5/31/19 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs new auto insurance rate reform legislation into law. AG Nessel repeats her ultimatum that she is giving Whitmer until the end of next month to negotiate a deal on Line 5 beneath the Straits of Mackinac, but if that doesn’t happen, Nessel will move legally to decommission the apparatus. MSU […]
The Friday Morning Podcast
PODCAST: Zoe at the Mackinac Zoo/Petition Palaver/Caucus Castoff
5/24/19 New Denno Research poll shows Michiganders don’t want President Trump impeached, but they don’t want him to re-elect him, either. Attorney General Dana Nessel renders part of controversial “petition reform” legislation unconstitutional. Quicken Loans mogul Dan Gilbert threatens petition drive to reform auto insurance rating system if Gov. Whitmer and Legislature don’t get the […]
PODCAST: Extortion Extravaganza/Vanquishing Vaping
5/17/19 State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Traverse City) is indicted by a federal grand jury for trying to extort a labor union in exchange for his vote. State appeals court throws a curveball into auto insurance reform. Legislature again votes to prohibit use of e-cigarets and vaping products by minors — Gov. Snyder vetoed such legislation […]
PODCAST: Pinky Swear Protest/Bipartisan Bonhomie/Wrongly Convicted Wrung Out to Dry?
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), […]
PODCAST: Gerrymander Gymnastics/A.G. Gyrations/Kentucky Derby Kerfuffle
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 […]
PODCAST: Macomb Co. Craziness/Gerrymandering Gymnastics/Aggravating the A.G.
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 […]
PODCAST: Barr Ballistics/Electricians Electrified/Gas Tax Gastritis
4/18/19 New poll for NECA and IBEW 252 and 665 shows unionized workers are highly valued, especially electricians. Another survey reveals MI voters don’t like Gov. Whitmer’s proposed 45-cents-per-gallon gas tax hike. They’re also in a grumpy mood about the direction of the country and the State of MI. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re […]
PODCAST: Capitol Reconfiguration/Texas Travels/Presidential Perquisites
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 […]
PODCAST: Poll Pulverizes GOP/Whitmer’s Message to Dem. Prez Candidates
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 […]
PODCAST: Catastrophic Car Costs/Tunnel Turbulence/Gas Tax Troubles
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 […]