A version of this column originally appeared in Michigan Advance.
I’ll be the first to admit I don’t enjoy (and often put off) filing my income tax returns every year. I dream of a day when we will join the 36 countries which already use return-free filing. Yet despite my procrastination, I am happy to know that I’m doing my part to support our federal, state and city priorities every year.
And I’m not alone. The vast majority of taxpayers (94%) believe it is every American’s civic duty to pay their fair share of taxes. Not only is paying the taxes we owe a sign of personal integrity, it also helps our federal, state and local governments care for us, our families and our neighbors.
In just the past two years, we’ve seen our government help us through a health crisis, using tax dollars to keep hospitals running, pay essential workers and help us pay our bills in the wake of a global pandemic and related economic shock. It’s no surprise, then, that the U.S. has experienced a much faster recovery than our European counterparts.
As in most states, Michigan’s largest expenditure is education, followed by social safety net programs, health and hospitals, transportation, public safety, housing, and parks. All of these goods and services benefit the families, workers and businesses that call Michigan home.
It is only with our fiscal resources that the state can ensure our basic rights and well-being by investing in these public goods and services and the security we rely on. This is why the famous quote, “Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society,” is inscribed above the headquarters of the Internal Revenue Service. It reminds us of the privilege it is to live in a society where everyone buys in.
Perhaps, in seeing how our state dollars are spent, you find our priorities wanting. Maybe you feel not enough has been set aside for parks or housing. Legislators this year have been quick to propose tax cuts, openly admitting that they will have to cut many services to balance the budget, but voters know many of our essential programs are being underfunded as is. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can look to the Michigan League for Public Policy’s 2023 budget priorities for an idea of where our state could be doing more.
As far as taxes are concerned, the League continues to oppose across-the-board tax cuts that will largely benefit the wealthy while doing little to nothing for taxpayers with low or no incomes.
Instead, we advocate for targeted and equitable tax changes that benefit residents based on need, particularly increasing the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Increasing the state EITC has support from legislative Republicans and Democrats, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a wide array of business and policy organizations.
We hope increasing the state EITC rises to the top of lawmakers’ priority list as tax discussions continue astride budget negotiations. And to help Michigan residents stay informed — and help inform legislators’ conversations — on tax policy, the League has put together a new Tax Policy Basics Hub, where residents can learn about the taxes we pay in Michigan along with the League’s recommendations to increase revenue and improve equity.
It’s up to us to advocate directly with our elected representatives to maintain and grow the pot that funds the programs that are important to us and our future. We need to ensure that any tax changes this fiscal year or in the future are reducing disparities and targeting residents with the greatest needs, not widening the wealth gap and causing cuts to our state programs and services.
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.
