For Immediate Release
April 28, 2022
Contact:
Adam Bitely
abitely@martinwaymire.com
(202) 689-9266
Business, faith, health, poverty-fighting groups join to support major increase in state EITC
Would be significant tax cut for Michigan’s working families, encourage employment
LANSING—More than 80 groups from around the state have joined to support a major increase in the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), including influential state business, religious, health and social services organizations.
Among the supporters of moving the state EITC from 6 percent of the federal level to 30 percent of the federal amount are the Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Manufacturers Association, chambers of commerce from Midland, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Detroit and more, Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, Health Care Association of Michigan, Michigan Catholic Conference, The Christian Reformed Church of North America, Eastminister Presbyterian Church, United Church Outreach Ministry, Michigan League for Public Policy, Michigan’s Children, United Ways from Midland and Washtenaw counties and South Central, Southeast, Southwest and West Michigan and many many more.
“I’ve never seen such a large and inclusive group of organizations come together to back a tax cut,” said Ken Sikkema, former GOP Senate Majority Leader and a co-chair of the Michigan Consensus Policy Project, a bipartisan group of former policymakers, who emceed a news conference today. “It’s because boosting the state EITC from the current 6 percent of the federal EITC to 30 percent would encourage employment, help local communities and deliver a targeted tax cut to lower income working families who are struggling to make ends meet today.”
Veronica Horn is president and CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, one of the more than 10 chambers that have co-signed a letter to lawmakers endorsing Senate Bill 417, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, that would boost the Michigan EITC to 30 percent of the federal level.
At today’s news conference she read from that letter, saying the EITC “exemplifies a pro-work philosophy and provides financial incentive to increase participation in the workforce. It is explicitly designed to encourage greater participation in the workforce because it is only available to families that work. In a time when many employers are having difficulty filling available jobs, the EITC has a proven track record of pulling people into the workforce.”
The letter also noted that “the EITC increases local purchasing power: Research indicates that families mostly use the EITC to pay for necessities, repair homes, maintain vehicles that are needed to commute to work and, in some cases, obtain additional education. The bigger the credit, the more money spent locally.”
Tom Hickson, vice president of public policy at the Michigan Catholic Conference, said “While encouraging the human dignity that comes with work, the EITC is a pro-family, pro-children policy that provides a level of stability and assistance to help less affluent families get by and cover necessary expense and emergencies.” He also noted that the expansion will particularly help rural counties in the state where, as a share of population, more people are often in low-paying jobs than in more urban counties.
Former Michigan State Treasurer Nick Khouri, who is on the board of Michigan Future Inc., said now is the time to boost the state EITC from its current level of just 6 percent of the federal EITC. “This single tax law change in Michigan could provide simple and effective tax relief for Michigan working families, directly support Michigan’s small business community and give an important boost to the state’s long-term economic growth. And it does so without adding to the state’s bureaucracy, since it would be incorporated into existing tax laws.”
Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, added that nearly six in ten Michigan jobs pay less than $47,000, and the state’s child poverty rate is at 19%, and increasing the state EITC will help create opportunities for success for Michigan workers and parents. “Too many Michiganders are working hard every day but still struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families. Expanding the EITC will help boost earnings for families that are barely getting by, providing them an opportunity to step up and out of poverty toward meaningful economic security.”
To view or listen to the news conference, click here for video and here for audio. To view the Michigan EITC Coalition statement from more than 80 organizations, click here. You can also view the letter from the chambers to the governor and legislature by clicking here.
Background: The EITC is a refundable Federal Credit established in 1975 by Michigan’s own President Gerald Ford, with support from both Democrats and Republicans. It was later expanded by President Ronald Reagan. The Michigan EITC was started in 2006 with bipartisan support. Today, eligible taxpayers get 6 percent of their federal EITC payment through the Michigan EITC. Sen. Schmidt’s bill would raise that 30 percent over time.
Benefits only go to working taxpayers and phase out at higher incomes, ending at $57,414 for a couple with three dependents.
More than 730,000 Michigan households received the state EITC in 2019 – impacting nearly one million Michigan children – putting nearly $110 million back into Michigan’s economy. Sen. Schmidt’s proposal would boost that by $460 million to $570 million.
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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.
