Last week, the Attorney General announced 13 felony charges against former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield in relation to allegedly using state, campaign and non-profit funds for "self-enrichment."  Today, MIRS speaks with legal professional Jessica Bartlett on what exactly are 501(c)4 and 527 non-profits, and why it's rare for states to pursue charges involving them (1:15).  Also, Executive Director Britany Affolter-Caine of the University Research Corridor discusses analysis finding that the state's three major research universities spent more than $1.1 billion in ..read more

Founder Cassy Jones-McBryde of the Michigan Chamber for Reproductive Justice and midwife Nicole Marie White – the director of the MI State Of Birth Justice – describe legislation introduced recently by some Senate Democrats to improve how the state investigates, combats and reports on racial disparities in pregnancy and maternal care (1:20).  Pamela Pugh, a candidate in Michigan's 8th Congressional district, says she's heard of people in her opponents' camps claiming that because she's a Black woman, she can't win. Also, as president of the State Board of Education, Pamela discusses her c ..read more

State Representatives Penelope Tsernoglou – an East Lansing Democrat – and Kristian Grant, a Grand Rapids Democrat, join MIRS for a legislative roundtable. They discuss why Democrats are continuing to focus on abortion and reproductive issues this election cycle, although former President Donald Trump has not endorsed a federal abortion ban proposal (1:22). Should Michigan drop the state's gas tax in exchange for charging drivers a mileage-based user fee?  Chief Executive Officer Denise Donohue and Deputy Director Ed Noyola of the Michigan County Road Association explain why they want the ..read more

When it comes to the Republican primary for Michigan's U.S. Senate race, candidate Mike Rogers – a past chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee – says "this thing is done" (1:23).  The share of likely GOP primary voters supporting Rogers grows from 27 percent to 67 percent after they learn he is backed by past President Donald Trump, according to one March survey.  MIRS is also joined by Executive Director Cheryl Bergman of the Michigan Women's Commission. She discusses the latest report on women in Michigan's labor force, which found that women working full-time earned around ..read more

Last week, a Senate committee moved bills requiring the Governor and state legislators to respond to public records requests through Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. Meanwhile, some House Democrats introduced still more transparency bills involving 501(c)4 or 527 accounts not regulated by Michigan's campaign finance laws.  Executive Director Nick Pigeon of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network and Lisa McGraw, the public affairs manager of the Michigan Press Association, join the MIRS team to discuss the transparency proposals (1:34). Also, Stephanie Jones, the founder of the Michig ..read more

Should staffers in the Michigan Senate and House have union representation? (starts at 1:10) Former state Senator Wayne Schmidt, a Traverse City Republican, believes "the need for a union is really not there," and that being a legislative staffer is not a clock-in and clock-out type of job.  Meanwhile, past state Representative LaMar Lemmons III, a Detroit Democrat, would be against staffers being represented by a union that's involved in the political process.  Also, Lindsay Huddleston II of Sport Psychology Solutions is promoting a bill allowing high school athletes to make money o ..read more

In a reporter roundtable, the team is joined by Michigan politics reporter Joey Cappelletti of the Associated Press to discuss the recent state GOP nominating convention, where past President Donald Trump won all of the available delegates. They also talk about what presidential primary stories they're still thinking about as the state and voters move on.  Additionally, Democratic state Representatives Mike McFall and Jason Morgan describe why they decided to launch a legislative public transit caucus near the end of February.  The two want to zoom in on how improving public transit ..read more

On this week's MIRS Monday Podcast:  Matt Wilk – a Northville-based attorney and Republican 6th congressional precinct delegate – says "no one can guarantee" which delegates will move forward in the GOP presidential nominating process. Most of Michigan's Republican delegates for deciding the presidential nominee will be determined through a party-run convention on Saturday. But there are dueling conventions, one run by the Pete Hoekstra faction in Grand Rapids and another by the Kristina Karamo faction in Detroit.  Additionally, the team is joined by Cooley Law School professor Jeffr ..read more

Today, former Wisconsin congressman and Washington, D.C. lobbyist Scott Klug discusses his story-telling podcast, "Lost in the Middle: America's Political Orphans."  He details how the present-day state of political polarization has left a lot of voters "floating around on icebergs." Also, the team is joined by Tom George, a past state senator and Historical Society of Michigan board member. In honor of Presidents Day, he describes President Abraham Lincoln's only trip to Michigan in 1856, speaking to more than 20,000 attendees at a Republican rally ahead of the American Civil War.  ..read more

Last week, the Governor proposed a $80.7 billion state budget to lawmakers, including a suggestion to withhold $670 million in intended public school retirement debt payments to be spent on other things.  The team is joined by Research Director Craig Thiel and Senior Research Associate Robert Schneider of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan to discuss the Governor's recommendations.  Also, President Justin Winslow of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association explains why his group wants the Pure Michigan tourism campaign infused with $50 million this budget-making season ..read more