This post originally appeared in the Alpena News on August 21, 2019.
Here at the League, we do the research and analysis that will help fuel economic justice in Michigan. But that research is nothing if we aren’t listening to what people need.
That’s why when we developed our Owner’s Manual for Michigan, we toured the state and talked to a lot of Michiganders. They had a great deal to say about what they thought would help drive our state forward. And really, their ideas all boiled down to a core American value: Progress.
What does progress mean to them?
- Living a life where they can work and raise a family at the same time without fearing whether they’d have to choose between paying for child care and paying for groceries.
- Getting a chance to grow and develop in the workplace, to build their skills and advance their careers.
- Having the ability to work hard, but to take time off when they’re sick without being penalized.
- Living in safe homes and communities, finding financial security and getting the opportunity to build a stronger foundation for their families.
All these goals should be achievable in our state. But we know that there are systemic barriers in place that keep many Michiganders from being able to thrive, which is why we worked so hard to make sure we could make strong policy recommendations in the Owner’s Manual, like increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit, supporting the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund, strengthening the paid sick leave law and boosting funding for adult education.
Fortunately, we’re not the only ones listening to the people of Michigan. The new Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), which launched last week, is listening hard and making plans to clear the way so that all Michiganders can achieve their goals.
LEO also has the value of progress at its core. Progress can’t happen without opportunity, and the department is dedicated to opening doors for workers and their families.
This is no small challenge, as Michigan is in the midst of an economic struggle. According to the ALICE Project from the Michigan Association of United Ways, 61 percent of workers in our state earn less than $20 per hour as the cost of food, housing and child care continue to increase. In Alpena County, 44 percent of households are struggling to make ends meet. Household incomes here in Alpena are below the state average and the unemployment rate is higher than the state average.
Is LEO up to the task? We think so. And it’s because they understand that progress is a complex process. That progress is about growing businesses, yes, but it’s also about supporting families so they can thrive in school and at work. It’s about building communities that attract and retain talented workers. It’s about ensuring safety and security so those workers can focus on their goals. Progress is about people.
So we applaud Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her administration for bringing LEO to life. We look forward to helping the department find solutions and opportunities that give all Michiganders a boost. We also look forward to hearing from you about what YOU think will help Michigan grow stronger. Join our Owner’s Manual effort here and tell us your ideas.
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.
