588.2K
Downloads
860
Episodes
Weekly news and analysis of Michigan politics by the professional journalists of MIRSnews.com
Episodes
Monday Dec 30, 2013
Monday Dec 30, 2013
In part two of its year-end award presentations, the MIRS team names its Democratic Legislator of the Year and its Freshman of Year. Find out the nominees and the winners. Also, Jeff Barnes, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency talks about how his agency is reaching out to improve the services it offers veterans.
Monday Dec 23, 2013
Monday Dec 23, 2013
In the first of a two-part series, the MIRS team names its House member of the Year and Senator of the Year based on effectiveness, level of activity and impact. Also, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra talks about a special session of court today involving a Michigan boy scout troop and playing hockey on the field of Comerica Park.
Monday Dec 16, 2013
Monday Dec 16, 2013
Why did Gov. Rick Snyder finally speak out against GOP National Committeeman Dave Agema's comments after staying silent when Agema upset the gay community earlier this year. Snyder also expresses his openness to expanding the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights acts to include gays and lesbians. The Governor doesn't grade the Legislature's work in 2013 so MIRS does it for him. Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas talks about what he wants to accomplish before leaving office next year and Emily gives Kyle a Christmas present.
Monday Dec 09, 2013
Monday Dec 09, 2013
State House candidate Wendy Day calls out legislators for not taking up the abortion rider citizens' initiative up to now. Rep. Harvey Santana talks about supporting reforms at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on the hope state money will be used to help the M-1 rail project in Detroit. Also, what will and what won't the Legislature take up in its last week of 2013?
Monday Dec 02, 2013
Monday Dec 02, 2013
Does Budget Director John Nixon feel vindicated that the Department of Education selected a different entity for a technology contract than his brother's company in light of the negative press he received? Nixon talks about that, his feeling on a balanced budget amendment and when he'd support spending Rainy Day Fund money. Also, MIRS talks part-time legislature and a new U.S. Senate candidate.
Monday Nov 25, 2013
Monday Nov 25, 2013
How would DCH Director Jim Haveman construct a statewide health care system if given the power? Does he feel sorry for U.S. HHS Director Kathleen Sebelius over the congressional pounding she took on the beleaguered health exchange website? Why won't he call the Affordable Care Act "Obamacare?" Haveman gives his answers. U.S. Senate candidate Gary Peters answers reporters' questions Friday on the ACA, Senate filibusters and more.
Monday Nov 18, 2013
Monday Nov 18, 2013
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer tackles roads, Detroit and other subjects prior to his $9.25-an-hour minimum wage hike plan Michigan's corn growers are having a record year, but Jim Zook, executive director of the Michigan Corn Growers Association, says a proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule could hurt the state's industry. Also, what will Detroit Mayor-elect Mike Duggan do in next year's gubernatorial race and how will Republican delegates react to Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's proposed rule change on issue advertising?
Tuesday Nov 12, 2013
Tuesday Nov 12, 2013
Detroit Mayor-elect Mike DUGGAN spent Tuesday as a quiet day “rebuilding relationships” in Lansing. Duggan who won the right to replace outgoing Mayor Dave BING during last week’s election, told reporters he wasn’t in Lansing with any specific agenda but to begin the relationship work that needs to be done.
When pressed over action being taken by the Emergency Loan Board today on the Belle Isle lease, Duggan said Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn ORR and Gov. Rick SNYDER were up against a time line and that if he’d had 30 more days he believes the outcome on the Belle Isle lease would have been different.
Asked about a campaign pledge to file a competing plan in bankruptcy court, Duggan told reporters that he would only do that if things completely break down in his talks with Orr and Snyder.
Listen here for the entire exchange.
Saturday Nov 09, 2013
Saturday Nov 09, 2013
Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) takes ownership of the new Court of Claims bill that steamrolled through the Legislature. Who did he talk to before submitting the bill? Who helped him draft it? We ask the questions. Also, Democratic 11th Congressional candidate Bobby McKenzie is asked in his first podcast interview, "Who would you rather run against, David Trott or incumbent U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio?"
Monday Nov 04, 2013
Monday Nov 04, 2013
Is Mike Duggan's lead in the Detroit's mayor's race fading? Ed Sarpolus of Target Insyght releases polling data from the weekend. Hank Fuhs, longtime Michigan Republican Party secretary, checks in on term limits and new Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lon Johnson. And how many seats can the Senate Democrats realistically pick up? New Finance Chair Sen. Jim Ananich (D-Flint) gives his opinion.