Before we ring in the new year, we’re taking a look back–
So many legislative wins, so much data unpacked!
We researched and testified, analyzed the budget and went Under the Dome,
And went live with Yeas & Nays to discuss what it all means for you at home.
Our community engagement team empowered advocates and made connections,
Our analysts examined policies that help Michiganders and offer protections.
Our Kids Count team released the 2023 Data Book and Profiles,
Our Champions for Kids event brought phenomenal discussions and smiles.
But Factually Speaking is the place to share our passion and drive,
And dig into policies to help all Michiganders thrive.
So thank you for reading, and here you will see
Our 10 most popular blogs of 2023!
- People-centered budget priorities are key to changing population, prosperity trajectory, June 21: In May, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan and Altarum released the first two research papers in a five-part series. The research showed that Michigan has been falling behind other states in six key categories over the past 50 years. As Fiscal Policy and Government Relations Director Rachel Richards wrote in this blog, there are clear opportunities to change our trajectory and direct Michigan on a stronger path.
- As budget negotiations continue, here are top health and human services issues, April 14: As the federal public health emergency ended, League President and CEO Monique Stanton highlighted how the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Health and Human Services budget could provide solutions and more positive health outcomes for Michiganders working hard to make ends meet. Among the list of priorities: Medicaid improvements, more support for local public health services, the funding of critical investments in water quality and safety, and much more.
- Caregiving is work. Let’s value it with paid family leave. September 21: Shortly after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for the Legislature to expand paid family leave, Senior Policy Analyst Julie Cassidy shared a personal story and significant data on the subject. Bottom line, and as Julie wrote in her blog: Care work is an essential sector of our economy that makes all other work possible, and should be valued as such.
- Child care, education are critical infrastructure, June 22: According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s national 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book, 90,000 young children in Michigan saw someone in their family quit a job, decline a job, or change jobs in the previous year because of child care problems. Meanwhile, child care workers–who are predominantly women of color, as Kids Count Policy Director Anne Kuhnen noted in her blog–are not earning a living wage. Anne outlined a few opportunities for investing in the future by prioritizing our state’s youngest.
- Guaranteed paid leave: The right thing for working Michiganders, October 13: Further proving our point that the need for paid family and medical leave touches us all, League President and CEO Monique Stanton also shared a personal story about the importance of paid leave. Monique listed the clear benefits of paid leave policies, not only for Michiganders (especially Black and Hispanic workers), but also the economy and businesses.
- Payday lending reform is needed in Michigan, November 8: In Michigan and several other states, payday loan fees often exceed an annual percentage rate of 340%, making it incredibly difficult for people to pay off in time. Economic Security Policy Analyst Patrick Schaefer shared more data on the harm of these predatory loans, and backed recently reintroduced bills that cap payday loan rates and provide commonsense protections for Michiganders.
- Language Access Can’t Get Lost in Translation: How A Robust Language Access Plan Will Benefit Thousands of Michiganders, March 10: Did you know over 900,000 Michiganders speak a language other than English? Explaining how language access is a critical part of immigrant inclusion in Michigan, Senior Policy Analyst Simon Marshall-Shah outlined the vast benefits of Michigan’s language access plan.
- Record-Breaking Investments in Michigan’s Children Shape the Foundation for the Future, August 31: The League is proud to be the home of Kids Count in Michigan, which focuses on the well-being of children in our state. In this blog, Kids Count Data Analyst Kelli Bowers presented the latest data and provided insight on investments to build a brighter future for our youth.
- Michigan needs stronger foundations for state’s young adults to thrive, January 4: Kids Count Data Analyst Kelli Bowers is back with her second appearance in the top three posts of 2023. (Go, Kelli!) Here Kelli introduced a brief on Michigan’s young adults and listed some of the key findings as well as steps we can take to secure policies that will help our state’s young adults thrive.
- SNAP shouldn’t have extra red tape, February 16: Earlier this year we saw the end of emergency allotments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. But we also saw the introduction of Senate Bill 35, which sought to remove the asset test for those who apply for food assistance. President and CEO Monique Stanton pushed for the passage of the bill (which was successful!), with data and a call to uphold our values.
Thank you for joining us for another great year!
Stay updated with us by clicking right here.
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.
