FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Contact:
Nick Dodge
Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications
(517) 333-1606
Broad coalition calls for increase in Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit
Gov. Whitmer’s proposal to double EITC would benefit communities across Michigan
LANSING – A broad coalition of organizations today held a press conference in Lansing to express their support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposal to increase the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). A diverse group of faith organizations, worker advocacy organizations, anti-poverty organizations, policy think tanks and more called on lawmakers to support Gov. Whitmer’s proposal that would double the Michigan EITC from 6% to 12%.
“Too many Michiganders are living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet, including those who are working full time,” said Gilda Jacobs, president & CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “Expanding Michigan’s EITC would go a long way to helping workers with low incomes in our state while supporting small businesses and boosting local economies. The EITC has had strong bipartisan support in the past, and it should have strong bipartisan support in the present.”
The Federal EITC provides relief for low-to-moderately-low-income working individuals in the form of a credit on their tax returns. In 2006, lawmakers in Michigan passed a law that provided those who qualify 20% of their federal EITC on their state income taxes. That amount was reduced to 6% through legislation passed in 2010 under Gov. Rick Snyder. Gov. Whitmer has proposed doubling Michigan’s EITC to 12% in her budget.
“Through our work at United Way, we see firsthand the meaningful impact that Michigan’s EITC has on working households. The money it puts back in the pockets of low-income earners moves hundreds of thousands of families closer to financial stability and helps ensure that an unexpected expense can be absorbed without throwing them into a financial crisis,” said Kyle DuBuc, director of policy, advocacy & government relations for United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
A common misconception is the EITC only impacts urban communities. A recent Michigan State University study found Gov. Whitmer’s proposal to increase the Michigan EITC to 12% would increase the average rural filer’s application who qualifies by more than $130. In addition, the study found an increase to the EITC would have a significant positive impact to rural communities due to increased local spending and economic activity. According to the study, the increase would spur $92.5 million in economic impact.
“The recent Michigan State University study on the rural impact of the EITC proved what we already knew: The Michigan EITC has significant impacts on rural communities across Michigan,” said Tom Hickson, vice president of public policy and advocacy for Michigan Catholic Conference. “In both rural and urban communities, the EITC appeals to the dignity of work. For low income working families, this important policy change can make a big difference in a much-needed car repair or an extra trip to the grocery store. This is why we support expanding the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit.”
“The Michigan EITC impacts working families across the state, and Gov. Whitmer’s proposal to double it will help improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Michiganders,” said Ross H. Yednock, program director of the Michigan Economic Impact Coalition at the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan.
“Social Work is a profession dedicated to ensuring all Michiganders have easier access to services, creating the potential for better health outcomes. Equal economic opportunity is a step in the right direction,” said Maxine Thome, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers Michigan. “Increasing the EITC to 12 percent will help hard-working Michiganders provide for their families and ensure economic growth is felt by everyone. I’m proud to stand by these organizations to urge support for this important initiative.”
“Gov. Whitmer is taking a stand for working Michigan families by boosting the Michigan EITC in her budget, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should support this important proposal that will help Michigan working families,” said Kate White, executive director of Michigan Community Action.
A full list of the organizations supporting the EITC today included:
- Capital Area United Way
- Community Economic Development Association of Michigan
- Council of Michigan Foundations
- Michigan Association of United Ways
- Michigan Catholic Conference
- Michigan Community Action
- Michigan League for Public Policy
- Michigan Nonprofit Association
- National Association of Social Workers Michigan
- United Way for Southeastern Michigan
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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.
