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Weekly news and analysis of Michigan politics by the professional journalists of MIRSnews.com
Episodes
Monday Feb 04, 2019
Monday Feb 04, 2019
What are the people in the 13th Congressional District telling U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib after she made national news for her "Motherf*er" comment about President Donald Trump? Is the comment the reason she's been receiving death threats or is it because she is a Muslim serving in Congress? MIRS talks with the freshman member of Congress and new Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes in this week's edition.
Political commentator Andrea Bitely doubts the Legislature will be ordered to ever redraw the 2011 congressional and legislative maps. Does the MIRS team agree? Also, the DHHS social service bottleneck and more on this week's edition of MIRS Monday.
Monday Jan 28, 2019
Monday Jan 28, 2019
Is Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's settlement with the League of Women Voters to redraw 11 state House seats about politics? Genesee County political consultant Dave Forsmark said "100 percent yes." It's because the co-drawer of the last Oakland County Commission redistricting map said Benson ignored the one legislative district that's so gerrymandered it's probably illegal. Which one is he talking about?
Also, former Rep. Jim Tedder plays an edition of "Crystal Ball" with the MIRS team. What are the odds the Michigan legislature takes up emergency manager reform, the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, a tax cut or the telemedicine abortion ban?
Monday Jan 21, 2019
Monday Jan 21, 2019
Michigan Democrats are getting what they asked for with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson settling with the League of Women Voters on a case that could mean the redrawing of congressional and legislative boundaries for 2020. But could this move hurt some incumbent Democrats who may be drawn out of their districts and face primaries with other current officeholders?
Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest calls last week's developments in this case a "chaotic mess." He also talks to MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn about the weekend Detroit Free Press story on John Engler and George Perles. And what is House Speaker Lee Chatfield doing by inviting President Donald Trump into town to give his State of the Union address?
Also, Michigan Legislative Black Caucus Chair Sheldon Neeley talks about what a new emergency manager law should look like. This and more on this week's edition of the MIRS Monday podcast.
Monday Jan 14, 2019
Monday Jan 14, 2019
House Speaker Lee Chatfield supports "constitutional carry," legislation that allows gun owners to carry concealed without a license, but does that mean he will push for its passage? The answer may surprise you. Also, Chatfield talks about female representation in the Legislature, his relationship with the new Senate Majority Leader and other topics.
Josh Pugh from For Our Future joins the MIRS team in talking about how Chief Justice Bridget McCormack changed the Michigan Supreme Court. And, is if the Republican membership of the 2019-20 legislature is more or less conservative than the one from 2013-14, former Speaker Jase Bolger's final term.
Monday Jan 07, 2019
Monday Jan 07, 2019
What were the last two weeks like in the office of former Gov. Rick Snyder and his slim "skeleton crew" of staff? Former Press Secretary Ari Adler gives us a behind-the-scenes look on how the Governor decided what to veto and sign. He also talks about his memorable trip on a state airplane and how working for the Governor differed from working with the House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader.
Also, former AG Press Secretary Andrea Bitely sits in with the MIRS crew as we talk about two big decisions pending with new Attorney General Dana Nessel. We also talk U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib's utterance of an F-bomb, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist's role in the Whitmer administration and a bold prediction for the 100th session of the Legislature.
Sunday Dec 30, 2018
Sunday Dec 30, 2018
Outgoing Sens. Margaret O'Brien, Rick Jones and Steve Bieda turn the tables on MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn by interviewing the 18-year veteran of the capitol press corps. Who will he miss covering? What are some of his most memorable moments? What changes has he seen in reporting over the years? Melinn answers these and other questions in this week's edition.
Friday Dec 21, 2018
Friday Dec 21, 2018
The MIRS team awards its "Senator of the Year" and Democrat of the Year," our 8th annual recognition for those state politicians and lawmakers who distinguish themselves in the areas of effectiveness, impact and level of activity.
Publisher John Reurink, Editor Kyle Melinn and reporters Mike Malott, Jacob Kanclerz and Jack Spencer make their combined five nominations for each award.
Monday Dec 17, 2018
Monday Dec 17, 2018
The MIRS team awards its "Political Figure of the Year" and "House Member of the Year," our 8th annual recognition for those state politicians and lawmakers who distinguish themselves in the areas of effectiveness, impact and level of activity.
Publisher John Reurink, Editor Kyle Melinn and reporters Mike Malott, Jacob Kanclerz and Jack Spencer make their combined five nominations for each award.
Monday Dec 10, 2018
Monday Dec 10, 2018
If House Minority Leader Sam Singh had the chance, he would adjourn the lame duck session for the year. Why would he sacrifice his four bills in the pipeline or millions of dollars he'd like to see put into PFAS-in-the-water testing and cleanup? Singh talks about the questions surrounding Sen. Dave Robertson's former staffer and other lame duck-related issues.
Also, MIRS questions whether Michigan's lame duck fits nice and tidy into the national narrative about sore-loser Republicans using these last few weeks of 2018 as nothing more than stripping away power from incoming Democratic executive office officials. And what is the real point of the proposed Elections Commission? These topics and more in this week's edition.
Monday Dec 03, 2018
Monday Dec 03, 2018
In her 15 years with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Wendy Block said today she's received more member feedback on the paid sick leave proposal than any other issue. She flagged 10 to 15 high-level issues with the legislatively passed citizens initiative and believes the recently passed Senate amendments "get it right." What does she say about those who disagree?
Also, the MIRS team is still on the lookout for Michigan state House and Senate maps that would have given the Democrats control of the House and Senate without creating more county and municipal line breaks than what currently exists. And, why does every lame duck seem like an inflated duck? This and more on this week's podcast.