I Hate Politics Podcast

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2026 Maryland General Assembly Starts Jan 14. Preview. Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Maryland is projecting a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, the state is under federal retrenchment, and elections are this year. Sunil Dasgupta talks with two of the most powerful leaders in the state assembly, Brian Feldman, chair of the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee in the Senate, and Marc Korman, chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee in the House of Delegates, about how they see the session ahead. Music by Kara Levchenko.

Trump Tries Regime Change: Oil, Drugs, and Extraterritoriality Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

In a departure from our usual worm's eye view of the world, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Cato Institute Senior Fellow Walter Olson about the extraordinary rendition of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores to the United States on still shifting rationales that include oil, drug trafficking, and the changing nature of extraterritoriality of US law. Music by Kara Levchenko.

Merawi Gerima on Chocolate City Mixtape with Markus Batchelor Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

In this third installment of the Chocolate City Mixtape, Markus Batchelor talks with activist and award-winning filmmaker Merawi Gerima about his film Residue, a deeply personal reflection on his deep roots in Washington, D.C., the impact of gentrification on the community, the importance of D.C. is a broader fight for representation and freedom, and the role of art in social change.

Timestamps

01:00 Roots of Activism in Chocolate City

06:15 The Impact of Gentrification on Community

08:33 Creating Residue: A Personal Journey

15:14 Activism Beyond Art: A Call to Action

19:40 Rapid Fire: The Chocolate City Mixtape

22:44 End Credits

NPS to Redevelop Carter Barron, MCVFRA refutes IG report, Rockville v Gaithersburg Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association is defending its right to receive county emergency transportation funds after an IG report says they are not eligible. Rockville Councilmember Adam Van Grack and Gaithersburg Councilmember Yamil Hernandez face off over the Wootton High School solution. National Park Service has RFP out for redeveloping nearly 40 acres of Rock Creek Park to expand Carter Barron tennis complex. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.

Derek Musgrove on Chocolate City Mixtape with Markus Batchelor Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

In the second installment of the Chocolate City Mixtape, Markus Batchelor talks with UMBC Professor G. Derek Musgrove and the co-author of Chocolate City, A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital to explore the history of Black culture and grassroots activism in shaping Washington DC's identity, the impact of congressional governance on local autonomy, and the ongoing struggles for representation and home rule.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome / Intro

01:45 The Inspiration Behind 'Chocolate City' Book

03:19 Race, Democracy, and Political Empowerment in D.C.

05:32 The Historical Context of Race in D.C.

10:00 Fears and Hopes for D.C.'s Future

15:13 Lessons from History: Grassroots Movements in D.C.

19:50 The Fight for Home Rule in D.C.

21:44 Grassroots Movements and Political Advocacy

23:03 Reflections on the Black Power Resurgence

25:28 Mobilizing for Change in Today's Political Climate

27:04 Call to Action: Engaging with Local Organizations

28:39 Fun and Personal Reflections on D.C.

31:19 Final Thoughts and Take-Aways

Veto Overrides, PJM Capacity Auctions, and Damascus v Wootton Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Maryland House of Delegates elects a new speaker and overrides 19 governor vetoes. PJM, the regional electric grid operator which includes MD, VA, and DC, holds a capacity auction that predicts sharp increases in rates but is held in check by a price cap. Frederick County Council considers whether to approve an expanded area for data center building near Adamstown. Damascus and Wootton High School communities contest who will get a new building first. Montgomery County Public Schools announced its new operating budget, but we are still stuck And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.

Arrington Dixon on Chocolate City Mixtape with Markus Batchelor Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

In this first episode of a new I Hate Politics series called Chocolate City Mixtape, Markus Batchelor talks with Arrington Dixon, a pivotal figure in the march to home rule in Washington DC. With DC's self-government now contested by the federal administration, Dixon reflects on the challenges of creating a new government, the legacy of that activism, and the future of self-determination in the city.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Civic Engagement and Personal History

04:21 The Role of Community Institutions in Civic Life

07:14 The Fight for Home Rule and Political Activism

07:41 Establishing a New Government: Challenges and Triumphs

14:56 Legislative Challenges and Innovations

16:40 Navigating Early Governance and Oversight

18:35 Modernizing Government through Technology

21:45 Statehood Efforts and Civic Engagement

22:20 Continuing the work through the Anacostia Coordinating Council

24:21 Legacy and Community Impact

UMBC Poll, Affordable Housing Costs, MCPS Advocacy Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Governor Moore calls a special legislative session to install a new speaker. The session will consider veto overrides but not redistricting. UMBC Maryland issues poll results show a clear message on what's on the minds of residents. A new affordable housing project in Montgomery County, Md, provides 98 units for $55 million. How to advocate to MCPS. The county tries to build sidewalks in the Takoma-Langley area but stranger danger is brought up. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.

What's Wrong with Petitioning Your Local Government Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

What's Wrong with Petitioning Your Local Government (2025-12-12)

The right to petition your government is constitutionally protected and, as a part of the right to free speech, sacred in a democracy. But public input must be structured correctly to be effective. In two separate interviews, Sunil Dasgupta talks with former Montgomery County, Md, Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson, and parent activist Rebekah Kuschmider, about public input in development and education politics. Music by Kara Levchenko.

MCPS Snow Closure Calls, Boundary/Program Changes, Early Apple Ballot, MoCo Tax Revenue Downturn Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

MCPS faces criticism for wrong calls and "gaslighting" over snow closure calls last week. Can this be done better? MCPS has announced adjustments to its ongoing boundary and program change proposals. The teacher's union announces Apple Ballot recommendations for next year's elections much earlier than the past. Montgomery County Council staff is now projecting declining revenues from property and income taxes. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.

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