MIRS Monday Podcast

Ahead of Michigan Democrats' April 19 endorsement convention, MIRS sits down with Suzanna Shkreli, the former state lottery commissioner running for Secretary of State.  Suzanna talks about her "night-and-day" career switch of going from prosecuting crimes against children in Macomb County to handing over checks to Powerball winners. She has a vision of a Department of State with more self-serving kiosks, mobile units and digital driver's licenses.  She also says that Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, her opponent, told her "point blank that he didn't want this job" ahead of her getting in last December (1:26).  Also, MIRS catches up with term-limited state Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville), who's introducing himself as "Farmer Rog" as he runs for Michigan State University's trustee board (29:47). 

MIRS Podcast Host Samantha Shriber recaps the Michigan Republican Party's recent endorsement convention, where Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd and Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini won Republicans' endorsements for Attorney General and Secretary of State (1:32).  She shares interview clips from Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad and state House Speaker Matt Hall.  Also, MIRS catches up one-on-one with Republican candidate for governor, Tom Leonard, a former Michigan House speaker from DeWitt. Leonard talks about why he feels that Lansing is "broken," wanting to abolish suspicion of "pay-to-play" in the Capitol and why he believes he's the "grassroots candidate" in Republicans' primary (12:22).  Do you sign up for credit cards based on travel rewards? Nick Simpson of the Electronic Payments Coalition and President James Canders of the Michigan Association of Airport Executives share why they think a federal proposal could potentially cut a consumer's rewards in half (40:10). 

Earlier this month, an intoxicated passenger reportedly assaulted two Amtrak train employees in Eaton County, on a train transporting multiple college students. MIRS sits down with Eric Stanger, the Michigan legislative director with the SMART union – representing rail and transportation employees – and local union representative and Amtrak conductor Nate Hatton.  They are ramping up their calls for legislators to pass bills creating specified penalties for individuals who assault operators on Michigan's trains and buses (1:05). Also, who is Shelley Wright? MIRS sits down with the Harrison Township Republican working to take on state Sen. Kevin Hertel – the Saint Clair Shores Democrat – in one of Michigan's most competitive battleground districts (19:30).

MIRS sits down with Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd, who's running to become Republicans' pick for Michigan Attorney General. He discusses the recent car ramming attack on Oakland County's Temple Israel, the growing relationship between crime and technology, and what Republican delegates are most eager to talk about this year (1:05).  Also, MIRS hosts a Democratic/Republican roundtable with Katie Jesaitis, a public affairs professional who worked previously for U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) – and Michelle Smith, a Sterling Heights-based Republican.  Together, they talk about "Invest in MI Kids" suspending its campaign for a ballot proposal to use a 5 percent surcharge on wealthy incomes for education funding, as well as whether Michigan should move its primary elections up from from August to May (24:15). 

MIRS welcomes Jamie Roe – the Republican consultant based in Macomb Township – and Warren Democrat Joel Rutherford, the former chair of Michigan Democrats' 10th Congressional district caucus.  On this week's Macomb County edition of the Democratic-Republican roundtable, Joel and Jamie discuss how wealthy Republican Perry Johnson has already impacted the Governor's race. Also, is a proposed stricter ID-to-vote statute worth all Michiganders needing to return to the Department of State to prove their citizenship with documents beyond their driver's licenses?  Jamie and Joel additionally talk about their preferred candidates to represent the 10th U.S. House district after this year's elections (:50). 

Host Samantha Shriber recaps Governor Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address on Feb. 25. Reducing housing construction barriers, alleviating medical debt, and tackling post-pandemic reading and learning stagnation were listed as her 2026 priorities.  The episode features reactions from House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin, the Brighton Republican, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, the Grand Rapids Democrat (4:15).  Also, what if Michigan tossed its Bottle Deposit Law, no longer giving residents 10-cents per-recycled can or bottle in grocery stores? MIRS talks to Bill Wild of the Midwest Independent Retailers Association about why he's calling for such a repeal. (13:45). 

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)

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.