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Weekly news and analysis of Michigan politics by the professional journalists of MIRSnews.com
Episodes
Monday Apr 22, 2013
Monday Apr 22, 2013
Can the Legislature raise money for roads without touching the sales tax? Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) gives his opinion on that scenario. Also, Michigan Education Association President Steve Cook expresses his fears that Republicans who support putting a sales tax increase on the ballot would turn around and vote it down at the ballot box. Susan Demas gives her post-Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner perceptions on Mark Schauer, Gary Peters and Debbie Dingell. And the MIRS team also kicks around no-fault insurance reform in this week's packed edition.
Thursday Apr 18, 2013
Thursday Apr 18, 2013
The following is unedited audio from Gov. Rick Snyder's press conference on proposed reforms to the state's no-fault insurance system. Snyder was joined by House Insurance Committee Chair Pete Lund (R-Shelby Twp.). and Senate Insurance Committee Chair Joe Hune (R-Hamburg), among many others from the business and insurance industries. Thanks to Jake Neher of the Michigan Public Radio Network for the final seven minutes of audio.
Monday Apr 15, 2013
Monday Apr 15, 2013
If lawmakers go to the ballot for a one-cent increase for schools and local governments to make up for lost revenue from the sales tax on gasoline going to roads, what would the Michigan Association of Counties like out of the deal? Ben Bodkin of the Michigan Association of Counties gives his answer. Bodkin also gives MAC's position on juvenile justice reform and new indigent defense legislation. Also, Abigail Walls of the Michigan Forest Products Council talks about the so-called biodiversity legislation.
Monday Apr 08, 2013
Monday Apr 08, 2013
Is a sales tax increase proposal for road funding a non-starter for Democrats? Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer tackles this and other questions, on whether anything has changed in the four years she last said no to an Attorney General run? Also Republican Dennis Lennox, a vocal critic of Michigan National Committeeman Dave Agema, challenges the Republican National Committee to reprimand Agema for his repost of the "flithy" gay lifestyle post. What are his views on gay marriage and where should Republicans be on the issue?
Monday Apr 01, 2013
Monday Apr 01, 2013
Senate Majority Floor Leader Arlan Meekhof talks about the origins of the state's new Right to Work bill and Rep. Andrew Kandrevas talks about his opposition to "intimidating" universities, schools and locals from adopting pre-RTW contract extensions to avoid the new law. Also, will RTW still be law two years from now and how is the Republican Party going to position itself on gay issues in light of National Committeeman Dave Agema's controversial repost of the "filthy lifestyles" commentary?
Monday Mar 25, 2013
Monday Mar 25, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) said he believes a Republican will win the open U.S. Senate race in 2014. The chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee is also asked about drones, military spending and more. Also, Rick Murdock of the Michigan Association of Health Plans gives his prediction on the fate of Medicaid expansion in Michigan.
Monday Mar 18, 2013
Monday Mar 18, 2013
The House's new independent member, Rep. John Olumba (I-Detroit) suggests that the new Detroit emergency financial manager be paid $1 million a year. Find out why in a candid conversation with the House's new independent. Also, the MIRS team talks about Detroit Emergency Financial Manager Kevyn Orr's lien fumble, former Congressman Bart Stupak as a gubernatorial candidate, state superintendent Mike Flanagan as a U.S. Senate candidate and more.
Monday Mar 11, 2013
Monday Mar 11, 2013
How much better does a Republican U.S. Senate candidate do in gubernatorial years compared to presidential years? MIRS Publisher John Reurink goes through the numbers and the answer may surprise you. Also, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters talks about his interest in the U.S. Senate post. How much money would he have to raise to run for the U.S. Senate? Peters answers this question among many others.
Monday Feb 25, 2013
Monday Feb 25, 2013
What three things could have given the Michigan Republican Party chair race to challenger Todd Courser? Will the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) move its headquarters to Detroit? Who was visible at the MDP convention in Detroit? Who was not? Also Detroit mayoral candidate Lisa Howze talks about the prospect of an emergency financial manager in Detroit. Rep. Jim Townsend talks about where the Democrats can go for road revenue and former Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs talks sequestration, Republican primaries and his role as a MSNBC analyst.
Monday Feb 18, 2013
Monday Feb 18, 2013
MDOT Director Kirk Steudle lays out the options for coming up with $1.2 billion in road funding. What happens if the Legislature uses all of the current six-cent sales tax on gasoline for transportation? Can GPS systems be used to track driver mileage? Also, the MIRS' staff celebrates Presidents Day with a 10-question trivia challenge. How many can you get right? (Note: The Steudle audio is low, listeners will need to turn up their volume for his segment.)