This column originally appeared in Michigan Advance on March 27, 2019
The Michigan League for Public Policy first began in 1912 as the Michigan Conference of Charities and Corrections. Led by social workers, the Conference held an annual meeting to discuss the major public welfare issues of the day. And sadly, in the 107 years since, poverty and criminal justice reform have remained constant issues facing the people of Michigan, and in turn, the League.
In fact, in recent years, those issues have unfortunately grown more and more entwined, as driver responsibility fees, exorbitant court costs and fines, and bail have all made income a big part of our criminal justice system—and an unnecessary barrier to freedom.
Luckily, there is growing momentum to change that, around the state and across the Capitol aisles. This past September, while elected officials were in the heat of campaigns and policy debates, the Michigan League for Public Policy was proud to join with the Hudson Webber Foundation, the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy to host a two-day Michigan Safety & Justice Roundtable to help shape that debate. This event brought together a diverse group of people from all points of the political spectrum and justice system to discuss criminal justice issues, and their data and input was compiled in two reports focused on policy recommendations for adult and juvenile justice reform in Michigan.
And action on one of those policy issues—bail reform—is already underway in the Michigan Legislature.
There is widespread, bipartisan support for reforming the way Michigan and its counties deal with those who are arrested and await trial. With roughly 41 percent of Michigan’s jail inmates (and 72.5 percent in Genesee County) awaiting arraignment or trial, many believe that it is time to stop keeping individuals incarcerated only because of their inability to pay bail.
Recent legislation, introduced by legislators from both parties and supported by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, would require judges to issue personal recognizance bonds rather than cash bail for defendants not considered a flight or safety risk, would take ability to pay into account for those who are required to post bail, and would eliminate bail requirements for those arrested for falling behind in child support.
The Michigan League for Public Policy supports these common-sense, compassionate reforms, along with a wide swath of other organizations with a variety of perspectives: the American Civil Liberties Union, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Safe and Just Michigan, and faith-based organizations such as the Michigan chapter of the American Friends Service Committee. And both local prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys are getting into the game and laying out the case for bail reform as well.
Predictably, bail and bond companies who benefit financially from the current system oppose this legislation and are calling its sponsors “socialists”—an odd way to describe a group that spans the spectrum from very conservative to very liberal and all points in between. But outside of those with an obvious financial interest, a growing number of Americans are beginning to speak out in favor of change.
If you would like to see a reduction in the number of individuals with low income and few resources sitting in jail simply due to an inability to post bail, let your Michigan Representative and Michigan Senator know that you support the bail reform that has been introduced in the Legislature and ask them if they plan to support it as well.
The United States Supreme Court has ruled time and again that it is unconstitutional for criminal justice systems to be “punishing a person for his poverty.” It’s been the law of the land, but it’s time for the Michigan Legislature to pass bail reform to better reflect that in the law of our state.—
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.
