I Hate Politics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Can Deep Pockets Revive Local Media? Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

Two and a half years after he bought the Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Beat, Rockville-based real-estate developer Scott Copeland speaks with Sunil Dasgupta about the media business, rebranding Bethesda Beat as MoCo360, his own political education, and the troubles with housing and public education in the county. Local news re Safe Streets Act, the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, a possible new housing moratorium in Frederick County, and the growing prospect of a strike at Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic. Music from local Southern soul band, King Soul: kingsoulband.com. Safe Streets Act: https://t.ly/pZeL5. Gas leaf blower ban: https://t.ly/Y9sXO.

When the Pandemic Broke Maryland's Unemployment Insurance Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

In spring 2020, when millions had to apply for unemployment insurance, government systems became overwhelmed and broke down. In the midst of all that, in May 2020, the state of Maryland went ahead with a scheduled change to its unemployment insurance computer system to a new platform called Beacon, which failed spectacularly. We know this generally, but attorney Rachel Harris, who worked for Maryland Legal Aid helping residents secure benefits during the meltdown, explains exactly how the system failed and what problems continue three years later. Local news: a looming federal government shutdown, not understanding school truancy, and new MoCo tipped minimum wage bill. Music from Washington DC post-punk band, Grey Swift: https://t.ly/cu_jx. MCPS Attendance Action Plan: https://t.ly/O7FAz.

The Messy Equilibrium of Local Governance Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Why does local governance constitute an alphabet soup of overlapping organizations? Sunil Dasgupta talks with Tracy Hadden Loh, Brookings Institution scholar and one of the authors of the book, Hyperlocal: Place Governance in a Fragmented World, about local democracy practice going beyond formal government. Local news re office building to home conversions, a first-ever pedestrian master plan and its discontents, and ongoing culture wars. Student book review of LGBTQ book, Uncle Bobby's Wedding, written by Sarah S. Brannen, and illustrated by Lucia Soto: https://a.co/d/gVaGW4l. Music from Washington DC post-punk band, Grey Swift: https://t.ly/cu_jx. Hyperlocal book: https://t.ly/Y2LmF. Discount Code: 4LOCAL23. Pedestrian Master Plan: https://t.ly/cQqJf

Jill Carter, Martin O'Malley, and Political Trauma in Baltimore Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

When President Biden nominated former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley to be director of the Social Security Administration, Democratic State Senator Jill Carter from Baltimore said she couldn't support the president anymore, opening a view into the traumatic history of hundreds of thousands of illegal arrests during O'Malley's tenure as mayor of the city. Jill Carter talks to Sunil Dasgupta about what happened and how she was silenced and marginalized when she protested. Local news: Alexandria planners recommend end to single-family zoning, shakeout among MoCo craft breweries, student review of LGBTQ book, Born Ready by Jodie Patterson and Charnelle Pinkney Barlow: https://a.co/d/cHN87lP. Music for the episode comes from DC post-punk band Grey Swift: https://t.ly/cu_jx. Baltimore Police Consent Decree: https://t.ly/bwY2g.

The Fight for Stable Wages in DC Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

One of the great weaknesses of minimum wage laws is that it excludes tipped workers. In 2018, Washington DC voters passed Initiative 77 to level minimum wage across the board but the DC Council killed it. In 2022, the DC voters passed Initiative 82 with even bigger numbers and the measure is once more in front of the DC Council. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Washington DC bartender and labor activist Max Hawla and National Women's Law Center labor organizer Diana Ramirez about how the fight to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers. Local news re Maryland US Senate seat, MCPS' Biedleman scandal, and court decision on LGBTQ+ books. Music for the episode comes from DC post-punk band Grey Swift: https://t.ly/cu_jx Mahmoud v McKnight decision: https://t.ly/OxhRv WRAP Act: https://t.ly/Dvmubhttps://t.ly/Dvmubhttps://t.ly/Dvmubhttps://t.ly/Dvmub

When a 32-Vote Victory Becomes a Mandate on Housing Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

When political leaders win narrow victories, how do they govern? From the middle or hammer home the consequences of their election? Sunil Dasgupta talks with political analyst and housing activist Jonathan Robinson about structure and dynamics of Montgomery County's housing politics where County Executive Marc Elrich's 32-vote victory has become a coalition that passed three housing-tax increases and a new rent stabilization law. Local news re MCPS absenteeism data, 495/270 toll lanes. Episode includes student review #4 of MCPS LGBTQ+ books: My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal; illustrations by Art Twink: youtu.be/3MAiz9olE2U. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel's new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp.

Get Ready For A Big Bailout Of MD Gas Utilities Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

Maryland's natural gas utilities are spending billions in building out and strengthening distribution networks at a time when the state has set ambitious goals to reduce fossil fuel use. When gas consumption falls, ratepayers and maybe taxpayers remain on the hook for these capital investments. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland People's Counsel, David Lapp, about a petition his office made to the state Public Service Commission asking gas policy be rationalized with climate action goals: https://t.ly/eR4bS. Episode includes student book review #3 of MCPS LGBTQ+ books list: Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake: https://a.co/d/2aHIlSk. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel's new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp.

Companies Can Vote in Delaware?! Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

Three Delaware municipalities—Fenwick Island, Henlopen Acres and Dagsboro—allow corporations, trusts, and LLCs to vote in municipal elections. And the state almost allowed a fourth this spring. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Claire Snyder-Hall of Common Cause Delaware about artificial person voting and the state's political culture. Episode includes student book review #2, this time of a contested picture book on MCPS LGBTQ+ curriculum list. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel's new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp. John McCarthy 03/20/2023 testimony on police gun seizures: https://t.ly/LpJUH Love, Violet read-aloud: youtu.be/BcyRMgHgoAQ

Reckoning with Redevelopment in Rockville Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

The City of Rockville adopted a comprehensive land-use plan in 2021 envisioning increased housing density in certain locations and the city is now working to bring its zoning law into compliance. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Rockville Planning Commission member Suzan Pitman about development issues likely to inform the upcoming mayor and council elections. Local news about a newly-disclosed 2022 MCPS memo questioning the school district's handling of new LGBTQ+ books. This episode also starts a new podcast segment featuring student reviews of books under political fire. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel's new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp. Rockville Comprehensive Plan: https://t.ly/H2LVM Michael Bayewitz letter: https://t.ly/fVSUj Best At it: https://a.co/d/a30aqPlhttps://t.ly/fVSUjhttps://t.ly/fVSUjhttps://t.ly/iBQGf https://t.ly/fVSUj

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Will Fewer Traffic Stops Make Us Safer? Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

Traffic stops are the most common police-public interaction in America, and in many cases they have gone horribly wrong. Traffic stops are also used as an excuse for searches that would otherwise be illegal. The police have used traffic stops to target minority drivers disproportionately. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando who has proposed a bill to shrink the reasons police officers can use to make traffic stops in an effort to improve public safety. Backgrounder and forecast on 2024 elections in Maryland. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel's new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp. STEP Act: https://t.ly/6A8aK Legislative traffic stops report: https://t.ly/fqZZq.

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