MIRSnews.com Monday

How critical is it for the Michigan Republican Party to get a U.S. Senate candidate campaign off the ground? MIRS debates the subject before discussing the subject with AT&T President Jim Murray, who is considering a bid. What does he feel a winning Republican candidate needs to avoid?

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Joan Fabiano from Tea Party group "Grassroots in Michigan" gives her opinion on the House Republicans' Medicaid reform plan and whether she will support Gov. Rick Snyder's presumed re-election bid. Also, attorney Butch Hollowell is representing the Detroit branch of the NAACP. Listen to why he believes a new federal suit has a good chance of knocking down the new emergency manager law.

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L. Brooks Patterson apologized to the Jewish community for his Hitler comparison on Off The Record, but should Patterson also apologize to House Speaker Jase Bolger and Rep. Pete Lund? Tom Shields, spokesman for Michigan No-Fault Reform, gives his opinion and the chances no-fault reform passes before lawmakers break for summer. Also, the MIRS team expresses serious doubt that U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Howell) will run for the U.S. Senate. Finally, the future of Medicaid reform in the Senate is debated.

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Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Detroit) talks about his desire to be in Congress, Republican school reform efforts and Rep. John Olumba (D-Detroit). Former Lottery Commissioner Jerry Crandall said if lawmakers don't like the agency selling games online, they should privatize it. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel keep poking House Speaker Jase Bolger, lawmakers' attendance in committees and "secret" meetings are also talked about in today's edition.

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Can the Legislature raise money for roads without touching the sales tax? Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) gives his opinion on that scenario. Also, Michigan Education Association President Steve Cook expresses his fears that Republicans who support putting a sales tax increase on the ballot would turn around and vote it down at the ballot box. Susan Demas gives her post-Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner perceptions on Mark Schauer, Gary Peters and Debbie Dingell. And the MIRS team also kicks around no-fault insurance reform in this week's packed edition.

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The following is unedited audio from Gov. Rick Snyder's press conference on proposed reforms to the state's no-fault insurance system. Snyder was joined by House Insurance Committee Chair Pete Lund (R-Shelby Twp.). and Senate Insurance Committee Chair Joe Hune (R-Hamburg), among many others from the business and insurance industries. Thanks to Jake Neher of the Michigan Public Radio Network for the final seven minutes of audio.

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If lawmakers go to the ballot for a one-cent increase for schools and local governments to make up for lost revenue from the sales tax on gasoline going to roads, what would the Michigan Association of Counties like out of the deal? Ben Bodkin of the Michigan Association of Counties gives his answer. Bodkin also gives MAC's position on juvenile justice reform and new indigent defense legislation. Also, Abigail Walls of the Michigan Forest Products Council talks about the so-called biodiversity legislation.

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Is a sales tax increase proposal for road funding a non-starter for Democrats? Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer tackles this and other questions, on whether anything has changed in the four years she last said no to an Attorney General run? Also Republican Dennis Lennox, a vocal critic of Michigan National Committeeman Dave Agema, challenges the Republican National Committee to reprimand Agema for his repost of the "flithy" gay lifestyle post. What are his views on gay marriage and where should Republicans be on the issue?

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Senate Majority Floor Leader Arlan Meekhof talks about the origins of the state's new Right to Work bill and Rep. Andrew Kandrevas talks about his opposition to "intimidating" universities, schools and locals from adopting pre-RTW contract extensions to avoid the new law. Also, will RTW still be law two years from now and how is the Republican Party going to position itself on gay issues in light of National Committeeman Dave Agema's controversial repost of the "filthy lifestyles" commentary?

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U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) said he believes a Republican will win the open U.S. Senate race in 2014. The chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee is also asked about drones, military spending and more. Also, Rick Murdock of the Michigan Association of Health Plans gives his prediction on the fate of Medicaid expansion in Michigan.

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