For Immediate Release
May 7, 2020
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
CELL: 517-775-9053
New report examines problems facing governor and unemployed workers, makes recommendations to improve worker safety net
LANSING—With almost 70,000 new Michigan workers applying for Unemployment Insurance last week—and 1 million workers since March 16—and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extending and expanding on her executive order last night to do what she can to help them, the COVID-19 crisis has unfortunately made clear just how inadequate the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system has become. A timely new report from the Michigan League for Public Policy examines the shortcomings of Michigan’s current UI system and how decades of inaction and bad policy have eroded UI benefits, and also outlines clear recommendations for improvements.
“With COVID-19 putting unemployment in the spotlight, it’s important to understand the cards that the governor—and Michigan workers—were dealt by the previous administration and Legislature. This system has been broken for a long time, and for years the League has pushed for changes to UI that help workers as the Legislature has made changes that hurt workers,” said Gilda Z. Jacobs, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “We’re glad to see that federal funding and Gov. Whitmer’s executive orders are making a difference during the COVID-19 crisis, but permanent updates to the system have to be made if we want workers and their families to stay healthy when they’re without a job,”
Largely due to longtime Republican opposition in the Legislature and the governor’s office during the Snyder administration, the state’s maximum weekly UI benefit has not been increased since 2002. The current state UI benefit provides unemployed workers with, at most, just 35% of the average weekly wage in Michigan—or $362, which falls well short of federal recommendations. According to the United Way’s ALICE household survival budget, the average single adult in Michigan requires about $405 per week to make ends meet. And the average single parent with an infant needs to make $715 per week to meet the ALICE threshold.
The state’s current benefits aren’t enough to keep a family with two children out of poverty, and the allowance for dependents is only $6, compared to $20 in 1951 after adjusting for inflation.
“Unemployment benefits should cover the basics—rent, utilities, groceries—so that folks can stay afloat. But the numbers don’t add up. The current system will continue to fail hardworking Michiganders if we don’t act, and there is no better time to act than now, as hundreds of thousands of workers are uncertain about the future,” Jacobs said.
The League recommends the following changes
- Permanently restore the 26-week maximum for Basic UI;
- Set the maximum weekly UI benefit to 58% of the average weekly wage;
- Increase the dependents’ allowance from $6 to $20; and
- Make unemployment protections for self-employed, contract and gig workers permanent.
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to have severe repercussions in Michigan and around the world, the Michigan League for Public Policy has also issued a set of policy recommendations to help keep Michigan residents healthy and economically stable, including one specifically focused on unemployment insurance.
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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on economic opportunity for all. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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. 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
