Am I the only person who still enjoys a good Buzzfeed quiz every now and then? I don’t know if I really need to know what kind of tree I am, but why not? Plus, it’s kinda fun to take a low-stakes quiz, right? So I created my own to tell you if you should be watching Yeas & Nays every Friday at 11. Ready?
1. When it comes to Michigan Legislature, I am most like:
Person A: I’m informed on everything. I’m always checking the website, reading every word of every bill. I’m so dedicated to being informed, I once brought a tent into the Capitol so I could just live there and not miss anything. But then I was told by security that grilling hot dogs over my portable fire pit was “distracting” and I was asked to leave. So I have to make due by constantly refreshing the website, engaging on Twitter, watching live feeds, etc.
Person B: I’m absolutely interested. I care about my community and want to know what’s happening in my state. I would love to be more informed. But do I have to be as committed as Person A? Because dang, that’s intense. It would be great to have a quick, simple way to stay in the know.
Person C: I’m overwhelmed. Things seem to move super slow and super fast at the same time. Like a sloth… but on a scooter. I don’t know where to even start to try to keep up and make sense of everything happening in the legislature. Much like how I would feel if I actually saw a sloth on a scooter.
2. In advocacy, I am most like:
Person A: Not to brag, but I’m kind of a rockstar in my coalition. I always know how to connect and find more people to join our efforts. And I attend every virtual and in-person legislative coffee hour. If more than one is scheduled at the same time, I send in one of my drones with a smartphone attached to it so I can video chat and be in multiple places at once. And I always know exactly what to say, where to be, and what to do to share my message.
Person B: I’m always trying to get better at making connections, engaging with lawmakers and getting the word out on the issues that matter the most to me, my family and my community. But I would love to learn more and get some tips… as long as they aren’t from Person A. I don’t really have the money to invest in multiple drones and smartphones.
Person C: I’m interested, but unsure of where to start or what to do. I want to help, but don’t really know my place or how I can help. Like if I saw a sloth trying to learn how to double-dutch. Like… where do you even start with helping?
3. I find the world of policy to be:
Person A: Life itself! I understand all of the rules and nuances and never have any questions on anything.
Person B: Incredibly important, but tricky. I wish there was someone who could just break things down for me so I understand some things a bit better. It would be amazing if there was an organization with experts that I could come to with questions. Or even a weekly meetup with a friend who could just explain things to me. Just as long as that friend isn’t Person A. No offense, I just feel like I would be judged for not knowing everything about everything.
Person C: Honestly, kinda confusing. There is just so much happening all the time! I wish I better understood policies and their impact. It feels like there’s just so much to learn—if only there was a way to get up to speed. Even sloth speed.
RESULTS:
If you answered all As: You’re Glen. And Glen isn’t reading this because he’s way too busy trying to keep track of everything going on in Michigan.
For all other answers:
YES! You should watch Yeas & Nays!
Yeas & Nays keeps you informed on what’s happening in the Michigan Legislature, and it’s one of the best advocacy tools we have to offer.
Every Friday at 11 a.m. on Facebook Live, League External Affairs Director Alex Rossman takes us through the latest, whether it’s action at the committee level, something important that passed in the House or Senate, a call to action for advocates, something the governor is taking action on, and even what’s happening at the federal level.
Alex often welcomes experts on Yeas & Nays to explain and discuss the latest in policy, and viewer questions are encouraged! We love hearing from you, and we love discussing the ins and outs of policy and advocacy—it’s kinda our thing.
As if you needed any additional reasons to check out Yeas & Nays, just know that Alex is not only incredibly knowledgeable in the world of policy, legislature and advocacy, but he and “producer” Laura Ross are quick-witted, pun-lovin’ people. And sometimes there are even wardrobe changes! I never thought I’d think of a legislative update as being synonymous with “fun” (I’m not Glen), but Yeas & Nays truly does have some fun. There are also episodes that provide a deeper dive into specific events, trainings or topics, such as the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, legislative website training, or even Friday the 13th.
If you’re not free Fridays at 11, don’t worry! You can watch at any time on our Facebook page here, and you can still ask questions—just post them and we’ll get back to you.
So, quiz-takers, please join us for Yeas & Nays! Alex will keep you posted on bills and help keep track of it all when things are moving fast. And you can learn how to get involved to enact change in your community and throughout Michigan, or even the nation. It’s a great way for all of us to stay in the know and stay connected. We hope to see you there!
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.
