Michigan has stark racial disparities in educational attainment, ranks third-worst in nation for number of bachelor degrees earned by Black students
For Immediate Release May 29, 2020 Contact: Alex Rossman arossman@mlpp.org CELL: 517-775-9053 Solutions include program for free community college, assistance for older workers and improvements [...]
To use data for good, we need good data
Something big is about to happen. It has been hotly anticipated, long-awaited and is sure to please fans and followers when it comes out later this month. No, I’m not talking about The 2019 Kids [...]
In the educational shell game, Michigan students lose
It is election season again, and with it we get the same old campaign clichés about cutting taxes. What candidates are not telling their would-be constituents is that tax cuts have been partially [...]
Kids are the future, so let’s teach them to count
My name is Alexa and I am one of the newest interns at the Michigan League for Public Policy. I look forward to this exciting opportunity to work with the amazing staff here and gain experience [...]
New Kids Count report offers solutions on how to improve child well-being in Michigan
For Immediate Release November 29, 2017 Contact: Alex Rossman arossman@mlpp.org 517.487.5436 Policy blueprint for Michigan lawmakers would turn around abysmal national, regional rankings [...]
Michigan policies must create opportunity and remove barriers for kids of color, immigrants
For Immediate Release October 24, 2017 Contact: Alex Rossman arossman@mlpp.org 517.487.5436 2017 Race for Results report shows Michigan has lowest child well-being score for African-American [...]
U.S. Senate budget plan slashes services for struggling Michiganians to push huge tax cuts for very wealthy
For Immediate Release October 20, 2017 Contact: Alex Rossman arossman@mlpp.org 517.487.5436 Michigan’s Senators stand up for the people, but preferential budget primarily passes along party lines [...]
Lack of support with child care costs leaves families struggling
Ever since my junior year of high school, I’ve worked at a child care center in the Grand Rapids area, my hometown. This means that for the past four summers, I’ve spent up to 40 hours a week [...]
CREC yourself before you wreck yourself
“CREC yourself before you wreck yourself.” For the last 11 years, I have been trying to slip that joke into my work in the Legislature and now the League. And I had an epiphany yesterday that I [...]
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.
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.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as Digital Communications Specialist 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.
Christina Stone joined the League in February 2019 as the League’s Bookkeeper and loves to streamline all aspects of the accounting system.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Director. As community engagement director, 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.
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.
Kelsey Perdue joined the League in 2019 as the Kids Count Project Director. She oversees data and advocacy work to increase economic security and racial equity for children across Michigan.
Brandon Betz joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in September 2019. He is the League’s tax policy analyst. In his work, Brandon analyzes and researches tax and other revenue generating policies to actively advocate for an equitable and progressive tax system that supports communities of color and people with low and moderate incomes.
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.
