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'Fiscal Cliff' worries hit the street in Michigan

Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio

Concerns about the nation’s fiscal cliff crisis have reached the streets of Lansing.

A small band of protesters stood outside of Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers’ local office today to call for the rich to pay higher taxes.

Passing motorists responded to signs asking them to HONK for the end of the Bush tax cuts.

Not all the tax breaks that are scheduled to end at the end of the year.  Just those for the richest two percent of American income earners.

Stephen Wooden is a Michigan State University student.  He thinks it’s about balance.

“The wealthiest two percent should pay their fair share,” says Wooden,   “We need to make sure Congress listens to its constituents and at least allow this one part to return to the pre-Bush era level era. That's it.”

Unless Congress and the President act, a package of tax increases and federal spending cuts, known as the fiscal cliff, will trigger automatically at the end of the year.   Economists warn the jolt to the U.S. economy could send the nation back into recession.  

Congressman Mike Roger’s spokesman says the Republican lawmaker is “working on a bipartisan solution that protects Michigan families and makes American businesses more competitive.”   But Rogers opposes allowing any Bush tax cuts to expire.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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