The episode features reactions from House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin, the Brighton Republican, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, the Grand Rapids Democrat (4:15). 

Also, what if Michigan tossed its Bottle Deposit Law, no longer giving residents 10-cents per-recycled can or bottle in grocery stores? MIRS talks to Bill Wild of the Midwest Independent Retailers Association about why he's calling for such a repeal. (13:45). 

Ron also answers questions about some labor groups choosing to back Mike Duggan's independent bid for Governor, emotions of Gordie Howe International Bridge construction workers, and the future relationship between unions and artificial intelligence. (1:00).

How do fiscal policy thinkers feel about the proposed tax boosts? Is it appropriate for the School Aid Fund to be spent on community colleges? Also, what are the low-hanging fruits for reducing the size of the state government's budget? 

To discuss all of this and more is Michael LaFaive – the senior director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy – and Rachel Richards, the Michigan League for Public Policy's fiscal policy director (1:00)

From gameday party chip dips to expected impacts of AI on elections this year, MIRS talks about it all with Tony Zammit – the former Michigan GOP communications director – and Adam Bitely, the public affairs vice president of the Lansing-based Bellwether Public Relations firm (:25). 

On the other hand, Diane Schindlbeck, a Newaygo County Republican, talks about her small business being targeted because of her personal support of immigration and law enforcement (24:05). 

MIRS also talks with Dr. Minal Patel, a University of Michigan professor, about medical debt, and policy efforts around Lansing to try minimizing its effects on Michigan residents (41:00). 

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)

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). 

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). 

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). 

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

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) 

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). 

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)

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. 

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.

Together, they discuss state Senate personnel recently leaving their posts due to their political side hustles, a bill allowing sergeants at arms to provide security outside of the Capitol and how they would handle the rise of artificial intelligence (3:42). 

Republican Chris Moraitis is an attorney and son-in-law of a former Southwest Michigan state senator. He's coming in hot in the race to replace term-limited Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt in the 20th Senate district, with more than $101,000 raised in around two months (1:07). 

Also, Democrat Justin Onwenu is right now serving as Detroit's entrepreneurship and economic opportunity director, searching for ways the city can promote business start-ups. He talks about running in the new 1st Senate district, covering a chunk of Detroit and several Downriver communities (27:16). 

Although President Donald Trump was ordered to cover SNAP with $5.25 billion during the federal government shutdown, some Democrats in Michigan still think a state-level emergency food assistance fund is necessary. 

MIRS gets updates from Democratic state Reps. Betsy Coffia of Traverse City and Tonya Myers Phillips of Detroit on why they think Michigan needs to be creating funding for emergency food aid. They also talk about issues in their districts they believe aren't getting enough attention, as well as whether the window for bipartisan collaboration in Lansing is getting smaller or larger (4:38). 

Also, state Reps. Tyrone Carter and Karen Whitsett are both running in competitive city council races. Will they be successful or defeated by their more progressive opponents who are campaigning hard in the city? 

MIRS sits down with Samual Robinson of Detroit One Million and Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit to discuss all of this and more (2:28). 

Cardi and Jim share their reactions on Michigan's newest road funding system, lawmakers possibly tackling intoxicating hemp drinks and the future of government-run economic development. Also, which political figure is catching their attention as a star in fall of 2025?