MIRS Monday Podcast

On this week's edition, MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn fills in and talks with John Yob of Strategic National about Perry Johnson, the newest candidate to get into the gubernatorial race. (:33)

Also, MIRS shares audio from the Northern Michigan Policy Conference and the comments from six major gubernatorial candidates about their view on increasing housing stock in high-growth communities like Traverse City. (14:20)

MIRS continues its Democratic-Republican roundtable series, featuring Republican political strategist Jason Cabel Roe, and Democratic consultant Michael Radtke Jr., a Sterling Heights City Councilmember. 

Did the autoworker who called President Donald Trump a 'pedophile protector' steal the show during the President's Detroit visit last week? Will a divided state Legislature, amid an election year, consider giving Detroit power to create new local taxes? From state constitutional conventions to treacherous weather commutes, Jason and Michael discuss this and more (2:00). 

Also, MIRS sits down with Saginaw Republican Jason Tunney, the lawyer and recent family business head running in Michigan's special 35th State Senate race (39:15). 

MIRS kicks things off with a consultant edition of the Republican-Democratic roundtable, featuring Elena Greer – Democratic political professional in East Lansing – and Republican Greg Manz of Direct Edge Campaigns.

Together they dive into what impacts data centers could have on the '26 elections, if state House Republicans can pull off property tax reform this year and talk in Democratic circles that Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II should run for Secretary of State instead of governor (1:20). 

MIRS also checks in on the 35th state Senate district, where its special elections primaries take place on Feb. 3. MIRS sits down with Midland Republican Christian Velasquez, the former Dow Corning engineer and Michigan Chamber of Commerce director running for the seat (32:20). 

In the first episode of 2026, MIRS sits down with Rep. Samantha Steckloff, the Farmington Hills Democrat. She reflects on last year's road funding negotiations, and her binder of "about 13 different tax increases." 

She describes the sustainability concerns ahead for how Michigan invests in infrastructure, and also talks about the bill packages she's already partnering with Republicans on (3:05). 

Today marks MIRS' final podcast episode of 2025. The MIRS team was joined by Rick Pluta, senior capitol correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network, to continue the "Best Of" series, as well as to reflect on the state Senate's role this past year.

Discussing Michigan's policy movers and political shakers throughout '25, the team names MIRS' Senator of the Year (5:25). 

The MIRS team, along with Colin Jackson of the Michigan Public Radio Network, continue the "Best Of" award series. The series includes discussions on Michigan's policy movers and political shakers over the past year. 

Who do you think this year should be MIRS' "Minority Lawmaker of the Year" among House Democrats and Senate Republicans? (4:14) Also, who takes the title of MIRS' "House Member of the Year" for 2025? (30:20) 

MIRS conducts a year-end interview with state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, the Grand Rapids Democrat. She talks about wanting to expand brownfield redevelopment tax breaks to cultural institutions that create experiences instead of products. 

She adds that it's naive to think Michigan won't have data centers, but they will have an obligation to "be good neighbors" (1:14). 

Also, MIRS meets Jacob Fallman, the Sugar Law Center's UIA Policy Coordinator. He talks about the push for a bill to stop the Unemployment Insurance Agency from collecting COVID-19 overpayments made five years ago (28:55). 

On Friday afternoon, the MIRS team kicked off recordings for MIRS' "Best Of" nominating series, discussing Michigan's policy movers and political shakers. 

During non-statewide election years, MIRS names a freshman legislator of the year. The state House's freshman class size has dropped from 55 to 12 between 2023 and '25, and 31 bills have been signed by the Governor. In a year of fewer Capitol newcomers and public acts, how were this year's freshmen able to stand out? (:53)

The day before Thanksgiving, MIRS caught up with Port Huron Republican Andrew Beeler, who served in the state House from 2020 through '24. He talks about his new bid in the Thumb Region's 25th Senate district (:47).

Since leaving the Legislature, he's taken ownership of a small floor covering business. He talks about property taxes being among Republicans' hottest issues going into 2026, boiling debates around data centers and A.I. and how he's connecting with the district's agricultural community. 

MIRS sits down with state Republican House Speaker Matt Hall of Richland Township. He says that property tax reform will be at the center of what House Republicans do in 2026 (2:56).

He also talks about working with the Senate Democrats' floor leader to create a new business tax credit promoting job creation in Michigan. Hall says leaders are coming closer to an economic development deal, but House Republicans want to see the corporate incentive "SOAR Fund" permanently repealed and the state's "MEGA tax credits" eliminated in order to reach it.

Now here is MIRS Host Samantha Shriber, who was joined this week by MIRS editor Kyle Melinn and House correspondent Maggie George.