MIRS Monday Podcast

Kid Rock On Howard Stern Show 10/24/17

Kid Rock makes it clear he is not running for the U.S Senate while making an appearance on the Howard Stern radio program. Explicit language is used.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 23, 2017

It sounds ominous and scary, but the "Dark Stores" decision by the state Supreme Court on Friday is being described as an "awesome" result for local governments. Chris Hackbarth of the Michigan Municipal League explains why. He'll also talk about why it's important for the legislature to still address the dark stores issue and why his members want the municipal retiree benefits issue tackled by lawmakers by year's end.

At least one Democratic House member is openly supporting the Leonard-Duggan auto insurance bill, but the MIRS team explains why there is likely to be more if House Speaker Tom Leonard puts the bill up for a vote.

And, in June the state nixed an independent "risks" assessment being conducted on Line 5 that was weeks away from release due to an alleged conflict of interest. What was that report going to say and is there anyone who is qualified to do these type of report who haven't been touched by Line 5's owner, Enbridge? A FOIA ordered by MIRS holds some answers.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 16, 2017

Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) talks about his feelings on auto insurance reform, how 109th District candidate Sara Cambensy will do next month in the special election in the Upper Peninsula and what the folks in the U.P. think about President Donald Trump.

MIRS addresses the issue of car thefts in Detroit. Why hasn't that been a discussion point in talking about lower auto insurance rates in the Motor City? Also, a compromise between Republicans and Democrats on the auto insurance issue could significantly alter Michigan's no-fault system. The MIRS team explains how. This, frog hunting with spears and more in this week's edition.

Sen. Patrick Colbeck On The Steve Gruber Show, 10/11/17

Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) criticizes Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof for the Leader's decision to remove Colbeck all of his standing committees and his appropriations subcommittees.

Gretchen Whitmer Press Conference 10/10/17

Gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer announces the endorsements of Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Prosecutor Kym Worthy and Sheriff Benny Napoleon at the Mathis Community Center in Detroit. The following is uneditted audio from the event.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 9, 2017

House Speaker Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) is running for Attorney General, but when it comes to priorities, which comes first -- being the leader of the state House of Representatives or seeking his next office? What bearing does his interest in being Attorney General have on the decisions he makes as Speaker of the House? MIRS poses these and other questions during a 16-minute interview.

Also, how does Gov. Rick Snyder reconcile the difference between his congressional testimony that he first learned of the legionella issues in Flint in January 2016 when his urban affairs director, Harvey Hollins, told a Genesee County court that he told Snyder in December 2015? MIRS breaks down this issue and the immediate future of the auto insurance reform bill in this week's episode.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 2, 2017

Will Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) and the rest of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus be satisfied with anything short of Michigan State Police Director Kriste Kibbey Etue leaving her position? Neeley answers this question along with his feelings on whether Gov. Rick Snyder and his administration are responsive to the African American community, in general. Also, where is he on Speaker Tom Leonard and Mayor Mike Duggan's car insurance reform package?

The MIRS team deduces that Etue's response to her "degenerates" Facebook repost hasn't been executed well and discuss the danger that comes with either her or the Governor not meeting with the Black Caucus on the issue. And could Leonard nab the 55 (or 56 in six weeks) needed yes votes on his auto insurance package by posting the question on the board and putting members on record as voting no on an auto insurance rate cut? This and more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 25, 2017

The MIRS team ties a bow on the Michigan Republican Party's biennial conference on Mackinac Island by putting forth answers to some lingering questions: Was the event Attorney General Bill Schuette's coronation for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2018? Why did Schuette say he would "change" the state' prevailing wage law as opposed to "repealing it?" And why wasn't there a large presence for Lt. Gov. Brian Calley's Clean Michigan Government proposal?

Also, U.S. Senate candidate John James talks about the reaction of his prominent father, business leader and Democratic contributor John A. James, in running for the Republican nomination. How much of James' personal wealth will go into winning his bid next August? The anti-abortion, pro-gun conservative makes his case on this week's podcast.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 18, 2017

U.S. Senate candidate Bob Young talks about the origins of his new "Bow Tie. Bad Ass" slogan, how former Gov. John Engler helped convince him to run against U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, his views on immigration and more. 

Also, President Donald Trump tweeted support for Attorney General Bill Schuette's gubernatorial ambitions, but will Schuette, a long-time government official, have trouble with anti-establishment Trump voters? The MIRS team kicks around that question and how Lena Epstein will fare in the 11th Congressional district as opposed to U.S. Senate.

This and much more on this week's edition of MIRS Monday.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 11, 2017

U.S. Rep. David Trott opts not to run for Congress in 2018. Why not? Who will Republicans see sign up to take his place? Does this give Democrats a better shot at taking the 11th? The MIRS team tackles this question as well as the prospects of the part-time legislature proposal, the gubernatorial candidacy of Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Andy Levin and the veto override attempt on the sales tax on vehicle trade-in.

Also, the state's urban search and rescue team is on its way to Florida to assist in the Hurricane Irma recovery efforts. What is this crew? What do they do? Lee Graham, executive director of the labor management side of Operating Engineers Local 324 answers the questions.