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 its RICE generators (15:13). 

What happens if the federal government no longer tests personal protective equipment? The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) thinks such government downsizing will put firefighters, construction workers and coal miners in danger (32:58). 

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 with an update on Michigan politics and policy news for the week. (1:15)

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 behavioral health management on the state.

They contemplate what is the government's role in keeping behavioral health patients out of already busy emergency departments (6:00). 

MIRS podcast host Samantha Shriber opens this edition with a quick update on Michigan politics and policy news (1:13). 

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 she likely would not have pursued a Republican nomination again to return to the court (15:26). 

MIRS catches up with State Rep. Jerry Neyer, chair of the House Agriculture Committee. He's introducing legislation to reframe the regulatory future of turning organic waste to biogas energy (33:20). 

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, the Coldwater Republican, to talk about his legislation requiring new hospital price transparency (22:35). 

Kelley Kuhn of the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Monique Stanton of the Michigan League for Public Policy talk about nonprofits' efforts to maintain federal spending and social welfare programs as is (36:45). 

This week: Harbor Strategic's John Sellek gives his assessment on Governor Whitmer's State of the State address and how his Save MI Tips group succeeded in passing legislation to preserve the state's tip credit for servers. (:50)

Sen Jim Runestad talks about how he defeated a Donald Trump-endorsed candidate to become the Michigan Republican Party Chair. (17:00)

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). 

Additionally, MIRS catches up with Zachary Kolodin. After three years as the Governor's Chief Infrastructure Officer & Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office , Zachary has launched his own firms, Pont Law and Pont Advisory, wanting to make infrastructure projects – from transit to housing to energy – simpler to build (14:10). 

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 unelected presidents, and the constitutional questions raised by President Donald Trump's executive orders (22:10). 

Additionally, where does public transit fit in Michigan's upcoming road funding debate? MIRS catches up with John Dulmes of the state's public transit association and Jamie Forbes of Saginaw's regional transit authority (44:05).

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 caught up with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who's running for governor as an independent. He's excited about the Detroit Regional Chamber's polling on the potential of independent candidates in the '26 elections (26:12). 

Executive Director Dominick Pallone of the Michigan Association of Health Plans comes on as well. He talks about Medicaid, why healthcare costs rise and the expensive effects of weight loss drugs in the insurance world (40:28). 

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 David Dulio and Jimmy Greene, the former president of the ABC of Michigan. 

Together, they talk about Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters' decision not to seek reelection in 2026. Also, what are the emotions of voters squeezed between two election cycles, and what is the state of Michigan legislative relationships in Lansing? (29:54).