Our gifts match our values
In this season of giving, we’re reflecting on all you’ve done for the League this year. As someone who reads our blog posts, looks at our social media accounts, stays […]
Bipartisan compromise on Farm Bill yields big results for Michigan
This column originally appeared in Michigan Advance With the Michigan Legislature’s contentious Lame Duck session, Congress’ stalemate on the federal budget, and a looming government shutdown, [...]
Healthy Michigan Plan work requirements approved by Trump administration present dangerous risks for Michigan
For Immediate Release Dec. 21, 2018 Contact:Alex Rossman [...]
The Detroit News: Feds approve Michigan’s Medicaid work requirement
Michigan is the sixth state to receive a work requirement waiver from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Ten other states have applied for similar waivers and are awaiting [...]
Michigan Radio: Stateside: Late night lame duck; twist in Iraqi deportation case; 50 years of homemade holiday songs
Today on Stateside, we review the bills headed to Governor Snyder’s desk after the lame duck state legislature’s all-nighter. Plus, this year marks the 50th consecutive year of a very [...]
The lamest late night party
I remember fondly pulling an all-nighter to prepare for my U.S. foreign policy class final in college … I summarily fell asleep during the exam, woke up in time to […]
Detroit Free Press: Next for Michigan’s lame-duck legislature: A lawmaker spending spree?
Gilda Jacobs, CEO and president of the left-leaning Michigan League for Public Policy, said she hopes lawmakers will embrace at least some of Snyder’s spending recommendations, such as [...]
Governor caves to partisan pressure, puts special interests above workers yet again
For Immediate Release December 14, 2018 Contact: Alex Rossman arossman@mlpp.org CELL: 517-775-9053 Bills to undercut minimum wage and sick leave efforts signed into law LANSING—The Michigan [...]
Michigan Youth Remain Trapped in Outdated Policy; Legislative Action to “Raise the Age” Key to Smart Justice
Lansing, Mich. — The Raise the Age (RTA) coalition issued the following statements today after learning that the Michigan Legislature would adjourn the 2017-18 session without acting on [...]
Lansing State Journal: Four Republican-appointed commissioners to lead Civil Service starting next year
The 3-1 vote meant Swanson’s colleagues successfully passed what he still describes as a “terrible” rule change. It wasn’t the only blow to state workers he has seen as a [...]
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Jacob Kaplan 
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
