For Immediate Release
April 9, 2020
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
CELL: 517-775-9053
League echoes need for extension of Stay Home, Stay Safe order to protect health, workers
LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement that she is extending the Stay Home, Stay Safe order as COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise. The statement can be attributed to President and CEO Gilda Z. Jacobs.
“The governor is making the right call today by extending the Stay Home, Stay Safe order. This is a hard time for everyone, and staying home and self-quarantining is certainly a sacrifice, especially for those who are struggling financially. But we’re still on the upswing of COVID-19 cases and deaths, with dramatic rises the last few days, and we all need to be doing what we can to combat the virus. By extending this order, the governor is making it easier and safer for everyone to stay home. And the state continues to offer expanded unemployment insurance and other associated worker and business protections to address the economic challenges that come with sheltering in place.
“As a voice for all Michigan workers, especially those making lower wages, the Michigan League for Public Policy knows that the ability to work from home is a luxury that many employees don’t have. By keeping nonessential businesses closed for the time being, the governor is protecting workers who would likely be expected back on the job the day their employers reopen, regardless of the surrounding public health climate or the risks associated with their particular work environment. Due to a variety of inequitable policy decisions throughout our state and our nation’s history, Michigan workers of color and those with lower incomes are already at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19. That danger does not need to be compounded by forcing them and other employees around the state to choose between their lives and their livelihoods, and the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order is the best way to protect the physical and economic health of all Michiganders.”
BACKGROUND:
The Michigan League for Public Policy has been around since 1912, and the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the biggest health and economic crises to face our organization, our state and our nation in the past 108 years. As Gov. Whitmer and policymakers at the state and federal level work quickly to combat the coronavirus outbreak, the League has created a series of policy briefs on the COVID-19 outbreak to inform lawmakers’ public policy decisions now and down the road, as the economic and fiscal strains stand to last long after the virus is under control. The briefs examine the COVID-19 crisis and Michigan residents’ related needs in the areas of child care, food access, healthcare, housing, paid sick and family leave, unemployment insurance—as well as the state’s longer term revenue pressures.
The League continues to advocate for Michiganders of color and residents with lower incomes who stand to be impacted the most by COVID-19 and the economic fallout that follows, as well as the vital safety net programs like unemployment and food assistance that are crucial during this crisis. The League’s fiscal expertise is also valuable right now to help analyze and advocate for sound state and federal budget decisions, both as state revenues decline and billions of dollars in federal aid come through the Michigan 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.
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.
