It’s an election year. But what that means to people is very different.
When it comes to familiarity with politics, I’m admittedly a little spoiled. My mom was going door-to-door on a campaign when she was eight months pregnant with me and I’ve been around politics ever since.
I was lucky enough to get a job in the Legislature, working in the Michigan Senate for almost ten years before joining the League last summer to continue the fight to improve public policy. I know for too many people, politics can be intimidating or disenchanting. But it doesn’t have to be.
Having worked both in and out of the Capitol, the greatest insight I can share is that every person can make a difference. Though it may not always feel like it, elected officials do pay attention to the voters they serve and public opinion can influence policy. Many state laws started as a concern or suggestion from a constituent. Many bad ideas (like eliminating the Michigan EITC) have been thwarted by strong, active and vocal opposition from residents as well as organizations.
Here at the League, we are continuously working to make sure everyone feels engaged with the political process. And we’ve got the tools for you to do it.
The League has put together a series of questions for YOU to ask your candidates this election season at public forums, rallies and other events—or even when they come to your front door. This information will enable you to help draw other voters’ attention to these issues, get a good read on candidates, get them talking on the record and on the stump about the issues you care about, and in turn, hold them accountable if and when they are elected.
We use research and data to drive our public policy agenda, and we want you to do the same. We have put together a variety of fact sheets with local data so you can see what’s going on in your area and demand action to change it from your elected officials. We also have an advocacy toolkit with tips on how to engage in and influence the political process.
Check these out:
Legislative District Fact Sheets
Kids Count County Profiles
Earned Income Tax Credit (By Legislative District) Fact Sheets
County Fact Sheets
Select City Fact Sheets
Finally, please vote in the primary election on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. With Michigan’s legislative districts drawn the way they are, the primary winners from the dominant party in the area are usually a lock in November. So, in many cases, now is when your vote holds the most power. We also want to encourage you to go beyond voting. It is the most important step in our democracy, but there’s so much more you can and should do to shape our political landscape and shift public policy. The above information can help with that.
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.
Jacob Kaplan 
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. 
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.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
