MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, March 25, 2024

When it comes to the Republican primary for Michigan's U.S. Senate race, candidate Mike Rogers – a past chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee – says "this thing is done" (1:23). 

The share of likely GOP primary voters supporting Rogers grows from 27 percent to 67 percent after they learn he is backed by past President Donald Trump, according to one March survey. 

MIRS is also joined by Executive Director Cheryl Bergman of the Michigan Women's Commission. She discusses the latest report on women in Michigan's labor force, which found that women working full-time earned around 81 cents on the dollar compared to men 2022 (15:23). 

State Representative Bill G. Schuette – a Midland Republican – describes how as the latest chair of the House Republican Campaign Committee, he projects Republicans will win "north of 56" seats in the state House in November. In 2022, Democrats won a 56-seat majority in the House (36:28). 

MIRS Monday March 18, 2024

Last week, a Senate committee moved bills requiring the Governor and state legislators to respond to public records requests through Michigan's Freedom of Information Act.

Meanwhile, some House Democrats introduced still more transparency bills involving 501(c)4 or 527 accounts not regulated by Michigan's campaign finance laws. 

Executive Director Nick Pigeon of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network and Lisa McGraw, the public affairs manager of the Michigan Press Association, join the MIRS team to discuss the transparency proposals (1:34).

Also, Stephanie Jones, the founder of the Michigan Fertility Alliance, details why her organization supports legislation authorizing surrogacy contracts in the state. Currently, state statute views surrogate parentage contracts as void and unenforceable (29:23). 

MIRS was also joined by Director Julia Dale of Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency. She explains how a lack of resources makes it difficult to recover money lost to fraudulent claims made during the COVID-19 pandemic (49:12). 

MIRS Monday, March 11, 2024

Should staffers in the Michigan Senate and House have union representation? (starts at 1:10)

Former state Senator Wayne Schmidt, a Traverse City Republican, believes "the need for a union is really not there," and that being a legislative staffer is not a clock-in and clock-out type of job. 

Meanwhile, past state Representative LaMar Lemmons III, a Detroit Democrat, would be against staffers being represented by a union that's involved in the political process. 

Also, Lindsay Huddleston II of Sport Psychology Solutions is promoting a bill allowing high school athletes to make money off their name, image and likeness (NIL) (Starts at 24:00). He adds that currently in Michigan, young athletes could have their previous wins protested and deemed null and void if they accept social media brand deals. 

Additionally, MIRS speaks with Director Amy McMillan of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks System (Starts at 44:45). The parks system is now looking to raise $2.4 million over three years to support more learning programs on science and outdoor recreation, as well as more free swim lessons. 

MIRS Monday, March 4, 2024

In a reporter roundtable, the team is joined by Michigan politics reporter Joey Cappelletti of the Associated Press to discuss the recent state GOP nominating convention, where past President Donald Trump won all of the available delegates. They also talk about what presidential primary stories they're still thinking about as the state and voters move on. 

Additionally, Democratic state Representatives Mike McFall and Jason Morgan describe why they decided to launch a legislative public transit caucus near the end of February. 

The two want to zoom in on how improving public transit options throughout the state could drive economic development and expand Michigan's talent pool. 

Finally, long-time campaign finance expert Bob LaBrant details why he believes the Attorney General can add criminal conspiracy and aiding and abetting charges to the charges she announced in relation to Unlock Michigan and an alleged "dark money scheme."

 

MIRS Monday, February 26, 2024

On this week's MIRS Monday Podcast: 

Matt Wilk – a Northville-based attorney and Republican 6th congressional precinct delegate – says "no one can guarantee" which delegates will move forward in the GOP presidential nominating process.

Most of Michigan's Republican delegates for deciding the presidential nominee will be determined through a party-run convention on Saturday. But there are dueling conventions, one run by the Pete Hoekstra faction in Grand Rapids and another by the Kristina Karamo faction in Detroit. 

Additionally, the team is joined by Cooley Law School professor Jeffrey Swartz, who disagrees with the belief that states cannot regulate 501(c)4s as they relate to campaign funding. 501(c)4 nonprofit organizations have been criticized for carrying anonymous "dark money" to influence politics and policy. 

Also, Robin Clark of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians comes on, explaining her journey to becoming the first Anishinaabe woman to serve on the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. 

MIRS Monday, February 19, 2024

Today, former Wisconsin congressman and Washington, D.C. lobbyist Scott Klug discusses his story-telling podcast, "Lost in the Middle: America's Political Orphans." 

He details how the present-day state of political polarization has left a lot of voters "floating around on icebergs."

Also, the team is joined by Tom George, a past state senator and Historical Society of Michigan board member. In honor of Presidents Day, he describes President Abraham Lincoln's only trip to Michigan in 1856, speaking to more than 20,000 attendees at a Republican rally ahead of the American Civil War. 

Senior Chief Deputy Director Jonathan Smith of Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity explains the department's developing responsibility to assist and retrain the state's energy workforce as energy inventories become carbon free. 

MIRS Monday, February 12, 2024

Last week, the Governor proposed a $80.7 billion state budget to lawmakers, including a suggestion to withhold $670 million in intended public school retirement debt payments to be spent on other things. 

The team is joined by Research Director Craig Thiel and Senior Research Associate Robert Schneider of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan to discuss the Governor's recommendations. 

Also, President Justin Winslow of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association explains why his group wants the Pure Michigan tourism campaign infused with $50 million this budget-making season. 

President Tony Poole of the Document Security Alliance explains how counterfeit driver's licenses – or fake I.D.s – contribute to more than $250 billion in annual losses to American governments and citizens. 

 

 

MIRS Monday, February 5, 2024

Robert Morris Owens – an unofficial advisor to Kristina Karamo and her faction of the divided state GOP – doesn't imagine either the courts, the Republican National Committee or past President Donald Trump himself having much authority in resolving the current chair conflict. 

State Representative Alabas Farhat, a Dearborn Democrat, describes what it was like to read an opinion piece referring to his home city as "America's Jihad Capitol," and to witness the security concerns it triggered in the country's highest Muslim population per capita community. 

Additionally, President Lou Glazer of Michigan Future Inc. highlights a report finding that Michigan lagged behind national personal income per capita growth by more than $8,200 from 1999 to 2022.

MIRS Monday, January 29, 2024

Executive Director Abby Mitch of Michigan Rising Action and Executive Director MoReno Taylor II of the Fund MI Future Coalition join for the show's inaugural conservative vs. progressive post-State of the State matchup but the two are surprised by how much they agreed in terms of disappointments and questions about funding. 

Abby highlights how, in 2024, Republicans and Democrats in Michigan will be competing for the same turf of voters. 

"We're all looking at capturing the hope and imagination of that high propensity earner -- what should be the high propensity earner in our economy -- that 34-35 voter that's working hard, can't seem to grab together enough for a good house payment, can't seem to afford a new car...like that is the person I think we're all chasing in 2024."

Also, Tyler Theile – the public policy and economic analysis director of the Anderson Economic Group – gives her economist reactions to the Governor's policy vision for 2024. 

Senator Stephanie Chang, a Detroit Democrat, and Oakland County Water Commissioner Jim Nash explain why they are advocating for the creation of a statewide low-income water residential affordability program fund. 

MIRS Monday, January 22, 2024

President Matt Resch, the founder of issue management firm Resch Strategies, joins the team to discuss what they're putting on their 2024 State of the State bingo cards. What issue group is still waiting for a policy win from Michigan's Democratic leadership? What policy proposals are on life support this year? 

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller explains why she's leading local opposition to some Democrats' water affordability legislation. Also, she is asked about her favorites for Michigan's U.S. Senate race and the Republican presidential primary. 

Additionally, Detroit resident Kristin Fehrman details her life as a car-less Michigander. Not having owned a car in a decade, Fehrman spent $18 monthly -- on average -- on transportation costs in 2023.