MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS hosts a Republican-Democratic roundtable with Democratic Macomb County Commissioner Michael J. Howard II of Warren and Anna Heaton, the vice president of Resch Strategies and former press secretary under Republican Gov. Rick Synder (1:13). 

Should lawmakers in Lansing answer some calls to suspend the gas tax at the state level amid high fuel costs? Also, are ties to the movement to get off fossil fuels a political asset or liability in 2026, an election cycle focused on costs? 

Additionally, Anna and Michael discuss small businesses contemplating whether or not they can afford healthcare plans for next year. 

MIRS catches up with Robin Schneider of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association. In the last month, Robin says that two members have committed suicide as the industry struggles to keep up with this year's new 24% wholesale tax on weed. 

Previously viewing Democrats as the cannabis industry's "natural allies," the association is now endorsing Republican U.S. Rep. John James for governor (1:53). 

MIRS also speaks with Nicholas Cook and Sarah Rennie of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. Together, they discuss how homeless encampments form, as well as problems they see in both blue and red cities' attempts to minimize them (19:51). 

On Sept. 11, MIRS revisited the 54th state House district, an Oakland County battleground won by a tight 558 votes in 2024.  Democratic U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin won by an even tighter 300 votes. 

MIRS meets Sarah Pounds, the Democratic nominee in the 54th House district. Pounds is a Lake Orion paralegal and affordable housing advocate. 

She talks about her work to repurpose underused properties for housing, like when church buildings are emptied when a congregation joins another. She also opens up about how she will vote blue up-and-down the ticket, despite not believing that some of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's policies are feasible (1:47). 

Concerns surrounding large-scale data centers have become a major theme in the 2026 election cycle. But amid opposition to constructing hyperscale facilities, a coalition called Michigan for Responsible Data Centers has taken a supportive position on these projects. 

MIRS sits down with Jeff Zilke, the director of Access Michigan – a data center equipment supplier – and Christine Simon, the government affairs vice president at the Grand Rapids Chamber. 

As the son of a United Auto Workers' member, Zilke wants to play a part of the "economic driver of the future," although he admits the scope and size of data center projects are definitely changing. Meanwhile, Simon says that even if artificial intelligence was reined in, the need for today's new data center projects would still exist (1:10). 

MIRS sits down with Rashida Harrison, the Democratic nominee who had a surprise victory in Michigan's 28th Senate district, covering East Lansing, Meridian Township, St. Johns and other Clinton, Ingham and Shiawassee County communities. 

Harrison moved to East Lansing two decades ago from New York City, and recently taught on Black Women's political organizing and social movements at Michigan State University (2:03). 

Also, MIRS catches up with the Republican nominee in one of Oakland County's political battlegrounds, 23-year-old Roman Gaskey in the 54th House district. In 2024, President Donald Trump won the House district with around 49% of the vote. 

Gaskey talks about his life working for an artificial intelligence startup, and the role Flock cameras and property taxes can play this fall (27:05). 

On Aug. 14, MIRS Podcast host Samantha Shriber toured Mariners Inn, the substance abuse and mental health treatment provider for men in Detroit. Its history goes back by more than 100 years, once serving as a "safe haven" for sailors along the Detroit River until becoming a place for addiction recovery and addressing homelessness. 

Last year, they opened up their supportive housing apartments. 

MIRS speaks with Mariners Inn's Chief Operating Officer Carina Jackson (1:14) and Chief Executive Officer David Sampson (15:45). 

MIRS catches up with state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) now that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Democrats' nominee for governor, has selected Brinks to be her running mate as Lieutenant Governor (2:15). 

Podcast host Samantha Shriber was in Mount Pleasant over the weekend covering the Michigan Republican Party's nominating convention. Second-term Representative Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) gives updates as chair emeritus of the House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC) (11:20). 

MIRS also brings listeners into scrums with Republicans' Secretary of State and Attorney General nominees, Anthony Forlini and Doug Lloyd (19:55). 

However, three miles outside of the convention, Mount Pleasant City Commissioner Ryon Skalitzky was recruiting locals to join the Isabella County Democratic Socialists of America (25:50)

U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) visited a Troy brunch restaurant with the Republican nominee for Michigan Governor, U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township), along with others. Together, they tried to make the case that the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) shouldn't be used as a dirty acronym in the 2026 elections (1:40). 

The morning after it was revealed that State House Oversight Chair Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay) was James' pick for Lieutenant Governor, his ex-committee member, Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) started making the media rounds. She wants Michiganders to know that DeBoyer rejected her public push to hold a hearing on alleged sexual abuse inside a Northern Michigan arts camp (10:35).

Furthermore, what does Democratic nominee for Governor, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, want to do to further economic development in Michigan? (20:50)

To recap the Aug. 4 primary elections, MIRS sits down with Lansing-based Andrea Bitely – a moderate Republican – and Democratic Socialist Jessica Newman, a political operative in Ferndale (1:30). 

How will Democrat U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed try to connect with Detroit seniors, Macomb County's pro-Trump autoworkers and "Reagan Democrats", and the pre-Trump Republicans in white collar Oakland County?

Also, what might be Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers' courting strategy to win Democratic voters who wanted Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) to win the primary?

Additionally, they discuss who might vote YES on summoning a state Constitutional Convention in November, and whether Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Democrat nominee for Governor, is prepared for a "fire hose" of negative ads from Republicans. 

Recently retired publisher of MIRS, the boss John Reurink, reflects on more than 40 years of monitoring Michigan politics and policy. Before leading the publication, John was intrigued by the idea of offering bill details, news background and more "right there at your fingertips" (1:45).

Amid new policy changes in the healthcare world, anesthesia services have seen declines in coverage reimbursements and controversial proposals nationally to limit the time anesthesia is covered by insurers, says Gena Welch, the president of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists (17:20).