MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, July 13, 2015

As road funding discussions go behind closed doors in the state legislature, former Sen. Gretchen Whitmer questions how much power Gov. Rick Snyder will exert into the process after he was "beat" on the issue by then-Speaker Jase Bolger last year. Whitmer also talks about what issue she wants to see on the ballot next year, if she's interested in running for office in the future and more.

Also, hear raw audio from presidential candidate Rand Paul's press availability in Holland on Sunday (18:00) and pre-press conference thoughts from Paul supporter U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (15:58).

MIRS Monday, July 6, 2015

Senate President Pro Tem Tonya Schuitmaker has been increasing her visibility across the state. Why is that? Where is she on prison reform and what criteria does she use in determining whether to raise taxes?

Also, does Lon Johnson's candidacy in the 1^st Congressional District hurt state Rep. Gretchen Driskell's in the 7^th? Who is being talked about for Attorney General in 2018? Is the House Republicans' campaign operation in disarray? And why did state Sen. Virgil Smith vote with the Republicans on their gas tax hike proposal? Ed Sarpolus from Target Insyght tackles these questions and more in this week's edition.

MIRS Monday, June 29, 2015

Tom Shields of the Marketing Resource Group assisted in the defeat of Lon Johnson during his 2012 state House race and the re-election of U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek in 2014. What does he see as Johnson's biggest weaknesses? Shields also breaks down the presidential field, along with Stephanie McLean of GMT Strategies.

McLean also talks about the political implications of last week's gay marriage ruling and how it affects political candidates in 2016.

Attorney General Bill Schuette Press Conference 6/26/15

Attorney General Bill Schuette reacts to today's U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows same-sex couples to wed, despite state constitutional or legislative restrictions. Schuette also takes questions from reporters. The following is raw audio and the press conference in its entirety.

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.