MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Jan. 15, 2018

Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint), chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, announces a significant development for the state Capitol. Neeley grades Gov. Rick Snyder's handling of the Flint water crisis. What steps can state government take next in Flint? The Black Caucus' four 2018 priorities are also discussed.

Also, which 10 Republican House members were trades union representatives focusing on during last week's prevailing wage-preservation lobbying day? MIRS runs down the list and discusses some of their similarities. Is Protecting Michigan Jobs in trouble of not having the signatures needed to get to the Legislature? How far away is the Clean Michigan Government from their signatures? This and much more on this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 8, 2018

What big stories will come out of the state Capitol in 2018? The MIRS team gives its predictions. Guest Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) shares what is on his to-do list. What can Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shri Thanedar expect from his Super Bowl TV ad? Is opponent Abdul El-Sayed being more effective in rounding up progressive support by bringing in former Bernie Sanders staffers? And when will the leadership in organized labor embrace Gretchen Whitmer as their preferred Democratic party nominee?

Also, Rick Jones said he "absolutely will not" be retiring from professional life after he's term-limited out of office in 2018. What will the future hold for him? Jones shares a few possibilities. He also shares his thoughts on the race to replace him and a few state House candidates he'll be supporting this summer and fall.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 1, 2018

Who will MIRS name its House Member of the Year and Freshman of the Year in the categories of effectiveness, impact and level of activity?

MIRS Monday, Dec. 25, 2017

Who will MIRS name its Senator of the Year and legislative Democrat of the Year in the categories of effectiveness, impact and level of activity? A record six nominees were mentioned for each recognition. Also, how will MIRS address the mouse in the house? The idea of an office cat is suggested. And Dominic the Donkey makes his annual holiday return.

MIRS Monday, December 18, 2017

On this week's MIRS' Monday Publisher John Reurink and Editor Kyle Melinn dissect the races to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Sander Levin in the state's 9th Congressional District and John Conyers who has stepped down in the state's 13th Congressional District.  

Also this week, John sits down with Gov. Rick Snyder to ask the state's top elected leader about the recent Enbridge agreement, the state's fiscal health going forward, and what he walks away from 2017 being proud of.  That and much more on this week's edition.  

MIRS Monday, Dec. 11, 2017

House Speaker Tom Leonard calls on Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon to resign, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley is asked if he's comfortable hitching his wagon to that of Gov. Rick Snyder going into 2018 and the MIRS team discusses why Republican leaders didn't get what they wanted in the municipal employee retirement package.

Attorney General Bill Schuette Press Roundtable 12/6/17

Attorney General Bill Schuette met with reporters today during a year-end roundtable discussion on the issues of 2017. The converation is not editted.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 4, 2017

Democratic Attorney General candidate Dana Nessel talks about her controversial "penis" video, why regional politics should play no role in forming the Democratic Party ticket and why an all female ticket would be a boon to the Dems come November.

Sara Wurfel of Truscott Rossman shares her opinion on the video and the difference between the sexual harassment allegations between U.S. Sen. Al Franken and those leveled against U.S. Rep. John Conyers. The MIRS team weighs in on these, as well.

MIRS Monday, Nov. 27, 2017

Rep. James Lower (R-Cedar Lake), chair of the Local Government Committee, wants to see reform of the state's municipal employee retiree health care system pass the House before Christmas. He said he doesn't see a package include state-mandated cuts to retiree benefits in local communities. Lower also talks about the House Republican candidate recruitment efforts and the GOP leadership race.

Also, Bob McCann of Cover Two Strategies, says that he doesn't see a way out for U.S. Rep. John Conyers in his sexual harrassment controversy outside of resignation. The Democratic Party needs to lead on the issue of protecting women in the workplace regardless of whether Conyers become a casualty in the process, he says.

MIRS Monday, Nov. 20, 2017

Republican business executive Sandy Pensler makes his U.S. Senate run official today. Who is he? Why now? Where does he stand on issues of the environment, Line 5 and President Donald Trump? How much of his own money is he willing to spend to win the nomination and, potentially, knock off incumbent U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow?

Also, the Grassroots Midwest folks, Adrian Hemond and Brian Began break down the U.S. Senate race, the state Senate and the state House less than a year out from the 2018 elections. Listen to their takes on the potentially hot seat. Where the Democrats have their best shots to pick up seats in the Senate. Could the Republicans actually be looking for pick ups in the House? This and much more in this week's edition.