January 13, 2020
Former Speaker Jase Bolger expresses "regret" he wasn't able to deliver a road funding solution during his tenure, but opines on various solutions, including a one-penny sales tax increase and bonding. Attorney Michael Naughton from the Larry Inman recall campaign pushes back on last week's show when the group he represents was described as "the gang that can't shoot straight."
Also, Launch President Adam Zemke and Executive Director Lindsay Palsrok join Rep. Aaron Miller on what makes the new collaboration "Launch Michigan" unique. And, Miller, as the K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Chair, names which vetoed categorical he'd save if he could only save one.
January 6, 2020
Genesee County Clerk John Gleason criticizes his former state Senate colleague, now-Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, for scheduling a special primary election in the 34th House District on top of the canvassing for the Flint mayor's race. Dave Crabill of iHemp talks about how industrial hemp might look like marijuana, but its uses are much different and should be treated as such.
Also, how the Larry Inman recall group missed the deadline to challenge signatures and why Republicans hope a judge doesn't give them additional time. John James, Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin also are topics of conversation in this week's edition.
December 30, 2019
MIRS names its 2019 state House Member of the Year and 2019 state Senator of the Year based on effectiveness, impact and a high level of activity. Five members of the MIRS News team each named a nominee from which a winner was chosen.
Past winners include now-Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and now-Speaker Lee Chatfield before they assumed their current leadership posts.
December 23, 2019
House Speaker Lee Chatfield names his top legislative priority for 2020 and answers questions about the status Rep. Larry Inman, potential tweaks to the state's new auto insurance law, his level of activity in the 2020 election cycle and more.
Also, as part of its annual award series, MIRS names its Democratic legislator of the Year based on the criteria of effectiveness, impact and level of activity.
December 18, 2019
The following is an unedited interview with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and members of the capitol press corps at her year-end interview.
December 16, 2019
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) tells the media why she supports impeaching the President (27:17) after her town hall meeting on the campus of Oakland University. Also, the MIRS team shares its observations from the Rep. Larry Inman trial and MIRS names its Freshman Legislator of the Year among five nominations.
December 9, 2019
Two-thirds of all liquor in Michigan is distributed to stores, bars and restaurants by one company -- Republic National. A major computer malfunction with the supplier is leaving stores with holes in their shelves amid the holiday season and Pat Gagliardi, chair of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, is hearing about it.
Is it time to look into getting more suppliers into the mix? Is the three-tier system of alcohol handling in trouble? Gagliardi, a former Democratic floor leader, answers these questions, gives his opinion on the LCC's Cobol computer system and shares how the Governor and Legislature might come to a deal on road funding.
Also, the MIRS team gives its opinions on who won the latest budget battle struggle involving the Governor, House and Senate.
December 2, 2019
Expungement reform, higher Supreme Court justice salaries, eliminating the 70-year-old limitation on judges -- House Judiciary Committee Chair Graham Filler (R-DeWitt) has a lot on his plate, as he has all year. Listen to his thoughts on his committee, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey's "bat-shit crazy" quote, the budget, House Republicans' chances in 2020, Speaker Pro Tem Jason Wentworth and more.
Also, Shirkey may have apologized for the "bat-shit crazy" quote, but hear why it may take longer than a Thanksgiving holiday for his relationship with the Senate D's to be mended. The MIRS team debates whether the Rep. Larry Inman recall petitions should be thrown out and if the last several years of high voter approval for local millage proposals mean the "anti-tax" hype is running out of steam.
November 25, 2019
The in-state point person on Michigan's term limit constitutional amendment, Patrick Anderson of the Anderson Economic Group, said he's always been open to a debate on the appropriate length of legislative term limits after they've been in full effect for more than 10 years. He claims, however, that nobody has shown a willingness to talk with him on it. Anderson makes the case for the service limitations in this week's episode.
Also, listen to Sen. Pete Lucido stick his leg into the 2022 gubernatorial race with interview from Michigan's Big Show and The Morning Wake Up With Dave Akerly. Christmas trees, menorahs, Festivus poles and falling frozen turkeys are all this edition of the podcast.
November 18, 2019
Dykema attorney Steve Liedel was Gov. Jennifer Granholm's legal counsel back in the day. He said she was tough. Having been Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's transition legal counsel about a year ago, Liedel can report the new Governor is "even tougher." Listen to what else Liedel said about his time with Granholm, his impressions on Whitmer and the on-going budget standoff with the Governor and the Legislature.
The MIRS team comments on Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey's editorial in the Detroit News over the weekend and news of the latest effort to bring regional transit to southeast Michigan ... this time without Macomb County.
