MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, June 22, 2015

Rep. Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak) and Charlie Owens, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Michigan (NFIB), debate the pros and cons of installing a graduated income tax in Michigan during this special edition of the MIRS Monday podcast.

MIRS Monday, June 15, 2015

On the last full week of legislative session until the fall, Oakland County ISD Superintendent Vickie Markavitch opines on the teacher evaluation bill, how to fix the Detroit Public School district, the early warning bills and why the charter school community isn't a big fan of hers.

Also, the MIRS team kicks off its #MIRSBattleRoyal series of presidential candidates. Who does the MIRS team believe will be the first declared Republican presidential candidate to drop out of the race? Does Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lon Johnson hop into the 1^st Congressional race? This and much more on this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, June 8, 2015

Josh Pugh, the former spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic Party, gives his views on how he sees the Democratic presidential nomination playing out in Michigan and how Dems will do across the state in 2016. Pugh will be starting with Grassroots Midwest next month.

Also, Gary Naeyaert, executive director of the Great Lakes Education Project, responds to last week's Bridge article that points to Sen. Phil Pavlov as an obstacle in getting teacher evaluation legislation through the House and Senate. He also talks about whether charter schools could take over the Detroit Public School district, a suggestion advanced by Rep. Tim Kelly last week.

MIRS Monday, June 1, 2015

Gov. Rick Snyder and House Speaker Kevin Cotter highlight the post-Mackinac Policy Conference edition of the MIRS Monday podcast. What is the Governor thinking about doing after he's term limited out in 2018? Who made their presence known as potential Snyder replacements on the island? What was the largest policy issue to emerge on the island?

The answers to these questions and much more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday -- Special Insider Poll Results Edition 5/27/15

How does the Lansing community believe the four legislative leaders are doing? Who do they view as the most effective multi-client, business and association lobbyist? Who do they view as the most effective public relations agency and professional? And who do they see as the most effective media organization and journalist? Listen to the results in this special podcast.

MIRS Monday, May 25, 2015

Rep. Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) unseated an incumbent by running on his opponent's support for expanding the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to gays and lesbians. Rep. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) is one of the first two openly gay state legislators in eight years. How did these two unlikely 20-somethings become fast friends in their first five months as members of the House?

Listen to their answers to that, as well as their philosophies on politics, term limits and the media, among other things in the first-ever MIRS Monday podcast recorded in the Capitol pressroom. 

MIRS Monday, May 18, 2015

Bob McCann, former Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer's chief of staff, tells MIRS Monday that Gov. Rick Snyder can't sign a prevailing wage repeal law without going back on a promise made last year. McCann also talks about the future of Sen. Virgil Smith. What are the chances he will finish out his term?

Also, MIRS talks with Kathy Berden, the Michigan Republican Party's new National Committeewoman. What qualities is she bringing to the post and what does she think about the future of National Committeeman Dave Agema?

MIRS Monday, May 11, 2015

Sen. Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) is in a public relations disaster after more details of this past weekend's shooting incident become public. What advice would Kelly Rossman-McKinney of Truscott Rossman give Smith during this mess? How will this impact his effectiveness in Lansing? Rossman-McKinney and MLive's Emily Lawler weigh in on this question. The two were also asked whether the resounding defeat of Proposal 1 and Gov. Rick Snyder's decision to formally leave the presidential sweepstakes were related.

Also, two energy officials -- Matthew Paul of DTE Energy and Brandon Hofmeister of Consumers Energy -- talk about why natural gas will likely pass coal as Michigan's largest energy source and why renewable energy isn't growing at the same rate.

Scott Walker at Ingham County GOP event, 5/4/15

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker addresses the Ingham County Republicans over lunch at the R.E. Olds Museum in Lansing on Monday, May 4. Walker, a likely presidential candidate, was introduced by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. Other people in the crowd include U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, Sen. Mike Shirkey, Sen. Rick Jones and Sen. David Robertson and former Sen. Alan Crospey.

MIRS Monday, May 4, 2015

As Dr. Ben Carson announces his presidential bid today in Detroit, MIRS Monday talks with one of the men who started the grassroots effort to successfully draft him for president, John Philip Sousa IV, the grandson of the famous American band leader.

Also, what if Proposal 1 passes? What happens if it fails? Alex Rosaen of the Anderson Economic Group goes over what loose ends the Legislature would need to tie up if voters support the road funding initiative on Tuesday, and goes over some alternative road funding options for legislators to chew on if it fails.