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Still no big-name Republicans in the Senate race, but a deep pockets candidate may parachute in. On the Democratic side, a potential deep pockets challenger to Elissa Slotkin drops a hint that he’s running — a hint dropped on national TV.
Led by Florida and Texas, red states have launched a book banning binge unlike anything we’ve seen since the days of McCarthyism in the early 1950s. It’s probably the most attention most people have paid to librarians since the 1962 movie The Music Man (centered around the romance between Professor Harold Hill and “Marian, Madam Librarian”). The Michigan Library Association asked our friends at EPIC/MRA to survey the attitudes in Michigan towards libraries and book bans.We talk with the MLA’s executive director, Debbie Mikula, about the poll.
Also: the corrosive impact of money on politics and governance. Money is at the heart of a lot of political scandals. Michigan has some of the loosest campaign finance regulations in the nation and that’s led way too many scandals and mini-scandals. One of the groups working to reign in the abuses is Voters Not Politicians, the grassroots organization best known for leading the successful drive to end gerrymandering in Michigan’s congressional and legislative races. Joining us on the podcast is the Executive Director of VNP, Nancy Wang. VNP is in the vanguard of grassroots groups working to bring some reforms to Michigan’s campaign finance regulation, as well as several other much-needed good government reforms.
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This week’s podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRA
EPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:
• Public Opinion Surveys
• Market Research Studies
• Live Telephone Surveys
• On-Line and Automated Surveys
• Focus Group Research
• Bond Proposals – Millage Campaigns
• Political Campaigns & Consulting
• Ballot Proposals – Issue Advocacy Research
• Community – Media Relations
• Issue – Image Management
• Database Development & List Management
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Stories We’re Following This Week
Michigan Politics and Policy
- CROWN Act (SB 90)
- Whitmer announces $400 million clean hydrogen plant for Michigan – Detroit Free Press
- Michigan poised to ban employers from firing workers for having abortions – Bridge Michigan
- Michigan House OKs ban on holding phones; violators face fines of $100 and up | Bridge Michigan
- Michigan’s US Senate race: Where is big Republican candidate? – Lansing State Journal
New York Stock Exchange exec mulling Michigan Senate bid – POLITICO - Republicans propose ‘constitutional carry’ bills after MSU shooting – Detroit News
- Better IRS service is forcing an earlier debt deadline – POLITICO
- UAW demands Biden support ‘top wages’ for EV workers before endorsing
- Biden rejects GOP spending cuts, warns of catastrophic government default – The Washington Post
- Problem Solvers Caucus Debt Ceiling Outline
Corruption
- 2023 VNP Ethics Reform Policy Summary
- Clarence Thomas Raised Him. Harlan Crow Paid His Tuition. — ProPublica
- Emails Reveal ‘Jaw-Dropping’ Herschel Walker Money Scandal – Daily Beast
- ‘Red flags’ surround $25M health campus pushed by ex-Michigan House speaker Jason Wentworth | Bridge Michigan
- Insider: Ex-House Dem leader says money’s influence in politics is ‘eroding trust’ – Detroit News
GOP War on Freedom
- Michigan Library Association Poll on Book Banning
- Florida lawmakers restrict pronouns and tackle book objections in sweeping education bill – POLITICO
- Florida legislature passes anti-trans bathroom bill – The Washington Post
- North Carolina Republicans unveil 12-week abortion ban – The Washington Post
- Zooey Zephyr row spotlights rise of GOP far-right caucuses – AP News
- Opinion | Republicans Are Running Wild in My State – Frank Bruni in The New York Times
- Adams Township Clerk, Supervisor lose recall election – WILX TV