MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, March 10, 2014

Michigan Republican Party Chair Bobby Schostak calls Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer a "loser." What term does he use for conservative activist Todd Courser? The Chairman goes into the party's new technology and other subjects. Also, can the Democrats use roads as a political tool against Gov. Rick Snyder? Why did Sen. Rebecca Warren take a pass on Congress and the 13th state Senate district is put under the microscope.

MIRS Monday, March 3, 2014

Why was Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and the Snyder administration willing to take another look at the Personal Property Tax phase-out? Calley addresses this and other issues. Josh Pugh, spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic Party, talks about the MDP's state central committee's decision to back a minimum wage increase and the MIRS team discusses the budding 12th Congressional race and says goodbye to one of their own.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 24, 2014

Outgoing Budget Director John Nixon takes a stand on a federal balanced budget amendment in this week's edition. What does he think about Gov. Rick Snyder for president?

Also, Democratic Attorney General candidate Mark Totten says he would not argue in favor of the state's constitutional ban against same-sex couples in the federal court case starting Tuesday if he were the AG. How would the state's position be argued in such a case? Listen to his answer.

Finally, the MIRS team talks about U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn) hanging it up after this term.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 17, 2014

Ronna Romney McDaniel was selected as the Michigan Republican Party's new national committeewoman this weekend. Listen to her, runner-up Mary Sears and Todd Courser talk about party unity shortly after the State Committee's selection. Also, Rep. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) talks about his run for the 5th state Senate District. Finally, the MIRS team tries to figure out which president was a renown golfer prior to his ascension to the presidency.

MIRS Monday, Feb. 10, 2014

Samantha Harkins of the Michigan Municipal League says the Governor's Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP) is not incentivizing local governments to do anything but file lots of paperwork. The MIRS team also goes behind the scenes on the President Obama visit and talks about how Gov. Snyder isn't the only governor talking about a state "comeback."

MIRS Monday, Feb. 3, 2014

Dan MacMaster and Adrian Hemond from Grassroots Midwest break down the campaign finance numbers from last Friday. Which candidates stood out? Who is in trouble? Also, Paul Welday, chair of the Republicans' 14th Congressional District declares a budding consensus candidate in the race to replace Terri Lynn Land as Michigan's next Republican national committeewoman. He also talks about Gov. Rick Snyder's re-election campaign and Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 27, 2014

Kevin Heine from iCaucus gives a report from Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema's morning fundraiser. Rep. Brandon Dillon makes the case for how the House D's will win majority in November and the MIRS team analyzes how the Democratic ticket is shaping up with Godfrey Dillard looking at the AG race.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 20, 2014

How many seats will state House Republicans pick up in 2014? The head of the GOP's campaign operation, Rep. Aric Nesbitt, gives his opinion. Nesbitt, the chair of the House Energy and Tech Committee, also talks about what he hopes to find out through his ice storm hearings and which direction he hopes to take electric choice discussions this year. Also, three House Democrats share their critical remarks toward Gov. Rick Snyder's State of the State address immediately after the speech.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 13, 2014

Rep. Sam Singh says the Lansing Board of Water and Light needs to "clean house" at its communications shop after the utility's handling of the Christmas ice storm. Singh also gives his opinions on the budget surplus and whether the House is the Democrats best shot at a flip 2014. Also, Senate Education Committee Chair Phil Pavlov opines on the House's 3rd grade reading bill and the possibility of more dollars for K-12.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 6, 2014

Sit back and listen to a pundit roundtable on this chilly winter day. Will 2014 be a Republican or Democratic year? Will raising money be a problem for Democrats? Will the Republicans' stance on social issues be a problem for them? MIRS Monday poses these questions, among others, to Ed Sarpolus of Target Insyght, Stu Sandler of Decider Strategies, Stephanie McLean from GMT Strategies and Jeff Timmer of the Sterling Corporation.