MIRS Monday Podcast

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....

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 ...

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...

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 (1:2...

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 Republic...

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...

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 de...

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? 

O...

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 A...

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 em...

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...

MIRS continues to share interviews from this week's Mackinac Policy Conference hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber.  First, why did U.S. Sen. Gary Peters decide to not seek reelection in the 2026 elections? Also, the Senator explains his thoughts on cryptocurrency, Medicaid's possible future and Michigan's military assets (1:17). 

Additionally, MIRS sits down with the U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, the Birmin...

Welcome to a special midweek edition of the MIRS Monday podcast, direct from the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island!

Democratic Senate majority leader Winnie Brinks says road funding legislation in Michigan needs to be bicameral, blasting House Speaker Matt Hall, alleging he’s unwilling to seriously discuss new sources of road funding (1:37).

And Senate minority leader and candidate for Governor, Aric Nesbitt says he’d v...

MIRS’ publisher John Reurink and editor Kyle Melinn sit down with President Bernie Porn of EPIC-MRA. Together they preview the results of the biannual Capitol Insider Survey, revealing who government professionals project to be the biggest winners in policy and politics (6:50). 

Also, MIRS sits down with Destiny Wilkins, head of the Jackson County Medical Care Facility. She talks about how long-term care a...

MIRS gives a news recap on state policy and politics. Updates range from lawmakers being told that forecasted state revenues are down, to an ex-House staffer being charged for allegedly spending state money on gold bars, firearm accessories and silver (1:30).

MIRS sits down with Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony, the Lansing Democrat. She explains why Senate Democrats proposed a $85.95 billion stat...

MIRS gives a news recap on state policy and politics. The state House wants new bans on how Michigan interacts with countries of concern, the Senate wants Trump tariff relief in the new state budget and the Governor wants future deals with President Donald Trump (1:20). 

Also, a new EPIC-MRA poll for "Protect MI Care" shows 83% of Michiganders want to see Medicaid spending either raised or maintained. MIRS...

MIRS kicks things off with MoReno Taylor II, Democrats' former state judicial program director; Adam Bitely of Bellwether Public Relations, and Sterling Heights Republican Michelle Smith. Together they discuss President Donald Trump's Macomb County rally last week, and what residents might be craving most from the state government (1:15). 

MIRS also sits down with Christina Hines, the Warren Democrat runni...

MIRS' podcast host Samantha Shriber kicks things off with several news updates. For example, the state Senate last week approved bills creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), required to investigate high drug costs and authorized to set price caps (:55). 

Moreover, MIRS discussed Michigan politics last week with Dave Wasserman, the Cook Political Report's senior editor and elections analys...