MIRS Monday Podcast

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). 

MIRS Monday, October 14, 2024

The MIRS team discusses recent moments in Michigan politics. The Governor's latest appearance with an influencer received backlash, and Democrats quickly condemned former President Donald Trump's comments on Detroit last week (1:25). 

Also, MIRS meets Morgan Foreman, the Democrat running in Michigan's 33rd state House district in the Ann Arbor and York Township area (17:20). 

What would happen if families in poverty conditions had a tax credit to offset their childcare expenses? Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet, a Bay City Democrat, and Executive Director Dave Meador of the Detroit Regional CEO Group talk about the proposed tax credits for children under 6 (38:20). 

MIRS Monday, October 7, 2024

Saginaw County has gone with Michigan's eventual winner in every presidential election since 1992. To discuss fortune-telling counties and cities this election cycle, MIRS sits down with Ed Sarpolus, the political consultant and researcher (1:33). 

What if Michigan didn't have partisan primaries in the summertime? MIRS talked to activist Katie Fahey and Ron Zimmerman of Rank MI Vote, discussing their effort to organize a 2026 ballot proposal bringing ranked-choice voting to the state (19:59). 

MIRS meets Jamie Miller, a Republican political consultant living in Florida. He talks about the potential "no man's land" for governors with presidential prospects. Also, are Democratic investments in Florida worthwhile, or political bluffs? (40:10). 

MIRS Monday, September 30, 2024

One of Lansing's recent policy battles involves new tax exemptions for data centers, the computer system warehouses for storing and processing data. Derrell Slaughter of the Natural Resources Defense Council explains how the topic unexpectedly became one of environmentalists biggest concerns this year (1:27). 

MIRS meets Joseph Erhardt, the acting director of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. He says Senate bills updating how drivers pay per-vehicle fees to the association will force insurance costs to skyrocket (24:35). 

Additionally, MIRS talks to high school seniors Saachi Rajgarhia and Garrett Gruner, the two youth governors of the YMCA Youth in Government program. They'll be signing and vetoing bills this year as part of a mock legislative system (45:11). 

MIRS Monday, September 23, 2024

MIRS hosts a West Michigan politics roundtable with progressive Joe Spaulding, a political strategist, and conservative Chair Tom Norton of the America PAC. Together, they discuss Ottawa Impact at the local level, and reports of the 3rd Congressional district not being all that competitive this year (1:20). 

Jamie Clover-Adams of Michigan Asparagus and Hart farmer Nick Oomen explain how mandatory $18.50/hour wages for migrant farm workers is challenging Michigan agriculture (27:04). 

Additionally, MIRS meets Jason Woolford, the Republican running in Michigan's Howell and Hartland-based 50th state House district (50:00). 

MIRS Monday, September 16, 2024

MIRS welcomes state Rep. Joe Aragona, a Clinton Township Republican, and George Chapp, the chair of the Warren Sterling Heights Area Democratic Club. Together, they share what they're seeing in Macomb County ahead of the November election, and their political insights on a competitive Congressional race and several unpredictable state House contests (2:47). 

Former Democratic Gov. James Blanchard and Mike Bishop, a past Republican state Senate majority leader, come together to talk to MIRS. They're serving on the board of directors of the Defend Democracy Project in Michigan, pushing for confidence in Michigan's election systems (34:21). 

Chris White, the Michigan director of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, calls the claims that wait staff will lose tips following the adopt-and-amend ruling "fear mongering and false information" (55:44). 

MIRS Monday, September 9, 2024

MIRS meets Joseph Pavlov, the retired English teacher who won a Republican primary of five candidates for Michigan's 64th state House district, covering Marysville and Port Huron (1:51). 

State assessments show young students struggling to reach proficiency levels in English. Policy Director Jen DeNeal and Government Affairs Director Jeff Cobb of The Education Trust-Midwest discuss what these scores mean, and why students should be screened early for traits of dyslexia (15:44). 

Should it become easier to transform unused commercial space into housing? MIRS talks to Executive Director Brooke Oosterman of Housing Next, who explains why her West Michigan-based group is proposing the "Kent County Corridor Strategy" (37:54).