Michigan families are feeling the squeeze as costs rise, poll finds

On Wednesday, we will get the Consumer Price Index, which is the official read on how much things cost. But you don’t need someone telling you prices are rising. You can see it when you hit the grocery store and at the pump. Gas prices in Michigan are $3.61 per gallon of regular -- that’s 48 cents more than this time last week. Now, some of the prices for gas are higher because of the current war in Iran. But in January, it was $2.80 a gallon, and the price before the war in Iran began was $2.98, so it was already creeping up. It leads to the question: Are rising costs hitting working families? Well, a new poll from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Steelcase Foundation says so. Here’s what they found: Nearly 35% of the people surveyed say food and groceries have been the biggest strain on their families. 27% say it’s healthcare and insurance. In the meantime, more than half think Michigan isn’t doing enough to support working families. And about two-thirds say working families will suffer more as basic costs keep rising. Bottom line: This poll says Michiganders are feeling the squeeze and want action. Yazeed Moore, the director of Michigan programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Dr. Daniel Williams, the president of the Steelcase Foundation, joined Local 4 Live to discuss the findings.