For Immediate Release
June 6, 2019
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
517-487-5436
League supports new effort by Rep. Kildee to build on success of EITC and CTC, help more working families
Lansing—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on Rep. Dan Kildee’s introduction today of legislation to help more working families make ends meet by expanding the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC).
In the Working Families Tax Relief Act, Rep. Kildee would expand these tax credits that have already been successful and effective at lifting many Michigan and American families out of poverty, helping put money in the pockets of working people and boost our local economies.
The statement can be attributed to President and CEO Gilda Z. Jacobs.
“We applaud Congressman Dan Kildee on this important legislation that will boost working people’s incomes and help them invest in their own families and communities.
“For too long, the needs of Michigan’s working families—and families around the nation—have been ignored as businesses and the wealthy were given big tax cuts and reaped record-breaking profits. We’re glad Rep. Kildee and his colleagues are trying to make things right.
“We’ve got full-time workers in Michigan who make less than $20,000 per year. Between rent, healthcare, groceries and transportation, they’re barely getting by, and certainly don’t have much left to invest in making their families stronger. As we worked on our Owner’s Manual for Michigan policy agenda, we heard from moms and dads who cobbled together multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. We heard from hardworking parents who made tough, personal sacrifices in order to make sure their kids could have safe child care. And we heard from families who are one added expense—a car or appliance breaking down or an unexpected medical emergency— away from a financial crisis.
“These are the real issues that Americans and Michiganders care about. We see a lot of divisiveness in politics, but this isn’t political. This is practical. Helping our workers afford what they need to stay strong and keep working is just plain sensible, and we applaud Rep. Kildee’s proposal and look forward to working with him to help get it enacted.”
The EITC is a refundable tax credit for workers with low incomes and the CTC is a tax credit of up to $2,000 per qualifying child for those raising a family.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Working Families Tax Relief Act would boost the incomes of 46 million households and 114 million people, including 43 million children. It would also lift 7 million people out of poverty, including 3 million children. In Michigan, the bill would benefit almost 3.5 million individuals, including almost a million and a half children.
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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.
