For Immediate Release
February 5, 2025
Contact:
Mikell Frey
mfrey@mlpp.org
(517) 414-0497
Gov. Whitmer’s budget includes many solid investments in Michiganders, anticipated federal cuts underscore the importance of centering people’s critical needs
Budget proposal aligns with League values, including investments in affordable housing and utilities, child care, education, student mental health
LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement today on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fiscal year 2025-26 state budget recommendation. The statement can be attributed to League President and CEO Monique Stanton.
“In the Michigan League for Public Policy’s 114-year history, we have continuously advocated for state investments that center the needs of Michiganders, especially those who have struggled to get by due to unjust barriers to building prosperity. With this in mind and amid anticipated federal funding cuts, we are encouraged to see that Gov. Whitmer’s budget recommendation includes several priorities that will help lift up Michiganders.
“When it comes to meeting Michiganders’ basic needs, we are applauding the governor’s investments in housing, which will help to address Michigan’s housing shortage, while also bringing down prices. This, coupled with the source-of-income protections that were signed into law last month, will play a role in ensuring more Michigan families are able to afford and keep a safe, stable roof over their heads. The governor’s budget recommendation also includes important water affordability, energy assistance and child care investments that will help families across the state. Together, these investments will go a long way in supporting the 41% of Michigan households that are struggling on a daily basis to afford the basic things they need to survive.
“At a time when our nation’s educational systems are facing federal threats, we are also encouraged to see the governor’s push to increase the school foundation allowance and continued targeted funding to the schools and students who need it most. Equity in our classrooms remains a critical component in ensuring that all students are able to excel in school and later on in life. The governor’s proposals to continue providing universal free school meals to all public school students and provide ongoing investments in student mental health are also essential to student well-being, learning and success.
“The governor’s proposed new tax on vaping and non-tobacco nicotine products to support youth mental health, smoking and cancer prevention, and healthcare access programs is also something that we at the League are applauding. Despite long-term declines in the percentage of children using tobacco, use of tobacco products—including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaporizing devices and other tobacco products—among Michigan youth remains too high, especially among high school students. At the same time, Michigan ranks at the bottom of states–and nowhere near what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends–in our state spending on tobacco prevention and cessation programs. This new tax would not only help reduce youth access to these harmful products, but also increase vital funding for important health services.
“As proposals begin to emerge from the Trump administration and key congressional Republicans, we are bracing for some major federal funding cuts to public services and programs that we know would have a devastating impact on Michigan families, workers and children. Federal funds regularly make up more than 40% of our state budget, putting Michigan in the top ten states most reliant on federal support. Cuts in federal programs will simply shift these costs to the state and will make it harder for Michiganders in every county and legislative district, especially those already struggling to make ends meet, to see a doctor, put food on their table and keep a roof over their head.
“Despite what may be coming down the pike, we are urging our state lawmakers to do what they can to ensure Michiganders’ critical needs continue to be met. It is absolutely paramount that kitchen table issues like housing and utility costs, access to healthy and affordable food, healthcare and prescription drug costs, strong education systems, and child care access and affordability remain at the forefront of state budget discussions. As legislators in the House and Senate now pick up the baton passed by the governor, we encourage them to ensure the state’s FY 2025-26 budget makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the more than 10 million people who call Michigan home.”
Additional Information
The Michigan League for Public Policy has developed its overview of The People’s Budget, which features the League’s priorities for the FY 2025-26 state budget. The People’s Budget is shaped by data and research as well as input from community members, service providers and advocates. The People’s Budget prioritizes investments that will improve outcomes for the people of Michigan who struggle to make ends meet.
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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.
