MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, August 28, 2023

In this week's edition of MIRS Monday, the team is joined by legislative strategist Sarah Hubbard of Acuitas LLC and Jim Murray, a senior government relations professional at Tradecraft Strategies. Together, they discuss how energy policy could take the front seat for Fall 2023 and what legislation might be saved for next year. 

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson explains how legal scholars are now considering whether the indictments facing former President Donald Trump disqualify him from state presidential primary ballots in 2024. 

MIRS Monday, August 21, 2023

The MIRS team is joined by former state House Speaker Jase Bolger and past Democratic Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry to discuss whether the Legislature will adjourn early for 2023, which would allow the Governor the authority to call special sessions and to set the agenda. 

Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Hill Harper also explains why he wants a competitive primary for 2024.

 

Also, CEO Blake Resnick of BRINC Drones talks about how drones can provide life-saving support in active shooter incidents and search and rescue missions. 

MIRS Monday, August14, 2023

Executive Director Abby Mitch of Michigan Rising Action and State Representative Jason Morgan, the Michigan Democratic Party's vice chair, discuss what they believe have been the most underreported stories of 2023 so far. 

State Senator Kevin Hertel, a St. Clair Shores Democrat, explains why he believes the Legislature won't adjourn early this year. As chair of the Senate Health Policy committee, Hertel wants to spend the fall dedicated to legislation transitioning Michigan to a state-based health insurance exchange marketplace. 

Additionally, Midwest advocacy manager Courtney Bourgoin of Evergreen Action describes why environmentalists are excited about a report finding that Michigan could attract nearly $8 billion in extra federal investment if lawmakers approve new carbon-free energy policies. 

MIRS Monday, August 7, 2023

In this week's edition, the team is joined by Macomb County Republican strategist Jamie Roe and Kaitlyn Buss, the assistant editorial page editor for The Detroit News. Together, they discuss the latest downpour of Trump-related headlines and the impact it could have on Michigan voters.

Will the electorate become disengaged by a possible Donald Trump v. Joe Biden rematch? And whose moment in the spotlight is approaching ahead of the 2024 elections?

Additionally, President Tim Hoste of the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault discusses the recent Michigan State Supreme Court ruling allowing catastrophic car accident survivors to have their long-term care coverage unimpacted by the 2019 auto insurance reform and its reimbursement reductions.

Michigan State Capitol Commission Chair Bill Kandler also talks about an incoming firearm ban for the Capitol building that will be voted on later this month. 

MIRS Monday, July 31, 2023

The MIRS team is joined by Clara Hendrickson, politics reporter for the Detroit Free Press, and Oakland County political consultant Dennis Darnoi to discuss the more than $1 million raised by Republican representatives in their efforts to regain control of the state House in 2024.  The panel also tackles the current state of economic incentives coming from Michigan, and if it's become a political liability for the Democrats in charge. 

Additionally, David Hecker, the past president of the American Federation of Teachers in Michigan for more than 20 years, explains why he left his post amid a successful policy year for teacher unions. 

Cheboygan Democrat Callie Barr, a candidate for Michigan's 1st congressional seat, introduces herself after finding early fundraising success in a Republican stronghold district. 

MIRS Monday, July 24, 2023

State Budget Officer Chris Harkins is asked about how transparent this year's budget-making process was.  The next Fiscal Year budget takes over $6 billion in surplus revenue off Michigan's balance sheet, but Harkins says residents should not be worried by this. 

Charlie Tyson, the technology activation director for the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, forecasts a future where unmanned delivery drones fly beyond the visual line of sight, and where companies might someday flock to Michigan to develop flying taxis. 

And actor Hill Harper is an official Democratic contender for the U.S. Senate. Sam Robinson of Axios in Detroit and past 'Reproductive Freedom For All' spokesperson Darci McConnell discuss what they're seeing in the early days of the Elissa Slotkin vs Harper Democratic rivalry. 

MIRS Monday, July 17, 2023

State Representative Noah Arbit calls the idea that someone could be charged and prosecuted for misgendering a person under his hate crime legislation "just ludicrous on its face." 

President Brandy Johnson of the Michigan Community College Association explains why her organization is one of the early backers of the Governor's new state department, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential – or MiLEAP. 

Additionally, Clean Water Director John Rumpler of the Environment Michigan Research and Policy Center discusses a report finding that in 2022, 43% of Michigan's beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one testing day. 

MIRS Monday, July 10, 2023

Reporters Joey Cappelletti with AP and Colin Jackson with the Michigan Public Radio Network discuss what stories are brewing while the Legislature is on summer recess. How does Michigan become more attractive to young people? And what policy proposals could define the final months of 2023? 

Donald Roach with the SMART union for rail workers contemplates if Michigan missed the train for high speed rail, as well as the unclear future for disputed rail safety legislation. 

Finally, critics say the more than $2.8 billion LEO budget is a plate full of pork.   Senator Mary Cavanagh says it is full of historic investment into Michigan's underserved and overlooked communities. 

MIRS Monday, July 3, 2023

Julie Metty Bennett from Public Sector Consultants and Matt Resch from Resch Strategies share their takeaways from the first six months of the first Democratic-led government in 40 years.

 

Nick Occhipinti of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters addresses why renewable portfolio standards need to be stricter when the dirty air we've all been breathing in lately is from wildfires in Canada.

 

And Michigan Legislative Consultants President Tim Ward embarks on an epic adventure to raise awareness for a program designed to bring more harmony to Michigan prisons.

MIRS Monday, June 26, 2023

State Board of Education member Nikki Snyder is asked why she believes she will win the Republican U.S. Senate nomination.

Andrea Bitely of the Michigan Retail Association is asked about the practical impact of repealing "The Death Star." 

And Doug Pratt of the Michigan Education Association is asked why the state should be spending more money on K-12 education when pupil count numbers are going down.