MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Feb. 3, 2020

Which Democratic candidates will still be around come Michigan's Mar. 10 presidential primary?  Is 35 minutes for a State of the State address good? Chris DeWitt from DeWitt Communications and Sam Inglot from Progress Michigan weigh in on those questions among other topics.

U.S. Rep. Justin Amash's fundraising totals are discussed. Did Peter Meijer cross a line in his Super Bowl ad? Has Elissa Slotkin already won re-election? Who has the better roads plan -- Speaker Lee Chatfield or Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey? MIRS peppers Inglot on Progress Michigan's lobbying reform constitutional amendment and more.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 27, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says attempting to push through high numbers of public acts to show the Legislature's activity level is a "fool's errand." On this week's podcast, Shirkey talks about how he'd prefer the Legislature spend more time on government oversight to make sure the laws that are passed are working as intended. He also runs through other legislative priorities in 2020.

Also, Andrea Bitely of Truscott Rossman says Sen. Pete Lucido is running out of time to make a real, heart-felt apology about the way in which he interacts with women and acknowledging the fact that it is making them uncomfortable. John Sellek of Harbor Strategic weighs in on Progress Michigan's constitutional amendment proposal and MIRS Publisher John Reurink says that with Gov. Whitmer giving the State of the Union response, the window in which to get any major substantial legislative accomplishments can get done in 2020 is rapidly closing.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 20, 2020

Adrian Hemond and Scott Bean from Grassroots Midwest talk Michigan state House. Where do the Democrats have to win? What do the Republicans have to defend with majority on the line. Also, Hemond, Bean and MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn give their early thoughts on which House primaries they are watching.

Also, Sen. Marshall Bullock, the new Michigan Legislative Black Caucus chair, talks about the history of African Americans and agriculture, the racial tensions developing from urban farming, recovering from "white fight" and more.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 13, 2020

Former Speaker Jase Bolger expresses "regret" he wasn't able to deliver a road funding solution during his tenure, but opines on various solutions, including a one-penny sales tax increase and bonding. Attorney Michael Naughton from the Larry Inman recall campaign pushes back on last week's show when the group he represents was described as "the gang that can't shoot straight."

Also, Launch President Adam Zemke and Executive Director Lindsay Palsrok join Rep. Aaron Miller on what makes the new collaboration "Launch Michigan" unique. And, Miller, as the K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Chair, names which vetoed categorical he'd save if he could only save one.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 6, 2020

Genesee County Clerk John Gleason criticizes his former state Senate colleague, now-Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, for scheduling a special primary election in the 34th House District on top of the canvassing for the Flint mayor's race. Dave Crabill of iHemp talks about how industrial hemp might look like marijuana, but its uses are much different and should be treated as such.

Also, how the Larry Inman recall group missed the deadline to challenge signatures and why Republicans hope a judge doesn't give them additional time. John James, Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin also are topics of conversation in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 30, 2019

MIRS names its 2019 state House Member of the Year and 2019 state Senator of the Year based on effectiveness, impact and a high level of activity. Five members of the MIRS News team each named a nominee from which a winner was chosen.

Past winners include now-Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and now-Speaker Lee Chatfield before they assumed their current leadership posts.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 23, 2019

House Speaker Lee Chatfield names his top legislative priority for 2020 and answers questions about the status Rep. Larry Inman, potential tweaks to the state's new auto insurance law, his level of activity in the 2020 election cycle and more.

Also, as part of its annual award series, MIRS names its Democratic legislator of the Year based on the criteria of effectiveness, impact and level of activity. 

Gov. Whitmer 2019 Year End Press Conference

The following is an unedited interview with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and members of the capitol press corps at her year-end interview.

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.