For Immediate Release
Feb. 21, 2020
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
517-487-5436
Letter to lawmakers calls for action on House Bills 5458-5462 ahead of committee hearing next week
LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy is calling on House Tax Policy Committee members to pass the bipartisan Economic Development Accountability & Transparency Package that includes House Bills 5458, 5459, 5460, 5461 and 5462.
House Tax Policy Committee Chair Rep. Lynn Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids Township) and Democratic Vice Chair Rep. Tenisha Yancey (D-Harper Woods) and several other members of the committee have cosponsored the legislation, but the bills still need a majority vote from the committee to move forward. The bills are expected to be on the committee’s meeting agenda for Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 10:30 a.m.
“The League strongly supports this effort to provide more information on where the state’s money is going—and help ensure more accountability for the businesses that are getting it,” said Gilda Z. Jacobs, President and CEO for the Michigan League for Public Policy. “You can tell this is a serious issue because it has support from lawmakers and legislative leaders from both sides of the aisle, and combined with efforts to reform and cap MEGA credits, these bills will play a significant role in ensuring tax fairness in our state. It’s time we hold wealthy corporations accountable and ensure the state’s strong economy is working for Michigan families, not just the rich.”
In anticipation of next week’s hearing, the League and the Detroit People’s Platform have submitted a letter to all House Tax Policy Committee members urging their support of the bills. The letter also outlined the need for the Legislature to act on House Bill 5254, which would put a cap on exorbitant Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) subsidies for large corporations.
“The Detroit People’s Platform is proud to stand with the Michigan League for Public Policy and urge the House Tax Policy Committee to pass the bipartisan Economic Development Accountability & Transparency Package and act on House Bill 5254,” said Linda Campbell, Project Director for the Detroit People’s Platform and member of the Equitable Detroit Coalition. “Michigan taxpayers deserve more accountability and transparency when it comes to the huge tax breaks our state awards wealthy corporations. Passing these bills and capping MEGA tax credits will promote tax fairness and go a long way toward reforming Michigan’s broken tax giveaway system.”
The Michigan League for Public Policy continues to support new revenue for the state budget and the priorities Michigan residents care about. That includes reining in various corporate tax breaks the state doles out as well as passing the Economic Development Accountability & Transparency Package.
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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.
