MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Nov. 23, 2015

The MIRS team offers theories on why pro-immigration Gov. Rick Snyder became the public face behind the nation's governors calling for a review of their political refugee screening process. A leadership vacuum appears to be costing House Republicans' momentum in the budding 2016 races.

And Jack Schmitt, deputy director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, talks about the two most important pieces of the energy reform package for his organization and how large of a role they see themselves playing in the 2016 election.

MIRS Monday, Nov. 16, 2015

Did Joe Gamrat spur the political demise of his wife, former Rep. Cindy Gamrat, with his anonymous threatening text messages? MIRS debates the question as one of the final loopholes into the odd drama of 2015 is tied up over the weekend with the Lapeer County prosecutor opting not to charge Mr. Gamrat with extortion.

Also, was Gov. Rick Snyder in the right by pushing the pause button on accepting Syrian refugees into Michigan? And Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw) and Jason Bedrick of the CATO Institute talk about Education Savings Accounts. All this and more on this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, November 9, 2015

Is it really good bye to Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat?  Now that Gov. Snyder has his $1.2 billion road funding package, what will the legislature be talking about for the rest of the year?  And Patrick Anderson of Anderson Economic Group explains why he considers Michigan a four and a half leaf state when it comes to the potential demand for legalized pot . . . that and much, much more.  

MIRS Monday, Nov. 2, 2015

Do either Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser have a chance of winning their primaries on Tuesday? Stu Sandler from Grand River Strategies uncorks a Quote of the Day possibility in response to that question while also gives his perspective on U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop's (R-Rochester) emerging Democratic opponent in 2016 and what presidential candidate Jeb Bush needs to do to get back into the hunt nationally, among other topics.

Finally, find out which MIRS staffer dressed as dancing pumpkin for Halloween and where to go to find the video evidence.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 26, 2015

Last week a group calling itself the Platform Republican Caucus circulated polling that showed voters do not want to see their gas taxes increased and if legislators do raise gas taxes, they are more willing to hold it against them during elections. Who is this group? What are they going to be doing in the long-term? The founder of the Platform Republican Caucus, Jennifer Hensley answers these and other questions.

Also, could the House's road funding solution turn into this Legislature's "Lottery" issue with the public? If the Legislature passes a "solution" for fixing the roads, but the public doesn't see a noticeable difference, will they have fixed anything at all? The MIRS team talks about this, when the best time to raise gas taxes and more.

Road Funding Debate - Sen. Colbeck and Sen. Hertel - 10/20/15

Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) issued a challenge on the Senate floor two weeks ago -- Will an elected member of the Legislature debate him in a public forum on why a tax increase is needed to generate additional money for roads? Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr., (D-East Lansing) accepted the challenge as part of a public debate organized by MIRS. 

The following is an hour-long debate held at the Senate Appropriations Committee Room inside the Capitol with MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn moderating. The room of roughly 50 individuals was full with an additional 50 people standing in the hall watching on a TV monitor and in a separate Capitol room watching though a video feed.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 19, 2015

Tennessee's executive director for the Board of Education, Sara Heyburn, said her state's education system is on the upswing after years of being in the bottom nationally. What role did a new teacher evaluation system play in that comeback? Heyburn and Marc Hill, the chief policy officer at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, share their state's story on this week's edition.

Also, does the House Democrats really want a road funding deal to materialize? Does Gov. Rick Snyder really want an income tax cut to be part of a road funding deal? And should Michigan taxpayers be on the hook every time a state-appointed EM doesn't work out? The MIRS team poses these questions and more.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 12, 2015

Rep. Mike Callton opposed the legalization of medical marijuana in 2008, but what two events happened that have turned the chiropractor from a skeptic to a believer in the medical powers of the drug? Callton also talks about the change he saw in his legislative colleagues and whether he supports legalized recreational marijuana.

Also, who had a worst week last week, Attorney General Bill Schuette or Gov. Rick Snyder? The MIRS team kicks around that question as well as why legislators are hesitant about debating Sen. Patrick Colbeck on the road funding issue. This and more on the five-year anniversary of the MIRS Monday podcast.

MIRS Monday, Oct. 5, 2015

If the same municipal water problems Flint residents are experiencing were happening in West Bloomfield or Birmingham would they have been taken care of long ago? Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich answers that question and shares his thoughts that he's getting the feeling from the state that, "These are poor folks, well, we'll get to it when we get to it."

MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn shares his takeaways from Friday's Lapeer Tea Party debate of 82nd House District candidates, the Michigan Freedom Fund hits Rep. Alberta Tinsley-Talabi and how is an empty bowl of stew analogous to the state's road funding talks? This and much more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Sept. 28, 2015

What are the odds former Rep. Todd Courser wins his seat back? MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn puts a percentage number on his chances. If not Courser, who are the front-runners in the now-open 82nd District House seat? MIRS gets an update from former Rep. Cindy Gamrat from the campaign trail. Why is it important lawmakers finish a road deal by the end of October?

Did Lance Binoniemi from the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) really believe the road funding question, Proposal 1, was going to pass on May 5? What was the MITA office like on May 6? And does he believe legislative leaders are finally moving forward on a final solution?