M.C. Rothhorn, Parent Liaison, Ingham County Great Start Collaborative

More than 200 parents, children and advocates from across the state gathered in the blustery chill Wednesday morning on the steps of the Capitol to show their support for early childhood programs.

Click here to view photo gallery from Decision 2010

The event, called Decision 2010: Great Start = Great Michigan, drew media and on-lookers, as attendees lined up to vote in a specially constructed mock voting booth.

Not surprisingly the outcome of the referendum was unanimous: Voters said "yes" for programs that help children 0-5 become ready to do well once they hit the kindergarten door.

Following the vote, children marched -or in many cases strollered - the sidewalk in front of the Capitol with homemade signs reading "My mom votes 4 kids,"  "I am Michigan's future" and "I (heart) my Great Start."

The question on everyone's mind: Are legislators listening?

Jack Kresnak, president and CEO of Michigan's Children

Inside the Capitol, directly behind the protesters, state lawmakers were hammering out final details of a state budget that in earlier forms had cut huge swaths from early childhood programs and efforts, including the complete elimination of the state's preschool program for low-income families.

Speaker after speaker at the event implored legislators to do the right thing for Michigan's future and restore the cuts.

"Children may not vote, but they do matter!" said Jack Kresnak, executive director of Michigan's Children.

Other speakers included Amy Zaagman, Executive Director, Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health, Sharon Parks, President and CEO, Michigan League for Human Services, M.C. Rothhorn, Parent Liaison, Ingham County Great Start Collaborative, Rachael Tanner, Greater Kalamazoo United Way, Denise Sloan, Executive Director, Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Judy Samelson, CEO, Early Childhood Investment Corporation, and Matt Gillard a former state representative from Alpena.