November 29, 2021
House Education Committee Chair Pamela Hornberger calls for a redo of K-12 graduation standards and teacher evaluation standards. (21:30) The GOP governor field is wide open. Josh Pugh, senior director of public affairs at Truscott Rossman, and Gus Portela, communications director of the Michigan Republican Party, talk about this and congressional redistricting.
Also, which state House, Senate incumbents got screwed under the collaborative redistricting maps (37:04)?
November 22, 2021
Kevin Rinke officially enters the GOP gubernatorial field. Former President Donald Trump wants a new Legislature. Is Rep. Matt Maddock creating a leadership bid farm team? Former House Speaker Jase Bolger and former Gov. Rick Snyder Press Secretary Anna Heaton analyze these developments.
Are any local health directors thinking restrictions with the new COVID numbers going sky high? Norm Hess, executive director of the Michigan Association of Local Public Health, reacts.
And Jessica AcMoody, from the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) talks short-term rentals, payday lending and a proposed $350 million in federal COVID relief money for low-income housing.
November 15, 2021
Redistricting Commissioners Anthony Eid, Steven Lett and M.C. Rothhorn speak about the redistricting process up to now and what things look like going forward.
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin talks about Build Back Better, the new OSHA requirements and looking for property in the Lansing area.
November 8, 2021
Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit) (00:41) on running for Congress against, presumably, U.S. Rashida Tlaib, Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Detroit) (25:09) and John Mozena, president of the Center for Economic Accountability (41:12), talk about economic development and incentives among other topics in separate interviews.
Editor Kyle Melinn rants on the latest national media report that mischaracterizes a Michigan political story. Also, the Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission will be viewed as a success if ...
November 1, 2021
Voters hit the polls in Detroit and other cities across Michigan. Darci McConnell of McConnell Communications, communications consultant Karen Dumas and Dennis Denno from Denno Research break down the key races with MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn.
Also, Tony Daunt, executive director of Fair Maps, shares which subject the first lawsuits against the redistricting commission will be over, among other subjects.
October 25, 2021
Michigan enters a "very precarious" position with COVID-19, according to DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel, who also addresses the state's response to the lead in Benton Harbor's water supply (25:29). Launch Michigan introduces a $350 million teacher shortage plan (36:30)
Mark Grebner of Practical Political Consultants takes listeners behind the scenes to the creation of Proposal 2 of 2018, Voters Not Politicians (00:49). And a longtime voice on MIRS Monday says goodbye.
October 18, 2021
On the first day of his new job, Budget Director Chris Harkins talks about his transition into the new role and the spending of roughly $11 billion in unallocated money (42:23).
Steve Linder of the Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association tries to keep the focus on the issue of regulating medical caregivers and not on death threats he said he's received (24:07).
Ed Sarpolus of Target Insyght says the Black community has a legitimate legal case against the Citizens Redistricting Commission for arguably not creating proper majority minority districts (7:21).
And is Benton Harbor Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Flint? Andrea Bitely of Truscott Rosssman, who has experience on lead water issues, answers that (00:42).
October 11, 2021
Former Sen. Buzz Thomas of Thomas Group Consulting talks about a serious issue he sees with the state House and Senate redistricting maps (17:39). Sen. Jeff Irwin talks medical marijuana, voting, dyslexia and more (35:17).
And the heir apparent owners at Martin Waymire -- Andie Poole, Josh Hovey and Angela Minicuci talk about medical marijuana caregivers' messaging mishap and the challenge of reaching those last 30% of non-COVID vaccinated residents.
October 4, 2021
Rep. Ryan Berman makes the case as to why he's the Republican best suited to defeat Attorney General Dana Nessel next year. Emily Mellits from the Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools talks about her organization's efforts.
The Governor vetoes election-related legislation and MIRS discusses the slowly budding field of GOP Secretary of State candidates in this week's edition.
September 27, 2021
The MIRS team breaks down the Michigan Republican Party's biennial leadership convention with Editor Kyle Melinn and Rodericka Applewhaite, spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic Party.
Also, interviews with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (21:50), gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon (38:41), attorney general candidate Tom Leonard (49:53), House Speaker Jason Wentworth (1:00:34) and Chesterfield Twp. Clerk Cindy Berry (1:13:36).
