For Immediate Release
May 15, 2020
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
Cell: 517-775-9053
Despite CREC outlook, lawmakers need to find ways to invest, not cut
Policymakers must learn from mistakes of the last recession, budget cuts and Flint water crisis
LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on the state Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference held today and COVID-19’s impact on state revenues and upcoming budget decisions. The statement can be attributed to Michigan League for Public Policy President and CEO Gilda Z. Jacobs.
“It took the state years to recover from the 2009-10 recession, which caused substantial fallout for schools, local governments, state infrastructure and public health. The impact of reduced revenues and related cuts, ‘cost-saving measures’ and degradation of our infrastructure led to the Flint water crisis and became the focus of negative national attention, damaging our state’s reputation and economic growth. The cuts during the great recession also worsened racial and income inequities in Michigan, an impact that has been laid bare by the COVID-19 crisis, with more exposure and deaths in African American communities and the economic instability of essential workers.
“Policymakers in Lansing must learn from their predecessors’ mistakes. Despite the gloomy revenue outlook, it is bad for the economy and our residents to address the revenue losses through deep cuts, especially to the areas our residents and businesses depend on most like quality schools, safe roads and water systems, and dependable health, economic and work supports. We simply can’t cut our way to prosperity or health.
“Michigan lawmakers are faced with the challenge of reconciling these major revenue losses while—we hope—shoring up programs like unemployment insurance, food and cash assistance and other health and human services needs. In the coming weeks and months, policymakers need to make decisions that preserve economic opportunity and growth over time, and ultimately shorten the recession. To do so, they should: continue to invest in healthcare, early and K-12 education, and economic supports like child care, unemployment, food access and housing; tap into the state’s $1.2 billion rainy day fund, saved for crises just like this; push on a bipartisan basis for greater flexibility with current CARES Act money for states and additional federal assistance tied to state economic conditions and revenue shortfalls; and finally, be prepared to improve Michigan’s tax system to raise needed revenues.”
BACKGROUND:
For years, the League has been advocating for more state revenue and sound investments in the things all Michiganders value in its annual state budget analysis and advocacy. The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic strain certainly changed the context of this conversation, but as the League outlined the state’s key policy needs related to COVID, revenue was a focus there as well—and will continue to be in the League’s work in the weeks and months ahead.
The COVID-19 crisis and its adverse impact on people of color, both in contractions and deaths, have again brought to light significant and concerning racial inequities in Michigan and around the country. These racial disparities stem not just from historical policies but from the more recent state disinvestments and cuts following the last recession, and policymakers must continue to focus on policy decisions and budget investments that reduce or eliminate these inequities, not perpetuate or expand them.
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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on economic opportunity for all. 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.
