MIRSnews.com Monday

Three state senators get primary election threats from the political right with specific challengers only a few days before an expected Senate vote on a Medicaid expansion. How will this impact the vote? The Democrats also now have their first Attorney General candidates. Also, Rep. Frank Foster (R-Pellston) talks about his “yes” vote on Medicaid expansion, his support of expanding the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to include gays and lesbians and his vision on how Republicans keep contr...

Senate Education Committee Chair Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair) talks about why legislation that allows the state to dissolve financially struggling school districts is necessary. Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) talks about why she wants lawmakers to slow down debate on the subject. Also, when will a road funding package emerge from the Legislature? Why are lawmakers putting more money into Capitol security and why is perception over Medicaid expansion/reform vital to its passage?

Gov. Rick Snyder talks to MIRS from Mackinac Island after a busy week. What relentlessly positive spin does he put on the legislative inaction on his two largest budget priorities — Medicaid expansion and the transportation funding debate? Listen to find out. Also, MIRS Publisher John Reurink recaps the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce conference and the Council of Great Lakes Governors gathering. The MIRS team gives its take on Terri Lynn Land sticking her feet in the U.S. Senate race.

Listen to a special interview with House Minority Floor Leader-elect David Rutledge, as well as commentary on Gov. Rick Snyder’s “New Energy to Reinvent and Diversify (NERD)” fund, the Detroit mayoral race, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce conference and editor Kyle Melinn’s short rant on Amish cookies.

How critical is it for the Michigan Republican Party to get a U.S. Senate candidate campaign off the ground? MIRS debates the subject before discussing the subject with AT&T President Jim Murray, who is considering a bid. What does he feel a winning Republican candidate needs to avoid?

Joan Fabiano from Tea Party group “Grassroots in Michigan” gives her opinion on the House Republicans’ Medicaid reform plan and whether she will support Gov. Rick Snyder’s presumed re-election bid. Also, attorney Butch Hollowell is representing the Detroit branch of the NAACP. Listen to why he believes a new federal suit has a good chance of knocking down the new emergency manager law.

L. Brooks Patterson apologized to the Jewish community for his Hitler comparison on Off The Record, but should Patterson also apologize to House Speaker Jase Bolger and Rep. Pete Lund? Tom Shields, spokesman for Michigan No-Fault Reform, gives his opinion and the chances no-fault reform passes before lawmakers break for summer. Also, the MIRS team expresses serious doubt that U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Howell) will run for the U.S. Senate. Finally, the future of Medicaid reform in the Senate ...

Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Detroit) talks about his desire to be in Congress, Republican school reform efforts and Rep. John Olumba (D-Detroit). Former Lottery Commissioner Jerry Crandall said if lawmakers don’t like the agency selling games online, they should privatize it. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel keep poking House Speaker Jase Bolger, lawmakers’ attendance in committees and “secret” meetings are also talked about in today’s edition.

Can the Legislature raise money for roads without touching the sales tax? Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) gives his opinion on that scenario. Also, Michigan Education Association President Steve Cook expresses his fears that Republicans who support putting a sales tax increase on the ballot would turn around and vote it down at the ballot box. Susan Demas gives her post-Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner perceptions on Mark Schauer, Gary Peters and Debbie Dingell. And the MIRS team also kicks around no...

The following is unedited audio from Gov. Rick Snyder’s press conference on proposed reforms to the state’s no-fault insurance system. Snyder was joined by House Insurance Committee Chair Pete Lund (R-Shelby Twp.). and Senate Insurance Committee Chair Joe Hune (R-Hamburg), among many others from the business and insurance industries. Thanks to Jake Neher of the Michigan Public Radio Network for the final seven minutes of audio.