The Horse Race

Latest Episodes:

Ep 382: T.P.S. Reports Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by Sarah Betancourt, immigration reporter for GBH news. She sheds light on recent moves by the Trump administration to end "Temporary Protected Status" for Haitians in the United States. Massachusetts has one of the largest Haitian immigrant populations in the country, so what options are Beacon Hill considering? How are federal judges responding? And how is this likely to affect Haitians in Massachusetts?

Hosts:

Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group

Jennifer Smith, senior reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Guest:

Sarah Betancourt, immigration reporter for GBH news

Links:

Thousands of Mass. Haitians face end of temporary protected status in February

Haitian immigrants can retain protected status for now, federal judge rules

Massachusetts City Trades the Weather Predicting Groundhog for a Flamingo

Ep 381: AI or A+ Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss what states like Massachusetts can do and are doing to push back against federal ICE actions. Then, a new poll! How do parents of K-12 children feel about AI. And if you are sick of shoveling, try riding a unicycle...

Hosts:

Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group
Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Further Reading:

Ep 380: Moulton Lava, with U.S. Rep Seth Moulton Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Our Delegation Conversations series begins with U.S. Rep Seth Moulton of Massachusetts’s 6th District. Jenn and Steve sit down with him to discuss Venezuela and Greenland, ICE in Minneapolis, Congressional age caps, his challenge to U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, and more.

Guests:

Congressman Seth Moulton

Hosts:

Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group
Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Further Reading:

Ep 379: Polling ICE-land and Greenland Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

How do Americans feel ICE is handling the situation in Minneapolis? Should the United States try to take over Greenland? This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn look at the polling on controversies at home and abroad. Then, they discuss a surprising story from CommonWealth Beacon on the legal designation of a "Gateway City" and why some cities who are receiving targeted funds might not meet the standard. Finally, our colleague and friend Chris Lisinski joins the pod for some puppy content.

Hosts:

⁠Steve Koczela⁠, President of the MassINC Polling Group

Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Further Reading:

⁠FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter's home⁠

More Americans view the ICE shooting in Minnesota as unjustified than say it is justified

Very few Americans want the U.S. to seize Greenland or pay its residents to secede

No way in and no way out: Beacon Hill hasn’t kept track of which communities qualify for Gateway City status

Reddit: The Somerville PD has a new puppy

Credits:

Theme Music & Production by Charlie Koczela

Ep 378: 2026 Horse Tradin' & Legislatin' Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

What plans are in place to tackle the housing crisis, the health care crisis, and a budgetary crisis brought on by Trump's so-called One Big Beautiful Bill? This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by their friend and colleague, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Chris Lisinski, to review the State Legislature's agenda for the year ahead.

Hosts:

⁠Steve Koczela⁠, President of the MassINC Polling Group

Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Guests:

Chris Lisinski, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Further Reading:

In sudden twist, Liz Breadon clinches Boston City Council presidency, GBH News

What to expect when you're expecting (legislative action), CommonWealth Beacon

Somerville has a new cat mayor: Meet Minerva, Boston. com

Credits:

Audio of City Council proceedings provided by Boston City Council Television

Theme Music & Production by Charlie Koczela

Ep 377: 2025 Blooper Reel Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

(3 mins) From all of us at The Horse Race, Happy New Year!

Ep 376: The End is Neigh, an Insider's End-of-Year Panel Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Well folks, it's the last pod of 2025. What do journalists make of this wild year? From Trump's inauguration to Wu's re-election, from grant funding cuts to transparency rules, its truly Beacon Hill versus everyone and everything. Steve and Jenn are joined by both Sam Dysdale of Statehouse News Service, and Katie Lannan of GBH News, for an end-of-year chat.

But you'll be shocked at their lack of turnip knowledge...

Hosts:

Steve Koczela, president of the MassINC Polling Group
Jennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon

Guests:

Katie Lannan, reporter for GBH News
Sam Drysdale, reporter for State House News Service

thehorsepodcast@gmail.com

https://www.massincpolling.com/horse-race

Episode 375: Them's Crighton Words Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

In November, Senator Crighton made headlines for suggesting that 'congestion pricing' could help the MBTA's impending financial troubles. This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve sit down with Crighton, who co-chairs the Legislature’s transportation committee, to discuss the ways out of the "stable crisis" that is Mass. transportation (horse puns always intended).

Episode 374: High Stakes Testing: Well Done or Rare? Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

This week on The Horse Race, Rep. Ayanna Presley is officially not joining the horse race for Senate. Then, Jenn and Steve are joined by ⁠Sam Drysdale⁠, reporter with the State House News Service, to zoom in on Healey's newly announced guidelines for high school graduation - kids may face new tests, new requirements, but "lower stakes." And finally, is Massachusetts the most Christmassy state?

Jenn's NYT Rec: Cheesy Hassle Back Potato Gratin
Sam Drysdale, High school graduation standards evolving at local, state levels
Preply's Christmas Spirit Index
Trivia Q: "Why did the Massachusetts Bay Colony once ban Christmas celebrations?"
Submissions: thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com

Episode 373: Rant Control Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss the upcoming ballot questions on rent control. Then they look at new polling which suggests that Trump's grip on congressional republicans may be loosening. And finally, the Michelin Man rolls into Boston's finest eateries.

"They're Making a Huge Bet": Rent Control Referendum Splits Progressives CommonWealth Beacon

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