Yes, it's the “March Madness” edition of “A Republic, If You Can Keep It”. This year, the orgy of college basketball is joined by the madness that is Tucker Carlson and Fox News, along with the incredible productivity of the Michigan's new legislative majority in Lansing.

That new Democratic majority is moving major legislation at a record-setting pace. Several huge bills have cleared the Legislature in the last few days. Among them: a nearly one-billion-dollar tax cut, mandatory background checks for all gun purchases, an expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act providing basic protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders, and a $630-million incentive package for the Ford battery plant in Marshall. Other bills moving quickly through the legislature repeal the Snyder-era attacks on unions, repeal Michigan’s 1931 abortion law and enact new gun safety laws.

Joining the podcast this week: longtime Republican activist Saul Anuzis. Anuzis served as Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party from 2005-2009 and was a candidate for Chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2009 and 2011.  Previous positions included working with Newt Gingrich at American Solutions, Jack Kemp’s 1988 Presidential campaign, Chief of Staff to MI Senate Majority Leader Dick Posthumus, Chairman of the MI Senate Republican Campaign Committee and serving on the MI House Republican Campaign Committee and most recently as a Senior Advisor to the Ted Cruz for President Campaign in the 2016 cycle.

Today, Anuzis is one of the leaders in a bipartisan effort to reform the presidential election process. The United States is the only democracy in the world that makes it possible to finish second in an election… and still win. Two of the last four Presidents lost the popular vote but were elected thanks to the Electoral College. The National Popular Vote initiative would end that giant-sized quirk in our elections.

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

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Links to Stories We're Following This Week

House votes to expand background checks on gun sales - Detroit Free Press

Gun reform proposals receive first hearing in Michigan Legislature - WILX TV

Michigan voters support lifetime firearms ban for some crimes, poll says - Detroit News

Michigan Safety Survey Report - Glengariff Group

MSU shooting victim’s mom testifies for gun safety laws - Bridge Michigan

Democrats mobilize on gun safety bills after flipping state legislatures, governor's offices - The Washington Post

Democrats push Michigan gun reforms. Here’s what the laws are now | Bridge Michigan

Michigan House passes bills to repeal right-to-work - Detroit Free Press

Tax relief restored for Michigan retirees, low-income earners- Detroit Free Press

Whitmer approves $630 million to support Ford battery plant - Detroit Free Press

5 (mostly) good things to know about Michigan’s progress on EVs - Bridge Michigan

New Michigan scholarship seeks to fill jobs at state’s EV companies - Bridge Michigan

Opinion | Ford Is Leaving Tesla in the Dust - The New York Times

Michigan Right-to-Work repeal advances to House - Bridge Michigan

Michigan House votes to repeal 1931 abortion ban - Bridge Michigan