MIRS Monday Podcast

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.

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.