MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, February 19, 2024

Today, former Wisconsin congressman and Washington, D.C. lobbyist Scott Klug discusses his story-telling podcast, "Lost in the Middle: America's Political Orphans." 

He details how the present-day state of political polarization has left a lot of voters "floating around on icebergs."

Also, the team is joined by Tom George, a past state senator and Historical Society of Michigan board member. In honor of Presidents Day, he describes President Abraham Lincoln's only trip to Michigan in 1856, speaking to more than 20,000 attendees at a Republican rally ahead of the American Civil War. 

Senior Chief Deputy Director Jonathan Smith of Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity explains the department's developing responsibility to assist and retrain the state's energy workforce as energy inventories become carbon free. 

MIRS Monday, February 12, 2024

Last week, the Governor proposed a $80.7 billion state budget to lawmakers, including a suggestion to withhold $670 million in intended public school retirement debt payments to be spent on other things. 

The team is joined by Research Director Craig Thiel and Senior Research Associate Robert Schneider of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan to discuss the Governor's recommendations. 

Also, President Justin Winslow of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association explains why his group wants the Pure Michigan tourism campaign infused with $50 million this budget-making season. 

President Tony Poole of the Document Security Alliance explains how counterfeit driver's licenses – or fake I.D.s – contribute to more than $250 billion in annual losses to American governments and citizens. 

 

 

MIRS Monday, February 5, 2024

Robert Morris Owens – an unofficial advisor to Kristina Karamo and her faction of the divided state GOP – doesn't imagine either the courts, the Republican National Committee or past President Donald Trump himself having much authority in resolving the current chair conflict. 

State Representative Alabas Farhat, a Dearborn Democrat, describes what it was like to read an opinion piece referring to his home city as "America's Jihad Capitol," and to witness the security concerns it triggered in the country's highest Muslim population per capita community. 

Additionally, President Lou Glazer of Michigan Future Inc. highlights a report finding that Michigan lagged behind national personal income per capita growth by more than $8,200 from 1999 to 2022.

MIRS Monday, January 29, 2024

Executive Director Abby Mitch of Michigan Rising Action and Executive Director MoReno Taylor II of the Fund MI Future Coalition join for the show's inaugural conservative vs. progressive post-State of the State matchup but the two are surprised by how much they agreed in terms of disappointments and questions about funding. 

Abby highlights how, in 2024, Republicans and Democrats in Michigan will be competing for the same turf of voters. 

"We're all looking at capturing the hope and imagination of that high propensity earner -- what should be the high propensity earner in our economy -- that 34-35 voter that's working hard, can't seem to grab together enough for a good house payment, can't seem to afford a new car...like that is the person I think we're all chasing in 2024."

Also, Tyler Theile – the public policy and economic analysis director of the Anderson Economic Group – gives her economist reactions to the Governor's policy vision for 2024. 

Senator Stephanie Chang, a Detroit Democrat, and Oakland County Water Commissioner Jim Nash explain why they are advocating for the creation of a statewide low-income water residential affordability program fund. 

MIRS Monday, January 22, 2024

President Matt Resch, the founder of issue management firm Resch Strategies, joins the team to discuss what they're putting on their 2024 State of the State bingo cards. What issue group is still waiting for a policy win from Michigan's Democratic leadership? What policy proposals are on life support this year? 

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller explains why she's leading local opposition to some Democrats' water affordability legislation. Also, she is asked about her favorites for Michigan's U.S. Senate race and the Republican presidential primary. 

Additionally, Detroit resident Kristin Fehrman details her life as a car-less Michigander. Not having owned a car in a decade, Fehrman spent $18 monthly -- on average -- on transportation costs in 2023. 

MIRS Monday, January 15, 2024

Executive Director Edward Woods III of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission believes the commission deserves "a little bit more grace" as it prepares to redraw seven state House districts due to a federal court ruling that they were racially gerrymandered. He is joined by the commission's litigation counsel, Katherine McKnight.    

Former Detroit legislator LaMar Lemmons III entered the special election race for Michigan's 13th House District because of a shortage of African American representation in Lansing. However, he feels like he's working against himself after the Governor endorsed one of his opponents. 

Additionally, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Nikki Snyder, a registered nurse and State Board of Education member, joins the MIRS team to preview a candidate forum being hosted by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance at their Jan. 19 policy conference. 

MIRS Monday, January 8, 2024

Elections attorney Mark Brewer and retired political action executive Bob LaBrant take a look at ongoing headlines surrounding Michigan's independent redistricting commission. After 13 legislative districts were ruled as racially gerrymandered, does the commission need to tidy up its operations? Also, can the districts be redrawn without impacting others?    

William Lawrence, coordinator of the 'Rent is Too Damn High' coalition in Michigan, calls for the state to address both tenant rights and housing supply needs at the same time. 

Additionally, Policy Director Jennifer Peacock of the Michigan Center for Youth Justice explains how for most of 2024, local governments will be preparing for multiple changes to the state's juvenile justice system, which she says aims to prevent an "over reliance on detention" following youths' offenses.

MIRS Monday, January 1, 2024

In this week's New Year's Day edition of MIRS Monday, John Walsh – president of the Michigan Manufacturers Association – describes his organization's biggest policy concerns and hopes for 2024. 

After weighing in on more than 250 bills this past year, Chief Executive Officer Monique Stanton of the Michigan League for Public Policy describes 2023 as a "marathon on a sprint pace." 

Additionally, First Vice President Melanie Ryska of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks says "please slow down" when it comes to elections legislation. 

MIRS Monday, December 25, 2023

In this week's Christmas edition of MIRS Monday, the team is joined by Crains' politics and policy reporter David Eggert to name MIRS' Senator of the Year. This will be the final installment of the Legislator of the Year series for 2023. 

Also, Mai Xiong, a candidate for Michigan's 13th Warren-based House district, explains her journey from being born in the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand to becoming a Macomb County commissioner during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Additionally, Lance Binoniemi of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association describes how different proposed user fees – like toll roads – could assist the state with road funding. 

MIRS Monday, December 18, 2023

The MIRS team gathers to make their nominations for the MIRS House Member of 2023, with assistance from guest reporter Ben Orner, a legislative and political journalist for MLive. 

Also, on December 6th, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt dropped by the MIRS newsroom to share his own views on how the year went. Zooming in on Democrats' 100% "clean energy" by 2040 package, Nesbitt says it is "so much like Governor Whitmer" to get a huge public relations hit supporting a possible future presidential run, while many plans are not fully implemented until after her governorship ends.

"This gives Republicans a chance as we continue to work to win back the House next year, to work to win back the Senate and win back the governorship," Nesbitt says.