MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS hosts a Republican-Democratic roundtable with Democratic Macomb County Commissioner Michael J. Howard II of Warren and Anna Heaton, the vice president of Resch Strategies and former press secretary under Republican Gov. Rick Synder (1:13). Should lawmakers in Lansing answer some calls to suspend the gas tax at the state level amid high fuel costs? Also, are ties to the movement to get off fossil fuels a political asset or liability in 2026, an election cycle focused on costs? Additionally, Anna and Michael discuss small businesses contemplating whether or not they can afford healthcare plans for next year.

MIRS catches up with Robin Schneider of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association. In the last month, Robin says that two members have committed suicide as the industry struggles to keep up with this year's new 24% wholesale tax on weed. Previously viewing Democrats as the cannabis industry's "natural allies," the association is now endorsing Republican U.S. Rep. John James for governor (1:53). MIRS also speaks with Nicholas Cook and Sarah Rennie of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. Together, they discuss how homeless encampments form, as well as problems they see in both blue and red cities' attempts to minimize them (19:51).

On Sept. 11, MIRS revisited the 54th state House district, an Oakland County battleground won by a tight 558 votes in 2024. Democratic U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin won by an even tighter 300 votes. MIRS meets Sarah Pounds, the Democratic nominee in the 54th House district. Pounds is a Lake Orion paralegal and affordable housing advocate. She talks about her work to repurpose underused properties for housing, like when church buildings are emptied when a congregation joins another. She also opens up about how she will vote blue up-and-down the ticket, despite not believing that some of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's policies are feasible (1:47).

Concerns surrounding large-scale data centers have become a major theme in the 2026 election cycle. But amid opposition to constructing hyperscale facilities, a coalition called Michigan for Responsible Data Centers has taken a supportive position on these projects. MIRS sits down with Jeff Zilke, the director of Access Michigan – a data center equipment supplier – and Christine Simon, the government affairs vice president at the Grand Rapids Chamber. As the son of a United Auto Workers' member, Zilke wants to play a part of the "economic driver of the future," although he admits the scope and size of data center projects are definitely changing. Meanwhile, Simon says that even if artificial intelligence was reined in, the need for today's new data center projects would still exist (1:10).

MIRS sits down with Rashida Harrison, the Democratic nominee who had a surprise victory in Michigan's 28th Senate district, covering East Lansing, Meridian Township, St. Johns and other Clinton, Ingham and Shiawassee County communities. Harrison moved to East Lansing two decades ago from New York City, and recently taught on Black Women's political organizing and social movements at Michigan State University (2:03). Also, MIRS catches up with the Republican nominee in one of Oakland County's political battlegrounds, 23-year-old Roman Gaskey in the 54th House district. In 2024, President Donald Trump won the House district with around 49% of the vote. Gaskey talks about his life working for an artificial intelligence startup, and the role Flock cameras and property taxes can play this fall (27:05).