I Hate Politics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Plot to Stop Junk Fees Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

Resorts and hotels have long been accused of charging hidden fees, but since the pandemic restaurants have used them to meet rising operating and labor costs while seeming to keep menu prices down. Sunil Dasgupta talks to attorney Lauren Wolfe of the Washington DC public interest group Travelers United who has helped file price deception lawsuits against local restaurant group Clyde's, and hotel chains Hyatt, Hilton, and Sonesta. Clyde's case: https://t.ly/XbvHj; Hotels cases: https://t.ly/YL2cT. Music from Rockville singer-songwriter Andrew Glor and his band Drew Pictures: drewpicturesmusic.com. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:

Montgomery County Special Olympics

MoCoPAAN

Urban Adventure Squad

MoCoShow Makes the News Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

In the general despair over the decline of local news, a homegrown, social media-driven, local news company, The MoCoShow, is not only commercially profitable but also turning on its head some central principles of journalism. Sunil Dasgupta talked to MoCoShowe founder Alex Tsironis about his vision and how he turned a snow reporting social media handle to over hundred thousand followers and millions of unique hits across his various platforms. Music from Oren Levine: https://ohljazz.com. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:

Community FarmShare

Friendship Place

MoCo Pride Prom

Montgomery County Special Olympics

MoCoPAAN

Urban Adventure Squad

Life in the HOTTER Lane Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

As the Moore Administration in Maryland wrestles with its plan to toll highways in the Washington DC suburbs, Sunil Dasgupta talks with transportation planner Patrick Decorla-Souza about the history of congestion pricing and his new idea, HOTTER Lanes, which gives carpoolers cash rewards from the revenue generated by tolls. Local news re dedicated bus lanes, security camera program, MCPS hires a former councilmember, counties want a hand in shaping school budgets. Music from Oren Levine: https://ohljazz.com. HOTTER Lanes: https://t.ly/hj7rv. Bus Lanes: https://t.ly/CgsjR Camera Rebate: https://t.ly/DUAt_

The Doughnut Hole of Political Accountability Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

How we hold politicians accountable is an enduring challenge in democratic societies, but a new book, Accountability in State Legislatures, argues that voters are uniquely unable to punish state legislators. Sunil Dasgupta talks with author and political scientist Steven Rogers about the connections of his research to political polarization, one-party rule, gerrymandering, barriers to challenger entry, and the decline of local and state news coverage. Local news about Rockville and Gaithersburg city elections and the continuing local fallout of the War in Gaza: immigrant rights group CASA missteps and a rally in Rockville is met with nasty rhetoric. Music from Oren Levine: https://ohljazz.com Accountability in State Legislatures: https://a.co/d/87aZZM6

Uber Tears Through the Public Square Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

Washington DC was the sixth city where Uber began operations, but it is here that the Big Tech firm was best able to mold the regulatory environment to its needs. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Katie Wells and Kafui Attoh, two authors of the local fall book to read, Disrupting DC: The Rise of Uber and the Fall of the City. Local news: Rabbi Yosef Goldman of Shaare Torah on antisemitic vandalism, DC's AG sues landlords and tech firm Real Page for price-fixing (https://t.ly/5sUvF); Gaithersburg council elections, amicus briefs in the LGBTQ books opt-out lawsuit (https://t.ly/kbun1; https://t.ly/GX2UK). Music from Oren Levine: https://ohljazz.com/ Disrupting DC: https://a.co/d/3sKbFzH

Candidate Interviews Rockville City Council Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Double-header on Rockville City Mayor and Council election scheduled for November 7. This episode includes 5 City Council candidate interviews: Marissa Valeri (2:55), Adam Van Grack (18:47), Izola Shaw (35:46), Paul Scott (50:45), and Kate Fulton (1:08:30). See links on Twitter @ihppod. Accompanying episode (#142) features mayoral candidates. The 2023 Rockville City election ushers in a new era for the Rockville government. The Mayor and Council is expanding to 7 members. A minimum of 5 but as many as all 6 seats on the council may be filled by candidates who have never held elected office before. Music from Rockambo: rockambo.com, Pete Chauvette, Dara Blecher, and Collide: collideduo.com.

Candidate Interviews Mark Pierzchala and Monique Ashton for Rockville Mayor Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Double-header on Rockville City Mayor and Council election scheduled for November 7. This episode features candidate interviews with the two mayoral candidates Mark Pierzchala (3:26) and Monique Ashton (24:50). Both currently serve on the Rockville City Council. See links on Twitter @ihppod. Accompanying episode (#143) features City Council candidates. The 2023 Rockville City election ushers in a new era for the Rockville government. The Mayor and Council is expanding to 7 members. A minimum of 5 but as many as all 6 seats on the council may be filled by candidates who have never held elected office before. Music from Adam Bobrow.

How Do You Report on a Movement Denying Your Existence? Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

In 2023, the normally deep blue Montgomery County, Md, saw conservative religious groups demanding the right to opt their children out of LGBTQ+ themed books in the public school curriculum. This wasn't a call for banning books, but adjacent. The county's only full-time education reporter at that time was Em Espey, who is nonbinary. After six months of remarkable coverage, Espey left their reporter job for MoCo360 Media for a new one, away from journalism. Sunil Dasgupta asked Espey what it was like covering a movement that threatened their identity and existence. Local news re MCPS departs from its electric bus adoption plan. Student review of Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo. Music from folk singer-songwriter Steven Gellman's new album, All You Need: hiddenpoet.com.

The Unraveling of a $1.1 bn State-Run College Fund Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

The Maryland Prepaid College Trust, a state-run tax-protected 529 college savings plan, unraveled over the last few years despite having more than enough money to meet its obligations. A series of bad decisions made by its independent and high-powered Board led to the loss of account values, accusations of mismanagement, and halting of disbursements to families on the verge of sending their children to college. Sunil Dasgupta talks with parents and account holders Lisa Getter Peterson and Brian Savoie to get the full story. Local news: how Jewish comedian Carmiya Weinraub, founder of a local interfaith comedy group, is carrying on: interfaithcomedy.com. Music from folk singer-songwriter Steven Gellman's new album, All You Need: hiddenpoet.com. MD Prepaid College Trust: https://t.ly/qTT7V.

Why Does Wes Moore's Transportation Plan Look Like Hogan's? Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

The Maryland Department of Transportation released its capital budget plan with key projects missing and explicitly stating that the document reflects the priorities of the previous governor. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Marc Korman, Chair of the House of Delegates Environment and Transportation Committee, to find out what's going on. Local news re why MoCo Councilmember Gabe Albornoz opposed the new ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, preliminary analysis of local sporting event fights, MoCo allows tunnel type greenhouses in all backyards. Music from folk singer-songwriter Steven Gellman's new album, All You Need: hiddenpoet.com; Gas leaf blower ban: https://t.ly/Y9sXO; MoCo tunnel greenhouse: https://t.ly/bsGCB; MD transportation plan: https://t.ly/bL3Uk.

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