MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, February 13, 2023

Rep. Dylan Wegela addresses his decision to turn down a state bailout of the former Inkster School District in favor of taking a hard stance against "corporate welfare."

 

Budget Director Chris Harkins is asked if the state should pay down more long-term debt while the budget is still flush.

 

MI-GOP Rules Chair Mike Hewitt tells us the rules this weekend's convention will operate under and MIRS reporter Samantha Shriber recaps who was seen...and not seen...at this weekend's Michigan Democratic Party convention.

MIRS Monday, February 6, 2023

Is the much ballyhooed 2015 income tax rollback scheme unconstitutional? Steve Liedel of the Dykema law firm says it is and the Governor can declare it so. Former Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, the CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), disputes that claim. Hear why he's pushing for an income tax cut. 

And Sen. Jeremy Moss tackles a potpourri of subjects on this week's edition, including the future of immediate effect in the Senate and the early presidential primary.

MIRS Monday, January 30, 2023

Michigan Democrats are taking away the Republicans' top issue, tax cuts, right out of the chute in this legislative session. What can the Republicans do about it?

 

A new book retells stories about the Chatfield family and its Northern Michigan Christian Academy. 

 

State Superintendent Mike Rice suggests schools look to churches, retirees, sororities and fraternities for tutors to help school-age students catch up post COVID. Also, there's a special interview with a Ukrainian student and a Michigan charter school that is helping educate refugees.

 

 

MIRS Monday, January 23, 2023

Is Matt DePerno the next likely chair of the Michigan Republican Party? Bill Ballenger of the Ballenger report believes so, but candidate Drew Born does not. Hear Born talk about how he would "bring the passion of the base and the pocket of the donors."

Chris Savage, former chair of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, said he expects a competitive U.S. Senate primary on the Democratic side.

The MIRS team and Ballenger also talk about potential Democratic committee burnout and Republicans' threat to gum up the works over Right To Work.

MIRS Monday, January 16, 2023

The new chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, Sen. Erika Geiss, shares her priorities for 2023 and Scott Greenlee makes his case for Michigan Republican Party Chair.

Also, the MIRS team talks about a looming state fiscal problem while also updating its list of potential U.S. Senate candidates.

MIRS Monday, January 9, 2023

Sen. Debbie Stabenow is retiring at the end of her term in 2024 so who is best positioned to replace her? U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell a Democrat out of the Ann Arbor area and Stu Sandler, the political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee share their perspectives. 

Rep. Kevin Coleman speaks about the reaction to him announcing for the Westland mayor position among members of the Democratic caucus, which has a slim 56-54 majority going into the new term.

 

Also, the MIRS team discusses the history of Michigan House Speaker elections.

 

MIRS Monday, Jan. 2, 2023

Miss the inaugural speeches? Listen to unedited versions of what was said outside the Capitol on Jan. 1 with House Speaker-Elect Joe Tate (10:54), Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (12:00), Attorney General Dana Nessel (13:46), Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (15:37), Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (19:21) and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (27:20).

The MIRS team of Samantha Shriber and Kyle Melinn talk about the inaugural and give a brief analysis into 2023.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 26, 2022

Sen. Jim Stamas, Sen. Ken Horn, Sen. Curtis Hertel and three other Senators are nominated, but who ends 2022 as the MIRS Senator of the Year?

Also, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey talks about his farewell speech from the Senate floor, the relatively light legislative session from 2022 and more.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 19, 2022

Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement talks juvenile justice, judicial pay, the nominating process for Supreme Court justices and more. Meet state Rep.-Elect Jennifer Conlin and MIRS News names its House Member of the Year in 2022 with nominees including Rep. Ann Bollin, Rep. Angela Witwer, Rep. Julie Calley, Rep. Tommy Brann and others.

Gov. Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Press Conference (12/14/22)

The following is unedited audio of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist answering media questions at a year-end media availability.

Subjects include: Light legislative productivity, the departure of EGLE Director Liesl Clark, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey's goodbye speech, transparency reform, the Attorney General investigation into former Speaker Lee Chatfield, possible lame duck vetoes, 2023 priorities and more.