Second parent adoption is defined as the adoption of a child by a second parent who is not married to the legal parent of the child. When a parent has legal rights over a child, he or she is able to make medical decisions for that child, as well as leave property and benefits. A legal parent also has the right to spend time with their child even if they are not still with the other legal parent, and they have the responsibility to provide financially for that child. Currently, second-parent adoption is not allowed in all states. In these states, gay couples are unable to legally adopt a child together. If a gay couple would like to adopt, only one of the people may legally obtain the parental rights. In states where second-parent adoption is legal, the second parent is able to adopt the child without the first parent losing any of his or her parental rights and each parent has the same rights as a biological parent would. While homosexual couples wishing to adopt have a difficult time, single parents also have a difficult time. Although the number of single-parent adoptions has risen from an estimated .5% to 4% of all completed adoptions in the 1970's to 8% to 34% in the 1980's, it still takes longer to be approved than it does for married couples. If this process did not take so long, then the number of children in foster care would not be so high. Nationally, there are 588,000 children in foster care and another 119,000 children waiting to be adopted.

Lawmakers hope a tax on soda pop could curb childhood obesity but unless you tax the beverage at a high enough rate, they're unlikely to significantly reduce consumption. Some 25 states levy some form of tax on soft drinks, according to the Center For Science in the Public Interest. Experts consider soda to be one of the leading causes of childhood obesity. Ranging from 6 percent sales tax to a 21 cents to $1 per-gallon excise tax on the syrup used to sweeten soda, taxation on soda in different states have failed to put a dent in the epidemic according to experts. Michigan is among states that exempt soda pop from the 6-percent sales tax. So, what’s the big toss up?

Commentary:

The Michigan Welfare system did not always exist. Since its creation in the middle 30’s in response to the dwindling economy almost parallel to the economy of the early 2000’s, The Michigan Welfare System has been a living system; it is continually being edited, changed, and revised to meet the needs of the State and its citizens.

Food Assistance Program

The Food Assistance Program is a joint initiative between the U.S Department of Agriculture and the State of Michigan's Department of Human Services that aims to provide food purchasing power to low-income individuals and families.