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 Republicans Club and Rick Blocker of the Oakland County Democratic Party (1:20). 

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 thoughts (2:50). 

MIRS additionally sits down with Rep. Natalie Price, the Berkley Democrat. She's crafting bills to withhold state payments to the federal government if courts rule a White House funding cut to be unconstitutional (31:17). 

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 delays and complications? Dan explains why his group wants fewer regional entities overseeing behavioral health benefits (21:59).

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? 

On the podcast to discuss these things and more is Lansing-based Andrea Bitely of Bitely Communications and Ann Arbor City Council Member Jen Eyer (5:45).

MIRS sits down with Michigan Chamber of Commerce president, Jim Holcomb, as well. Jim says the Chamber will be loud and aggressive in its opposition against proposed new taxes for single filers earning $500,000 or more (30:31). 

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 Arbor Democrat Carrie Rheingans (5:57). 

Also, MIRS meets attorney Sharon Almonrode, who's been representing residents impacted by the May 2020 Edenville Dam failure. Nearly 800 business owners and individuals in Midland, Saginaw and Gladwin Counties want the state to take accountability for damages they argue the government could have prevented (36:26). 

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 emissions deep underground in Michigan, saying such projects could create jobs. Robert Joerg of the Michigan Laborers District Council talks about why he's supporting state-run carbon capture permitting (16:43). 

A small western U.P. town of around 300 people wants a $50 million grant from Lansing to secure future mining and other industry careers. MIRS meets up with Wakefield Township Supervisor Mandy Lake to talk about this quest over 10 years in the making (39:37). 

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 counterpart (16:41). 

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 Birmingham Democrat and a 2026 U.S. Senate candidate (11:53). 

Also, Airbnb wants Michigan policymakers to know that Airbnb guests in the state spent nearly $1.3 billion on goods and services last year while visiting, based on its new report (24:00). 

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 vote for the recently passed House roads plan and urges a vote now.  Nesbitt also laments the lack of discussion about education and literacy at Mackinac (13:45).