Legislation that could lead to an overhaul of how Michigan courts are funded is on its way to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her signature. It is supposed to move toward a system that relies less on fines and fees and instead promotes more equitable funding between courts.
The legislation, adopted along party lines, requires the State Court Administrative Office to collect information and compile a report to help develop a new funding system. It could be a step toward taking all fines and fees and putting them into a single pot to help fund courts across the state. Republicans all voted no, with some saying the current system of local funding for courts isn’t broken.
“I guess I push back a little from some of the underlying conversations that are coming from the Dem side, which is that Michigan courts are unfair for some, fair for some because I just haven’t seen that from the judges and talking to the people that are upholding the law,” said Rep. Graham Filler (R-Duplain Twp.), an attorney who is the top Republican on the House Criminal Justice Committee.
Representative Kelly Breen (D-Novi) is a bill sponsor and chairs the House Judiciary Committee. She said there is an often-unfair mismatch between what communities generate from fines and fees and what they spend on courts.