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The Horse Race

Politics

A weekly podcast on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.

Location:

United States

Description:

A weekly podcast on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Episode 349: Home is Where the Polls Are

5/15/2025
This week, it's a double housing policy polling special from the MassINC Polling Group. Jenn interviews Jesse Kanson-Benanav of Abundant Housing Massachusetts about a new poll MPG conducted for them, finding that majorities of Massachusetts voters support most policies to build more housing. Then, Steve and Jenn talk to Olivia Wine of MPG about a recent report on the experiences of tenants and landlords in the Massachusetts state housing voucher program (MRVP). For the Abundant Housing poll: https://www.massincpolling.com/our-work/new-poll-voters-across-massachusetts-support-building-more-housing-in-their-own-neighborhoodsnbsp For the MRVP report: https://www.massincpolling.com/our-work/tenants-and-landlords-both-give-massachusetts-rental-voucher-program-good-marks-but-administrative-hurdles-pose-a-challenge For video of the MRVP report release event: https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/videos/2025/may/voices-of-experience-recap

Duration:00:37:39

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Episode 348: Take Nothing for Grant-ed

5/7/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn discuss a MassINC Polling Group survey that asked nonprofit workers and leaders what impacts they expect the Trump administration to have on their organizations and the communities they serve. Plus, a look at competing internal polls from gubernatorial candidates. MPG conducted the nonprofit survey for the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network and the Boston Foundation, which also hosted an event on May 5 for nonprofit leaders to hear and discuss the results. For the full results, as well as a video recording of the event, visit this link: https://www.massincpolling.com/our-work/40ls2wra074r1sola48s94ojwt0lm2

Duration:00:37:23

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Episode 347: Whoa, Canada!

4/30/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn go international, looking at the polling both around the Canadian federal election and around the first hundred days of the second Donald Trump administration. Plus, horse *and* Dunkin content.

Duration:00:29:43

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Episode 346: Polling on Thin ICE

4/16/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn discuss the latest polling on the Trump administration's actions, especially divides that show up in different ways of asking about the same issue. Then, GBH reporter Katie Lannan joins to break down Beacon Hill's response to federal uncertainty, scandal at the statehouse, and the upcoming budget season.

Duration:00:30:31

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Episode 345: Political Erosion

4/2/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by John Gee of The MassINC Polling Group to discuss new MPG polling on how Massachusetts voters are feeling about national politics right now. Then, Jenn tells us about her reporting on the intertwined climate and housing crisis on the Cape and Islands, part of CommonWealth Beacon's Climate Month.

Duration:00:34:58

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Episode 344: Signals Crossed

3/26/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by Rich Parr to discuss new polling on transportation in Massachusetts from The MassINC Polling Group, and Jenn explains how federal funding cuts are affecting fair housing organizations. Stick to the end for our co-hosts' perspectives on "the group chat situation."

Duration:00:38:29

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Episode 343: How Do You Like Dem Apples?

3/19/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve talks to Democratic strategists Alex Goldstein and Kristen Halbert about the party's response to the current political moment, what elected officials are doing, and what they should be doing. Plus, Jenn introduces Steve to the foodstuff known as an "Irish Potato."

Duration:00:38:52

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Episode 342: Polling the Rug Out

3/12/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn take a socially-distanced stroll down memory lane to mark the five-year anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic emergency declaration. Then, they break down some of the many ways the Trump administration's slashing research funds could affect research-based industries and the Massachusetts economy.

Duration:00:33:21

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Episode 341: Mayor Wu Goes to Washington

3/5/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn break down the polling on President Trump's joint address to Congress. Then, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Gin Dumcius joins them to discuss Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's recent appearance before the House Oversight Committee alongside several other mayors of so-called sanctuary cities.

Duration:00:32:34

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Episode 340: Legislative Translucency

2/26/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn break down polling on Governor Healey’s approval rating and top voter issues. Then, State House News Service reporter Chris Lisinski joins to debrief the latest rules to increase transparency in the state legislature.

Duration:00:37:54

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Episode 339: ICE Fact vs. Fiction

2/19/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn discuss national polling around Trump's approval rating one month into his second term. Then, GBH news reporter Sarah Betancourt gives the latest immigration updates on how communities are responding to threats of mass deportations.

Duration:00:30:09

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Episode 338: Deep Cuts

2/12/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve is joined by State House News Service reporter Chris Lisinski to unpack the recent federal funding cuts to medical research, and subsequent lawsuit filed by attorneys general against the Trump administration. Plus, special guest Yael Mazor, director of audience engagement at CommonWealth Beacon, joins for a quiz show.

Duration:00:23:56

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Episode 337: Track to Density

2/5/2025
Steve and Jenn sit down with Jarred Johnson, executive director of TransitMatters, and Luc Schuster, executive director of Boston Indicators, to explore the connection between housing density and public transit. Plus, the first segment of 'Policies and Pitfalls': how Trump's trade war may impact Massachusetts. The Boston Foundation, TransitMatters report on Transit-Supportive Density: https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/reports/2025/january/transit-supportive-density

Duration:00:31:41

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Episode 336: Executive Disorder

1/29/2025
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela is joined by Senior Research Director of the MassINC Polling Group and Horse Race Western Mass correspondent Rich Parr. They discuss polling on President Trump's executive orders, and overall approval rating. Plus, a look ahead at Josh Kraft's bid for Boston mayor.

Duration:00:30:45

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Episode 335: Massachusetts pushes back on Trump immigration orders

1/22/2025
Steve and Jenn sit down with Lisa Kashinsky, Politico reporter and former co-host of The Horse Race, to discuss the impact of Trump’s immigration executive orders on Massachusetts. Then, they dive into a new education poll examining parents’ views on students' access to math courses.

Duration:00:28:36

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Episode 334: Brewing Strong T

1/14/2025
Steve and Jenn sit down with Brian Kane, executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board, to discuss Governor Healey's plan to invest Fair Share funds in the MBTA and statewide transportation. Then, is Dunkin running out of donuts?

Duration:00:31:26

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Episode 333: Milton: Paradise Lost?

1/7/2025
Steve and Jenn are joined by State House News Service reporter Alison Kuznitz to break down the drama on Beacon Hill over an audit of the Legislature and calls for transparency. Plus, an exclusive look at the Supreme Judicial Court's ruling on Milton and the MBTA Communities Act.

Duration:00:33:00

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Episode 332: The Pollarized Express

12/18/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn share their take on Trump's latest lawsuit against The Des Moines Register and Selzer poll in Iowa. Then, a holiday roundup of Horse Race best Dunkin' moments, and how the new climate bill empowers disadvantaged communities in developing clean energy projects.

Duration:00:33:52

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Episode 331: Fiscal cliff diving

12/11/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith sit down with Georgia Barlow, Government Affairs Specialist at Metropolitan Area Planning Council, to discuss policies to increase state transportation funding as the MBTA faces its largest budget deficit next year. Plus, a preview of upcoming mayoral, senate, and gubernatorial elections in Massachusetts.

Duration:00:34:24

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Episode 330: Mass. ends MCAS

12/4/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith break down the property tax drama that has the state legislature and Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu abuzz. Then, Boston Globe Reporter Mandy McLaren shares how the elimination of MCAS is impacting high school graduation requirements. Plus, Historian and former Horse Race producer John Gee offers his perspective on the future of teaching writing in the age of AI.

Duration:00:41:41