MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, December 16, 2024

MIRS sits down with Tom Grotewohl, an Upper Peninsula resident and founder of the Protect the Porkies campaign. Will 318,700-plus petition signers keep senators from passing a $50 million state grant to the Copperwood Mine project? (3:40)

Also, Group President Trevor Lauer of DTE Energy talks about the future of grid reliability, data centers possibly moving to Michigan and why utilities say no to community solar credit proposals (25:40). 

Finally, the MIRS team continues its award series for 2024, looking at Michigan's policy movers and political shakers. They will decide the Republican Legislator of the Year. Which of the Capitol's Republicans stood out, either as a passionate protester or a notable collaborator? (48:00) 

MIRS Monday, December 9, 2024

With 2024 coming to an end, the MIRS team kicks off its awards series, discussing Michigan's policy movers and political shakers. After every election cycle, MIRS names a "Political Figure of the Year." Who should that be this year? Who had wins beyond their own race? (2:21)

Also, MIRS talks to state Rep. Joseph Aragona, a Clinton Township Republican. As the House's incoming majority deputy whip, Aragona talks about plans to ramp up legislative oversight, with a vision of new sub-committees investigating specific state government issues (29:25). 

For Flint-based Dr. Brittany Tayler, the youngest patient she's seen for nicotine dependence was 9. She's spending her lame duck pushing for new fines and fees for retailers to sell vapes and cigarettes (44:26). 

MIRS Monday, December 2, 2024

In the final days of Michigan's Democratic trifecta, should lawmakers take up labor reform surrounding post-injury workers' compensation and unemployment benefits? MIRS talks to state Sen. John Cherry, a Flint Democrat, about the changes that are being considered (1:56). 

Also, Robert Schneider of Michigan's Citizens Research Council and Lisa Kats, an entrepreneurship consultant, report that Michigan is lagging behind its peers when it comes to nurturing a successful innovation and entrepreneurship environment in the state (19:07). 

MIRS additionally talks to Michael Alaimo of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Rich Bowman of the Nature Conservancy. They want a state regulatory system for storing carbon dioxide emissions (42:19) 

MIRS Monday, November 25, 2024

MIRS catches up with state Sen. Stephanie Chang, a Detroit Democrat and the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety chair. She talks about police reform legislation to reduce use-of-force situations, and why progressives stand by bills making IDs available to residents without proof of citizenship (1:51). 

Also, Mark Griffin of the Michigan Petroleum Association explains why gas station owners are against bills raising the fines and fees around selling vapes and cigarettes (22:03). 

MIRS meets Andrew Kuhn, the board president of the Michigan Apartment Association to discuss the state of rental housing and housing reform (37:14). 

MIRS Monday, November 18, 2024

It is officially Lame Duck season in Lansing, and the MIRS team has some questions. Could the Governor veto something from her own party later this year? Do Democrats go progressive or uncontroversially moderate for their final days of a Democratic trifecta in the Capitol? (1:00). 

Also, MIRS meets Cody Venzke, the ACLU's senior policy counsel on surveillance, privacy and technology. He discusses a bill to keep certain websites and apps from processing reproductive and sexual health data without a user's specific consent (20:00). 

State Sen. Michael Webber, a Rochester Hills Republican, talks about how calling for improved oversight of state-run psychiatric hospitals became one of his main issues this term (36:40). 

MIRS Monday, November 11, 2024

Beginning today's episode, MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn and MIRS Monday podcast host Samantha Shriber lead a conservative-progressive roundtable discussion recapping the 2024 election results, featuring Republican operative Scott Hagerstrom and progressive community advocate David Sanchez (3:15). 

Why did Democrats struggle to connect with working class voters? Did Democrats court more anti-Trump Republicans than low-propensity voters on the left? 

Also, MIRS sits down with Charlotte Republican Tom Barrett, who won in mid-Michigan's 7th Congressional district (26:25). 

State Rep. Bill G. Schuette – chair of the House Republican Campaign Committee – talks about candidates, Republicans' "checks-and-balances" vision for next term and door-knocking dog bites (46:00).

MIRS Monday, November 4, 2024

Kicking off today's episode, MIRS editor Kyle Melinn and Samantha Shriber talk about this election cycle's noteworthy themes ahead of Tuesday's election day (2:43). 

MIRS meets Julie Stavelend of Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which has started rolling out a $210 million rebate program to ramp up homes' energy efficiency (17:49).

Also, Hendrina Cupery of the Michigan Association of School Nurses discusses why some education and healthcare professionals want larger investment in hiring nurses for school districts (33:16). 

MIRS Monday, October 28, 2024

MIRS sits down with Republican campaign strategist John Yob and Alexis Wiley, the Detroit communications professional. Together, they are asked about election predictions, and what they see as the year's most unclear races (3:00). 

Dessa Cosma, Detroit Disability Power's executive director, believes Metro Detroit's polling locations can become more accessible at low costs. But last election cycle, her group found "only 16%" of the region's voting locations had no barriers to disabled Michiganders (28:28). 

Business leaders aren't against the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) because of the promised 72 hours of paid time off, but because of the act's technical challenges. David Worthams of the Michigan Manufacturers Association and Joshua Lunger of the Grand Rapids Chamber detail their worries (47:03). 

Donni Steele clip.

The following clip was a conversation Donni Steele with someone at the Mission for Michigan event with special guest former Gov. Rick Snyder. The questions have to do with whether Rep. Steele would support Donald Trump if he were re-elected president and pardoned those who were convicted of criminal charges for their role in the Jan. 6 riots.

MIRS Monday, October 21, 2024

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson spent the weekend in Michigan's competitive Congressional races. In Macomb County, he thinks Republican U.S. Rep. John James can secure his seat if the election is "based on fact and not fantasy" (3:35). 

Also, State Sen. Darrin Camilleri, a Trenton Democrat, talks to MIRS about Downriver politics, and how some voters might pick former President Donald Trump at the top but a Democratic legislator below (6:58). 

As for policy, elder justice attorney Emily Miller talks about proposed restraining orders designed to distance vulnerable adults and seniors from possibly abusive caretakers (27:07).

Additionally, should the state's school funding feature fewer competitive grants? MIRS speaks with Tina Kerr of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators and Venessa Keesler of Launch Michigan (42:17).