The Friday Morning Podcast

5/10/19 Action-packed week in MI Legislature as auto insurance reform roars through both chambers in barely more than a day, w/Gov. Whitmer threatening veto.

Bill to offer $10 million in compensation to wrongly-convicted passed unanimously by both chambers, may be vetoed by Gov. Whitmer for “inside baseball” political reasons.

Interview w/state Rep. Jon Hoadley (D-Kzoo), who is running for the Democratic nomination in MI’s 6th Congressional District against incumbent Rep. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph). Sponsored by www.DeadlineDetroit.com and www.Vanguard-PA.com.

5/3/19 MI’s Dept. of Attorney General is at war with itself over Flint Water crisis. Who will win the Kentucky Derby?

Interview with state House Minority Floor Leader Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor), who gives the lowdown on the court battle over Michigan gerrymandering, how his bills to protect the state’s environment have a better chance to see fruition now than last year, how the state is handling the issue of marijuana, and whether the legislative “snow day” bill for K-12 schools was a good idea. Sponsored by www.vanguard-pa.com and www.deadlinedetroit.com.

4/26/19 Three-judge federal panel rules MI’s Congressional and legislative districts have been gerrymandered since 2011 and that new lines must be drawn by August 1. Senate Majority Leader Shirkey hints on radio that impeachment of A.G. Nessel is not out of the question.

Interview with Chad Selweski, who discussed Macomb County politics, including the prosecutor who might be prosecuted and controversial Warren Mayor Jim Fouts. Sponsored by www.Vanguard-PA.com and www.DeadlineDetroit.com.

4/12/19 State Capitol Commission forges ahead with construction of Heritage Hall, a 54,000 square foot underground addition to the state Capitol in Lansing that may take more than two years to complete. Dennis Denno returns from his 1,200-mile weekend Texas road trip, where he saw the Houston Space Center, the site of JFK’s assassination, and three Presidential museums, plus the famous LBJ ranch.  Sponsored by www.DeadlineDetroit.com and www.vanguard-pa.com.

4/5/19 New national poll finds Republicans not as trustworthy as Democrats on health care. Same survey finds former VP Biden weathering criticism that he’s too old and not progressive. Also, more than half of voters believe Russia has compromising info on Trump.

Should Democratic Presidential candidates listen to MI Gov. Whitmer?  Lanae Erickson, Senior Vice President of Third Way, a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas, said so in our interview with her.  Sponsored by www.DeadlineDetroit.com and www.Vanguard-PA.com.

3/29/19 Gov. Whitmer won’t sign budget if Legislature doesn’t give her money to “Fix the Damn Roads.” Attorney General Dana Nessel torpedoes ex-Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan for building a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. Michigan Catastrophic Claims Assn. hikes fees to a record high $222 per vehicle, prompting outrage from legislators pledged to reforming the state’s auto insurance rate system. Interview with T.J. Bucholz of Vanguard Public Affairs, who opines on all these issues. Sponsored by www.DeadlineDetroit.com and www.Vanguard-pa.com.

Michigan House on way to passing huge expanded gambling package. Bills to “let the sunshine in” on state government also clear House — but will they die again in Senate? Would Republican John James have a better chance against U.S. Senator Gary Peters next year than he did against Debbie Stabenow last year? Interview with state Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit). Sponsored by www.DeadlineDetroit.com and www.vanguard-pa.com.

3/15/19 Interview with state Representative Mari Manoogian. Sponsored by Deadine Detroit and Vanguard Public Affairs.

3/5/19 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lays out some bold new proposals to the Legislature in her first budget message. Interview with former state Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema (R-Wyoming), who liked what he heard.  Sponsored by Vanguard Public Affairs and Deadline Detroit.