LANSING - Sen. Deb Cherry (D-Burton) announced today that she has resigned from her position as co-chair of the Michigan Legislative Children’s Caucus due to severe budget cuts made by the Senate to early childhood programs.

“With frustration and a heavy heart, I regretfully resign as co-chair and a member of the Michigan Legislative Children’s Caucus,” said Sen. Cherry. “Given the callous actions taken by the Senate with so little regard for early childhood education, it is blatantly evident to me that we have not been effective with one of the primary missions of the caucus, which is to educate our colleagues of the importance of early education and the need to fund it.”

Last week, nearly $19 million was cut from early childhood programs, including the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. The School Aid budget, as it stands now, includes an additional $110 million in cuts to early childhood. Significant cuts were also made to daycare programs in the Department of Human Services budget.

The Michigan Legislative Children’s Caucus is comprised of twelve members of both the state House and Senate who are committed to furthering early childhood education, health and care. It meets quarterly to educate legislative colleagues in the House and Senate on topics pertinent to early childhood in Michigan. Sen. Cherry has served as a member for more than six years.

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