MIRSnews.com Monday

MIRS Monday, May 14, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:21:30 +0000

Could Ron Paul supporters take over the Michigan Republican Party Convention this weekend and walk away with more delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa? Saul Anuzis, the state’s Republican National Committeeman, says the answer is yes. Anuzis also addresses a poll he paid for in which a live caller claimed to be calling on behalf of the Republican National Committee.

Also, why does it matter if U.S. Senate candidate Gary Glenn has the signatures to get on the ballot? And Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway gives a textbook example of how not to deal with the media.

MIRS Monday, May 7, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:20:44 +0000

Some retired school employees pay nothing for their health insurance coverage, but others will pay more than twice what they do today under changes being proposed by Republicans in SB 1040. What changes could be made that would improve the bill? Mark Guastella, executive director of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, shares four ideas. Also, MIRS answers five “burning questions” going into May 15 filing deadline. Will Paul Scott run in the 51st? Will Rep. Rick Olson file for re-election as a Democrat? What’s going on with the Detroit-based House races?

MIRS Monday, April 30, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:02:01 +0000

Fran Brennan, Michigan State Director of Working America, says Rep. Dale Zorn (R-Ida), told her members he was a “no” vote on the cyber school legislation the morning before being the “yes” vote that put SB 619 over the top. She tells MIRS Monday that her organizers are letting Zorn’s constituents know about it. Which other “yes” vote had previously told her group he was a “no?” Also, the MIRS team counts 10 potential ballot proposals in the field. Which ones have a realistic shot of making the November ballot?

MIRS Monday, April 23, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:42:16 +0000

How much money should the wrongly convicted be given once they’re released from prison? Sen. Steve Bieda (D-Warren) has a number and he’s pushing to get it passed through the Legislature. The first-term Senator also talks about why he got behind legislation regulating “puppy mills” and a separate measure giving some parental rights to men who father children with women who are married to other men. Also, MIRS talks about how the Detroit International Bridge Company is outfoxing Gov. Rick Snyder and other supporters of a second bridge across the Detroit River. And the primary question for U.S. Rep. Justin Amash appears to have been answered.

Pete Hoekstra Interview

mirsnews — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:44:19 +0000

Listen to the audio of an interview with U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra.

MIRS Monday, April 16, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:03:11 +0000

The repeal of the Personal Property Tax (PPT) will happen in 2012, predicts Mike Johnston of the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA). Johnston talks about the impact on local governments and concerns a PPT would shift the tax burden down the food chain. Also, will the Republican U.S. Senate candidates eat each other before the General? And could the 3rd Congressional District turn into an Israel v. Palestine battle?

MIRS Monday Podcast, April 9 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:33:10 +0000

Summer Minnick, director of state affairs for the Michigan Municipal League (MML), catches up with MIRS on Personal Property Tax and why townships are still important. The MIRS team also discusses what went right and what could go wrong with the Detroit consent agreement, along with who came out of the struggle in good shape.

MIRS Monday, April 2, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:06:45 +0000

If community colleges are allowed to offer the five baccalaureate degrees, what are the chances the colleges will ask for more down the road? How many of the state’s 28 community colleges are looking at becoming universities? Mike Hansen of the Michigan Community College Association answers those and other questions. Also, the MIRS team digs into the four big items the Legislature didn’t finish before the spring recess.

MIRS Monday, March 26, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:09:45 +0000

Rich Robinson of the Campaign Finance Network gives Jocelyn Benson’s “Right to Know” ballot proposal an “incomplete.” Was Robinson consulted on Benson’s shelved proposal? What would his ballot proposal look like if he were to craft one? Also, Republicans try to play the role of compromiser on Right to Work, why Flint will get its emergency manager back quickly and why the public doesn’t care about the immediate effect controversy in the House.

MIRS Monday, March 19, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:07:54 +0000

Bob LaBrant of the Sterling Corporation calls the SEIU-backed health care worker constitutional ballot proposal “featherbedding.” Listen to what else he and attorney John Pirich of the Honigman Miller have to say about the various ballot proposals being advanced by progressive causes. What happened to Jocelyn Benson’s short-lived “Right To Know” proposal? Did Snyder do himself a disservice by trying to get organized labor to back off their collective bargaining ballot proposal? This and much more on this week’s edition.

Gov. Snyder on Consent Agreement, 3/13/12

mirsnews — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:17:48 +0000

Gov. Rick Snyder talks to reporters this afternoon about his proposed consent agreement with the city of Detroit, which is in a position to run out of cash by May.

MIRS Monday, March 12, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:16:35 +0000

The Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) endorses three Supreme Court candidates. Listen to short 3-minute interviews with Wayne County Judge Connie Kelley, attorney Bridget McCormack and Southfield County Sheila Johnson. Lupe Ramos-Montigny, a Michigan Board of Education candidate, also speaks about her upcoming race.

Will the anti-Right to Work Plus ballot proposal make the ballot? How about Jocelyn Benson’s corporate campaign reporting plan? Legalized pot? The MIRS team runs down the possibilities in today’s edition.

MIRS Monday, March 5, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:01:35 +0000

Will the fires of Dele-gate be sparked by the protest Rick Santorum is planning at the Michigan Republican Party headquarters in Lansing, or will Santorum’s focus shift elsewhere as Super Tuesday approaches? MIRS Deputy Editor Susan Demas gives the rundown on the delegate debate.

Also, former House Fiscal Agency Director Mitch Bean talks with MIRS Publisher John Reurink about whether the economy is recovering and what Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget proposal means for higher education and community colleges.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:08:15 +0000

Romney or Santorum? A panel of four Michigan political observers give their predictions on what’s going to happen in Tuesday’s presidential primary. Listen to Tom Shields of the Marketing Resource Group, Ed Sarpolus of Target Insyght, T.J. Bucholz of Lambert Edwards and Stu Sandler of Decider Strategies debate the impact of the prolonged Republican primary on the General Election.

Gary Glenn wins the endorsement of a consortium of more than 40 Tea Party groups. How much does it matter? Glenn speaks to MIRS correspondent Emily Lawler, who shares her views of this colorful event in Mt. Pleasant.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:20:31 +0000

Could Rick Santorum win Michigan but get fewer of the state’s delegates than Mitt Romney? Mark Grebner from Practical Political Consultants says yes and provides new polling to prove it.

Also, listen to what Santorum said to Lansing reporters after this week’s edition of Off the Record. In a 12-minute scrum, he addresses questions about the Penn Hills controversy involving the Santorums’ official residency five years ago and the cyber school the family sent their children to. He also chastises the media for asking him about whether government should give gay families the same support he’s proposing for traditional married couples.

Mitt Romney’s speech in Grand Rapids, 2/15/12

mirsnews — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:48:45 +0000

The following is unedited audio of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s speech at Compatico in Grand Rapids.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:12:39 +0000

Doug Rothwell, CEO of the Business Leaders of Michigan, opines on getting rid of the personal property tax, the state’s $500 million surplus and a proposal to bump the state’s renewable portfolio standards to 25 percent by 2025. Also, MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn and Deputy Editor Susan Demas handicap the state’s developing 14 congressional races.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:35:46 +0000

Pete Hoekstra talks to reporters Monday morning after his controversial Super Bowl ad runs statewide. Listen the complete teleconference including reporter questions. Also, Stu Sandler, former Michigan Republican Party executive director, and the MIRS team give their opinions on the ad.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 30, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:40:47 +0000

Join the MIRS crew for an interview with former U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, who is working with BlueGreen Alliance to unite traditionally different facets of the Democratic party. Also hear from Michigan Virtual Charter Academy Head of School Stephanie Hargens about some of the misconceptions surrounding SB 619, which would open up the cyber school market.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 23, 2012

mirsnews — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:14:53 +0000

Join MIRS reporters for a discussion on and grading of Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State address, and learn why Progress Michigan Director David Holtz’s was unimpressed. Reporters also talk about a how the proposed casino in Lansing could cost the state $15 million.