MIRS Monday Podcast

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. 

MIRS Monday, Dec. 21, 2015

With 2015 coming to a close, MIRS announces its House Member of the Year and legislative Democrat of the Year based on the criteria of effectiveness, impact and level of activity. Which five members were nominated for each category? Who was picked as the winner?

Also, House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) said at his year-end press availability that internal strife within the Republican caucus hurt the majority's ability to accomplish meaningful legislation in 2015. Greimel also called on Gov. Rick Snyder to veto SB 571, an election and campaigning catch-all bill that stops local government and school districts from educating voters on millage and bonding proposals, bans cooperation with campaign committees from collecting what may become campaign money for unions, and loosens disclosure on robo calls.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 14, 2015

Could charter schools take over the Detroit Public Schools system, as was done in New Orleans? Why are charters not serving some Detroit neighborhoods where there are no local schools that children can attend? Jared Burkhart, executive director of the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers, answers this and other questions regarding DPS.

What has the Legislature done this year outside of a road funding package? The MIRS staff debates if the first half of the 98th Legislature has many accomplishments it can hang its hat on. MIRS staffers also discuss auto no-fault, no reason absentee voting and the motivator for this week's intro music, the Will Smith classic "Switch."

MIRS Monday, Dec. 7, 2015

Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) sat on the Flint City Council when the city's future water needs were debated. He shares his reflections on what happened during those discussions and why the former emergency manager is responsible for connecting the city to flawed Flint River water.

Also why has the data center tax break legislation split the Republican and Democratic caucuses? One major legislative issue gets kicked into 2016 as another one gets brought back up again with only two weeks left. This and more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Nov. 30, 2015

Would House Speaker Kevin Cotter support allowing an unlimited number of schools and hospitals to choose electric providers from a choice market? What is his prognosis for the energy reform package, in general, for the final three weeks of 2015? What Detroit Public Schools legislation? Straight ticket voting repeal? Data center legislation? Abortion reforms?

Also, Sen. Rick Jones declares the presumptive parole legislation "dead" in the Senate, but sees a path forward for a medical marijuana regulation package. Will Jones put up a nativity scene outside of the Capitol this year? This and much more in this week's podcast.