Conservative Kochs push Mich. criminal justice reforms

Lansing – The powerful Koch brothers and their namesake company are helping jump-start a renewed push for criminal justice reforms in Michigan.

The libertarian-leaning conservative businessmen argue that the state can do more to ensure fairness and fiscal responsibility in criminal sentencing, prison rehabilitation and re-entry services.

“It’s not ‘soft on crime, tough on crime’ or meaningful slogans,” said Mark Holden, senior vice president and general counsel for Koch Industries. “We want to be smart on crime and really soft on taxpayers.”

Holden is set to testify Tuesday morning before the Michigan House Law and Justice Committee, where chairman Klint Kesto is planning five or six hearings to discuss “safe and secure rehabilitation” policies and explore what other states have done.

Read more: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/04/24/conservative-kochs-push-mich-criminal-justice-reforms/100864576/