MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Dec. 16, 2019

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) tells the media why she supports impeaching the President (27:17) after her town hall meeting on the campus of Oakland University. Also, the MIRS team shares its observations from the Rep. Larry Inman trial and MIRS names its Freshman Legislator of the Year among five nominations. 

MIRS Monday, Dec. 9, 2019

Two-thirds of all liquor in Michigan is distributed to stores, bars and restaurants by one company -- Republic National. A major computer malfunction with the supplier is leaving stores with holes in their shelves amid the holiday season and Pat Gagliardi, chair of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, is hearing about it.

Is it time to look into getting more suppliers into the mix? Is the three-tier system of alcohol handling in trouble? Gagliardi, a former Democratic floor leader, answers these questions, gives his opinion on the LCC's Cobol computer system and shares how the Governor and Legislature might come to a deal on road funding.

Also, the MIRS team gives its opinions on who won the latest budget battle struggle involving the Governor, House and Senate.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 2, 2019

Expungement reform, higher Supreme Court justice salaries, eliminating the 70-year-old limitation on judges -- House Judiciary Committee Chair Graham Filler (R-DeWitt) has a lot on his plate, as he has all year. Listen to his thoughts on his committee, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey's "bat-shit crazy" quote, the budget, House Republicans' chances in 2020, Speaker Pro Tem Jason Wentworth and more.

Also, Shirkey may have apologized for the "bat-shit crazy" quote, but hear why it may take longer than a Thanksgiving holiday for his relationship with the Senate D's to be mended. The MIRS team debates whether the Rep. Larry Inman recall petitions should be thrown out and if the last several years of high voter approval for local millage proposals mean the "anti-tax" hype is running out of steam.

MIRS Monday, Nov. 25, 2019

The in-state point person on Michigan's term limit constitutional amendment, Patrick Anderson of the Anderson Economic Group, said he's always been open to a debate on the appropriate length of legislative term limits after they've been in full effect for more than 10 years. He claims, however, that nobody has shown a willingness to talk with him on it. Anderson makes the case for the service limitations in this week's episode.

Also, listen to Sen. Pete Lucido stick his leg into the 2022 gubernatorial race with interview from Michigan's Big Show and The Morning Wake Up With Dave Akerly. Christmas trees, menorahs, Festivus poles and falling frozen turkeys are all this edition of the podcast.

MIRS Monday, Nov. 18, 2019

Dykema attorney Steve Liedel was Gov. Jennifer Granholm's legal counsel back in the day. He said she was tough. Having been Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's transition legal counsel about a year ago, Liedel can report the new Governor is "even tougher." Listen to what else Liedel said about his time with Granholm, his impressions on Whitmer and the on-going budget standoff with the Governor and the Legislature.

The MIRS team comments on Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey's editorial in the Detroit News over the weekend and news of the latest effort to bring regional transit to southeast Michigan ... this time without Macomb County.

MIRS Monday, Nov. 11, 2019

It's Veterans' Day and MIRS speaks with one of the state Legislature's military veteran, Rep. Joe Tate, about his experiences as an enlisted Marine in Afghanistan. He talks about what led him to leave a potential football career as support staff to join the military.

Also, if Dennis Muchmore was still the chief of staff for the governor, would he recommend she sign legislation that softens the power of the executive branch or increases the role of the Legislature as it relates to the state Administrative Board? Gov. Rick Snyder's former COS also opines on the current budget standoff between Gov. Whitmer and the Legislature:

"Appropriations is something that can come together when you really want it to."

MIRS Monday, Nov. 4, 2019

Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner was endorsed by David Coulter for Oakland County Executive until he wasn't ... the moment when now-County Executive Coulter decided to run for the seat he was suddenly appointed to in August. MIRS talks to Meisner about this, the odds the D's retake the state House and more.

 

The Fiscal Year 2020 budget standoff rolls into November. Why is Michigan government still in this situation? Is it because Lansing is becoming Washington? Is it the quest to win at all costs? Who is winning? The MIRS team talks about this and the real champions with Andrea Bitely from Truscott Rossman.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 28, 2019

Contrary to public lore, the Lottery money was not meant to go entirely to schools. So says former state Treasurer Doug Roberts, who has researched this topic and was around in the late 1970s when money started rolling into the General Fund. Roberts comments on this, lessons earned from former Gov. Bill Milliken, a sales tax on services and more.

Also, what needs to happen for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders to get back on track with their budget negotiations? Sam Singh, former House Minority Leader and current CEO of Public Policy Associates, gives his advice. Government reforms, term limits and the late John Conyers Jr. are also among the things on the menu.

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.