MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, June 8, 2020

Detroit political consultant Steve Hood says the Black Lives Matter movement made a mistake talking about defunding police departments. U.S. Senate candidate John James "blew it" when he didn't march early in the George Floyd reaction protests and "now it's too late." Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's task force on health care and COVID-19 disparities among African Americans "is more relevant than ever." This and Hood's prediction in the U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib-Brenda Jones primary in MI-13.

Also, what would conservative Patrick Colbeck have done to combat COVID-19 if he had been governor? There would have been no lockdown. No stores would have shutdown. But would it have created more deaths? Colbeck, the former state senator and gubernatorial candidate, answers that and if he plans to run for governor in 2022.

MIRS Monday, June 1, 2020

Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) is ready to put on her bulletproof vest if armed protestors return into the Capitol, regardless the cause. The first-term Senator talks about George Floyd's death, the resulting anger and hurt, the protests and the shaky relationships between political parties in the state Senate and much more.

Also, pollsters Bernie Porn from EPIC-MRA and Steve Mitchell from Mitchell Research & Communications answer the question of whether President Donald Trump will win Michigan shortly and succinctly, "No." Find out why and what they're seeing in the newest polling data.

And Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson shows leadership in his county by dropping his gear and walking with protestors. Who else will use this opportunity to show leadership to prevent future property destruction and possible violence?

MIRS Monday, May 25, 2020

Former Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema opines on Republican legislative leaders suing the Governor over her rolling executive orders. He and former Budget Director Bob Emerson advocated for a gradual gas tax increase 18 months ago. Do they support putting that in place now with gas prices still under $2 a gallon in many places? They discuss this and other budget opinions.

Doug Rothwell, the outgoing president of Business Leaders for Michigan, shares some memories as he and his wife leave for North Carolina to their retirement condo.

New data from Unacast shows Michiganders moved around Friday about as much as they did March 9, the day before the state reported its first COVID-19 case. What's going on with Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) and could Rep. Justin Amash seek re-election as a Libertarian.

MIRS Monday, May 18, 2020

How do you fill a $2.2 billion state budget hole with less than five months to go in the fiscal year? Mitch Bean, the former House Fiscal Agency Director, says it's "ridiculous" to think it can be done with cuts alone. He lays out some options in this week's edition as someone who has lived through his share of budget crunches. 

Also, Adam de Angeli, a board member of Michigan United For Liberty, says this new organization has gotten a bad rap due to the media's focus on the antics of a couple unaffiliated people. Would he have issued a "stay-at-home" order during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic? He answers these and other questions.

The MIRS team questions if U.S. Rep. Justin Amash missed an opportunity to connect with this pro-liberty crowd during his presidential exploratory committee. Why did Amash pull the plug on his bid for the Libertarian nomination? And now that the Governor is re-opening parts of the state, can she declare victory on the sinking number of COVID-19 deaths and hospital stays?

MIRS Monday, May 11, 2020

Is the state opening itself up to liability by not banning guns from the Capitol? Steve Liedel, managing member for Dykema's Lansing office makes that case. He also explains why the Legislature's argument that a future Governor could issue rolling emergency orders through the length of his/her tenure is a "disingenuous argument."

Adrian Hemond, CEO of Grassroots Midwest, goes through the state House seats most likely to flip with MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn. Also, the MIRS team explores why the Governor's stay-at-home orders can't last much longer and why Republican U.S. Senate candidate John James wants to distance himself from President Trump.

MIRS Monday, May 4, 2020

House Speaker Lee Chatfield says any executive order Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issues since May 1 is "legally questionable at best" since the Legislature did not extend her emergency authority April 30. So is he advising his residents to follow the Governor's executive orders? Chatfield is also asked about last week's protestors and what House session is going to look like going forward.

Also, Kathy Barks Hoffman of Martin Waymire and Josh Pugh of the AFL-CIO share their perspective on the "patriot" protests, how the Governor did with her response on the Joe Biden sexual harassment claim and Publisher John Reurink's idea of floating general obligation bonds to help the state stay afloat financially in the short term.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey interview 4/29/20

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey responds to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's public rejection of his proposal to extend her emergency order in exchange for legislative authority over future stay-at-home orders.

MIRS Monday, April 27, 2020

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is prepared to issue a new emergency executive order this week to extend her abilities to suspend state law during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explains why. The Governor also is asked what is behind all of these national TV appearances and why she brought Pete Buttigieg's former press secretary on board if it's not to raise her national profile (5:10)

Also, Rep. Matt Hall talks about the new COVID-19 oversight committee he will be chairing for the Legislature (13:22) also Republican political consultant Scott Hagerstrom (23:28).

MIRS Monday, April 20, 2020

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) predicts the House this week will pass a second federal CARES package with more money available for small businesses. She gives her thoughts on President Trump's tweets, the role of the federal and state governments during this pandemic, and why she is not campaigning or raising money right now despite having a primary opponent.

Also, Sara Wurfel from Truscott Rossman sits in with the MIRS team over Zoom to answer the following questions: Was last Wednesday's Operation Gridlock protest political? Did it accomplish anything? What are the odds the Legislature and the Governor work out a plan to reopen the government by April 30? Did the Governor's chance for being picked for VP fall after last week's events? This and more.

MIRS Monday, April 13, 2020

It's high-tension time for grocery store workers as five of their Michigan colleagues have died from COVID-19. Amy Drumm, legislative director for the Michigan Retailers Association, said some employees are afraid to come to work. There's not enough gloves and masks for medical workers, let alone for clerks and stockers. Grocers are losing staff despite the lack of jobs elsewhere and the bumped-up pay they're offering.

Also, staying pent up for the last three weeks "sucks" says T.J. Bucholz from Vanguard Public Affairs, but he argues why it's important. He and the rest of the MIRS team also share interesting news items they read over the weekend. The group responds to Uncle Chuck in Barry County, who wants only certain areas of the state quarantined.