Month: July 2021

Unemployment Insurance continues to be a big issue facing Michigan workers, businesses and policymakers, and remains a big issue area for the League and our resident workforce expert and Senior Policy Analyst Peter Ruark.  In the past few months, Peter has produced a report on pressing state UI reforms and bills currently before the Michigan […]

For Immediate Release July 27, 2021 Contact: Laura Rosslauramr@mlpp.org517-281-1084   Governor’s plan to invest in affordable housing is monumental commitment to keeping Michiganders safe, healthy LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement today of a plan to invest $100 million in federal relief dollars from the American […]

A version of this column originally appeared in the Lansing State Journal. On July 8, while Lansing area kids were running through the halls and playing on the playground at Foster Community Center, I was inside the gymnasium to discuss an important policy change that stands to benefit nearly every child in the Capitol City […]

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday unveiled a proposal to use $100 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid toward the construction of thousands of affordable housing units statewide. The governor said she’s hoping to gain support from the Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature for the allocation that would go into the state’s Housing and Community Development Fund and used to […]

Michigan child care providers who serve low-income communities are set to receive an influx of federal child care dollars that went unused during the pandemic. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill this week that will send $105 million to child care centers and homes, effectively giving them a retroactive 40% increase in state payments for […]

For Immediate Release July 26, 2021 Contact: Laura Rosslauramr@mlpp.org 517-281-1084 League applauds today’s signing of supplemental funding bill, bipartisan efforts on recovery LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on today’s signing of Senate Bill 27 to appropriate $387.7 million in supplemental relief funding to support Michiganders, including funding to provide a […]

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed a $385 million supplemental budget bill, two-thirds of which will go to Michigan hospitals and nursing homes confronting financial pressures due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new law allocates $10 million in state emergency spending for places hit with tornadoes, heavy rainfall and flooding in late June. More than $100 million […]

Anywhere from 20-40% of the homeless youth population identify as a part of the LGBTQ community, according to national data. Those numbers were alarming to some organizations in West Michigan. The Michigan League for Public Policy had data compiled on unaccompanied youth in the homeless community for the state. Youth who identified as LGBTQ were 120% more likely […]

A version of this column originally appeared in the Alpena News Related: Read the League’s latest report on the importance of affordable energy When my daughter was two, she came down with what we assumed was an ordinary cold. Within two days, her condition got worse and she was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). […]

For Immediate ReleaseJuly 22, 2021 Contact:Alex Rossmanarossman@mlpp.org517-775-9053   As utility assistance calls rise, new League report outlines ways policymakers can better support families, rein in energy costs Data show millions of Michiganders struggle with energy affordability, challenges have increased in recent months LANSING—Michigan 2-1-1 has received more than 67,000 calls from people seeking help with […]