MIRS Monday Podcast

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.

 

 

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.

 

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. 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).

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

 

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.