Critics of Republican plans to severely cut the state's deficit-laden budget are seeing shades of Charles Dickens in a proposal by a State Senator from the Hillsdale area. State Sen. Bruce Caswell wants to see the state's clothing allowance for foster children to be spent only at thrift stores. The Department of Human Services gives families an $80 annual stipend for clothing. Caswell said state money set aside to buy clothes for foster children and children from families of the working poor is used in the most effective way. "I never had anything new," Caswell told Michigan Radio. "I got all the hand-me-downs. And my dad, he did a lot of shopping at the Salvation Army, and his comment was -- and quite frankly it's true -- once you're out of the store and you walk down the street, nobody knows where you bought your clothes." The Michigan League for human services says the idea sacrifices the children's dignity for the sake of saving a few dollars. [Michigan Radio]

A beam from the World Trade Center will serve as the centerpiece of a memorial outside the Berrien County Red Cross building dedicated to those who died in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The beam was picked-up from New York City and delivered to its new home last week by two residents. The plan is to dedicate the memorial in September, the 10th anniversary of the attacks that killed more than 3,000 people. [Herald-Palladium]

An East Jordan man faces life in prison for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old developmentally disabled girl. Jeffrey Lee Hosler, 41, faces six counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree for the crimes allegedly committed between May 2010 and January in Charlevoix County's South Arm Township. He is charged as a repeat offender. The case now moves to Charlevoix Circuit Court on Tuesday after a District Court Judge heard testimony about the alleged victim's developmental disorder. A Boyne City High School counselor testified that the alleged victim has a fourth-grade education and comprehension level. [Petoskey News]

E-mail Barton Deiters: bdeiters@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/GRPBarton