LANSING, Mich. -- Students upset about cuts to education funding and groups leery of possible tax increase proposals are among those expected to protest Wednesday outside Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm's eighth and final State of the State address.

Weather and other factors makes crowd size difficult to predict. Capitol event managers say they won't be surprised if about 1,000 people demonstrate outside the stately dome as Granholm addresses lawmakers inside. It could become the largest State of the State demonstration of the Democratic governor's tenure.

Some of Granholm's annual speeches have drawn only a few dozen protesters. But David Sole, whose group has called for action to prevent foreclosures and utility shutoffs at four consecutive State of the State addresses, expects plenty of company from other organizations this year due to Michigan's worsening economic slump.

"There are a number of groups with concerns that will be out there," Sole said. "It's happening now rather than a year or two ago because the crisis is deepening."

Michigan's jobless rate, 14.6 percent in December, has doubled in the past two years and has been highest in the nation for nearly four straight years. Some who still have jobs have had their pay and benefits frozen or reduced. The state's government budget problems continue to worsen in large part because of falling tax revenues, with a shortfall of at least $1.6 billion expected for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.

A half-dozen organizations have contacted Capitol facility managers about planned protests Wednesday. Some protesters are coming because they think taxes are too high, driving away businesses and depriving families of disposable income. Other protesters will argue that taxes are too low or that taxes are spent the wrong way, with not enough investment in education and other public programs that would brighten Michigan's future.

School funding has been slashed by a minimum of $165 per student this academic year. Cuts are much deeper in some districts. The state eliminated funding for its main college scholarship program, leaving about 96,000 students without the $1,000 or $2,000 most expected to help pay their tuition. And the situation could be even worse headed into next fall.

"We need to get Michigan on the right track again," said Christian Vanderbush, an East Lansing High School sophomore helping to organize one of Wednesday's protests focused on education. "We feel education is where to start with that. If the education's great, the rest will follow."

Other protesters will ask lawmakers to raise taxes on alcohol and devote the money to programs for mental health and those with prenatal alcohol exposure.

"These are tough times and people are showing their elected leaders what is important to them," Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said of the scheduled protests.

Boyd said that people know "unfair trade policies and globalization" have contributed to Michigan's job loss and that Granholm is focused on diversifying the economy and helping to create jobs.

Protester dissatisfaction goes beyond Granholm. Many of the groups planning protests Wednesday say they aren't happy with Democrats or Republicans in the state Legislature and the federal government, either. But an event designed to sum up a vision for Michigan, with a lot of media attention, seems like a logical gathering point for differing political views.

Members of the Tea Party, a loose confederation of conservative activists who opposed the federal bailouts of the financial system and automakers as well as President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul, are expected outside the state Capitol on Wednesday.

The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, which campaigned against state tax increases in 2007 and is on guard in case another materializes this year, is part of a wide-ranging protest billed as the "State of the Citizens" address. It is expected to feature speeches from students, business owners and others.

"Too much of the State of the State address is about what the budget for the state looks like and what the government is experiencing," said Leon Drolet, leader of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance and a former Republican state lawmaker. "This is to tell the government what the people are experiencing."