FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2025
Contact:
Laura Millard Ross
lauramr@mlpp.org
517-281-1084
League’s new Labor Day report takes a close look at employment in Michigan and highlights the opportunities to better support workers, build a stronger state economy
Report reveals that Michigan had the fourth-highest unemployment rate in the country as of June 2025 and that racial and gender disparities in wages continue to be a problem
Lansing—Michigan’s unemployment rate climbed faster than the national average over the past year and unemployment rates in many rural communities are signaling more significant economic distress, according to a new Labor Day report, A Snapshot of Michigan’s Workforce, from the Michigan League for Public Policy. The report also reveals that wage gains in Michigan have begun to erode due to higher costs and there continue to be significant wage disparities for Black and Hispanic workers as well as women, specifically women of color.
According to the report, Michigan had the fourth-highest unemployment rate in the country at 5.3% as of June 2025, while the national average is 4.1%. And of Michigan’s 83 counties, 54 have an unemployment rate of 6% or more — many of the counties are largely made up of rural communities. The issue for many Michigan communities is that there are simply not enough jobs, especially ones that pay well and offer benefits.
The report also takes a deep dive into labor rights and how a decline in union membership and anti-worker policies have made it more difficult for Michigan workers to be fairly compensated for the work they do, while also stripping away other important worker protections.
“This Labor Day, as we honor our state’s deep roots in the labor movement and the significant contributions of Michigan’s workers, it’s important to take a close look at the current health of our workforce and what we can be doing to better support the people who make up the backbone of our economy,” said Monique Stanton, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “This new report not only provides a comprehensive look at where Michigan stands in terms of unemployment, wages, wage equity and labor rights, it also provides critically important recommendations for how we can move forward in lifting up our workforce.”
There are several recommendations featured in the report, including eliminating Public Act 98 of 2011 and Public Act 105 of 2015 — two anti-worker laws in Michigan that respectively weaken builder trade unions’ ability to negotiate terms of employment and limit the tools local governments have to promote worker rights, attract and maintain talent, and maintain higher labor conditions. The report’s recommendations also include making the minimum wage a living wage; eliminating the tipped wage; and removing barriers to employment, such as investing more in public transit, thoroughly funding Michigan’s schools, and reducing the costs of post-secondary education and other training programs. Increasing scholarship reimbursements for child care facilities is also recommended, as it would go a long way in making child care more accessible and affordable for working parents and guardians, while also increasing wages for child care workers — a critical sector of Michigan’s labor force that is facing a worker shortage.
“While there is an overall job shortage in Michigan, there are some sectors of the state’s workforce where workers are urgently needed. This includes the child care and construction workforce,” said Stanton. “If we want Michigan to be a state where working families can raise young children and support the growing demand for newly built homes, we need to be making the jobs in those industries more desirable for prospective candidates. Eliminating anti-worker laws that deter people from working in construction trades and raising the pay for child care workers, who are primarily women and are significantly underpaid, should both be top priorities.”
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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.
