For Immediate Release
June 10, 2022
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
517-775-9053
County child poverty data, specific benefits of EITC on kids underscore need for expanding state credit
EITC is proven anti-poverty, two-generation policy, expansion has broad political and stakeholder support
LANSING—As state budget negotiations and tax reform discussions continue in the Capitol, the Michigan League for Public Policy, Michigan’s Children, the Council of Michigan Foundations, Think Babies Michigan and other children’s advocates are urging policymakers to pass Senate Bill 417 and increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 30% of the federal credit as a way to reduce child poverty and improve outcomes for kids in every county.
The latest county census data fact sheets produced by the League show many kids and their families are still struggling around the state. The child poverty rate is still nearly 19% statewide, and higher than the state rate in 45 of the state’s 83 counties. Fact sheets and the poverty rate are also available for the state, legislative and congressional districts and select cities.
“This state and local data illustrate the continued challenges facing Michigan kids and their parents–and increasing the state EITC remains one of the best ways for policymakers to help improve that in their district and across Michigan,” said Monique Stanton, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “Nearly every area of a child’s life improves when their parents are on better financial footing, and expanding the EITC can have a direct and immediate benefit on hundreds of thousands of households and nearly one million kids in Michigan.”
Higher EITC income for single mothers with low educational attainment has been shown to increase birthweight, thanks in large part to greater access to prenatal care. State EITCs that are at least 10% of the federal credit–Michigan’s credit was once at 20% and currently sits at 6%–and full refundability contributes to both higher birthweight and fewer premature births.
Greater access to the EITC is associated with lower rates of infant mortality and EITC receipt during childhood improves the likelihood of reporting “good” or “excellent” health and lowers the likelihood of obesity in early adulthood.
“Raising the EITC to 30% will put more money in the pockets of families struggling to pay for basic necessities, including help with high child care costs that are keeping too many parents out of the labor force. As an economic policy, it’s a proven poverty buster, moving thousands of Michigan kids out of poverty. Politically speaking, it has the benefit of having support from both Republicans and Democrats,” said Matt Gillard, President & CEO of Michigan’s Children. “How much more proof do we need to do what’s right for Michigan families raising kids? Let’s get on with it, and take action. Let’s raise the EITC to 30%.”
Increasing the state EITC would also have a positive impact on racial equity and help improve outcomes for Black and brown kids in Michigan. Due to systemic structural barriers, workers of color are often more likely to earn poverty-level wages than White workers. State-level EITCs help offset the disparate racial impact of regressive taxes like the sales tax by boosting the after-tax incomes of low-wage households.
Providing an income boost to parents also has significant, long-term positive effects on children. Children in households receiving the EITC tend to do better and go further in school, and earn more as adults. As kids of color have poverty rates two to three times higher than rates for White children, the state EITC is especially important.
“The EITC is a proven highly effective financial resource putting money in the budgets of Michigan families who earn lower wages,” Kyle Caldwell, President and CEO of Council of Michigan Foundations said. “Michigan philanthropy understands that poverty has adverse effects on children’s health, well-being and learning, and for children of color, the inequities they face are even greater—the data is clear. Expanding the EITC is important for Michigan families to build more equitable pathways to opportunities, thereby strengthening our communities and our economy.”
Extra family income from EITC payments increase test scores for children, with the greatest effects on boys, children under 12, Black and Hispanic children, and children whose parents are unmarried. Higher test scores in school for children in families receiving the EITC have been found to contribute to a greater probability of attending college and higher lifetime earnings. EITC exposure in childhood increases the likelihood of enrolling in college and obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Larger EITCs during childhood lead to both a higher rank in the income distribution and a higher probability of being in the workforce in young adulthood.
Expanding the Michigan EITC from 6% of the federal level to 30% of the federal amount has support from both sides of the aisle and more than 80 influential state business, religious, health and social services organizations from around the state. SB 417 is sponsored by Republican Senator Wayne Schmidt, and was discussed by the Michigan Senate Finance Committee in May 2022 and December 2021. In both her 2022 State of the State address and 2023 budget proposal, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for increasing the state EITC. In particular, she noted the benefits for nearly half of Michigan kids.
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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.
