Podcasts about mirs

MIRS catches up with Ron Bieber, the President of the Michigan AFL-CIO, which represents 59 unions throughout the state. He talks about the Michigan AFL-CIO endorsing Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald for Attorney General, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II for Secretary of State ahead of Michigan Democrats' April convention in Detroit.  Ron also answers questions about some labor groups choosing to back Mike Duggan's independent bid for Governor, emotions of Gordie Howe International Bridge construction workers, and the future relationship between unions and artificial intelligence. (1:00).

Budget-making season has kicked off in Michigan's Capitol, with the Governor proposing to legislators a $88.1 billion spending plan based on $800 million in suggested taxes and a $400 million rainy day fund transfer.  How do fiscal policy thinkers feel about the proposed tax boosts? Is it appropriate for the School Aid Fund to be spent on community colleges? Also, what are the low-hanging fruits for reducing the size of the state government's budget?  To discuss all of this and more is Michael LaFaive – the senior director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy – and Rachel Richards, the Michigan League for Public Policy's fiscal policy director (1:00)

Is a two-year ban on department legislators from becoming lobbyists possible as individuals like Republican House Speaker Matt Hall try reforming the state Capitol institution? Also, ahead of the May 5 special election in Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw, what should Republicans be doing as their party has been losing 2025-2026 elections throughout the United States. From gameday party chip dips to expected impacts of AI on elections this year, MIRS talks about it all with Tony Zammit – the former Michigan GOP communications director – and Adam Bitely, the public affairs vice president of the Lansing-based Bellwether Public Relations firm (:25). 

Amid protests against federal immigration enforcement, MIRS talks to two Michigan sources. Alicia Guevara of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation talks about concerns of a "chilling effect" on childcare and early learning participation due to fears of ICE arrests outside facilities (3:09).  On the other hand, Diane Schindlbeck, a Newaygo County Republican, talks about her small business being targeted because of her personal support of immigration and law enforcement (24:05).  MIRS also talks with Dr. Minal Patel, a University of Michigan professor, about medical debt, and policy efforts around Lansing to try minimizing its effects on Michigan residents (41:00). 

On this week's edition, MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn fills in and talks with John Yob of Strategic National about Perry Johnson, the newest candidate to get into the gubernatorial race. (:33) Also, MIRS shares audio from the Northern Michigan Policy Conference and the comments from six major gubernatorial candidates about their view on increasing housing stock in high-growth communities like Traverse City. (14:20)

Era il WEF da quest'on procura per lingias grassas. La visita dal president american Donald Trump ha emplenì las medias. Sia politica metta sin il chau las reglas politicas da fin uss. Il mund è en midament, e tant la Svizra sco l'Europa tschertgan ina via dad ir enturn cun quai. Davos ils mirs da segirezza a Tavau vegn discutà. Igl è in mund exclusiv. Be paucas e paucs han access al center da congress durant il Forum mundial d'economia a Tavau. Da politicras fin managers: Tuts van cun lur agenda a Tavau e vulan profitar da l'inscunter tranter politica ed economia. Ma tge capita davos ils mirs da segirezza? Tgi s'inscuntra cun tgi vid la bar? E tge atmosfera spetga en quest lieu exclusiv? La Marella respunda.

MIRS continues its Democratic-Republican roundtable series, featuring Republican political strategist Jason Cabel Roe, and Democratic consultant Michael Radtke Jr., a Sterling Heights City Councilmember.  Did the autoworker who called President Donald Trump a 'pedophile protector' steal the show during the President's Detroit visit last week? Will a divided state Legislature, amid an election year, consider giving Detroit power to create new local taxes? From state constitutional conventions to treacherous weather commutes, Jason and Michael discuss this and more (2:00).  Also, MIRS sits down with Saginaw Republican Jason Tunney, the lawyer and recent family business head running in Michigan's special 35th State Senate race (39:15). 

MIRS kicks things off with a consultant edition of the Republican-Democratic roundtable, featuring Elena Greer – Democratic political professional in East Lansing – and Republican Greg Manz of Direct Edge Campaigns. Together they dive into what impacts data centers could have on the '26 elections, if state House Republicans can pull off property tax reform this year and talk in Democratic circles that Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II should run for Secretary of State instead of governor (1:20).  MIRS also checks in on the 35th state Senate district, where its special elections primaries take place on Feb. 3. MIRS sits down with Midland Republican Christian Velasquez, the former Dow Corning engineer and Michigan Chamber of Commerce director running for the seat (32:20). 

In the first episode of 2026, MIRS sits down with Rep. Samantha Steckloff, the Farmington Hills Democrat. She reflects on last year's road funding negotiations, and her binder of "about 13 different tax increases."  She describes the sustainability concerns ahead for how Michigan invests in infrastructure, and also talks about the bill packages she's already partnering with Republicans on (3:05). 

Today marks MIRS' final podcast episode of 2025. The MIRS team was joined by Rick Pluta, senior capitol correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network, to continue the "Best Of" series, as well as to reflect on the state Senate's role this past year. Discussing Michigan's policy movers and political shakers throughout '25, the team names MIRS' Senator of the Year (5:25). 

The MIRS team, along with Colin Jackson of the Michigan Public Radio Network, continue the "Best Of" award series. The series includes discussions on Michigan's policy movers and political shakers over the past year.  Who do you think this year should be MIRS' "Minority Lawmaker of the Year" among House Democrats and Senate Republicans? (4:14) Also, who takes the title of MIRS' "House Member of the Year" for 2025? (30:20) 

MIRS conducts a year-end interview with state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, the Grand Rapids Democrat. She talks about wanting to expand brownfield redevelopment tax breaks to cultural institutions that create experiences instead of products.  She adds that it's naive to think Michigan won't have data centers, but they will have an obligation to "be good neighbors" (1:14).  Also, MIRS meets Jacob Fallman, the Sugar Law Center's UIA Policy Coordinator. He talks about the push for a bill to stop the Unemployment Insurance Agency from collecting COVID-19 overpayments made five years ago (28:55). 

On Friday afternoon, the MIRS team kicked off recordings for MIRS' "Best Of" nominating series, discussing Michigan's policy movers and political shakers.  During non-statewide election years, MIRS names a freshman legislator of the year. The state House's freshman class size has dropped from 55 to 12 between 2023 and '25, and 31 bills have been signed by the Governor. In a year of fewer Capitol newcomers and public acts, how were this year's freshmen able to stand out? (:53)

The day before Thanksgiving, MIRS caught up with Port Huron Republican Andrew Beeler, who served in the state House from 2020 through '24. He talks about his new bid in the Thumb Region's 25th Senate district (:47). Since leaving the Legislature, he's taken ownership of a small floor covering business. He talks about property taxes being among Republicans' hottest issues going into 2026, boiling debates around data centers and A.I. and how he's connecting with the district's agricultural community. 

MIRS sits down with state Republican House Speaker Matt Hall of Richland Township. He says that property tax reform will be at the center of what House Republicans do in 2026 (2:56). He also talks about working with the Senate Democrats' floor leader to create a new business tax credit promoting job creation in Michigan. Hall says leaders are coming closer to an economic development deal, but House Republicans want to see the corporate incentive "SOAR Fund" permanently repealed and the state's "MEGA tax credits" eliminated in order to reach it. Now here is MIRS Host Samantha Shriber, who was joined this week by MIRS editor Kyle Melinn and House correspondent Maggie George.

MIRS hosts a former legislator edition of the Republican-Democratic roundtable discussion, welcoming Leslie Love – a former Detroit representative – and previous state Sen. Rick Jones, a Grand Ledge Republican.  Together, they discuss state Senate personnel recently leaving their posts due to their political side hustles, a bill allowing sergeants at arms to provide security outside of the Capitol and how they would handle the rise of artificial intelligence (3:42). 

Today's episode is a "Meet the Candidates" edition of MIRS Monday, a double feature including a Paw Paw Republican and Detroit Democrat, working on different sides of the state to become Michigan senators.  Republican Chris Moraitis is an attorney and son-in-law of a former Southwest Michigan state senator. He's coming in hot in the race to replace term-limited Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt in the 20th Senate district, with more than $101,000 raised in around two months (1:07).  Also, Democrat Justin Onwenu is right now serving as Detroit's entrepreneurship and economic opportunity director, searching for ways the city can promote business start-ups. He talks about running in the new 1st Senate district, covering a chunk of Detroit and several Downriver communities (27:16). 

Today's episode presents a Democratic lawmaker roundtable on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the food assistance program covering low-income folks' groceries.  Although President Donald Trump was ordered to cover SNAP with $5.25 billion during the federal government shutdown, some Democrats in Michigan still think a state-level emergency food assistance fund is necessary.  MIRS gets updates from Democratic state Reps. Betsy Coffia of Traverse City and Tonya Myers Phillips of Detroit on why they think Michigan needs to be creating funding for emergency food aid. They also talk about issues in their districts they believe aren't getting enough attention, as well as whether the window for bipartisan collaboration in Lansing is getting smaller or larger (4:38). 

For today's episode, MIRS is getting caught up on Detroit politics ahead of the city's Nov. 4 general election. If City Council President Mary Sheffield becomes mayor, as projected, how does the Detroit-Lansing relationship change?  Also, state Reps. Tyrone Carter and Karen Whitsett are both running in competitive city council races. Will they be successful or defeated by their more progressive opponents who are campaigning hard in the city?  MIRS sits down with Samual Robinson of Detroit One Million and Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit to discuss all of this and more (2:28). 

Today's Democratic-Republican roundtable edition of MIRS Monday features Jim Lower – the former Republican state representative and Sparta village manager – and Eastpointe City Councilmember Cardi DeMonaco Jr., a Democrat (1:26).  Cardi and Jim share their reactions on Michigan's newest road funding system, lawmakers possibly tackling intoxicating hemp drinks and the future of government-run economic development. Also, which political figure is catching their attention as a star in fall of 2025? 

The Michigan State Police reports that last year, about 40.7% of deadly traffic crashes involved drugs and/or alcohol. But at the same time, according to Brian Swift of the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, oral testing devices to detect recent substance use are sitting on shelves, collecting dust and unable to be used because they're not legally binding right now in Michigan. In a policy-centered episode, MIRS speaks with Brian – who lost his parents in a car crash involving drugs – and Troy Meder, the Chesaning Village police chief and a Drug Recognition Expert instructor. Brian and Troy discuss the push for oral roadside fluid testing in Michigan (:59).

This past week, legislators passed a state budget, giving schools $10,050 per-student, cutting back substantially on economic development spending and reducing government job posts. On this episode of the MIRS Monday Podcast, host Samantha Shriber walks listeners through the day, from Thursday afternoon through after 3 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 (1:21).  Also, $1.85 billion in new yearly money was secured for roads, but not without protests. Weed will be placed under a new 24 percent wholesale tax, and businesses won't have access to the same Trump-era tax deduction benefits on the state level. 

The budget-making race against the clock is underway in the state Capitol, as legislators have about two days to come together on a state spending plan before the new fiscal year begins. Also, MIRS continues sharing interviews from the Michigan Republican Leadership Conference. Sterling Heights Robert Lulgjuraj is running in one of Michigan's most competitive U.S. House seats ahead of the '26 elections. He says his last name might be hard to pronounce, but his values are easy to understand (3:58).  MIRS additionally catches up with Mitchell Nelson, the Michigan State Director of Humane World for Animals, who shares some of his policy goals for the year (22:51). 

This past weekend, MIRS podcast host Samantha Shriber covered the Michigan Republican Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island, where candidates ahead of the '26 elections courted Republican activists and enthusiasts. She recaps what she saw with guests (1:16).  At the conference, MIRS met up with Republican Amir Hassan, the U.S. Navy veteran and Flint native running in Michigan's competitive 8th U.S. House district (9:24).  Also, 46th Gov. John Engler shares what it was like creating budgets with a political rival and later with an evenly divided state House in the '90s (21:11). 

This week's show is sponsored in part by EPIC-MRA Public Opinion Research MIRS News

Monday afternoon, MIRS spoke with former Gov. James Blanchard, Michigan's 45th governor from 1983 through 1990. In his second term, he served with a Republican-led Senate and Democratic-controlled House.  Gov. Blanchard shares his thoughts on government shutdowns, as both a federal and state government shutdown stand as possibilities if budget deals can't be reached. 

After the fatal shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, as well as bomb threats reportedly made against a Michigan lawmaker and Lieutenant Governor, has politics in 2025 become deadly? Also, should state legislators be embarrassed by talk of a fall government shutdown despite not living under the Great Recession circumstances experienced in the prior shutdowns?  MIRS discusses all of this and more with Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), chair of the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee – and Rep. John Roth (R-Interlochen), chair of the House Appropriations Human Services Subcommittee (2:04). 

MIRS sits down with Doug Heller, the director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America. He shares his takes and findings on the state of auto insurance in Michigan (1:10).  Also, the House's road funding proposal brings Michigan's funding for local buses up to $286.5 million, an all-time high. However, bus service leaders are worried about how the proposal could link the extra dollars to farebox recovery metrics, representing how much of operating costs are covered by passenger fares (24:15). 

When it comes to budget-making in the Michigan Legislature, how big of a problem are phantom employees, or state agency job posts that are funded for but not filled? How large of an issue are work project dollars set aside in the past, but there's been no progress on those projects?  Also, why do House Republicans instruct the state to follow the federal government's new work obligations for Medicaid recipients a year earlier for Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries?  For its Labor Day episode, MIRS hosts a roundtable discussion with Sen. Jeff Irwin, the Ann Arbor Democrat, and Millington Republican state Rep. Phil Green (6:58). 

What are the costs and lasting effects of a state government shutdown? MIRS sits down with government policy lawyer Steve Liedel, who was Gov. Jennifer Granholm's legal counsel. The last time the government shutdown was during Granholm's administration (1:00).  Also, MIRS talks to former state Representative Kurt Heise, a Plymouth Republican backing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's independent bid for governor. Heise hopes the Michigan GOP doesn't take the same approach as the state's Democratic Party by targeting pro-Duggan party members (19:45).  Additionally, MIRS takes a virtual trip out-of-state to Texas, speaking with Andy Fish, Managing Partner of Texas Legislative Service, trying to better understand how mid-decade redistricting efforts became the latest Trump White House controversy (40:30). 

How are Democratic and Republican lawmakers reacting to suspicion around Lansing that there might be a looming government shutdown? Also what is the future of Michigan's business development strategy when the Democratic Attorney General suggests pausing funding to the economic development corporation until oversight is improved? Today's episode is a roundtable edition of MIRS Monday, featuring Sen. Joseph Bellino Jr. – the Monroe Republican – and Flushing Democratic Rep. Jasper Martus (3:45).  They also do a speed round of what policy ideas have promising, dead or unknown futures in a Democratic-run Senate and Republican-led House. 

MIRS meets Amanda Treppa, the 35-year-old Royal Oak Democrat running in the new 10th state Senate district. She shares how her early childhood in foster care and adult life in arts and fitness brought her into Michigan politics and policy. (1:00).  A group of Michigan engineering companies is launching a "direct citizen contact" effort, pushing Michiganders into calling on Senate Democrats to put forward a road funding proposal. They hope phone calls will lead to lawmakers staying at the bargaining until a 2025 road funding deal is complete (20:25).  MIRS also meets Gina Oliver, the senior director of the American Chemistry Council's Automotive Team. She talks about the state-level and national plastics industry, and wanting reform ramping up the country's advanced recycling capacity (37:30). 

What benefits do traditional partisan donors and volunteer bases see in backing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's run for governor? Also, why do some public officials view 2025 as one of the final chances for a long time to get a new road funding deal done?  MIRS talks about all this and more with Luke Londo, Hazel Park's independent city council member and a former Metro Detroit communications professional (1:27).  Does ending or downsizing Biden-era clean energy tax credits create economic uncertainty, making it more difficult to attract new manufacturers and industries to Michigan? Frank Houston of the BlueGreen Alliance, Robert Joerg of the Michigan Laborers District Council and Bentley Johnson of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters think so (24:54). 

MIRS reported last week there are 19 Democrats filed to run in open or Republican incumbent-held state Senate seats ahead of 2026. But for Republicans, there are six of such new challenger candidates. Why is this?  Also, what are the issues motivating liberal and conservative grassroots bases the most right now?  MIRS does an energy-check roundtable with Matthew Wilk of the Northville Republicans Club and Rick Blocker of the Oakland County Democratic Party (1:20). 

Legislators on appropriations set aside $250 million last year backing a planned semiconductor factory that has now been scrapped. But how many folks around Lansing actually believed this project would happen?  Also, will lawmakers still be negotiating a new state budget for Michigan in September? MIRS sits down with Reps. Tom Kunse, the Clare Republican, and Lansing Democrat Emily Dievendorf to hear their thoughts (2:50).  MIRS additionally sits down with Rep. Natalie Price, the Berkley Democrat. She's crafting bills to withhold state payments to the federal government if courts rule a White House funding cut to be unconstitutional (31:17). 

Why would school districts someday need to start creating policies for distributing overdose reversal medications to students? How does needing prior authorization from insurers to distribute substance abuse treatment drugs possibly slow down addiction care?  MIRS this week sits down with Dr. Cara Poland, a Grand Rapids addiction medicine physician and head of the state's opioid advisory commission (4:55). 

Will Michiganders sign a petition to ask voters if wealthy residents should be taxed extra to create more school funding? Rachelle Crow-Hercher of the Michigan Education Justice Coalition talks about the "Invest in MI Kids" ballot effort ahead of 2026 (4:53).  Also, MIRS meets Dan Cherrin, the MI Care Council's executive director. How does the way Michigan itself manages Medicaid dollars possibly create delays and complications? Dan explains why his group wants fewer regional entities overseeing behavioral health benefits (21:59).

The month of June for a Republican-led House and Democratic-controlled Senate ends with a game of budget season chicken in the state Capitol. Can the Legislature's pace in creating a K-12 budget impact the Governor's legacy?  Also, how do voters really feel about the U.S. House's new proposed Medicaid eligibility mandates? And does a new road funding plan for Michigan still seem achievable?  On the podcast to discuss these things and more is Lansing-based Andrea Bitely of Bitely Communications and Ann Arbor City Council Member Jen Eyer (5:45). MIRS sits down with Michigan Chamber of Commerce president, Jim Holcomb, as well. Jim says the Chamber will be loud and aggressive in its opposition against proposed new taxes for single filers earning $500,000 or more (30:31). 

Why is the Michigan Chamber of Commerce sounding the alarm on a possible corporate income tax increase  proposed for road funding? Why do state budget negotiations feel especially different this year, and can a cell phone app someday be used to make lobby gifts more transparent?  Talking about such topics and more are two State Representatives, Jaime Greene, the northern Macomb County Republican, and Ann Arbor Democrat Carrie Rheingans (5:57).  Also, MIRS meets attorney Sharon Almonrode, who's been representing residents impacted by the May 2020 Edenville Dam failure. Nearly 800 business owners and individuals in Midland, Saginaw and Gladwin Counties want the state to take accountability for damages they argue the government could have prevented (36:26). 

House Republicans are beginning to roll out their budget proposals for the next fiscal year, but why are some people around Lansing talking about government shutdowns theories? MIRS' Samantha Shriber and Editor Kyle Melinn talk about their questions amid Senate Democrats and House Republicans' big budget-making differences this summer (3:12).  Multiple labor unions are becoming interested in storing CO2 emissions deep underground in Michigan, saying such projects could create jobs. Robert Joerg of the Michigan Laborers District Council talks about why he's supporting state-run carbon capture permitting (16:43).  A small western U.P. town of around 300 people wants a $50 million grant from Lansing to secure future mining and other industry careers. MIRS meets up with Wakefield Township Supervisor Mandy Lake to talk about this quest over 10 years in the making (39:37). 

State Senator Mark Huizenga, the Walker Republican, wants to start a PFAS blood-testing pilot for West Michigan children. Also, he feels like there's been "a bit of fear mongering" in Democrats' messaging on the future of Medicaid (1:02).  Where do Oakland and Macomb Counties split over Lansing's road funding debate? Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter says he's way less optimistic than his Macomb County counterpart (16:41).