MIRS Monday Podcast

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.

MIRS Monday, December 12, 2022

Six legislators are nominated to be the MIRS Democratic Legislator of the Year. Who is nominated, who won?

Incoming Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh talks about how he sees the Senate operating in 2023 under Democratic control.

And two Michigan Republican Party chair candidates make their case on the podcast. Listen to Lena Epstein with her supporter, Ted Goodman, and Billy Putman, the Tuscola County Republican Party chair and candidate on the TLC program "Meet the Putmans."

MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn is joined by the rest of the MIRS editorial crew.

MIRS Monday, December 5, 2022

MIRS News names its Political Figure of the Year for 2022. It's an award recognizing the entity in Michigan politics that was the most effective, active and impactful during the calendar year.

U.S. Rep.-Elect John James reacts to the pushback against Republican leader Kevin McCarthy becoming speaker in 2023, Donald Trump suggesting the constitution be suspended and if he's moving to Macomb County.

 

And State Rep.-Elect Jamie Thompson talks about the need to end political in-fighting among Republicans in Wayne County and across the state. She says the party needs a leader, not 10 candidates for Republican chair.