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).

MIRS meets up with Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest, Republican strategist Jason Roe and Sam Robinson of Detroit One Million. They discuss Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's campaign rollout for governor and other Michigan political headlines.  

Additionally, less than a month into the new state Legislature, Senate Democrats are talking about suing House Republicans (1:41). 

Also, on Feb. 5, Capitol Services Inc. will be launching the "Capitol Closet," a new program helping Lansing's young professionals build their workday wardrobe (28:52). 

MIRS sits down with Ron Wiles as well, who's the deputy director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (46:23). 

MIRS sits down with Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Young, the newest chair of the Michigan Legislature's Detroit Caucus. She discusses wanting to build better relationships with city officials.

She adds that no one should expect Detroit lawmakers to automatically get behind Renaissance Center redevelopment funding, wanting human assistance to be part of the conversation (3:40).

Additionally, MIRS releases its "What To Expect" webinar from Jan. 16, featuring former Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger, past Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich and MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn (24:23). 

MIRS meets Christopher Smith – the State Bar's former elder law and disability rights section chair – and retired U.P. teacher Dee Lindenberger. They explain how right now, leaving behind a pension to a special needs child can result in them being disqualified from support services (2:58). 

Also, MIRS wraps up its interviews with active Michigan Democratic Party chair candidates, sitting down with Detroit-based activist Al Williams (29:12). 

Molly Medenblik of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network explains what her group is hoping to accomplish in Michigan during 2025 (47:50). 

What potential stories are you preparing for in 2025? MIRS kicks things off with Anna Heaton – the vice president of public affairs firm Resch Strategies – and Republican consultant Jamie Roe. They share what they have on their bingo cards for new year political and policy headlines (1:00). 

Additionally, MIRS meets Mark Ludwig, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party's Rural Caucus. He wants to be the next chair of the state Democratic party (24:40). 

MIRS also catches up with Scott Greenlee, a candidate for Michigan Republican Party chair. When he unsuccessfully ran in 2023, he said Republican legacy donors and "establishment" members were taking a lot of criticism. He thinks this year's party is ready for pitches to bring people together (42:40)

MIRS kicks things off with an end-of-year roundtable. Who were the biggest winners and losers of Michigan's Capitol in 2024? What reforms and deals can be achieved in a Democratic state Senate and Republican House? 

Sterling Heights Democrat Henry Yanez, outgoing state Rep. Graham Filler – a St. Johns Republican – and Tony Zammit of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research join the chat (1:43). 

MIRS also sits down with Curtis Hertel Jr., the East Lansing Democrat and former state senator who's running to be Michigan Democratic Party chair (31:22). 

Finally, MIRS concludes its "Best Of" awards series for 2024, exploring Michigan's policy movers and political shakers. The team names MIRS' Senator of the Year (50:35).