Weekly news and analysis of Michigan politics by the professional journalists of MIRSnews.com
The following is full, unedited audio of a reporter roundtable hosted the morning of Feb. 13, 2019, by House Speaker Lee Chatfield and Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey in order to issue a response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's first State of the State address from the night before.
Remember when Gov. Jennifer Granholm told Michigan we'd be "blown away" during her 2006 State of the State address? Granholm's former press secretary, Liz Boyd, does. Boyd, now a public relations consultant, talks about that speech and the 2009 State of the State, which she remembers for a more personal reason.
Where is Gov. Whitmer going to go to raise money for roads without hurting K-12 education and universities? Could higher business taxes make sense? The MIRS team debates this, Whitmer's "oil in the water" comment on the radio Monday morning, a Whitmer 527 getting off the hook with a $30,000 fine and the Attorney General revisiting the sex offender registry issue.
What are the people in the 13th Congressional District telling U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib after she made national news for her "Motherf*er" comment about President Donald Trump? Is the comment the reason she's been receiving death threats or is it because she is a Muslim serving in Congress? MIRS talks with the freshman member of Congress and new Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes in this week's edition.
Political commentator Andrea Bitely doubts the Legislature will be ordered to ever redraw the 2011 congressional and legislative maps. Does the MIRS team agree? Also, the DHHS social service bottleneck and more on this week's edition of MIRS Monday.
Is Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's settlement with the League of Women Voters to redraw 11 state House seats about politics? Genesee County political consultant Dave Forsmark said "100 percent yes." It's because the co-drawer of the last Oakland County Commission redistricting map said Benson ignored the one legislative district that's so gerrymandered it's probably illegal. Which one is he talking about?
Also, former Rep. Jim Tedder plays an edition of "Crystal Ball" with the MIRS team. What are the odds the Michigan legislature takes up emergency manager reform, the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, a tax cut or the telemedicine abortion ban?
Michigan Democrats are getting what they asked for with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson settling with the League of Women Voters on a case that could mean the redrawing of congressional and legislative boundaries for 2020. But could this move hurt some incumbent Democrats who may be drawn out of their districts and face primaries with other current officeholders?
Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest calls last week's developments in this case a "chaotic mess." He also talks to MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn about the weekend Detroit Free Press story on John Engler and George Perles. And what is House Speaker Lee Chatfield doing by inviting President Donald Trump into town to give his State of the Union address?
Also, Michigan Legislative Black Caucus Chair Sheldon Neeley talks about what a new emergency manager law should look like. This and more on this week's edition of the MIRS Monday podcast.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield supports "constitutional carry," legislation that allows gun owners to carry concealed without a license, but does that mean he will push for its passage? The answer may surprise you. Also, Chatfield talks about female representation in the Legislature, his relationship with the new Senate Majority Leader and other topics.
Josh Pugh from For Our Future joins the MIRS team in talking about how Chief Justice Bridget McCormack changed the Michigan Supreme Court. And, is if the Republican membership of the 2019-20 legislature is more or less conservative than the one from 2013-14, former Speaker Jase Bolger's final term.
What were the last two weeks like in the office of former Gov. Rick Snyder and his slim "skeleton crew" of staff? Former Press Secretary Ari Adler gives us a behind-the-scenes look on how the Governor decided what to veto and sign. He also talks about his memorable trip on a state airplane and how working for the Governor differed from working with the House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader.
Also, former AG Press Secretary Andrea Bitely sits in with the MIRS crew as we talk about two big decisions pending with new Attorney General Dana Nessel. We also talk U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib's utterance of an F-bomb, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist's role in the Whitmer administration and a bold prediction for the 100th session of the Legislature.
Outgoing Sens. Margaret O'Brien, Rick Jones and Steve Bieda turn the tables on MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn by interviewing the 18-year veteran of the capitol press corps. Who will he miss covering? What are some of his most memorable moments? What changes has he seen in reporting over the years? Melinn answers these and other questions in this week's edition.
The MIRS team awards its "Senator of the Year" and Democrat of the Year," our 8th annual recognition for those state politicians and lawmakers who distinguish themselves in the areas of effectiveness, impact and level of activity.
Publisher John Reurink, Editor Kyle Melinn and reporters Mike Malott, Jacob Kanclerz and Jack Spencer make their combined five nominations for each award.
The MIRS team awards its "Political Figure of the Year" and "House Member of the Year," our 8th annual recognition for those state politicians and lawmakers who distinguish themselves in the areas of effectiveness, impact and level of activity.
Publisher John Reurink, Editor Kyle Melinn and reporters Mike Malott, Jacob Kanclerz and Jack Spencer make their combined five nominations for each award.
