MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Oct. 21, 2019

What's it like to play marriage counselor for feuding state leaders? If anyone has experience with that it's Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint), who talks about the current differences between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. Ananich also opines on the "nasty" Flint mayor's race between incumbent Karen Weaver and Rep. Sheldon Neeley.

Is the U.S. Senate race a 16-point race or a 3-point race? Josh Pugh from the progressive action group "For Our Future" joins the MIRS team as we give our thoughts on this, the state budget standoff, the "opt-out" proposal for the state parks permit and other issues.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 14, 2018

If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court and states are able to set their own policy regarding abortion, the closest outlet for most Michiganders needing these services would be Illinois. Lori Carpentier, President and CEO of Michigan Planned Parenthood Advocates, talks about what her group would do if Roe were altered and how her group is spending $45 million across nine battleground states like Michigan in the meantime.

Also, new polling shows a strong majority of Michigan voters feel like the country is on the "wrong track," but that doesn't necessarily mean President Donald Trump is in political trouble here. Jenell Leonard, new president of the Marketing Resource Group, explains.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 7, 2019

Is the Governor or Republican-led legislature winning the messaging and political battle over the Fiscal Year 2020 budget? Does it even matter? T.J. Bucholz of Vanguard Public Affairs and former Gov. Snyder spokesperson Ari Adler give their opinions on that question.

Over at the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), Deena Bosworth has heard from her members about who they feel is at fault for the nearly $1 billion in line-item veto cuts. She talks about how MAC has become a "casualty of war" and that it's time for both sides to "govern."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Press Conference 10-1-19

The following is unedited audio of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's budgetary press conference this morning of Oct. 1. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Budget Director Chris Kolb were also present at the press conference.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 30, 2019

If Gov. Gretchen Whitmer isn't strong in responding to the Legislature cutting her out of the budget negotiation process, what's the point of having the governor's office? That's the question Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. poses on today's show. The Senate D's head of appropriations also talks State Administrative Board, presidential politics and the story behind him obtaining the desk of his father, former Speaker Curtis Hertel.

Also, Saul Anuzis of Coast to Coast Strategies and political consultant Dennis Lennox argue why Republicans should want a national popular vote and how President Donald Trump will win Michigan.

And, Whitmer line item vetoed the wrong lines in two state budgets. How did that happen?

MIRS Monday, Sept. 23, 2019

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) says "We've entered a new era" if recent accusations about President Trump and the Ukrainian president are true and that Congress should look at "all options" in regards to dealing with Trump (00:59)

State Sen. and national guard helicopter pilot Tom Barrett talks about why Vice President Mike Pence had to drive by motorcade on the car-less Mackinac Island and if a military-grade helicopter could have landed on the Grand Hotel's front lawn (3:50).

Political consultant Greg McNeilly says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would be a drag on the 2020 Democratic ticket if she's the presidential nominee's running mate (32:54). He also explains why he believes Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is "misunderstood" (38:08).

Also, he doesn't work for Bill Schuette anymore but political consultant John Sellek talks about why Schuette makes a lot of sense for the Republican nomination to the Supreme Court (40:46). This and much more on this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 16, 2019

Republicans head up to Mackinac Island this weekend for their biennial conference. What kind of presence will U.S. Rep. Fred Upton have? How about former U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop? Was President Donald Trump ever an option for the conference? MIRS talks with Michigan Republican Party Chair Laura Cox on this and other issues.

Also Chief Justice Bridget McCormack ran a charity 5K with inmates at a Jackson prison this past weekend. How did that happen? She talks about the run and other issues in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 9, 2019

Why did Gov. Gretchen Whitmer drop the road funding push from the FY 2020 budget discussions only days after her team called out Republican lawmakers for pushing for a "Trump-like" shutdown? Did she blink? Does preventing a government shutdown preserve her now-positive national image and keep her in the conversation as a vice presidential possibility?

Bernie Porn of EPIC-MRA says the main pieces of the road funding discussion all poll terribly and the public is supportive of other possible solutions. What are those other solutions? Also, Porn said current polling shows President Trump losing in Michigan next year and "it's not even close."

 

What happens to the House Republicans' plan to drop the sales tax off gasoline now that road funding expansion has been pushed to the back burner? House Appropriations Committee Chair Shane Hernandez answers this and several other questions.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 2, 2019

What do organized labor members think of President Donald Trump and his trade policies? Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber shares his opinions in this special Labor Day edition. On the Line 5 tunnel, he says, "I don't get it ... It seems like a perfect solution to me."

Also, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (I-Cascade Twp.) explains at an Ionia constituent meeting how he believes he can change a "corrupt" political system in Washington D.C. as an independent (15:17).

MIRS Monday, Aug. 26, 2019

It's five weeks before the next fiscal year and the pressure is on to cut a deal. Who is feeling it more -- the Governor or the Legislature? Do the Republicans now benefit -- from a negotiations standpoint -- from not putting out a road's plan? MIRS talks with Capitol Strategies Group CEO Matt Miner, the former chief of staff for ex-Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop.

Also, Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.) says she has the blueback for the 47-cent-a-gallon gas tax increase crafted by former legislative leaders Ken Sikkema, Bob Emerson, John Cherry and Paul Hillegonds ready to be introduced. What will she support on a tax increase? What will she not? MIRS gets answers to this and more like, "What are people talking about at the doors right now?"

Hint: It's not the roads.