MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Feb. 22, 2016

Rep. Tom Barrett met with now-former Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Director Jeff Barnes the day the Auditor General's critical audit of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans was made known to lawmakers. What was said? Was Barrett, the chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, surprised by Barnes' resignation the next day?

Also, Denise DeCook of the Sterling Corporation actively worked behind the scenes to help get George H.W. Bush the GOP nomination in 1988. What happened in 2016 with his son, Jeb? DeCook answers this questions and makes the case why Donald Trump needs to make a change in his approach if he wants to avoid a brokered Republican convention.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 15, 2016

How will Hillary Clinton be a different president than former President Bill Clinton? MIRS asks the person who may know them the best, Chelsea Clinton, that question. In a special one-on-one interview, MIRS also asks her how the 2016 presidential race is different than the ones her father was in.

Who does Attorney General Bill Schuette really think will win the Republican nomination? Why does he think so? Schuette defends his prediction in this week's edition. Also, play a round of presidential trivia with the MIRS team. This and more on this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 8, 2016

As the bad news keeps dropping, at what point would Gov. Rick Snyder resign over the Flint water crisis? Does he consider moving to Flint? Appoint a Democrat to lead his Department of Environmental Quality? Bob McCann from Cover Two Strategies helps the MIRS team answers these and other questions. Snyder declines to testify in front of Congress this week, but what about down the road?

Also, Adrian Hemond and Brian Began from Grassroots Midwest breaks down their read on the state House races a week after all candidate disclosed what they raised in 2015.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 1, 2016

What does Gov. Rick Snyder need to do to get ahead of the Flint water story? Marketing Resource Group President Tom Shields gives his opinion on this and whether he agrees Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has a clear path to the nomination if he wins Iowa.

Also, listen to the unique strategy Michigan U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga and John Moolenaar are using to connect with Iowans as they cross the Hawkeye State for Marco Rubio's campaign.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 25, 2016

What are the biggest unanswered questions still outstanding on the Flint water crisis? T.J. Bucholz of Vanguard Public Affairs joins the MIRS team today with his thoughts and perceptions on the 20/20 special featuring former Reps. Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser.

Also, ZeroWater CEO Doug Kellam talks about a water filter matching program that has received nationwide attention. He claims his product is the only one on the market that strips lead and other metals from drinking water, which is why large quantities of his product are being shipped to Flint.

State of State Address, Jan. 19, 2016

The following is unedited audio of Gov. Rick Snyder's sixth State of State address, delivered from the floor of the Michigan House, Jan. 19, 2016.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 18, 2016

Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) gave the Democrats' response to last year's State of the State. This year, he gives his pre-speech thoughts on what he wants to hear from Gov. Rick Snyder's 6th State of the State . . . and it's not about a "River of Opportunity."

How much attention should Gov. Snyder give to Flint in his State of State? Should it be most of his speech or a few critical minutes as part of his annual rundown of legislative priorities for the coming year? The MIRS team debates this point. House reporter Craig Mauger says goodbye in his final podcast as a MIRS employee. Find out what his next career step is.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 11, 2016

What role did the Freedom Fund play in the creation of SB 571? What happened with the prevailing wage repeal petitions? Tony Daunt of the Freedom Fund answers these and other questions.

Also, is it time of the Legislature to act on the Flint water situation before Republican lawmakers get sucked into the controversy? And why should the Tea Party be worried about SB 571? This and much more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 4, 2016

The recent legislative recall movement isn't stopping with Sen. Wayne Schmidt and Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, says Kevin Heine, a board member for iCaucus, a conservative organization that is supporting the removal of legislators who voted for the gas tax and driver registration fee increases late last year. How many Senators are being discussed? How many state House members are looking at competitive primaries this fall?

MIRS handicaps its opinion on what Gov. Rick Snyder will do with SB 571, the bill that would restrict schools and local governments from sharing information with voters on millages, bonding proposals and other new money asks. Also, why the departure of former Department of Environment Quality Director Dan Wyant isn't the end of the Flint water story.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 28, 2015

MIRS closes out its year-end legislative awards by naming its Senator of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Who was nominated? Who won?

Also, Gov. Rick Snyder is asked about his biggest challenge of 2015 and what he would say about the possibility of Lt. Gov. Brian Calley eventually going his own way as he prepares for whatever his political future may hold. Listen to new audio in MIRS' interview with the Governor.