Month: April 2021

New expungement law helps residents move on from past mistakes

New expungement law helps residents move on from past mistakes new-expungement-law-helps-residents-move-on-from-past-mistakes

This column originally appeared in The Alpena News on April 28, 2021 We all have made mistakes and bad decisions at some point in our lives. Been at the wrong place at the wrong time. Acted recklessly or impulsively, especially in our teens and early 20s, when our brains are still developing and we’re particularly […]

Second Wave Media: How COVID-19 changed Michigan’s health care system for the better

Second Wave Media: How COVID-19 changed Michigan’s health care system for the better second-wave-media:-how-covid-19-changed-michigan’s-health-care-system-for-the-better

In March 2020, life as Michiganders knew it changed. Shut-downs, social distancing, masks, and quarantines turned simple routines upside down. Shortages and job losses hit the most vulnerable hard. Some businesses closed for good. Worst of all was the loss of life – especially among families of color. Despite the tragedy, COVID-19 in Michigan is also […]

Governor’s ‘MI Vacc to Normal’ plan offers hope, but all Michiganders must do their part

Governor’s ‘MI Vacc to Normal’ plan offers hope, but all Michiganders must do their part governor’s-‘mi-vacc-to-normal’-plan-offers-hope,-but-all-michiganders-must-do-their-part

For Immediate ReleaseApril 29, 2021 Contact:Alex Rossmanarossman@mlpp.org517-775-9053    LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on the MI Vacc to Normal plan announced today by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The statement can be attributed to League President and CEO Gilda Z. Jacobs. “Throughout the pandemic, Gov. Whitmer has strived to balance safety and […]

Fox 2 Detroit: Detroit nonprofit delivers fresh produce as a food prescription to those in need against chronic illness

Fox 2 Detroit: Detroit nonprofit delivers fresh produce as a food prescription to those in need against chronic illness fox-2-detroit:-detroit-nonprofit-delivers-fresh-produce-as-a-food-prescription-to-those-in-need-against-chronic-illness

What started as a resource for seniors to get fresh produce and health screenings in Detroit is expanding – not just for people over 55 – but for anyone who needs it. A nearly 20-year study found the death rate for people 50-59 in Detroit and eight east side suburbs was 122 percent higher than […]

Policy changes needed to better support Michigan immigrants, benefit all counties

Policy changes needed to better support Michigan immigrants, benefit all counties policy-changes-needed-to-better-support-michigan-immigrants,-benefit-all-counties

This column originally appeared in Michigan Advance on April 26, 2021 Despite rhetoric that attempts to divide us, no matter where we were born, what our color, or how we worship, most of us work hard for our families. It also shouldn’t matter how we got here, as many people with the courage and tenacity […]

Data, data everywhere: Making meaning out of numbers

Data, data everywhere: Making meaning out of numbers data,-data-everywhere:-making-meaning-out-of-numbers

When I started my career, I was certain I wanted to be a researcher. I had so many questions about why people, especially kids, are the way they are, and I wanted to help find answers. In an effort to understand how children’s brains work, I started working as a research coordinator studying differences in […]

State lawmakers must invest American Rescue Plan money where it’s needed most

State lawmakers must invest American Rescue Plan money where it’s needed most state-lawmakers-must-invest-american-rescue-plan-money-where-it’s-needed-most

This column originally appeared in the The Alpena News The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides unprecedented cash resources to families and significant investments in key areas like housing, child care, education and health coverage. It also provides significant resources to help states, localities, tribes and territories meet COVID-related challenges. With these funds, Michigan […]

Statement on Derek Chauvin guilty verdict, continued fight for justice for all Black people

Statement on Derek Chauvin guilty verdict, continued fight for justice for all Black people statement-on-derek-chauvin-guilty-verdict,-continued-fight-for-justice-for-all-black-people

For Immediate Release April 20, 2021 Contact: Alex Rossmanarossman@mlpp.org 517-775-9053 Michigan League for Public Policy statement on Derek Chauvin guilty verdict, continued fight for justice for all Black people LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial announced today. The statement can be attributed […]

Washington Monthly: Welfare Work Requirements Have to Go

Washington Monthly: Welfare Work Requirements Have to Go washington-monthly:-welfare-work-requirements-have-to-go

Since taking office, President Joe Biden has been quietly unwinding one of the most heartless policies of the heartless Trump era: Work requirements on low-income Americans receiving food stamps and Medicaid. So far, the Biden Administration has rescinded Medicaid work rules in Arkansas, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Michigan—products of the Trump administration allowing states to insist poor families work in […]

A Bridge Over Troubled Water

A Bridge Over Troubled Water

Does anyone have faith in UIA at this point? Whether it’s spending $50 million on computer upgrade with an 93% error rate or the hundred’s of millions paid out in fraudulent claims last year, Michigan’s unemployment agency has a troubling record.

The UIA has a important role to play helping people get back on their feet in tough times, but through a combination of questionable leadership (both in & out of the agency), poor decisions and a lack of accountability the need for change is clear. It’s become one of many politicians favorite punching bags but these are problems that span multiple administrations.

Yet again while politicians take their shots, the people of Michigan are the ones taking the hits.

Scroll to Top