Progressive values. Smart policy. Stronger America.
Today we talk to State Rep Adam Zemke about his bill HB 4742. HB 4742 would repeal PA297 of 2011, which is the bill that bans benefits for the domestic partners of public sector employees. We discuss: The economic impact of PA297 when it takes effect on June 30 How PA297 impacts the employees at [...]
In this special audio segment we talk to State Rep Rudy Hobbs about his legislation, HB4706 (Hobbs press release here) Today we discuss: The stats on how many people cannot take a sick day This bill makes sense from economic security and public health perspectives How the GOP will react to this bill This is [...]
Today we have our old pal Lonnie Scott back with us to discuss education funding. Today we discuss: Why Snyder must have known about Skunk Works The student as a product Education as a one-time transfer of skills The hypocrisy of Snyder on education The many reasons why education is important for our state Value [...]
Lee Fang joins us in this podcast to talk about the issues he addresses in his new book, The Machine: A Field Guide to the Resurgent Right. My take on the book When you evaluate a book about politics, sometimes the best way to reach a conclusion is to look at what the “other side” [...]
Today Emily Dievendorf of Equality Michigan joins us to talk about the recent Glengariff poll (pdf) showing unprecedented support for equality across 30 demographics in Michigan. Here’s the Equality Michigan press release on the poll. We discuss: The glengariff poll and its usefulness in policy discussions The comfort number for the ballot initiative The twitter [...]
Today we are back with labor activist Mike Karl to talk about Solidarity, the fast food strikes, and more. We also skip headlines today to do our summary of Congressional activity. We discuss: The resurgence in solidarity Fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay Labor movement as a social justice movement The role of [...]
State Senator Bert Johnson joins us today to discuss Detroit, education, and the criminal investigation into the EAA Today we discuss: Kevyn Orr: Detroit is worse off than we thought (this is what we started with) Snyder is the EM of Detroit EAA federal funds fraud Does Michigan have a legitimate state government Is the [...]
Today we have a shorter episode featuring our old pal Lonnie Scott. Lonnie was on vacation with his family and I was working on the technical side here at BFM, so I didn’t have as much time to commit to content. Still we get in a good conversation on AFA enrollment. Today we discuss: Why [...]
We normally talk to Emily Dievendorf on Fridays but she couldn’t make it this week, so labor activist Mike Karl is joining us to introduce us to the work that he does. Today we discuss: Empowering the rank & file to understand that they are the union Communication & education to help members understand how [...]
In this special audio segment we have a few minutes with Congressman Dan Kildee, talking about what’s going on in Buena Vista School District. We discuss: The students must be put back into their classrooms, with their teachers, working on their planned curriculum The MI Constitution requires Michigan to provide a free public education Meeting [...]
Today our show is dedicated to the memory of Brian Woehlke. Today our friend Senator Bert Johnson is back to talk about public education, EAA, Teach for America, and more. Our audio quality on the interview is very poor. I had to remove all of my participation, but that doesn’t the quality of Senator Johnson’s [...]
Today we talk to Rudy Hobbs about his op-ed in the Free Press: Focus on Michigan families, not the state’s credit rating. We talk about: How the governor measures success Taking ‘people’ out of the equation Failed educational system vs successful free market Priorities of Democrats v Republicans Government should provide good constituent services, but [...]
