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Episodes
Weekly news and analysis of Michigan politics by the professional journalists of MIRSnews.com
Episodes
Monday May 07, 2012
Monday May 07, 2012
Some retired school employees pay nothing for their health insurance coverage, but others will pay more than twice what they do today under changes being proposed by Republicans in SB 1040. What changes could be made that would improve the bill? Mark Guastella, executive director of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, shares four ideas. Also, MIRS answers five "burning questions" going into May 15 filing deadline. Will Paul Scott run in the 51st? Will Rep. Rick Olson file for re-election as a Democrat? What's going on with the Detroit-based House races?
Monday Apr 30, 2012
Monday Apr 30, 2012
Fran Brennan, Michigan State Director of Working America, says Rep. Dale Zorn (R-Ida), told her members he was a "no" vote on the cyber school legislation the morning before being the "yes" vote that put SB 619 over the top. She tells MIRS Monday that her organizers are letting Zorn's constituents know about it. Which other "yes" vote had previously told her group he was a "no?" Also, the MIRS team counts 10 potential ballot proposals in the field. Which ones have a realistic shot of making the November ballot?
Monday Apr 23, 2012
Monday Apr 23, 2012
How much money should the wrongly convicted be given once they're released from prison? Sen. Steve Bieda (D-Warren) has a number and he's pushing to get it passed through the Legislature. The first-term Senator also talks about why he got behind legislation regulating "puppy mills" and a separate measure giving some parental rights to men who father children with women who are married to other men. Also, MIRS talks about how the Detroit International Bridge Company is outfoxing Gov. Rick Snyder and other supporters of a second bridge across the Detroit River. And the primary question for U.S. Rep. Justin Amash appears to have been answered.
Tuesday Apr 17, 2012
Tuesday Apr 17, 2012
Listen to the audio of an interview with U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra.
Monday Apr 16, 2012
Monday Apr 16, 2012
The repeal of the Personal Property Tax (PPT) will happen in 2012, predicts Mike Johnston of the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA). Johnston talks about the impact on local governments and concerns a PPT would shift the tax burden down the food chain. Also, will the Republican U.S. Senate candidates eat each other before the General? And could the 3rd Congressional District turn into an Israel v. Palestine battle?
Monday Apr 09, 2012
Monday Apr 09, 2012
Summer Minnick, director of state affairs for the Michigan Municipal League (MML), catches up with MIRS on Personal Property Tax and why townships are still important. The MIRS team also discusses what went right and what could go wrong with the Detroit consent agreement, along with who came out of the struggle in good shape.
Monday Apr 02, 2012
Monday Apr 02, 2012
If community colleges are allowed to offer the five baccalaureate degrees, what are the chances the colleges will ask for more down the road? How many of the state's 28 community colleges are looking at becoming universities? Mike Hansen of the Michigan Community College Association answers those and other questions. Also, the MIRS team digs into the four big items the Legislature didn't finish before the spring recess.
Monday Mar 26, 2012
Monday Mar 26, 2012
Rich Robinson of the Campaign Finance Network gives Jocelyn Benson's "Right to Know" ballot proposal an "incomplete." Was Robinson consulted on Benson's shelved proposal? What would his ballot proposal look like if he were to craft one? Also, Republicans try to play the role of compromiser on Right to Work, why Flint will get its emergency manager back quickly and why the public doesn't care about the immediate effect controversy in the House.
Monday Mar 19, 2012
Monday Mar 19, 2012
Bob LaBrant of the Sterling Corporation calls the SEIU-backed health care worker constitutional ballot proposal "featherbedding." Listen to what else he and attorney John Pirich of the Honigman Miller have to say about the various ballot proposals being advanced by progressive causes. What happened to Jocelyn Benson's short-lived "Right To Know" proposal? Did Snyder do himself a disservice by trying to get organized labor to back off their collective bargaining ballot proposal? This and much more on this week's edition.
Tuesday Mar 13, 2012
Tuesday Mar 13, 2012
Gov. Rick Snyder talks to reporters this afternoon about his proposed consent agreement with the city of Detroit, which is in a position to run out of cash by May.