A version of this blog originally appeared in The Alpena News.
As 2023 comes to a close, we here at the Michigan League for Public Policy are reflecting back on what was a major year for our state’s Legislature—and we’re feeling encouraged by the many major wins that will help make our state a better place for Michigan’s families, children and workers.
In March, we celebrated what was perhaps one of the biggest victories of the year when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law House Bill (HB) 4001, which will effectively increase the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 6% to 30% of the federal credit for working families. This major policy win for Michigan families was more than a decade in the making, with the League and our partners working for many years to make the state credit boost a reality following a drastic and devastating cut in 2011.
The EITC boost will ensure more money is going back into the pockets of Michiganders–benefiting nearly 5,000 households in the Alpena area and almost 740,000 households across the state–and it, in turn, will strengthen our economy by keeping money flowing through our towns and cities. Plus, families who qualify can expect their state EITC checks for Tax Year 2022 beginning in February of 2024.
Michiganders struggling to make ends meet will benefit from other new policies, too, including the elimination of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) asset test—a barrier that meant some Michigan families who had carefully saved their money could not access food they needed during hard times. Right now, about 738,500 households currently receive SNAP in our state, including more than 550,000 children. The League will continue to fight to make sure no one in Michigan goes without this vital food assistance when they need it.
In 2023, we celebrated dozens of wins for kids. The state budget ensures better alignment of school funding with the needs of Michigan students—including more funding to support students from low-income backgrounds, English-language learners and students with disabilities. School-aged kids will also benefit from universal breakfast and lunch, and funding for mental health supports and before- and after-school supports to help address learning loss.
Monumental steps were taken to eradicate lead poisoning in our state’s youngest residents through the expansion of lead testing for all toddlers in Michigan as well as passage of the Filter First legislation, which will ensure safe drinking water is provided in our state’s child care centers and schools.
Michigan is also becoming a more welcoming state this year, with the governor creating the Growing Michigan Together Council to make a plan to boost Michigan’s population.
Part of being welcoming means making sure all of our current residents feel a sense of belonging here, too. That’s why the budget and legislative wins for immigrants in 2023 are so important. Funding to eliminate the five-year waiting period for lawfully residing children and pregnant people to access Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program means that moms and babies can receive needed healthcare. Also, legislation was recently passed to ensure equal language access at state agencies, which means folks who may not speak English as their first language will be better equipped to keep their families safe, healthy and informed.
I’m only scratching the surface when it comes to wins this year. The legislature has pulled from their diverse backgrounds and interests to push policy forward. There have been major strides in housing, healthcare, juvenile justice, early childhood issues and more. And the changes they’ve made will benefit Michiganders from all corners of the state, and rural, urban and suburban communities alike.
As we gear up for another busy legislative session under the Capitol dome, we encourage you to stay engaged and involved in the process. The League’s website has dozens of resources to help your advocacy efforts, from budget basics to policy recommendations to data by county and city.
We’re wishing you a safe and happy holiday season, and as we look back on this remarkable year, we are feeling not only grateful, but also driven to keep the momentum going in 2024.
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.
