A version of this column originally appeared in the Alpena News
A bipartisan group of legislators in the Michigan House of Representatives has introduced a “pretrial reform” package of bills that would change the way people arrested for nonviolent crimes are treated before their arraignment and hearings, and would essentially end the cash bail system as we know it. The Michigan League for Public Policy has a short piece describing these bills here.
This reform is long overdue, as many individuals charged with nonviolent crimes have languished in Michigan’s jails as a result of not being able to put up cash bail while they await sentencing.
The consequences of having to remain in jail due to not having bail money can be devastating to individuals and their families: loss of a job, financial hardship due to missing work, disrupted family and social relations, and trauma for family members–especially for children who are placed into Child Protective Services custody simply because their parent cannot afford cash bail.
The practice of requiring cash bail for defendants who do not pose a safety or flight risk is inherently unfair. Rather than keeping communities safe,this system simply keeps people in the lower income levels in jail while privileging those with money and resources. It also disproportionately punishes people of color.
In addition to being destructive to families and communities and unfair to those with fewer financial resources, the bail system as it is practiced today is unnecessary for maintaining public safety. Why? Because if a court deems a defendant to be a safety risk, the court will not release that individual on either cash bond or personal recognizance. Someone who is dangerous to society will be dangerous regardless of whether they have the money to put up bail or not. The defendant who sits in jail due to lack of money and resources is no less safe than the one who goes free due to having family or friends that can provide cash bail.
Predictably, those who benefit financially from the current system oppose such changes and use scare tactics to persuade people that ending most uses of cash bail endangers the public. But a growing number of Michigan organizations across the ideological spectrum have endorsed the pretrial reform bill package, from conservative organizations such as Americans for Prosperity–Michigan, the Christian Coalition of Michigan and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce to liberal and progressive organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, Safe and Just Michigan and the Michigan League for Public Policy (link to our statement here).
Yes, there are people who are charged with nonviolent crimes who nonetheless are deemed a flight risk for whom cash bail can ensure an appearance in court. This bill package will put forth a set of standards by which this can be determined, so as not to unnecessarily impose cash bonds on the majority of arrested persons who fully intend to show up for their hearings.
The bill package is based on the recommendations of the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration convened by Governor Whitmer, chaired by the Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack and made up of state department representatives, legislators, law enforcement, county elected officials, judges and others. The Michigan League for Public Policy commends the many people who have worked to craft these bills and introduce them.
Now, let’s see those bills get taken up, deliberated and fine-tuned so they can be passed and sent to the governor for her signature. It is time to put an end to the overuse of cash bail.
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.
