Over the last three years, President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed a spate of harmful administrative rules in furtherance of his cruel agenda. As he faces reelection in November, we can expect the hits to keep coming.
Since these changes are being done administratively and without input or approval needed from Congress, the only real outlet for concerned residents and advocates to weigh in are the required public comment periods. Even though it may feel like an exercise in futility, here’s why it’s crucial to stay engaged and continue taking the time to comment on proposed changes to federal regulations:
We can minimize the harm bad rules do. Sometimes, agency decision-makers actually listen to the public’s concerns about their proposals and make positive changes.
We can establish a strong record. In a legal challenge, the court can block a rule if it’s shown that the agency failed to sufficiently address legitimate objections raised in public comments. Several recent rulings on Medicaid work requirements demonstrate the power of public comments to stop destructive administrative action.
We can delay the implementation of bad rules. Agency staff must read every comment submitted on a draft rule before issuing the final version. The more comments submitted, the longer it will take. This is especially important this year — if Trump is not reelected, a new administration with a more humane agenda can change course on bad rules initiated under his watch.
There’s strength in numbers. No one can possibly stay on top of and respond to all of the proposals our federal policymakers put on the table, but if each of us does whatever we can whenever we can, harmful rules are less likely to slip through the cracks without pushback.
Check out this guide to learn more about the federal regulatory process and how to submit public comments.
Additionally, advocate coalitions often mobilize quickly around significant proposed rules, making comment templates and online portals available so it’s easier for you to participate. Your comment must vary from any template you use by at least 30% in order to be counted as unique, so be sure to rephrase a few things in your own words and add any data or personal perspectives to illustrate how the draft rule would affect you, your family, and your community or state.
Also, stick to what you know. You don’t have to be a lawyer or a policy wonk to weigh in, and you don’t have to address every flaw of a particular rule. Focus on the points that are most important to you and on which you can speak knowledgeably. Expertise comes in many forms and all are valuable in educating our policymakers about the weight of their decisions.
Here are some sources of state and local data for use in your comments and other advocacy work:
- Michigan League for Public Policy: Kids Count in Michigan, Geographic Fact Sheets
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: State Fact Sheets
- Michigan Association of United Ways: ALICE Report
- Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness: Annual Report
If you’re all fired up about federal regulations now, there are a few really awful proposals floating around just begging for comments.
There are only a few days remaining until the Friday deadline to speak out against the Social Security Administration’s proposal to make it more difficult for people with disabilities to receive benefits. You can use this template and submission platform to enter your comment, and spread the word on social media with the hashtag #NoSocialSecurityCuts.
We also urge you to fight a draft rule to gut requirements that communities address housing discrimination and segregation. You can learn more about the proposed rule, find resources to assist you in crafting your comment, and submit it here.
Everyone deserves justice, health and economic security. We know that when we talk about the right of every person to have their basic needs met, we’re often preaching to the choir. But let’s make sure the choir keeps singing so loudly that they can hear us all the way down in Washington.
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.
