Budget-making season has kicked off in Michigan's Capitol, with the Governor proposing to legislators a $88.1 billion spending plan based on $800 million in suggested taxes and a $400 million rainy day fund transfer.

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)

Is a two-year ban on department legislators from becoming lobbyists possible as individuals like Republican House Speaker Matt Hall try reforming the state Capitol institution? Also, ahead of the May 5 special election in Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw, what should Republicans be doing as their party has been losing 2025-2026 elections throughout the United States.

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).

Amid protests against federal immigration enforcement, MIRS talks to two Michigan sources. Alicia Guevara of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation talks about concerns of a "chilling effect" on childcare and early learning participation due to fears of ICE arrests outside facilities (3:09).

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).

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).