MIRS Monday Podcast

It's officially construction cone season in Michigan. 

The Governor says a bipartisan road funding deal will soon be reached. But the state Senate has some budget concerns, wanting to avoid "one time gimmicks" when it comes to bankrolling infrastructure. 

MIRS sits down with Matthew Resch, the president of Lansing-based Resch Strategies, and Brad Williams of the Detroit Regional Chamber to hea...

MIRS kicks things off with Greg Manz – the 2024 communications director for the Michigan House Republican Campaign Committee – and Democratic political consultant Mike Radtke. Together, they discuss statewide campaign rollouts ahead of the '26 elections, as well as the Governor's unusual appearance in the Oval Office (1:51). 

The Macomb County Public Works Commission says raw sewage is being dumped into th...

MIRS talks with Jenell Leonard, the owner of Marketing Resource Group, about recent polling of Michigan voters. Governor Gretchen Whitmer hit her highest approval rating in five years, and 53 percent of respondents support creating a state-level DOGE (2:36). 

Also, state Rep. David Prestin, a Cedar River Republican, says the U.P. is "looking at an apocalypse" if Michigan's clean energy policies shut down i...

Should Michigan pursue a statewide cash allowance program for pregnant women and babies? MIRS sits down with Dr. Mona Hanna, the Flint-based pediatrician and founder of RX Kids, which offers "cash prescriptions" regardless of a household's income and assets (8:20). 

Also, MIRS catches up with Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, a Democrat running for governor in 2026 (22:35). 

MIRS podcast host Samantha Shriber opens this edition...

Michigan is in the lowest 10 percent nationally when it comes to state psychiatric hospital beds, confirms the state's health department.  

Lauren LaPine of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Connie O'Malley of the University of Michigan and Republican State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom – chair of the House's Medicaid and Behavioral Health appropriations subcommittee – talk about the impacts of behavior...

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, MIRS meets Meghan Kennedy Riordan, president of Irish Network Detroit. Meghan shares details about Michigan's relationship with Ireland, and why there are efforts to create a Michigan-Ireland Trade Commission (3:23). 

Also, the team catches up with outgoing Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement. She talks about why she's leaving the state's highest court, and why s...

For a roundtable discussion, MIRS welcomes journalist Lauren Gibbons, Bellwether PR professional Katie Jesaitis and Joel Rutherford, the former chair of Macomb County's Democratic Black caucus. 

Together, they discuss reactions to the Lansing, Governor Whitmer and Trump White House's perceived relationship and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II's forecast bid for governor (3:40). 

Also, MIRS catches up with State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, t...

This past weekend, Republicans and Democrats hosted their state conventions in Detroit. At the Michigan Democratic Party convention, attendees spent more than two hours in line, making their demands and frustrations known to the party. 

MIRS' Samantha Shriber spoke with new MDP Chair Curtis Hertel Jr., Mothering Justice founder Danielle Atkinson and Eastpointe party member Jeff Whittle, a special education instructor (:55). 

Additi...

Republicans and Democrats are working rapidly toward a compromise on Michigan's future paid sick time law. Angela Madden of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services is especially worried about how court-ordered changes to sick time policies might impact emergency services (1:30). 

Also, MIRS hosts a special Presidents Day segment with Jordan Cash, a constitutional democracy professor. He talks about the country's few unelecte...

The Governor has proposed a $83.5 billion spending plan for the state. MIRS sits down with Robert Schneider, a senior research associate for the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, to talk about it.

With President Donald Trump's aspirations to cut down federal spending, should the Governor and lawmakers start drafting their own "Plan Bs" for state spending? (4:38). 

Also last week, MIRS cau...

MIRS catches up with John Patrick Yob, the head of the Republican Strategic National consulting firm. He talks about what to look out for ahead of Michigan Republicans' state convention on Feb. 21-22, where the chair of the '26 election cycle will be decided (4:37). 

Also, MIRS hosts a roundtable discussion with Democratic program director MoReno Taylor II, Oakland University political science professor Da...

MIRS meets up with Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest, Republican strategist Jason Roe and Sam Robinson of Detroit One Million. They discuss Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's campaign rollout for governor and other Michigan political headlines.  

Additionally, less than a month into the new state Legislature, Senate Democrats are talking about suing House Republicans (1:41). 

Also, on Feb. ...

MIRS sits down with Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Young, the newest chair of the Michigan Legislature's Detroit Caucus. She discusses wanting to build better relationships with city officials.

She adds that no one should expect Detroit lawmakers to automatically get behind Renaissance Center redevelopment funding, wanting human assistance to be part of the conversation (3:40).

Additionally, ...

MIRS meets Christopher Smith – the State Bar's former elder law and disability rights section chair – and retired U.P. teacher Dee Lindenberger. They explain how right now, leaving behind a pension to a special needs child can result in them being disqualified from support services (2:58). 

Also, MIRS wraps up its interviews with active Michigan Democratic Party chair candidates, sitting down with Detroit-...

What potential stories are you preparing for in 2025? MIRS kicks things off with Anna Heaton – the vice president of public affairs firm Resch Strategies – and Republican consultant Jamie Roe. They share what they have on their bingo cards for new year political and policy headlines (1:00). 

Additionally, MIRS meets Mark Ludwig, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party's Rural Caucus. He wants to be the next chair of the state Democr...

MIRS kicks things off with an end-of-year roundtable. Who were the biggest winners and losers of Michigan's Capitol in 2024? What reforms and deals can be achieved in a Democratic state Senate and Republican House? 

Sterling Heights Democrat Henry Yanez, outgoing state Rep. Graham Filler – a St. Johns Republican – and Tony Zammit of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research join the chat (1:43). 

In its post-lame duck episode, the MIRS team continues its "Best Of" awards series for 2024, exploring Michigan's policy movers and political shakers. They determine who will be MIRS' House Member of the Year. Throughout historic walk-outs and on-edge moments, who stood out for durability and productivity? (3:51). 

Many headlines covered Rep. Karen Whitsett, a Detroit Democrat, walking out of lame duck and...

MIRS sits down with Tom Grotewohl, an Upper Peninsula resident and founder of the Protect the Porkies campaign. Will 318,700-plus petition signers keep senators from passing a $50 million state grant to the Copperwood Mine project? (3:40)

Also, Group President Trevor Lauer of DTE Energy talks about the future of grid reliability, data centers possibly moving to Michigan and why utilities say no to community solar credit proposals (...