I’ve always said that it’s important to start off a new year with hope—hope can be a great motivator.
But after the year we’ve had, it’s hard to find hope. And, quite frankly, we need a lot more than a “positive attitude” to take on the problems our state is facing. COVID-19 has devastated us. Over 12,500 lost loved ones. Over 341,000 lost jobs. Countless days of worry, anxiety and isolation.
Most of all, COVID-19 has exposed what many have known for some time: Michigan’s foundation is crumbling.
After decades of disinvestment and partisan politics, our state has forgotten the importance of giving our residents the solid ground that will continue to hold them up even when times are tough. That will provide kids with high-quality education and care regardless of their race or the place they call home. That will ensure that the homes we live in, the food we eat and the water we drink are safe. That we have access to the healthcare we need no matter where we are in life. And that the people of Michigan don’t have to worry about making ends meet. Today, 4.3 million people in our state are living in poverty or unable to afford basic needs. And COVID has made those numbers even more staggering.
We have a lot to fix, and a lot to dismantle and rebuild. It’s a daunting job for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state Legislature, but we know they understand the importance of serving people, not politics. So in my search for hope in this new year, I’m focused on successes we can build on. And we must remember not just to patch the cracks in our foundation, but to look carefully at policies and systems built on a history of White supremacy, tear them down and rebuild anti-racist policies. Here are a few of my hopes as we work toward creating a stronger state—together:
Hope #1: Strengthen economic security. The Whitmer administration is committed to tackling economic insecurity with its Poverty Task Force, which is working to help coordinate the state’s efforts to lift Michiganders out of poverty. In the coming year, we hope to see improvements to Michigan’s cash and food assistance policies that currently are leaving far too many residents behind. It’s also key that the state increases funding for the Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) to meet the ongoing need for rent payment assistance.
Hope #2: Make health and healthcare a priority. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a host of concerns about how the nation handles health and healthcare, particularly when it comes to Black and Brown residents. Michigan has taken a step in the right direction by creating a Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, and Gov. Whitmer’s racial bias training for healthcare professionals, which will begin to take shape this year and will hopefully bring about more equitable outcomes for health. Along with efforts to reduce these disparities, it is critical that we protect state and federal funding for healthcare coverage for all Michiganders. Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan have seen an increase in enrollees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s important that we not only protect these options, but strengthen them for the road ahead. We must do this because our health insurance system is so closely aligned to employer-based benefits, which doesn’t make sense when so many workers are out of jobs or considered “consultants.”
Hope #3: Boost outcomes for kids. The stark contrast in quality of services for kids was a running headline as the pandemic forced shutdowns of schools and child care and left families in a major bind. But our state’s inequitable system—largely breaking along geographic, racial and income lines—is one that has needed rebuilding for years. In 2021, we urge the Legislature to adopt a School Aid formula that is weighed by the number of students in poverty, English-language learners and children with special needs. Until we target our funding toward the districts that need it the most, Michigan’s kids cannot thrive. Similarly, new child care funding should prioritize communities with the greatest need and least access to high-quality care. The League along with its partners and over 950 Michigan families, advocates, researchers, government officials and service providers have worked on the Michigan Prenatal to Three (P-3) Policy Agenda, focused on child care and other benefits for young children. This work, supported by the Pritzker Children’s Initiative, will help lawmakers make the right decisions as they invest in our state’s children.
Hope #4: Work Together. We were pleased to see the Legislature take a refreshing bipartisan approach to tackle a number of pressing issues in 2020, with COVID-related policies like a broad relief funding bill and a water shutoff moratorium, as well as an array of positive criminal justice reforms that will help give a fresh start to many justice-involved Michiganders. We have hope that the new lawmakers heading to the Capitol later this month will see the benefit of working across the aisle and with the administration to achieve results for the people they serve.
So as we enter this new year together, we must do so with an incredible balance of hope and tenacity. It’s true that our current situation is dire, but not impossible to fix. And all the more reason for us to come together and do the hard work of rebuilding our state’s foundation. We must take this opportunity to closely examine the flaws and structural failures so that we can give every Michigander the chance to start on solid ground.
Warm regards,
Gilda Z. Jacobs
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.
