I Hate Politics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Political Reeducation of Commissioner Ragen Feb 13, 2026

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From Walkersville, MD, a purple town of 7,000 on Route 15, which connects Frederick, MD, to Gettysburg, PA, a tale of political education. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Town Commissioner Chris Ragen, a self-professed conservative, about his efforts to increase public participation in a decision that could have changed the town's police force and saved money. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.

Wootton HS to Move, Snowcrete Oversight, HoCo Cancels ICE Jail Feb 10, 2026

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MCPS proposes to move Wootton High School from Rockville to Gaithersburg and causes uproar in the community. The Montgomery County Council oversight hearing on the failure of snow response comes down to coordination and communication. We read between the lines. Howard County, MD, becomes the first in the state council to revoke a building permit in Elkridge for an ICE jail. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.

An Oral History Seeks to Counter Erasure of Jan 6 Feb 06, 2026

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A new book, Storm at the Capitol: An Oral History of January 6th, by Associated Press Congressional Reporter Mary Clare Jalonick, captures first-hand descriptions of the day of the biggest attack on the United States Capitol since 1814. Jalonick, who was trapped in the press gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives, says she wanted to create a definitive record of the day because there is now, following Trump's return to power, there is a risk of erasure of what really happened. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.

Snowcrete 2026, Potomac Sewage Spill, ICE Warehouses, Closing Chinese Immersion Program Feb 03, 2026

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How do other jurisdictions and past snow events compare to Snowcrete 2026? Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson weighs in prior to oversight hearings. Leaders from Republican-leaning jurisdictions oppose the 287g ICE agreement ban because they say the arrangement preempts ICE violence. MD Delegate Vaughn Stewart explores legislative ideas to limit ICE presence after the federal agency buys two warehouses in the state to serve as detention centers. In Prince Geroge's County, a Chinese Immersion Program in a Title 1 school in College Park is being cut as part of budget woes. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.

MCPS is Considering New Policy on AI in Classrooms. How is it going? Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Montgomery County Public Schools, which had banned AI in classrooms in 2023, now has a draft new AI policy document out for public comment. Sunil Dasgupta talks with MCPS parent, Ed tech expert, and Stoneridge School of the Scared Heart teacher Jaime Chao Mignano to break down the document and the big AI questions that are predicted to upend education itself. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.

Potomac Sewage Spill, MD Budget, AI in Classrooms Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

The snow emergency has captured attention; hundreds of millions of raw sewage has spilled into the Potomac River from a pipe break under the American Legion Bridge, which joins Maryland and Virginia. DC Water, which runs the pipe, is working on it, but no local jurisdiction has issued a health advisory. Maryland Governor Wes Moore presented the last budget of his first term. We have takeaways. Montgomery County Board of Education has been considering a written policy on the use of AI in classrooms. We break it down. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.

Data Centers and Property Assessments Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Data center demand for power is causing electricity bills to rise dramatically. The regional grid operator for the 13-state electricity market, PJM Interconnection, is under bipartisan pressure to address affordability. Meanwhile new 2026 property tax assessment notices show variation in assessed values of similar homes. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Abe Silverman, electricity lawyer at Johns Hopkins University, about electricity markets, and with Bob Yeager, Director of Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, and Adam Lewis, Supervisor in the Real property Division about how homes are evaluated for tax purposes. Music by Kara Levchenko.

Speaker Peña-Melnyk, ER Wait Times, Immigrant Protection, Crisis Call Response Jan 20, 2026

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MD's new House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk on the new era and its challenges. The state's ER wait times problem. ICE action in Democratic jurisdictions leads Montgomery County, MD, to codify a 2019 immigrant protection executive order into law, says council president Natali Fani Gonzalez. A crisis call gone wrong leads to a call for police protection for mental health response. Music by Kara Levchenko.

Have MD Counties Come Around to Gov Moore's Housing Agenda This Year? Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

In 2025, Governor Wes Moore's housing bills were defeated in the General Assembly, in part due to the efforts of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), which represents the state's 23 counties and Baltimore City. Will the state's counties be more supportive of the Governor's housing bills this year? Sunil Dasgupta talks with MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson about housing and related questions. Music by Kara Levchenko.

Deter ICE Laws, Gov's Spending Ideas, School Board Pay Raise, Ravens Talk Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Renee Good's killing in Minneapolis sparks local protests. Delegates David Moon and Adrian Boafo propose new laws to deter ICE abuse of force. Governor Moore presents new spending ideas after promising no new taxes. Pay raise proposed for Montgomery County school board. A John Harbaugh retrospective and what's next at the Baltimore Ravens. Music by Kara Levchenko.

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