MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, April 21, 2025

It's officially construction cone season in Michigan. 

The Governor says a bipartisan road funding deal will soon be reached. But the state Senate has some budget concerns, wanting to avoid "one time gimmicks" when it comes to bankrolling infrastructure. 

MIRS sits down with Matthew Resch, the president of Lansing-based Resch Strategies, and Brad Williams of the Detroit Regional Chamber to hear their thoughts on the developing policy debate (6:08). 

Also, should physician assistants in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Tennessee be able to practice in Michigan through a shared licensure network, without paying the state's separate fees? Thadd Gormas of the Michigan Academy of Physician Associates explains why his group wants the state to enter the PA Licensure Compact (28:17). 

MIRS Monday, April 14, 2025

MIRS kicks things off with Greg Manz – the 2024 communications director for the Michigan House Republican Campaign Committee – and Democratic political consultant Mike Radtke. Together, they discuss statewide campaign rollouts ahead of the '26 elections, as well as the Governor's unusual appearance in the Oval Office (1:51). 

The Macomb County Public Works Commission says raw sewage is being dumped into the Red Run Drain by Oakland County's storm water and sewage treatment facility, washing into the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair. 

MIRS joins three Macomb state Representatives--two Republicans and a Democrat---who say they're all "pissed." (23:36).

And learn more about the American Political Items Collectors' auction and collection show May 9-10 in Romulus (33:29). 

MIRS Monday, April 7, 2025

MIRS talks with Jenell Leonard, the owner of Marketing Resource Group, about recent polling of Michigan voters. Governor Gretchen Whitmer hit her highest approval rating in five years, and 53 percent of respondents support creating a state-level DOGE (2:36). 

Also, state Rep. David Prestin, a Cedar River Republican, says the U.P. is "looking at an apocalypse" if Michigan's clean energy policies shut down its RICE generators (15:13). 

What happens if the federal government no longer tests personal protective equipment? The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) thinks such government downsizing will put firefighters, construction workers and coal miners in danger (32:58). 

MIRS Monday, March 31, 2025

Should Michigan pursue a statewide cash allowance program for pregnant women and babies? MIRS sits down with Dr. Mona Hanna, the Flint-based pediatrician and founder of RX Kids, which offers "cash prescriptions" regardless of a household's income and assets (8:20). 

Also, MIRS catches up with Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, a Democrat running for governor in 2026 (22:35). 

MIRS podcast host Samantha Shriber opens this edition with an update on Michigan politics and policy news for the week. (1:15)

MIRS Monday, March 24, 2025

Michigan is in the lowest 10 percent nationally when it comes to state psychiatric hospital beds, confirms the state's health department.  

Lauren LaPine of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Connie O'Malley of the University of Michigan and Republican State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom – chair of the House's Medicaid and Behavioral Health appropriations subcommittee – talk about the impacts of behavioral health management on the state.

They contemplate what is the government's role in keeping behavioral health patients out of already busy emergency departments (6:00). 

MIRS podcast host Samantha Shriber opens this edition with a quick update on Michigan politics and policy news (1:13). 

MIRS Monday, March 17, 2025

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, MIRS meets Meghan Kennedy Riordan, president of Irish Network Detroit. Meghan shares details about Michigan's relationship with Ireland, and why there are efforts to create a Michigan-Ireland Trade Commission (3:23). 

Also, the team catches up with outgoing Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement. She talks about why she's leaving the state's highest court, and why she likely would not have pursued a Republican nomination again to return to the court (15:26). 

MIRS catches up with State Rep. Jerry Neyer, chair of the House Agriculture Committee. He's introducing legislation to reframe the regulatory future of turning organic waste to biogas energy (33:20). 

MIRS Monday, March 10, 2025

For a roundtable discussion, MIRS welcomes journalist Lauren Gibbons, Bellwether PR professional Katie Jesaitis and Joel Rutherford, the former chair of Macomb County's Democratic Black caucus. 

Together, they discuss reactions to the Lansing, Governor Whitmer and Trump White House's perceived relationship and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II's forecast bid for governor (3:40). 

Also, MIRS catches up with State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, the Coldwater Republican, to talk about his legislation requiring new hospital price transparency (22:35). 

Kelley Kuhn of the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Monique Stanton of the Michigan League for Public Policy talk about nonprofits' efforts to maintain federal spending and social welfare programs as is (36:45). 

MIRS Monday, March 3, 2025

This week: Harbor Strategic's John Sellek gives his assessment on Governor Whitmer's State of the State address and how his Save MI Tips group succeeded in passing legislation to preserve the state's tip credit for servers. (:50)

Sen Jim Runestad talks about how he defeated a Donald Trump-endorsed candidate to become the Michigan Republican Party Chair. (17:00)

 

MIRS Monday, February 24, 2025

This past weekend, Republicans and Democrats hosted their state conventions in Detroit. At the Michigan Democratic Party convention, attendees spent more than two hours in line, making their demands and frustrations known to the party. 

MIRS' Samantha Shriber spoke with new MDP Chair Curtis Hertel Jr., Mothering Justice founder Danielle Atkinson and Eastpointe party member Jeff Whittle, a special education instructor (:55). 

Additionally, MIRS catches up with Zachary Kolodin. After three years as the Governor's Chief Infrastructure Officer & Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office , Zachary has launched his own firms, Pont Law and Pont Advisory, wanting to make infrastructure projects – from transit to housing to energy – simpler to build (14:10). 

MIRS Monday, February 17, 2025

Republicans and Democrats are working rapidly toward a compromise on Michigan's future paid sick time law. Angela Madden of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services is especially worried about how court-ordered changes to sick time policies might impact emergency services (1:30). 

Also, MIRS hosts a special Presidents Day segment with Jordan Cash, a constitutional democracy professor. He talks about the country's few unelected presidents, and the constitutional questions raised by President Donald Trump's executive orders (22:10). 

Additionally, where does public transit fit in Michigan's upcoming road funding debate? MIRS catches up with John Dulmes of the state's public transit association and Jamie Forbes of Saginaw's regional transit authority (44:05).