This column originally appeared in Michigan Advance on April 1, 2020
A lot has changed in the last two weeks. I recently wrote about the COVID-19 crisis that had just landed in Michigan, and now we have the fourth-highest number of cases in the nation.
More than 100 Michiganders and counting have sadly lost their lives. Workers have been laid off. Many businesses have temporarily closed. Most of us have been largely confined to our homes.
Needless to say, we could all use some good news. And this message of goodwill, compassion and compromise is coming courtesy of the U.S. Capitol. After two years of deep partisan divides and equally divisive policies in Washington, the COVID-19 crisis brought elected officials together this week to work on an expansive and urgent federal stimulus bill to help workers, business owners and families in Michigan and around the country.
The bipartisan federal stimulus law is a huge win in the fight against the COVID-19 public health crisis and the related economic strain it’s putting on workers, businesses and communities in Michigan and across the country. Here are some of the key areas of agreement.
Emergency unemployment insurance
As part of the stimulus deal, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) negotiated provisions for “unemployment insurance on steroids” to significantly expand unemployment eligibility and monetary benefits.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been doing her part to help Michigan workers and businesses get through this, and this federal action will supplement state efforts and strengthen Unemployment Insurance even further. In addition to making more people eligible for Unemployment Insurance, the federal changes also add an extra $600 per week in benefits for all recipients.
Strengthening Michigan’s outdated unemployment insurance system is vital to help address the economic struggles that are coming with it — and are sure to linger after the virus is under control.
Help for housing, homelessness
The federal stimulus bill provided $12 billion dollars to address housing needs during the COVID crisis and protect people experiencing homelessness from a potential outbreak of the virus.
This funding will help providers of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing to keep up with their increased costs and to adjust rental assistance for households facing increased financial stress.
Other key goals for housing advocates like a temporary moratorium on evictions and foreclosures for homeowners and renters in homes with federally-backed mortgages were also included in the legislation.
This is a significant investment and will go a long way toward helping more people stay in their home — and toward helping prevent the spread of the virus among people who are experiencing homelessness.
Funding for state support
The agreement also includes a new fund that state and local governments can draw down right away to meet virus-related costs they may incur in 2020 and billions of dollars directed to states for childcare, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, mass transit systems and more.
This funding is extremely important, as Michigan has to maintain a balanced budget at the state level and COVID-19 is going to put a major squeeze on state dollars this year and down the road.
This federal funding will be a major shot in the arm for Michigan’s needs during this COVID crisis, but it will also come with more questions, more decisions — and more advocacy needs for organizations like the Michigan League for Public Policy and the people we represent.
For the most part, it will be up to Michigan lawmakers to decide how to disburse the stimulus funding for our state. Congress showed that they could rise above partisanship and political differences to properly address this crisis, and we urge Michigan legislators to do the same.
Energy assistance
The stimulus bill also included $900 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
This funding will be crucial to helping Michigan residents keep their utilities on during a public health crisis. This is especially important since coronavirus causes respiratory stress and our hospitals probably won’t have the capacity to admit everyone who contracts it.
Maintaining a healthy temperature and high air quality in the home, especially for people with underlying respiratory conditions like asthma, will be critical for minimizing vulnerability.
Food and nutrition
The bill also provides a combined $24.6 billion in additional funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and child nutrition programs, as well as $450 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
TEFAP provides the country’s charitable feeding network with a significant portion of the food it distributes through food banks and pantries, which are becoming even more critical as people lose their jobs and children lose access to meals due to school and child care closures.
‘Recovery rebates’
Finally, the “recovery rebates” included in the stimulus bill will certainly provide some welcome support to Michigan residents and their families while helping the economy as well during these tough times.
From the MLPP’s standpoint, we know these checks will be particularly beneficial to workers with lower incomes and those raising kids. But we are also glad that bipartisan negotiations reined things in a bit, resulting in a sliding scale and an income cap for eligibility for these rebates.
Making priorities last beyond crisis
In times of crisis, it’s good to see members of Congress work together to hammer out a solid agreement that tackles a lot of needs.
The bipartisan agreement to provide funding for these policy areas and other important programs in the stimulus bill shows that their value is recognized — and we just need to make sure that recognition continues in the future, not just in times of crisis.
More aid to Michigan and other states will surely be needed in the months ahead, and we hope Congress will continue to support states and families affected by this crisis.
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.
