Topping the political news this week: the Governor delivers a populist State of the State message, with Democrats in the Legislature cheering repeatedly and Republican members sitting on their hands – even to the point of not cheering a proposal to help young children, or throwing shade at Ohio and Indiana. Mark and Jeff analyze the Governor’s address, and talk legislative priorities with the first woman to serve as Senate Majority Leader, Grand Rapids Senator Winnie Brinks.

Also this week: in what’s becoming our weekly Republicans in Trouble segment, Macomb Prosecutor Pete Lucido has done it again – this time quoting the GOAT of insurrectionists, Gen. Robert E. Lee, and being targeted in another lawsuit alleging official misconduct. And there’s a lot happening in both the state and national Republican Party leadership that pits the ultra-MAGAs against less extreme MAGAs.

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks has the historic distinction of being the first woman to ever hold this position in the Michigan Senate, as well as being the first woman to represent Grand Rapids in the Michigan Senate in more than 100 years. Her legislative focus has been on clean drinking water in Michigan and has worked tirelessly on efforts to reduce the prevalence of toxic PFAS chemicals in it. Her other policy passions have included improving equity in maternal health care, reproductive rights, reducing prescription drug costs, and helping uplift local communities and organizations.

Before being elected to the state House (where she served two terms) Brinks was a caseworker at The Source, helping businesses and nonprofits improve workplaces and retain employees. She also worked as the director of a community-based corrections agency and as a school paraprofessional. She is a graduate of Calvin College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a concentration in sociology.

State of the State

Also this week