For Immediate Release
January 23, 2018
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
C: 517-775-9053
LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on Governor Rick Snyder’s 2018 State of the State address. Potential tax cuts and budget strains, the future of the Affordable Care Act and the Healthy Michigan Plan, the Flint water crisis and other infrastructure challenges, education, unemployment, poverty and talent retention are all major issues for the League. The statement can be attributed to Gilda Z. Jacobs, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy.
“We appreciate Governor Snyder using his final State of the State address tonight to push back on irresponsible efforts in the Legislature to cut taxes without replacement revenue. Everything positive he has accomplished for the state, everything he has tried to do to make up for his mistakes, and everything he hopes to achieve in his final year is in jeopardy due to election-year decisions by the Legislature and Congress. All of these efforts require investment, and without it, his legacy could start disappearing before he’s even out of office.
“You can’t attract and retain talent without investing in our kids, our schools, our workers, our communities and our roads, bridges and water systems. Yet the Legislature sitting before him tonight is already planning to pass tax cuts that could cost the state budget in excess of $200 million annually. Some elected officials are talking about wanting to cut taxes even more with a state income tax roll back, further hampering our essential state services. And our state could be further compromised by the new federal tax plan and impending changes to the Healthy Michigan Plan and federal safety net programs state residents and the state budget depend on.
“Finally, while Michigan has recovered for some, many residents are still struggling. They may have jobs, but they’re still living in poverty. Our schools and our students are still woefully behind, ranking in the bottom ten nationally. Our roads, bridges and water systems are still falling apart. Lead is still a threat in Flint and around the state. And dramatic racial disparities continue to exist, as Michigan ranks worst in the nation for African-American child well-being. This is the Michigan no one is talking about, and the Michigan we will continue to get if state lawmakers continue to cut. We need a better state for all, not just some, and that’s going to require leadership by the governor and action by the Legislature.”
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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.
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.
Jacob Kaplan 
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. 
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.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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.
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.
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.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
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.
