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Weekly news and analysis of Michigan politics by the professional journalists of MIRSnews.com
Episodes
Monday Jan 28, 2013
Monday Jan 28, 2013
When did House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) know the Legislature was going to move forward with Right to Work? How often does he disagree with Gov. Rick Snyder? Both answers may surprise you in this never-before-heard interview with Bolger. Also, the MIRS team talks about Mark Brewer's future with the Michigan Democratic Party, the committee make-up of the House and two things you may not know state government spends money on.
Monday Jan 21, 2013
Monday Jan 21, 2013
The County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM) likes the Governor's proposal to raise more money for the state's road system, but what are its concerns about how lawmakers want to carve up the money? John Niemela of CRAM explains. Also, was Gov. Rick Snyder's State of the State address a Democratic speech? And what are the dangers to Dems if they don't play along? Listen to post SOS audio clips from Rep. Jim Ananich (D-Flint) and Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw).
Monday Jan 14, 2013
Monday Jan 14, 2013
Michigan charter school students are outperforming their public school counterparts, according to a new Stanford University study that panned charter schools in 2009. Cindy Schumacher, executive director, of Central Michigan University's Center for Charter Schools talks about the significance of the new report. Also what scares new House Appropriations Committee Chair Joe Haveman (R-Holland) going into the crafting of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget (11:44)? The new chair talks about his priorities in '13 and why his Approps meetings may be more "boring" that what we're all used to.
Monday Jan 07, 2013
Monday Jan 07, 2013
How can reforms to the state's catastrophic claim system for auto insurance happen in the 2013-14 session? Scott Hummel from the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) suggests some sweeteners that could make it easier to pass the Legislature. Also, is the legislative future of Rep. Brian Banks (D-Detroit) connected to the one-person grand jury investigation of House Speaker Jase Bolger? And how is the national press treating the rebellion of U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Kentwood)?
Saturday Dec 29, 2012
Saturday Dec 29, 2012
For the second year, MIRS names its State Representative of the Year, State Senator of the Year and Democratic Legislator of the Year based on each lawmaker's effectiveness, level of activity and impact. This year's nominees are Rep. Mike Shirkey, Rep. Frank Foster, Rep. John Walsh and Rep. Jud Gilbert in the House; Sen. Roger Kahn, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, Sen. Tom Casperson, Sen. Bruce Caswell and Sen. Mike Nofs in the Senate; and Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, incoming House Minority Leader Tim Greimel, Rep. Lisa Brown, Rep. Barb Byrum and Rep. Brandon Dillon among the Democrats.
Saturday Dec 22, 2012
Saturday Dec 22, 2012
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Rep. Jeff Farrington (R-Utica) talk about how legislation phasing out the personal property tax on industrial equipment came about on the last day of the lame duck session. Mitch Bean from Great Lakes Economic Consultants, who looked at the proposal for the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Association of Counties raises the question over whether the "special assessment tax" proposed in the bills will stand up in court.
Monday Dec 17, 2012
Monday Dec 17, 2012
Gov. Rick Snyder told MIRS he didn't get everything he wanted in the version of the concealed weapons bill that is being sent to his desk. How big of a problem will that be for him? Listen to his thoughts in our 10-minute interview taped at 11:15 a.m. today. Also former Rep. David Palsrok of Dykema gives his perspective on this busy lame duck session and how it compares to sessions past.
Tuesday Dec 04, 2012
Tuesday Dec 04, 2012
Gov. Rick Snyder tells reporters after meeting with legislative leaders this evening that Right to Work is "on the agenda." Listen to his three minute discussion in its entirety.
Monday Dec 03, 2012
Monday Dec 03, 2012
The MIRS team delivers analysis on whether Right To Work (RTW) will happen in lame duck, and checks in with UAW Local 6000 Legislative Liaison Ray Holman on the subject. Also, Tom Hickson of the Michigan Catholic Conference talks about moral issues on the lame duck docket including adoptions, handguns and abortions.
Wednesday Nov 28, 2012
Wednesday Nov 28, 2012
Gov. Rick Snyder presents his special message to the Legislature on Energy and the Environment.