The Horse Race

5/8/2019--Derby Day has come and gone, but Steve and Jenn are back in the saddle. They're joined first by The Horse Race's one and only sports correspondent Maeve Duggan to discuss Red Sox manager Alex Cora's decision not to accept an invitation to visit the White House after last season's World Series win. She also shares some little-known facts about the connection between thoroughbred horse racing and one Bill Belichick. Later, the hosts visit the State House to chat with Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues on all things Senate Budget. Finally Steve and Jenn close out the show with an in-depth discussion of official state stuff with a true expert: Katie Holahan, who will no doubt be invited back to dispense more of her unending wisdom about every official state item, from dessert (Boston cream pie) to reptile (garter snake).

In this special Kentucky Derby edition of The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn have lots of things to discuss. Chief among them, the event of the century: The Horse Race Goes to the Races. Join us June 9 at Suffolk Downs to enjoy an afternoon of food, drink, horse racing and political analysis. Meanwhile, Steve and Jenn brace themselves for what has now officially been thrust upon us all: presidential polling season. As the hosts note, there are a lot of things that polling can tell us about how people feel about their politics and their politicians. Steve and Jenn promise to, when addressing presidential polls, move beyond merely who's winning and who's losing and talk about what voters think about candidates' policies, and what drives a candidate's favorability among certain demographics of voters. After unpacking a recent Quinnipiac poll that published Joe Biden's standing after he (finally) announced his candidacy as well as voters' responses to policies laid out by Democratic candidates, Steve and Jenn are joined by two very good friends of the pod. First, Katie Lannan of the State House News Service drops in to walk the hosts through state budget proceedings, some of which occur in Room 348 of the State House (cue Hamilton track: The Room Where It Happens), and much of which are out of public view. Next, Commonwealth Magazine's Sarah Betancourt explains the recent lawsuit that hit the US District Court on Monday. Middlesex and Suffolk County district attorneys Marian Ryan and Rachel Rollins are seeking to block ICE agents from Massachusetts courthouse properties, claiming that the threat of their presence makes noncitizen witnesses unwilling to appear in court for fear of arrest or deportation. Finally, Steve and Jenn open up the mailbag via the Pony Express. Send your #mapoli comments and questions to us using the Pony Express (aka tweet @The_HorseRace or email us at thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com).

4/24/2019-- Steve and Jenn are talking all things transportation on this week's edition of The Horse Race, but before they do, they've got to plug the upcoming live show at an ACTUAL horse race, AKA June 9 at Suffolk Downs. Come for the race, stay for the puns. In other news, the partially redacted Mueller Report was released on Thursday, begging the question, to impeach or not impeach? Jenn and Steve touch on Elizabeth Warren's response to this. Plus, they talk about the newest slate of 2020 hopefuls including the recently announced Seth Moulton as well as the Trump administration’s attempts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The MassINC Polling Group released a poll last week on transportation for the Barr Foundation. It found that a majority of Massachusetts voters are feeling stressed or frustrated by their commutes. Two-thirds adjusted their schedules to leave earlier or later to avoid the worst travel times. Steve and Jenn are joined by Jim Rooney, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Kathryn Carlson of A Better City to discuss the results of the poll as well as how the business community is tackling transit. A Tribute to Lenny Gomulka: https://chicagopush.com/tribute-to-lenny-gomulka

4/17/2019-- Listeners, it's happening. The Horse Race is, in fact, going to the races. Mark your calendars for June 9 and join us for a live recording of The Horse Race at Suffolk Downs. Come eat, drink, gamble, watch some races and listen to some political conversation. Really, what more could you possibly want? Keep your eyes and ears open for details to come. Meanwhile in the bunker, Steve and Jenn have much to discuss. About one week into the Stop & Shop strike that's been visited by Elizabeth Warren and will be soon by Joe Biden and Marty Walsh, Jenn and Steve turn to the polls to see how unions are perceived nationwide. Then, they touch on a subject they may have discussed once or twice before: Bill Weld. He's officially announced his bid for the presidency and subsequently participated in the obligatory diner-hopping extravaganza. Later, Jenn and Steve celebrate Earth Day with a discussion of our our country's deeply problematic waste stream and environmentally focused state legislation with Janet Domenitz of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group. Plus, Tufts University professor Eitan Hersh stops by to offer some critiques of ranked choice voting. To wrap up this week's episode, the hosts unpack responses to the Twitter poll question: What's the cardinal sin of MA place nicknames? If you want to be on The Horse Race, send us your questions, comments, frustrations, hopes, dreams, ANYTHING #mapoli related to thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com

4/10/2019--Movie madness abounds this week on The Horse Race as Steve and Jenn collect responses from their Twitter question: "What's one essential Massachusetts movie?" This naturally spurred (pun intended) a conversation about the infamous 2004 romantic comedy Fever Pitch starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon. Sides were taken. Impassioned arguments were put forth. Eye rolls and groans were emitted (mainly by Steve). MassINC Polling Group Research Director (and baseball-romantic-comedy-niche expert)Maeve Duggan makes her case for the film. With all that aside, this episode of The Horse Race did in fact include conversation around Massachusetts politics and policy. POLITICO reporter Stephanie Murray took time out of her busy schedule covering all eight thousand presidential candidates to talk about them and their interactions with voters. Boston Globe reporter Maddie Kilgannon updated Jenn and Steve to the most recent installments of the saga unfolding between District Attorney Rachael Rollins, Governor Charlie Baker, and Public Safety and Security Secretary Thomas Turco. And Boston Magazine writer Spencer Buell stops in to explain what's going on with Boston beer gardens, why they receive so much backlash, and whether they're under threat of virtually disappearing.

4/3/2019--This week on the racetrack, Steve and Jenn begin with a familiar topic: the electoral college. Should it stay or should it go? The hosts review results of polling that asked the public this very question. Later, they're joined by Allyson Perron of the American Heart Association to discuss recently proposed legislation that would impose an excise tax on sugary drinks. And, of course, they get her feedback on the announcement that former state Attorney General Martha Coakley will be joining the e-cigarette company Juul, a move that seemingly contradicts her 2013 call on federal regulators to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Juul has been widely criticized for marketing its products to minors. Plus, longtime friend of the pod Sam Hammar joins to chat through the recent passage of a budget override in Melrose (its first one since 1992). She worked for the 'Yes' campaign and shares what she believed was essential in producing high voter turnout. *bugle sound* Send us your mail via the Pony Express! thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com

3/27/2019--If you're at all interested in Massachusetts politics, chances are you've seen the hashtag 'mapoli' crop up on Twitter once or twice. Jenn and Steve are back in the bunker to answer the important questions, and top of their minds is this: How do you *pronounce* that hashtag that you see all the time but never say aloud (unless you're Jenn and Steve)? After a pronunciation is agreed upon, they welcome Rep. Lori Ehrlich. She's introduced legislation that would form a commission to study and address the local news climate in our state--focusing specifically on whether news deserts exist here, and if so, how to go about resolving them. Matt Szafranski, editor of Western Mass Politics & Insight, drops in to discuss some news coming out of the western neck of the woods, that State Senator Don Humason announced he is joining the race for Mayor of Westfield.

3/20/2019--With polls to discuss, candidates to watch, and bills to break down, Steve and Jenn are joined on this episode by research director at The MassINC Polling Group (and, more importantly, vice president of the political sports polling analysis department at Horse Race Global Media Headquarters) Maeve Duggan. She analyzes results of polling that asked people whether they felt Patriots players should attend the White House after their Super Bowl victory. Next, Boston Globe reporter Vicki McGrane joins the hosts remotely to shed some light on a potential Ed Markey primary challenger, and Sarah Betancourt of Commonwealth Magazine talks with Steve and Jenn about a legislative effort announced by House Democrats to protect young immigrants and those with vulnerable residency statuses

3/13/2019-- Steve and Jenn are back on the racetrack. Right out of the gate, they're talking Fall River's shocking election, during which a majority of voters chose to recall Mayor Jasiel Correia. However, because Correia placed first among five contenders for office, he resumed his role as Mayor. As debate swirls on the national stage about what's an appropriate age to vote, moves are being made on the state level. State Rep. Andy Vargas filed legislation alongside Sen. Harriette Chandler that would give municipalities the option to let 16-and 17-year-olds vote. He joins Jenn and Steve to discuss why he thinks this is a good idea. MassLive reporter Jackie Tempera breaks down the Lori Trahan campaign finance debacle, and Chris Lisinski of State House News Service stops by to talk MBTA fare hikes. We want to hear from you! Send us your thoughts, complaints, fixations, anything and everything #mapoli-related to us via The Pony Express. Reach us via email at thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com or on Twitter @The_HorseRace.

3/6/2019-- Steve and Jenn are back in the saddle and boy, do they have a lot to discuss. First, who was that guy with local ties who mentioned running against Trump as a Republican? Oh, yeah. Bill Weld, who has not made a peep in recent weeks. Next up, the hosts have a bone to pick with a certain Atlantic article that's been circulating, which maps levels of political intolerance throughout the country. They argue that while Suffolk County may in fact be extremely politically intolerant, this study does not prove that. Steve explains how the methods the researchers employed to come to their conclusions are flawed. Joining the conversation is Paul McMorrow, director of communications and policy at Mass Housing. He breaks down the governor's newly filed legislation regarding housing. He addresses the housing supply problem in Massachusetts and how this legislation will go about executing Baker's promise of 135,000 new housing units by 2025. Finally, Adam Vaccaro drops by to discuss yet another intrinsic Massachusetts problem... transportation. He talks fare hikes, the idea of a free MBTA and, of course, space savers. Don't forget, listeners-- we want to hear from YOU! Send us your #mapoli musings via the Pony Express: hit us up on Twitter @The_HorseRace or email: thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com.

2/27/2019--Jenn and Steve are back in the bunker, and one of them has a spooky secret to share. Plus, they're eager to tear open their first-ever mailbag and read your #mapoli comments, questions and concerns in a segment they've dubbed--what else?--The Pony Express. But first, it's time to talk polls. Steve and Jenn chat through the recent round of national and New Hampshire polls centered on the announced 2020 presidential candidates. They're joined next by someone who supersedes the 'friend of the pod' title and instead carries 'BFF of the pod' status. State House News Service reporter Katie Lannan breaks down the Musical Chairs-esque shuffle that has been House and Senate committee assignments and reassignments. Next, the hosts sit down with Cannabis Control Commissioner Shaleen Title, who lays out the Commission's goal of establishing equal opportunity for all who want to break into the marijuana dispensary business. Don't forget to send us your #mapoli musings any way you'd like. Write us via email, Twitter, or send us a voice memo at thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com or @The_HorseRace

2/20/2019-- Steve and Jenn are in the bunker, together again, and back with a special announcement: they want to hear from you, dear listeners. So send in your #mapoli questions to us via the Pony Express, a.k.a. The Horse Race's version of a mailbag. Hit us up on Twitter @The_HorseRace, or email us at thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com. In other news, Jenn and Steve sit down with Luc Schuster of the Boston Foundation to discuss the current state of the 2020 Census, how it works, and what's at stake for Massachusetts. Michael Levenson of The Boston Globe has been covering Bill Weld before and since his recent presidential campaign announcement. Steve and Jenn have a multitude of questions for him about the Republican-turned Libertarian-turned back to Republican candidate. The thought of sitting outside enjoying a cold beer is a distant one for most Bostonians today as the temperature hovers around 30 degrees. But Jenn and Steve demand to know why anyone might pose a threat to their beloved beer gardens. Senator Nick Collins explains why his recently filed legislation regarding licensing is not a direct attack on beer gardens.

2/13/2019-- As Steve continues sailing the seven seas, Jenn is joined by State House News Service reporter and opposing podcast host Katie Lannan. Jenn and Katie put their bitter rivalry aside to discuss the global issue of climate change and what state and local leaders and lawmakers are doing to address it. First, Lou Antonellis of IBEW Local 103 joins the show. He explains why the labor union showed support for Ed Markey and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal and what he hopes from current and future elected officials. The Springfield Republican reporter Shira Schoenberg drops by to discuss Charlie Baker's appearance in D.C. where he advocated for federally funded efforts toward climate change mitigation. To talk about the recent re-introduction of the millionaire's tax (also known as the Fair Share Amendment) is State Sen. Jason Lewis. He and State Rep. Jim O'Day filed legislation to revive this constitutional amendment that would put a surtax on residents who make more than $1 million annually in order to generate revenue for the state's education and transportation systems.

2/6/2019-- Jenn returns unhappily to Boston after having spent a blissful week in the Utah mountains basking in the sun and snow and artistic films. Steve and co. are here to bring her back to reality. Matt Murphy of the Statehouse News Service stops by to talk about Right to Repair, which determines who should be able to fix your car, and billionaire Tom Steyer's effort to impeach Trump as well as his recruitment of Rep. Richie Neal. Jenn and Steve ask CommonWealth Magazine reporter Andy Metzger about the importance of Statehouse rules and whether the freshman class of lawmakers eager for transparency and change might actually achieve it. Lastly, as the dust (or confetti, rather) settles from the Super Bowl victory parade, Steve and Jenn have some questions for sports lover and MassINC Polling Group research director Maeve Duggan. Namely, how does our largely anti-Trump commonwealth reckon with the Trump sympathizers who also happen to be pillars of the beloved New England Patriots?

1/30/2019-- With Jenn living it up at Sundance, Steve is joined by guest host, friend of the pod and #mapoli enthusiast Sam Hammar. The two sit down to talk about the future of Massachusetts politics, and who better to offer their thoughts and predictions than a trio of thinkers and insiders from across the political spectrum? Ed Lyons, Massachusetts GOP insider, is hopeful but unconvinced that the GOP will see much success in 2020, especially given the election of ultra-conservative Jim Lyons as Chairman. Jonathan Cohn of Progressive Massachusetts recounts the success of progressives in the midterm elections and looks ahead to the items topping the progressive agenda for this legislative session. Nina Liang, Executive Director of Emerge Massachusetts explains how the organization equips women with the tools to run for office. Plus, she emphasizes the importance of this action when, right now, women make up only 29 percent of the Massachusetts governing body.