After being in Michigan for the last three years, coming from my home state of Massachusetts, I am thankful for my experiences in all different parts of Michigan politics and government. The knowledge I have learned will stick with me through all future endeavors and I am very excited to continue this journey with the League. My name is Jacob Kaplan and I am currently a senior at Michigan State University. I am also a part of the esteemed Michigan Government Semester Program. This program runs every spring semester and gives 25 students the opportunity to intern at the highest levels of state politics, study Michigan government and develop professional skills to prepare for a career in public service. As a part of this program I am happy to be interning with the League for the spring semester. I am looking forward to working on a wide array of policy projects and learning as much as possible from the great staff at the League. Outside of school my passions are cooking, sports and playing video games with my friends.
In addition, for the last six months I have been working as a driver for Uber. In these six months I have had the pleasure of having countless conversations with a wide array of people. They have ranged from mothers picking their kids up from school, blue collar workers getting to work, to a professional tennis player trying to get to the facility for his match that day, and so many more. Throughout these experiences I have appreciated the fact that a service like Uber is available for all people to be able to get around the community, but it is not a perfect system.
Uber and other rideshare services are currently filling a gap in our society that ideally would be filled by an adequate public transportation system. As Uber is a convenient way to get around town, Uber prices fluctuate with the time of day. During peak hours, Uber prices for a one-way trip can exceed $20 in Lansing. For larger cities like Detroit, the prices of Uber also rise exponentially. This is a cost many cannot bear consistently, but for many Uber stands as the most reliable transportation service.
Currently the state of public transportation in Michigan is poor. The services are currently underfunded, are often unreliable and are inconsistent. Referencing the American Community Survey, the current percentage of Michiganders who utilize public transit to get to work is under 2% and the lack of reliable public transit is the leading reason. Currently in metro Detroit buses only run every 30 minutes, which is not consistent enough to deal with the transit rush to help people get to and from work each day. Transit funding has been close to stagnant for the last 30 years in Michigan, creating a challenging journey to provide adequate public transit to all Michiganders.
As this has been the reality for Michigan, millennials and Gen Z see public transit as a policy priority. For a state like Michigan, where we’re attempting to grow the population, making the cities and municipalities easier to travel around will make Michigan a more ideal destination for young professionals to put down their roots.
Transportation is key to a healthy community. For some, the lack of reliable transportation results in missed and delayed health care appointments. These problems lead to more expensive medical bills and generally worse health outcomes. Additionally, transportation can be a tool for wellness. Health can be improved by creating bike lanes, bike-share programs, walkable communities and inexpensive transportation options. Roads have traditionally been prioritized above public transportation in policies and infrastructure investments, particularly in Michigan, which has contributed to health risks. The focus on roads has left public transit far behind, while raising the necessity of cars. New or expanded public transportation alternatives encourage better air quality, raise physical activity levels, reduce injuries from auto accidents and enhance mental health. Reliable public transit will improve a community’s access to jobs, health care, essential services and healthier food options—all of which are requirements for everyday life. Public transportation can also help close the gap between health disparities and promote health equity.
I am very excited to begin my work at the League and to continue working on public transportation policy. In my short time at the League I have already met with other advocacy groups focused on bringing Michigan proper public transportation, such as Transportation Riders United. I cannot wait to see the progress we can make on all types of policies to improve the quality of life here in Michigan.
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.
