A version of this post originally appeared in the Alpena News
As an avid history enthusiast, I think a lot about the source when it comes to reading about the past. Who decides what the narrative is? Who decides which parts to highlight, which parts to omit? We know it varies greatly from version to version and we know those versions tell vastly different stories about how people survived challenging and tumultuous times.
Of course, right now we’re living through such times, and I’m trying to focus more on who will write our future. And while our elected officials in Lansing are still ultimately charged with shaping our state, we need to make sure that they are incorporating the personal stories and needs of all Michiganders
When we consider what Michigan’s story will be as we emerge from the pandemic, I propose that we share the narrative. I propose that we write the next chapter together.
And we could have plenty to add to that chapter in 2022. We at the Michigan League for Public Policy are already thinking about how we can plan for the future with you.
There is momentum around policies that put people first and expand equity and economic opportunity for all. In the last year, we’ve seen major bipartisan improvements to stop the criminalization of poverty and to help folks who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system. We’ve also seen historic investments in the state’s budget for child care, maternal and infant health, healthcare, and healthy foods.
And just this month we’ve seen some bright spots. Senate Bill 417 has been up for discussion—a bill that would boost Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit, benefiting over 738,000 families, including 2,290 families in Alpena County, 940 families in Presque Isle County, 840 families in Montmorency County and 750 families in Alcona County. As a percentage of the population, rural residents are more likely to benefit from a larger EITC, and this bill would be a major boost to their incomes.
But the status quo remains, as some leaders have created or maintained barriers that keep rural Michiganders, people of color, women and many families from thriving. It’s time to dismantle the system that keeps people from moving forward. It’s time to write a new chapter where prosperity is within reach for every family.
Our state and our nation are on a rocky path out of a crisis that affects every Michigander, especially those living in rural communities and communities of color. In Michigan’s next chapter, we can begin investing in urgent community needs like safe water, affordable housing, equitable education, fair wages and cash in hand to people struggling to make ends meet.
What can we expect in Michigan’s next chapter? For starters…
- Over 1.24 million workers earning minimum wage would earn enough money to help lift them further out of poverty and live with dignity;
- Over 738,000 families would benefit from an increased Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit;
- Over 259 high-poverty school districts would benefit from equitable school funding, including dozens in Northern Michigan;
- And so much more…
Michigan’s next chapter is a chance for all of us to build a bolder, more just and more equitable state. But it cannot happen without you. Please continue to use your voice. As the new year and the next round of state budget talks begin in January, reach out to your policymakers and let them know what folks in your community need most. I look forward to working on this next chapter with you.
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.
