FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2024
Contact:
Laura Millard Ross
lauramr@mlpp.org
(517) 281-1084
Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State Address lays out common-sense policies to strengthen Michigan for current, future residents
League applauds governor’s call for free community college tuition, housing investments
LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State Address tonight. The statement can be attributed to League President and CEO Monique Stanton.
“Tonight Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out plans that continue to build on the momentum of last year’s policy wins for Michiganders. With her proposed support for workers, families and caregivers, Gov. Whitmer has once again shown that the people of Michigan are at the heart of her vision for our state. And not only has she prioritized the people who already call Michigan home, she is making sure the state is a welcoming home for new residents, as well, as the state struggles with population growth.
“The governor’s goal to make sure all high school graduates have free community college tuition is such a smart move when it comes to building a stronger state where younger people want to live. We know that postsecondary education is critical to getting the kind of jobs that provide livable wages, something sorely needed by the 20% of young adults in Michigan who are living in poverty. But right now, education and training opportunities after high school come at high costs that make them out of reach for many Michiganders—and create student debt for others. Free community college would help level the playing field, and it would definitely help young people in our state want to stay in our state. And her goal to expand access to Pre-K and child care will also ensure that kids start off their educational careers with the right foundations, too—all while removing additional financial barriers for families who already struggle to make ends meet.
“Michigan has seen a historic amount of funding for housing over the last few years, and Gov. Whitmer’s plan for 10,000 homes is an exciting step in putting those resources to work in our communities. Everyone recognizes that the lack of affordable, quality housing is a critical barrier to Michigan’s growth and prosperity—there is an extreme shortage of rental homes in Michigan, and over 300,000 households are made up of renters with extremely low incomes. Safe, stable homes are especially important to children’s health and educational success as well as a strong workforce.
“The governor also showed her commitment to Michigan’s families with her plan for a “Caring for MI Family Tax Credit,” which recognizes the critical need for caregivers in our state to be able to support their loved ones. Women—and in particular Black women—have an outsized role as family caregivers, which often leads to lost wages or gaps in employment. Over 20% of adult Michiganders provide regular care for a friend or family member with a health concern, and a tax credit like this will certainly help alleviate some of their challenges.
“Tonight, the governor showed that the people of Michigan are still at the center of her work, and we’re excited that many of her plans are in line with what we’re seeing in our data and hearing from communities around the state. Some of the League’s priorities—such as a statewide plan for paid family leave—were not mentioned in tonight’s address, but we know the administration sees the value in them and we’ll continue to work alongside our partners to make them a reality for the hard-working families in our state.
“Above all, it’s imperative that our state’s leaders create investments and policies that are equitable and targeted to those who have been left out of prosperity due to a history of racist, sexist and classist systems.”
Background
The Michigan League for Public Policy has developed its overview of The People’s Budget, which features the League’s priorities for the 2025 State Budget. The People’s Budget is shaped by data and research as well as input from community members, service providers and advocates. The People’s Budget prioritizes investments that will improve outcomes for the people of Michigan who struggle to make ends meet. Many of these investments align with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s vision.
In 2024, the League will also focus on policy priorities related to the creation of a statewide paid family and medical leave policy, an expansion of the state Earned Income Tax Credit to reach workers who are currently left out, and the development of a state-level Child Tax Credit. The League is also exploring the potential of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) programs to help lift Michiganders out of poverty.
###
The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to advance economic security, racial equity, health and well-being for all people in Michigan through policy change. 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.
