After rejecting the governor’s proposal to raise new revenue to fix the roads, the Legislature finalized the 2020 budget just days before the beginning of the new budget year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the budget to avert a government shutdown, but included nearly $1 billion in budget vetoes and transferred funds to achieve some of her priorities.
HUMAN SERVICES
- Children receiving income assistance will be able to receive child support from noncustodial parents. The governor transferred funds to ensure that children receiving Family Independence Program benefits can receive up to $200 per month in child support—money that had been split between the federal government and the state.
- Funding to expand access to healthy foods is increased. The budget includes $1 million for the Double Up Food Bucks program that allows families receiving food assistance to double the value of their benefits on fresh produce at participating farmers markets and grocery stores.
HEALTH
- Funding is included to support the implementation of new Healthy Michigan program work requirements. The health insurance program that provides coverage to approximately 680,000 Michiganders will soon require enrollees to work a minimum of 80 hours per month to keep their coverage. The 2020 budget includes funding to implement the new law and help Healthy Michigan enrollees comply with the new work requirement.
- State investments in the response to lead exposure and other environmental toxins are increased. The budget includes an increase of $3.4 million for lead poisoning prevention and treatment statewide, and an additional $7.3 million to respond to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and other environmental contaminants.
EDUCATION
- Per-pupil school payments are increased, along with special education funding. The Legislature rejected larger increases proposed by the governor for students at risk academically, including those in high-poverty schools and students with disabilities. Instead, the final budget includes an increase in per-pupil payments of between $120 and $240, and an additional $60.2 million for special education payments.
- More money is available for literacy coaches to improve third-grade reading. The budget includes $14 million to double the number of literacy coaches statewide. The goal is to improve third-grade reading scores as Michigan’s Read by Grade Three law takes effect—a law that could result in the retention of children in third grade, with a much higher risk for children in high-poverty schools and students of color.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
- Payments to child care providers are increased, but few families are eligible. The budget includes $15 million for a rate increase for child care providers, but the governor’s proposal to increase the entry income eligibility level was rejected. At 130% of poverty, Michigan has one of the lowest income thresholds for child care subsidies in the country.
- Funding to identify and help infants and toddlers with developmental delays is increased. The budget includes an increase of $2.2 million for the state’s early intervention, Early On.
HIGHER EDUCATION
- The Michigan Tuition Grant is eliminated. The governor vetoed $38 million in financial assistance for students who attend not-for-profit private colleges in Michigan, including many students with low incomes.
- The Indian Tuition Waiver is increased. The budget increases funding for the waiver from $4.2 million to $10.9 million. Funds are used to waive tuition costs for members of federally recognized tribes.
CORRECTIONS
- The language to punish counties with sanctuary policies is vetoed. The governor vetoed budget funding for the County Jail Reimbursement Program because of language added by the Legislature that would disqualify counties from receiving reimbursements if they adopted sanctuary policies.
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.
