MIRS Monday Podcast

Earlier this month, an intoxicated passenger reportedly assaulted two Amtrak train employees in Eaton County, on a train transporting multiple college students. MIRS sits down with Eric Stanger, the Michigan legislative director with the SMART union – representing rail and transportation employees – and local union representative and Amtrak conductor Nate Hatton. 

They are ramping up their calls for legislators to pass bills creating specified penalties for individuals who assault operators on Michigan's trains and buses (1:05).

Also, who is Shelley Wright? MIRS sits down with the Harrison Township Republican working to take on state Sen. Kevin Hertel – the Saint Clair Shores Democrat – in one of Michigan's most competitive battleground districts (19:30).

MIRS sits down with Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd, who's running to become Republicans' pick for Michigan Attorney General. He discusses the recent car ramming attack on Oakland County's Temple Israel, the growing relationship between crime and technology, and what Republican delegates are most eager to talk about this year (1:05). 

Also, MIRS hosts a Democratic/Republican roundtable with Katie Jesaitis, a public affairs professional who worked previously for U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) – and Michelle Smith, a Sterling Heights-based Republican. 

Together, they talk about "Invest in MI Kids" suspending its campaign for a ballot proposal to use a 5 percent surcharge on wealthy incomes for education funding, as well as whether Michigan should move its primary elections up from from August to May (24:15). 

MIRS welcomes Jamie Roe – the Republican consultant based in Macomb Township – and Warren Democrat Joel Rutherford, the former chair of Michigan Democrats' 10th Congressional district caucus. 

On this week's Macomb County edition of the Democratic-Republican roundtable, Joel and Jamie discuss how wealthy Republican Perry Johnson has already impacted the Governor's race. Also, is a proposed stricter ID-to-vote statute worth all Michiganders needing to return to the Department of State to prove their citizenship with documents beyond their driver's licenses? 

Jamie and Joel additionally talk about their preferred candidates to represent the 10th U.S. House district after this year's elections (:50). 

Host Samantha Shriber recaps Governor Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address on Feb. 25. Reducing housing construction barriers, alleviating medical debt, and tackling post-pandemic reading and learning stagnation were listed as her 2026 priorities. 

The episode features reactions from House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin, the Brighton Republican, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, the Grand Rapids Democrat (4:15). 

Also, what if Michigan tossed its Bottle Deposit Law, no longer giving residents 10-cents per-recycled can or bottle in grocery stores? MIRS talks to Bill Wild of the Midwest Independent Retailers Association about why he's calling for such a repeal. (13:45). 

MIRS catches up with Ron Bieber, the President of the Michigan AFL-CIO, which represents 59 unions throughout the state. He talks about the Michigan AFL-CIO endorsing Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald for Attorney General, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II for Secretary of State ahead of Michigan Democrats' April convention in Detroit. 

Ron also answers questions about some labor groups choosing to back Mike Duggan's independent bid for Governor, emotions of Gordie Howe International Bridge construction workers, and the future relationship between unions and artificial intelligence. (1:00).

Budget-making season has kicked off in Michigan's Capitol, with the Governor proposing to legislators a $88.1 billion spending plan based on $800 million in suggested taxes and a $400 million rainy day fund transfer. 

How do fiscal policy thinkers feel about the proposed tax boosts? Is it appropriate for the School Aid Fund to be spent on community colleges? Also, what are the low-hanging fruits for reducing the size of the state government's budget? 

To discuss all of this and more is Michael LaFaive – the senior director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy – and Rachel Richards, the Michigan League for Public Policy's fiscal policy director (1:00)

Is a two-year ban on department legislators from becoming lobbyists possible as individuals like Republican House Speaker Matt Hall try reforming the state Capitol institution? Also, ahead of the May 5 special election in Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw, what should Republicans be doing as their party has been losing 2025-2026 elections throughout the United States.

From gameday party chip dips to expected impacts of AI on elections this year, MIRS talks about it all with Tony Zammit – the former Michigan GOP communications director – and Adam Bitely, the public affairs vice president of the Lansing-based Bellwether Public Relations firm (:25). 

Amid protests against federal immigration enforcement, MIRS talks to two Michigan sources. Alicia Guevara of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation talks about concerns of a "chilling effect" on childcare and early learning participation due to fears of ICE arrests outside facilities (3:09). 

On the other hand, Diane Schindlbeck, a Newaygo County Republican, talks about her small business being targeted because of her personal support of immigration and law enforcement (24:05). 

MIRS also talks with Dr. Minal Patel, a University of Michigan professor, about medical debt, and policy efforts around Lansing to try minimizing its effects on Michigan residents (41:00). 

On this week's edition, MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn fills in and talks with John Yob of Strategic National about Perry Johnson, the newest candidate to get into the gubernatorial race. (:33)

Also, MIRS shares audio from the Northern Michigan Policy Conference and the comments from six major gubernatorial candidates about their view on increasing housing stock in high-growth communities like Traverse City. (14:20)

MIRS continues its Democratic-Republican roundtable series, featuring Republican political strategist Jason Cabel Roe, and Democratic consultant Michael Radtke Jr., a Sterling Heights City Councilmember. 

Did the autoworker who called President Donald Trump a 'pedophile protector' steal the show during the President's Detroit visit last week? Will a divided state Legislature, amid an election year, consider giving Detroit power to create new local taxes? From state constitutional conventions to treacherous weather commutes, Jason and Michael discuss this and more (2:00). 

Also, MIRS sits down with Saginaw Republican Jason Tunney, the lawyer and recent family business head running in Michigan's special 35th State Senate race (39:15).