MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, April 3, 2023

Former President Donald Trump's claims of a corrupt legal system is having an impact on criminal cases throughout the country according to former U.S. Attorney in Detroit Matthew Schneider.

 

Rep. Julie Brixie talks about her personal relationship with the family of an MSU shooting victim and the prospects of her running for congress.

 

And bring out the black Sharpie. Chris DeWitt of FOIA Services Michigan commiserates with MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn and the rest of the MIRS team on the inconsistent and heightened use of redacations in Freedom of Information Act responses. 

MIRS Monday, March 27, 2023

What is behind the looming possibility of reactive violence to a Donald Trump arrest? According to clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Bashah and political expert Paul E. Johnson, it's an addiction to extremist ideologies. They explain. 

 

Former Rep. Jim Townsend's latest project as the director of the Levin Center at Wayne State University has him telling legislators that good oversight is good policy and good politics.

 

And southeast Michigan business executive Nasser Beydoun says he's willing to spend "whatever it takes" to make a competitive U.S. Senate run.

 

Reporters Samantha Shriber and Andrew Minegar join MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn.

 

MIRS Monday, March 20, 2023

Would the gun legislation moving through the Legislature have prevented the Michigan State University shooting?  Attorney General Dana Nessel tackles this and other questions regarding guns, power outages, LGBTQ books in libraries and more.

 

Which states are the model for the anti-incentive, low tax base and regulatory climate the Mackinac Center would like to see? Jarrett Skorup, the Center's vice president for Marketing and Communications, names two and answers other questions on Right to Work and state incentives.

 

And Dr. Phil Knight, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, warns of growing food issues and a growing need.

 

 

MIRS Monday, March 13, 2023

AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber says the public is on the side of organized labor as the Legislature repeals Right to Work and brings back prevailing wage.

 

Michigan Republican Party chair Kristina Karamo talks about her 2023 goals, the 2024 presidential primary and her faith.

 

And it was everything, everywhere all at once this past week in the Legislature. Josh Pugh from Truscott Rossman stops by to help break down the reason for the rush, the threat of legislative recalls and more. 

 

Now, here's MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn with Publisher John Reurink and reporter Danielle James.

 

MIRS Monday, March 6, 2023

How big of a splash did Perry Johnson make at CPAC? What's going to happen with the Michigan Republican Party headquarters building? Who are some top Republican U.S. Senate candidates? Guns in polling booths. National Popular Vote. 7th Congressional District talk. All this with Jason Roe, House Elections Committee Chair Penelope Tsernoglou and Saul Anuzis in this week's edition.

 

Joining Kyle Melinn is MIRS Publisher John Reurink and reporter Samantha Shriber.

Sen. Moss After Elliott Larsen Expansion Vote, 3-1-23

Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), the Senate's first and only openly gay state senator, addresses the media after the chamber votes 23-15 to expand the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to the LGBTQ community (12:00).

MIRS Monday, February 27, 2023

Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest projects that U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin will be the next U.S. Senator from Michigan. What about Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson? Hill Harper? Whoever the Republicans put up? We'll talk about this and legislative subjects with him.

 

House Judiciary Committee Chair Kelly Breen was a Michigan State University student during the Columbine High School shooting of 1999. Hear how she's reacting to the violence at her alma mater and what legislation she expects to come out of her committee to address it.

 

And why didn't Ohio, Indiana or any other neighboring state get hit with hundreds of thousands of power outages from last week's ice storm? Dan Scripps, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission tackles that topic.

 

MIRS Monday, February 20, 2023

How does Michigan State University make its students feel safe returning to campus this week in the wake of last week's deadly shooting? MSU Trustee Dennis Denno shares his thoughts on that and gun violence, in general.

 

Retired legislative staffer Bruce Timmons shares his observations on this history of Michigan's full-time legislature and immediate effect. He said only one lawmaker seems to care about protecting the sanctity of the institution.

 

Finally, Chad Edwards of Western Michigan University talks about how artificial intelligence will change the way lawmaking and legislating is done. Hear what happens when the MIRS team tries to create a bill using AI.

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.