This Saturday, April 11 is National Pet Day! To celebrate, we are showcasing what some of our team’s beloved pets have to say about their policy priorities for Michigan! They just so happen to align with many of the League’s priorities. This crew of fluffy cats and dogs are not only some of the cutest pets around (we’re not biased at all), they have big hearts for Michiganders and the policies that can make a pawsitive, meaningful difference in their lives.
Here is Frankie! He is a 4-month-old Bouvier puppy who lives with his family here in Michigan. He’s a lucky pup getting to spend most of his days with his favorite person: his human mom. When he isn’t napping on the floor of her office, he is listening and learning about the important work that mom’s co-workers are doing to help Michigan families.
Just a baby himself, Frankie is especially interested in making sure that all families in Michigan can find affordable and accessible child care. Most child care programs tend to be located in areas with the highest property values and median incomes, leaving families in middle- and lower-income households unable to afford or find child care. Communities made vulnerable by lower incomes and disinvestment, often due to racial segregation or geographic isolation, tend to have lower supply. The League continues to work hard with our partners across the state to improve child care access and affordability for all Michigan parents and their kids.
Frankie’s human is our Chief Development Officer, Kate Powers.
This is Miso and Wasabi — two rescued brothers from Detroit. They are grateful to have a safe and affordable home now, but they know not all Michiganders are as fortunate. Over 1 million families in Michigan struggle with high housing costs, and new federal funding cuts will make it even harder for families to afford the rising costs of housing. Miso and Wasabi are big proponents of funding housing assistance programs so that all Michiganders can live in affordable and safe homes. Learn more about the threats to housing affordability here.
Miso and Wasabi’s human is our Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, Jay Cutler.
This is Moose! She’s a happy dog who’s proud to call Michigan her home. Moose’s human has a cozy bed in her office and she often drops food on the floor, so Moose spends a lot of time in there learning about public policy. Right now, Moose is especially excited about the idea of a state Child Tax Credit (CTC).
It’s a great idea! Michigan could lift up to 127,000 children out of poverty with a CTC…and research on state CTCs shows it’s possible! States that have adopted refundable CTCs have seen childhood poverty fall by as much as one-third, and Michigan could see the same. Three woofs for a state CTC! Learn more here.
Moose’s human is our Communications Director, Laura Ross.
Murphy is a 60-pound cinnamon roll of chaos. He loves walks, playing fetch, chasing after squirrels and other backyard creatures (turkeys!), and naps. The one thing he does not like — traveling. So when Mom and Dad go out of town, he gets to spend time with his friends at the doggy day care.
This is why Murphy is a huge advocate for affordable, accessible early childhood care and educational programming. Child care is critical as both the first educational experience our children get as well as a workforce support for parents and guardians, but it’s unfortunately too expensive and too hard to find. Without affordable and accessible child care, Michigan loses out on nearly $3 billion in economic activity per year! Murphy says investing in child care is a woof-woof for both families and employers!
Murphy’s human is our Fiscal Policy and Government Relations Director, Rachel Richards.
HELLO! My name is Neko and I am a big fan of treats, walks, treats, barking with my entire body, treats, ripping the stuffing out of toys, treats and water! If there is water nearby, I will be in it. Pool, lake, mud puddle…I’ll make a dash to where I can splash. And I know that none of us would survive without clean, safe water to drink. My mom says things are really expensive right now and there’s a bipartisan bill package that would assist people who need help with their water and sewer bills. She said customers would pay a surcharge that costs less than a bottle of pop each month (which I didn’t understand, so she told me it’s about a quarter of the cost of a box of my favorite treats!) and it would make a huge difference in our state. We’re surrounded with the best fresh water to play in. Let’s make sure everyone can afford water to drink!
Neko’s human is our Communications Coordinator, Emily Jorgensen.
Having been adopted from the local humane society, Oreo Milkshake and Ash Thunder really enjoy the quiet comforts of kibble in their food bowls, fresh running water (preferably from the bathroom sink), catnip and jingle balls, and warm blankets in the sun. Having their basic needs met, and then some, they are thriving at home. However, being League pets, they also know that thriving relies on a budget that meets their needs. And a budget that meets their needs requires adequate and equitable revenues.
That’s why Oreo and Ash are advocating for a tax system that works not only for Michigan but for Michiganders. Implementing a graduated income tax, expanding sales tax to services and taxing vape products like we do other tobacco products (did you know that we’re one of only 16 states and the only Great Lakes state that doesn’t tax vape products?!) can help Michiganders grow healthier, more educated and economically secure. Thankfully mom and dad currently accept purrs, bug hunting and air biscuits as payments in lieu of taxes.
Oreo and Ash’s human is our Fiscal Policy and Government Relations Director, Rachel Richards.
Scout and Bentley are BIG fans of food and, as League pets, they recognize that food security is important for everyone in Michigan, especially kids. That’s why they support universal free school meals. As a result of the Michigan School Meals program, more kids are eating breakfast and lunch at school and families are saving an estimated $850 per student each school year on grocery bills. That’s a win-win!
The state should continue to invest in this vital program so that kids have the nutrition they need to thrive in their classrooms and families have more money to spend on other basic needs in these challenging financial times. These fluffy, food-motivated dudes believe that full bellies are always a good thing!
Scout and Bentley’s human is our Writing and Messaging Specialist, Mikell Frey.
Sushi is tired of hearing about increasing weight from the vet, but she loves hearing about increasing weighted funding for our students in the budget. The past few budget cycles have moved Michigan toward a more equitable school funding structure through investing in weights, which are funds targeted for students who need it most. Sushi is advocating for increasing weighted funding for at-risk students and English language learners in this year’s budget just like the governor proposed.
Sushi’s human is our Education Policy Analyst, Alex Stamm.
Hi, everyone! We are Tali and Puck. Because our human works from home, we get to learn a lot about public policy. Most importantly, we learn about all the great social programs and services that are paid for by taxes! Things like schools, roads, clean water and safe communities are all made possible in part by taxes. But we also know that Michigan’s tax system doesn’t go far enough and still has some unfair aspects in it, unfair like when our human “cuts back” on our daily treats because the vet said we are “overweight.”
That’s why this year, it’s crucial that the tax revenue that goes to fund all these great programs is protected! When there isn’t enough money to go around, these programs that we all care about are cut and diminished. Protecting tax revenue means that our projects are preserved, goals are pursued and progress is made. If we want a fairer and more inclusive economy, then we need an adequate tax system. Taxes fuel our state, much like treats fuel our bellies!
Tali and Puck’s human is our Fiscal Policy Analyst, Nick Hess.
After a long day chasing tennis balls in the lake, beach beauties Winnie and Maple like to curl up and relax on the couch while their humans read a good book. Watching their first grader learn to read has been fun for them and reminds them of the importance of investing in high quality literacy instruction in our schools. That’s why they are proud to support the state’s investments in literacy coaches, who have shown to have a positive impact on literacy instruction!
Winnie and Maple’s human is our Education Policy Analyst, Alex Stamm.
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.
