I Hate Politics Podcast

Exploring a human activity we love to hate. A podcast about politics close to our home, schools, streets, businesses, and local government. Hosted by Sunil Dasgupta. More at ihppod.org.

I Hate the News Nov 26 11/26/2024

I Hate the News Nov 26 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Democrats want to cooperate and resist Trump. Will it work? MD Senator Will Smith Jr and Delegate Lily Qi break from orthodoxy on housing and primary election reform. MD People Counsel files FERC complaint against transmission company as electric rates set to rise. Route 1 in Prince George’s County finally gets a makeover. MCPS wants to stop paying for AP and IB test fees for all students. And more. Music by Sting Pain Index. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/34148585

Like a Car Running in the Kitchen 11/22/2024

Like a Car Running in the Kitchen A citizen science project finds elevated nitrogen dioxide in 65 percent of DC and Maryland home kitchens it tested. Nitrogen dioxide in homes comes from natural gas combustion in cooking stoves and is known to cause asthma. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with Barbara Briggs of Beyond Gas, a local climate group which organized the testing, Montgomery Village community leader Djamila Bah, a testing volunteer, and physician Janet Phoenix of the George Washington University School of Public Health. Report: Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/34101801

I Hate the News Nov 19 11/19/2024

I Hate the News Nov 19 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Maryland looks at a bleak fiscal picture, which gets really bad in 2-3 years. Can the Moore Administration go into 2026 without a major new tax. Marriott lays off 800 employees from its Bethesda HQ. Three major progressive groups–AIM in Montgomery, PATH in Howard, and ACT in Anne Arundel counties—come together to form the Maryland Just Power Alliance. University of Maryland opens 40 new searches for AI faculty. And more. Music by Sting Pain Index. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33989207

Thinking About Quitting America? 11/15/2024

Thinking About Quitting America? Two nonprofit executives, Yanique Redwood and Ronnie Galvin, left the US in 2020 prompted by the pandemic but long alienated by America’s political and economic system. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Redwood and Galvin who have now written a book, “We Quit America: Our Exit from a County Designed to Kill Black People” to help those who might be thinking about getting out after Trump’s recent victory. . Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33940362

I Hate the News Nov 12 11/12/2024

I Hate the News Nov 12 Maryland ponders the consequences of elections. Apple Ballot makes a clean sweep in Montgomery County school board races and the teachers’ union roars. In Calvert County, a racially-charged Halloween decoration appears to be adjacent to school board politics. How election officials responded to coordinated bomb threats during the counting phase. The curious case of non-citizen voting in DC. And more. Music by Sting Pain Index. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33890677

Hot Wash on a Cold Day 11/08/2024

Hot Wash on a Cold Day Following Donald Trump’s victory in the Nov 5 elections, Sunil Dasgupta talks about lessons learned with Montgomery County Democratic activist Jill Ortman-Fouse who spent the last three months in rural North Carolina organizing on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33844927

I Hate the News Nov 5 11/05/2024

I Hate the News Nov 5 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: ELECTION DAY 2024! Voting update including provisional ballot information. The social psychology roots of Maryland “creepiest” mailer this election season. White supremacists break with Trump. New state law allows Prince George’s County tenants to jointly sue their landlord. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33784297

Will The Washington Post Now Stop Endorsing in Local Races? 11/01/2024

Will The Washington Post Now Stop Endorsing in Local Races? Owner Jeff Bezos unexpectedly stopped the editorial board of the newspaper from endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. What happened and what will be the consequences? Sunil Dasgupta talks with former Post columnist and Metro Editor Robert McCartney. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33716107

I Hate the News Oct 29 10/29/2024

I Hate the News Oct 29 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Washington Post’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in this year’s election leads to subscription cancellations. But another institution, the Maryland Democratic Party, went the other way, stepping into nonpartisan school board races. The charged political atmosphere looks like it will increase turnout. We have the latest local voting numbers. And more. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33650537

Delmarva's First Offshore Wind Farm Gets Closer to Approval 10/25/2024

Delmarva's First Offshore Wind Farm Gets Closer to Approval The first offshore wind farm on the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia coast, off Ocean City, Maryland, has received FERC approval and has submitted an application to Maryland's public utility regulator. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jeff Grybowski, CEO of US Wind, the project developer, about what it takes to build infrastructure in the United States. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33606907

I Hate the News Oct 22 10/22/2024

I Hate the News Oct 22 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: If you can’t knock on doors or phonebank, writing political postcards to voters might be helpful and give you purpose. Business associations and labor unions sue Montgomery County over upcoming rule to ban gas appliances in new construction. The company tasked with building a new high-voltage power transmission line from Baltimore to Frederick releases route information to continued opposition. And more. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33556002

The Fight Against Fake News, Misinformation, and Disinformation in Elections 10/18/2024

The Fight Against Fake News, Misinformation, and Disinformation in Elections American elections are run by states where election administrators are recruiting the public to fight against fake news, misinformation, and disinformation while having to reassure the same public that the franchise is secure. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland’s election administrator, Jared Demarinis, about the challenge even in a deep blue state. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33507637

I Hate the News Oct 15 10/15/2024

I Hate the News Oct 15 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: A conflict-of-interest story drops into Maryland’s US Senate race. The Montgomery County Muslim Council releases election recommendations with no choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The first ever UMBC state politics poll. And Maryland Housing Secretary Jake Day weighs in on the meaning of democratic input in housing policy and a new plan to deal with vacant homes in Baltimore City. And more. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33459012

25 Years After Electricity Deregulation, A Call to Return to State Intervention 10/11/2024

25 Years After Electricity Deregulation, A Call to Return to State Intervention With electricity rates expected to go up significantly, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Frederick Hoover, Chair of Maryland’s Public Service Commission, about the consequences of power deregulation and need for the state to step back into the investment planning process now in the hands of an independent entity tasked with managing the 13-state regional grid from New Jersey to Illinois. Music from Finster. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33412207

I Hate the News Oct 8 10/08/2024

I Hate the News Oct 8 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: A year after the Oct 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza and Lebanon, American institutions struggle to meet the moment. How the incrementalist approach to zoning reform may be holding back the housing affordability agenda. Less than 30 days to the November 5 elections, we have dates and deadlines. And more. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33366367

Maryland Teacher Uses Comedy to Take on Moms for Liberty 10/04/2024

Maryland Teacher Uses Comedy to Take on Moms for Liberty Sunil Dasgupta talks with Baltimore area school teacher and comedian Alexa Sciuto who has become a TikTok star by lampooning Moms for Liberty, the anti-public education group which has been attacking teachers countrywide. Find her on TikTok @scooteredu. Music from Finster. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33324737

I Hate the News Oct 1 10/01/2024

I Hate the News Oct 1 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Arlington County judge strikes down new zoning law allowing more housing. Gaithersburg approves a new redevelopment plan for Lakeforest Mall. Reform Jews for Justice members from around the country gather in Washington DC to protest the ongoing and expanding Gaza War. Musicians from Washington DC’s own National Symphony Orchestra went on strike last Friday with surprisingly quick results. Unions come to cannabis stores. And more. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33270212

The Long and Continuing Fight to Save Public Education 09/27/2024

The Long and Continuing Fight to Save Public Education With school boards around the country under attack from right-wing extremists, a veteran Silver-Spring based education reporter and author, Karen Chenoweth, has founded a resource to help school board candidates and school board members fight back. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Chenoweth about her website and her mission. Music from Finster. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33226137

I Hate the News Sept 24 09/24/2024

I Hate the News Sept 24 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Delmarva beaches reopen after cleaning, but who dumped medical waste and garbage into the ocean? What is the effect of rent stabilization law housing supply? A new paper has startling conclusions. Two-thirds of Maryland 18-year-olds are registered to vote, a report finds. Washington DC area bikeshare service shows sustained growth. MCPS leans into choice programs. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33176027

Civil Liberties and Drone Policing 09/20/2024

Civil Liberties and Drone Policing In 2023, Montgomery County, Maryland, began using drones to respond to 911 calls for faster response, triaging ability, and cost reduction. But big issues of privacy, mass surveillance, and transparency remain. The courts are redefining old assumptions about privacy in public spaces and a decade ago shut down an aircraft-based mass surveillance program in Baltimore. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst in speech, policy, and technology at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) about emerging concerns about drone use in policing. Music from Finster. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33129687

I Hate the News Sept 17 09/17/2024

I Hate the News Sept 17 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Medical waste and plastic garbage wash up on mid-Atlantic Delmarva shores, closing beaches. The DC Auditor’s Office releases a bombshell report on police officer shortage in the city. Three DCPS fourth-graders join us to talk about their campaign to get the red-backed salamander as Washington DC’s official amphibian. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33082277

Why Are Delevelopers Not Building More? 09/13/2024

Why Are Delevelopers Not Building More? One way of solving the problem of housing affordability is to build more, but developers are holding back. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Wooldridge of the NRP Group, a top 10 developer of multifamily housing in the US, and Brian Anleu, of the Apartment and Office Building Association, about their complaints regarding rent stabilization and new building energy standards they argue must be eased to encourage more building. Music from Finster. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/33030422

I Hate the News Sept 10 09/10/2024

I Hate the News Sept 10 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: DC and Maryland Attorneys General sue 3 Rockville gun shops for straw gun sales. Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee Chair Marc Korman reacts to the state’s capital budget draft for transportation projects. Fairfax County to start a bus route from Tysons to Bethesda. Montgomery County announces partnership with Instacart to deliver groceries to families who fall in the SNAP-gap. MCPS launches girls flag football. Game schedule: . Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/32977757

How Teacher Professional Development Works 09/06/2024

How Teacher Professional Development Works To mark the new school year, Sunil Dasgupta dives into professional development with MCPS teachers: Danielle Affinito of Farquhar Middle School, Rehana Ahmed of Hoover MS, and Daniel Ottalini of Redland MS. What is teacher PD? How does it work? What is the latest thinking on pedagogy and how teachers can use and harness AI? Music from Finster. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/32938077

I Hate the News Sept 3 09/03/2024

I Hate the News Sept 3 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Maryland Supreme court blocks the “baby bonus” and tax cap referendum questions from the ballot. Washington Metro reopens Red Line between Glenmont and Takoma Park stations after summer closure. EPA releases stormwater discharge analysis for the Chesapeake Bay and only Washington DC and West Virginia of the 7 jurisdictions in the watershed passed comfortably. And more. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/32870607

The Kamala Switch 08/30/2024

The Kamala Switch The tenth-hour switch to bring in Kamala Harris as the presidential candidate was a breathtaking power play by the Democratic Party. In contrast, the Republican Party has been unable to remove Donald Trump even when party leaders have said that the former president is a threat to the party. Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC Political Science Professor Tom Schaller about the role of political parties in this moment. Music for this episode comes from Alexandria, Virginia, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/32801627

I Hate the News Aug 27 08/27/2024

I Hate the News Aug 27 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Washington Metro and the National Education Association, NEA, the country’s biggest union, reach labor contracts with their own unions. Metro to reopen the Glenmont Red Line section as planned September 1. Three Maryland leaders get primetime speaking roles at the DNC, one of them Angela Alsobrooks is tied in a close race against former state governor Larry Hogan. The MCPS superintendent Thomas Taylor has a music video for the new school year. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/32750122

The Fiscal Dilemma Facing Maryland 08/23/2024

The Fiscal Dilemma Facing Maryland Maryland Democrats have articulated ambitious goals for education, transportation, and more. Governor Moore announced that the Red Line transit in Baltimore will be light rail, not bus rapid transit, a more expensive option. But state revenues face headwinds. Projected deficits loom large and statewide elections in 2026 means any tax raises become increasingly harder. Sunil Dasgupta talks with veteran statehouse reporter Bryan Sears of Maryland Matters. Music for this episode comes from Alexandria, Virginia, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/32707687

I Hate the News Aug 20 08/20/2024

I Hate the News Aug 20 The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Falling for COVID-19 for the first time in four years. Maryland Department of Health ends grant program supporting wastewater testing as nation and region experience worst summer Covid wave in two years. Rental commission rules change: Buyers must negotiate fee with their own agents instead of depending on the seller’s offer. Music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/32640097

Reforming Maryland's Referendum Process 08/16/2024

Reforming Maryland's Referendum Process Aside from president and senator, the most important votes in Maryland this November will be ballot questions. In Montgomery, a ballot question could reduce the possible tenure of the county executive from 3 to 2 terms. In Baltimore, the mayor and city council are suing to keep the “baby bonus” question off the ballot while other petitions want to cap property taxes and reduce the size of the city council. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Andy Ellis, who as a Green Party activist and a Baltimore Charter Commission member, has developed a keen understanding of the politics of referendums in the state. Music for this episode comes from Alexandria, Virginia, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns. /episode/index/show/ihppod/id/32545512

I Hate Politics Podcast

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