The Horse Race

Latest Episodes:

Episode 233: The Nightmare Before Redistricting Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

10/27/2022-- This week The Horse Race goes spooky right in time for Halloween. The thick fog we've experienced in Boston this week has helped to set the tone. The team dives into a few down ballot sheriff's races at the top of the show as election day approaches. Next, we're joined by Chris Lisinski of the State House News Service to run us through the latest happenings on Beacon Hill. From transportation woes to climate change, incoming elected officials will have a growing to-do list. Later, Gintautas Dumcius of the Dorchester Reporter drops by the pod to run us through the latest updates from the city council redistricting process.

Episode 232: Q4: Questions and Answers Oct 22, 2022

Show notes

10/20/22-- This week on The Horse Race the team finishes up the ballot question round-up! Before that, Steve and Jenn run through a new MassINC Polling Group transportation poll that covers everything from statewide elections to the state of the T. This week we take a deeper look at ballot question 4 on driver's license eligibility. The ballot measure would keep or repeal a law passed earlier this summer allowing all residents of the state regardless of immigration status to apply for driver’s licenses and learner’s permits if they meet all standard qualifications. We're joined first by State Senator Lydia Edwards to present the supporting viewpoint. Then John Milligan, of Fair and Secure Massachusetts, drops by the pod to present the opposing campaign's point of view. *We have re-recorded a segment of this podcast with the local opposition to ballot Question 4 after erroneously booking a representative of a national group with a similar name. We regret the error.

Episode 231: Q2: Ballot Questions and Answers Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

10/13/2022-- Today on The Horse Race, the team starts out with a quick Covid-19 update. Have you gotten your booster yet? Then Lisa runs through the latest with the migrant story we've been following in the past few weeks. It's another ballot question episode this week. Today we're running through Question 2. If passed, this ballot question would introduce new regulations on dental insurance companies in the Commonwealth. To offer the supporting argument, we're first joined by Brian Monteiro, director of governmental affairs and public relations at the Massachusetts Dental Society. Later we're joined by Doug Rubin, a political consultant and former chief of staff to Governor Deval Patrick, to talk us through the other side of the question.

Episode 230: Q1 and Q3: Ballot Questions and Answers Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

10/6/22-- This week Jenn and Lisa kick off the show with an update on last week's Martha's Vineyard story. Then we dive into ballot questions 1 and 3 as election day approaches. Question 1, also known as the Fair Share Amendment or Millionaire’s tax, would impose an extra 4 percent tax on incomes over one million dollars, with the money designated for state education and transportation funding. On this episode we look at both sides of the question. Andrew Farnitano, communications director for the Yes on Question 1 campaign drops by the pod to present the supporting argument for the ballot question. Then Dan Cence, of the Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment, presents the case for the opposition. Afterwards, Jon Chesto of the Boston Globe joins Steve to talk about ballot Question 3 on expanded liquor licenses. Chesto recently wrote a piece for the Globe on why the question is supported by organizations you may not expect and why there also doesn't seem to be any strong opposition to the ballot measure.

Episode 229: Shelter Fallout Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

9/29/2022-- The Horse Race is back after a two-week break! Steve, Lisa and Jenn have lots to catch up on. The seasons have changed, the Orange Line is back, but where are the debates? The team chats about the lack of debates this season and what the Republican party is up against in MA. Earlier this month, Florida Governor Ron Desantis flew 48 asylum seekers from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard without notifying local officials and or residents. Migrants have been redirected to aid elsewhere on the coast after an outpouring of support from Vineyard residents. Sarah Betancourt of GBH News drops by the pod to fill us in on the latest legal developments of the story.

Episode 228: All things in moderation Sep 08, 2022

Show notes

9/8/2022--- On this week's episode the team breaks down the results of the primaries in Massachusetts and who will be going head to head on the ballot in November. Steve discusses the significance of name ID in getting elected and how polling comes into play during primaries. Jenn also runs through the results of down ballot elections mentioned on previous episodes. Tune in for the full list of results and what these victories and losses could imply in the state.

Episode 227: The MBTA’s crash course Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

9/1/22-- This week on The Horse Race there is just too much news! A report released this week by the Federal Transit Administration highlighted the failures of the MBTA when it comes to safety, staffing and system needs. We're less than a week away from primary day and candidates have been pushing to garner support. The team discusses the departure of Quentin Palfrey from the race for AG and what his endorsement of Andrea Campbell means. Then we dig into the controversy around DA hopeful Ricardo Arroyo. Later, The Horse Race goes back to school. Michael Jonas of Commonwealth Magazine drops by the pod to talk about recently raised MCAS testing requirements for high school graduation in the state.

Episode 226: Walk the Orange Line Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

8/25/22--- This week on The Horse Race Jenn and Steve are thrilled that it's cooled down. We then dive into Orange Line updates with Rowan Walrath of the Boston Business Journal. It's been nearly a week since the shutdown, but the full impact has not been quite felt as students have yet to return to school. Later, we talk to Bera Dunau of the Daily Hampshire Gazette about the race to fill Lieutenant Governor hopeful Eric Lesser's seat. There's also a three-way run for sheriff in Hampden County. Our BFF Katie Lannan of GBH News drops by the pod to run us through a recent story she wrote surrounding the history and current status of the Cambodian political community in Lowell.

Episode 225: Ups and down ballot Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

8/18/2022 -- On this week's episode, the team breaks down a new MassINC Polling Group poll. The poll looks at upcoming policy questions like the Fair Share Amendment, as well as what the numbers look like for the upcoming democratic primary. Then Jenn talks to Yawu Miller of the Bay State Banner, and Marco Cartolano of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette about the domino effect of elected officials running for new seats.

Episode 224: DA to DA Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

8/11/2022 -- On this episode of The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn start the show off with updates of the ongoing MBTA woes. Then Lisa tunes in from the beach to give us a rundown of the latest election season updates. Later, Evan Allen of the Boston Globe, joins the pod to walk us through her recent investigative reporting surrounding controversy at the Suffolk County DA's office. With an election coming up on Sept. 6, we discuss what this could mean for the race.

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