MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Mar. 9, 2014

Ten of the first 18 bills that have passed the House this term have been gun reform legislation. Steve Dulan, a board member with the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners, talks about this dynamic and why pro-gun rights legislation remains a popular issue among conservatives.

Also, the MIRS team gives its opinion on the first Proposal 1 TV commercial and why its more important for the "yes" vote get on the airwaves. Finally, MIRS breaks down the front runners to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Candice Miller.

MIRS Monday, Mar. 2, 2014

Tricia Kinley of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce talks film incentives, "zappers" and the Department of Treasury. She also gives an update on where the Chamber is on taking a position on Proposal 1, the road funding ballot proposal.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 23, 2014

New Michigan Republican Party Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel holds her first press conference after knocking off two other challengers for the post. Hear how she addressed questions from the media. How does she plan to bring the various factions of the MRP together? Can Michigan be a competitive state in the presidential election?

Also, MIRS editor Kyle Melinn and reporter Craig Mauger recap the MRP convention. Who had a large presence at the convention? Who did not? What was the scene like for Proposal 1? This and much more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 16, 2014

State Sen. Coleman Young II serves as the guest co-host as MIRS Monday records from the Michigan Democratic Party convention at Cobo Hall. Who is U.S. Rep. John Conyers' favorite president? Does U.S. Sen. Gary Peters still wear that sweatshirt he wore in his campaign ad? What's next for former Attorney General nominee Mark Totten?  Where does Board of Education President John Austin feel Republicans are taking public education in the state?

This is and much more on this week's edition of MIRS Monday.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 9, 2014

Should the state police officers be equipped with video cameras? Should the Legislature and the governor be subject to FOIA? Should all public teachers be moved to a 401(k) retirement plan? MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn spoke with the legislative quadrant Friday as part of a Michigan Press Association conference panel. Hear what the state leaders had to say about these issues and more.

Also, MIRS gives its initial takes on Rep. Gretchen Driskell running for Congress and the committee in support of the ballot proposal going the "safe" route to victory.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 2, 2014

Former congressional candidate Paul Mitchell vows to put money into defeating the road funding ballot proposal. Why? And how much? Mitchell addresses those questions and more. Also, MIRS explores why Proposal 1 isn't a dead duck, yet. What percentage chance does Editor Kyle Melinn give it today?

Also, Rep. Harvey Santana explains why he accepted the job a large number of his House Democratic colleagues pledged not to take -- Minority Vice Chair on the House Appropriations Committee.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 26, 2015

The Michigan Republican Party (MRP) could come out against the same ballot proposal its Governor, Rick Snyder, is actively supporting, MRP chair candidate Norm Hughes says. Hughes also talks about whether he supports Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema and if he voted for Snyder in the last election.

Also, does MRP chair candidate Ronna Romney McDaniel need to talk to the media before the MRP convention? And how is it that Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Chair Lon Johnson has his re-election bid in the bag?

MIRS Monday, Jan. 19, 2015

What does Rep. Brian Banks, the head of the legislative Detroit caucus, hope Gov. Rick Snyder says during his State of the State address? Does he believe it's time for the state to get out of the Detroit Public Schools? And what should we be doing on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Also, the MIRS team discusses how bipartisanship in the House appears to have lasted one day and if it's time for the state to push the panic button on lower state revenue estimates.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 12, 2015

It's no secret Reps. Cindy Gamrat, Gary Glenn and Todd Courser came into office with Tea Party appeal, but that doesn't mean they are lockstep on every issue. At the Jan. 10 Michigan Statewide Grassroots Powwow in Mt. Pleasant, the three showed that on issues of marijuana and whether government should be involved in marriage, there are significant differences of opinion. Listen to the three's take on various issues during the legislative forum moderated by MIRS editor Kyle Melinn.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 5, 2015

Who are the House freshmen to watch in the 2015-16 term? MIRS has talked to nearly all of them and runs down a few most likely to make an immediate impact in the new session. Also, will this House and Senate really be more conservative than the 2013-14 session?

Gov. Rick Snyder talks about why he has not been as successful in moving his government transparency and reform initiatives from his 2010 white papers as other policy items. Find out which measure he does plan to push in 2015. And, finally, why have members of the Governor's administration called the Governor "nuts?" This and more in the first edition of MIRS Monday in 2015.