Talk of eliminating the state's Earned Income Tax Credit has proponents of the credit strongly defending their position. They say the credit is a great tool for keeping Michigan above the poverty line. The possibility of eliminating the credit was recently proposed by Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger as a way of balancing the current budget.

The EITC is a credit passed under former Governor Granholm's administration and enjoyed great bipartisan support during its passing. Now however, lawmakers believe it may be too expensive to keep intact. It is reported that the credit will cost Michigan $354 million in the coming fiscal year.

Advocates in favor of keeping the credit say it is important to working families. They say that in many cases the credit is the difference between living in or out of poverty. It provides an average credit of $436 to 781000 low to middle wage workers in Michigan.

It is clear that both sides have their pros and cons for the credit. It is true that eliminating the tax would be bad for the lower wage workers that rely on the money, but it is also true that with the current budget deficit it is necessary to make some cuts, and this might be one of those sacrifices that has to be made. As of now Governor Rick Snyder hasn't taken a position on the issue.