It's Just Politics - Michigan Public

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Fixing the Damn Roads Feb 12, 2025

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her much-anticipated road funding plan this week. On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pulta are joined by Bridge Michigan’s Simon Shuster to dig into the $3 billion plan. Plus, John Truscott, former Communications Director for Governor John Engler, explains how to sell a roads plan.

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Transparency shramparency Feb 05, 2025

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Michigan has ranked last in a national study of state ethics and transparency laws. But this past week in Lansing, there’s been increased attention to transparency with the state Senate passing bills to open lawmakers and the governor’s office to Freedom of Information Act requests to the introduction of bills that would stop lawmakers from signing non-disclosure agreements. Plus, new rules in the state House would require earmarks be publicly disclosed in the budget process. On this week’s It’s Just Politics, The Detroit News’ Craig Mauger joins Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta.

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The Democratic Resistance Jan 29, 2025

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Republicans control the state House. There’s a GOP trifecta in D.C. It seems ripe for Democratic opposition… or is it? On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta are joined by two Democrats, Adrian Hemond and Portia Roberson, to explore the Democratic resistance or lack thereof. Plus, where things stand in Ottawa County after the controversial and uber-conservative Ottawa Impact lost their majority on the County Board of Commissioners.

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Benson in. Jan 22, 2025

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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has become the first Democrat to announce in the race for governor. On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta are joined by Benson to discuss her campaign for the state’s highest office. Plus, Matt Friedman joins the pod to discuss a growing trend in campaign announcements.

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Nesbitt in. Tipped wage out? Jan 15, 2025

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The special state House committee formed to amend Michigan’s tipped wage and sick-time leave laws meets for the first time this week in Lansing. The chair of the committee, Republican Representative Bill G. Schuette, joins It’s Just Politics to discuss his goals for the bills. Plus, Mothering Justice’s Danielle Atkinson joins hosts Rick Pluta and Zoe Clark to explain her opposition to changing the laws. And, Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt announces he’s running for Governor of Michigan in 2026.

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The 103rd Opens Jan 08, 2025

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New and returning lawmakers of the Michigan House were sworn-in today at the state Capitol, marking the beginning of Michigan’s new 103rd Legislature. The state Senate remains under Democratic control but the state House is now being run by Republicans. On this week’s It’s Just Politics: what to expect when you’re expecting divided government. Hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta are joined by Michigan Public Radio Network’s Colin Jackson and Bridge Michigan’s Lauren Gibbons.

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Kildee says goodbye Jan 01, 2025

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A new Congress is being sworn-in tomorrow in Washington D.C. That means today is the last day for current members, including Michigan’s long-time Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee. It’s Just Politics host Zoe Clark spoke with the outgoing Representative from Flint about his dozen years in office and whether D.C. is really more House of Cards or Veep.

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Lansing in turmoil Dec 18, 2024

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Frustration is boiling over at the state Capitol as the final days of Democrats’ complete control of Lansing in 40 years come to an end. Republicans are continuing to boycott votes in the House, a Democratic lawmaker walked out of the Capitol while voting was underway, and state Representatives are taking to social media to vent their anger. On today’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta are joined by Zach Gorchow, President of Gongwer News Service, to break down the breakdown in Lansing.

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Detroit's decade Dec 11, 2024

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2025 will be a monumental year in Detroit politics as Mayor Mike Duggan seeks to run for governor, leaving an open seat for the highest office in the state’s largest city next year. On this week’s It’s Just Politics, hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta are joined by Stephen Henderson, host of American Black Journal, and Nancy Kaffer, editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press to dig into Duggan’s legacy, Detroit’s political landscape and the ten-year anniversary of the city emergency from bankruptcy.

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Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate

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The real Lansing Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark is joined by Democrat Felicia Brabec and Republican Graham Filler, two outgoing Michigan state Representatives, to talk about what their time in Lansing was really like: frustrations, surprises and what voters should know about the state Capitol.

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