among other things, free up funds to roll back the state income tax rate, something Gov. Rick Snyder says he does not favor.

According to a story in The Detroit News, the “Heat and Eat” program costs about $6.8 million in energy assistance dollars but helps low-income families qualify for more than $300 million in federal food assistance.

That was just a very small tip of a very large iceberg. Overall, about $500 million in spending was scrapped, including $75 million in new investments in drinking water and infrastructure funds that Snyder does want.

Another $45 million was eliminated from plans to make payments into funds for state infrastructure investment and water emergencies like the one in Flint.

In addition to a reduction in the state’s 4.25 percent income tax rate, Republicans want to set aside funds to help reduce the state’s long-term debt.

And, more than 800 state worker positions that are reportedly vacant, would be eliminated.

This Senate proposal, which is country miles from becoming law, needs to be examined very closely.

In all likelihood, there are reductions that can be made. Eliminating positions that are vacant may be one of them. So might payments to the infrastructure and water funds.

But eliminating the “Heat and Eat” program? There has to be a better way. We trust state lawmakers will find it as the budget process unfolds.

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