The Horse Race

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

  1. 1D AGO

    McGovernmental Authority, with U.S. Rep Jim McGovern

    Can congress to do... anything? This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela is joined by Congressman Jim McGovern to discuss whats fundamentally wrong with congress and what can be done to fix it. Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group Guests: Congressman Jim McGovern Rich Parr, Vice President of the MassINC Polling Group Further Reading: House Rejects McGovern’s Bipartisan War Powers Resolution, Shamefully Surrendering More Power to the White HouseMcGovern Announces Statewide End Hunger Now Tour, Slams Trump’s Big Ugly Bill for Making Hunger WorseBoston Mayor Wu sending Seattle kids to expensive World Cup after Patriots’ Super Bowl lossFoxborough stalls FIFA World Cup entertainment license over $7.8M security bill

    31 min

  2. FEB 12

    Ep 383: Material Misstatements, with Mass. Auditor Diana DiZoglio

    Over a year ago, 72% of Massachusetts voters affirmed the Mass. state Auditor’s authority to audit the legislature. This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by Mass. Auditor DiZoglio to talk about her ongoing efforts, including a lawsuit and a ballot measure, to force compliance from the legislature. Next, Steve discusses a new poll conducted by the MassINC Polling Group and The Boston Globe on the devastating effects of NIH grant funding cuts. And finally, our beloved hosts ride into the Seaport sunset atop Mr. Potato Head. Guests: Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts state Auditor Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group Jennifer Smith, senior reporter for CommonWealth Beacon Further Reading: Explore the full results of the MassINC Polling Group/Boston Globe survey of NIH grant recipients Rhode Island May Retire Its Mr. Potato Head License Plates as Hasbro Heads to Boston

    38 min

  3. FEB 5

    Ep 382: T.P.S. Reports

    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

    33 min

  4. JAN 29

    Ep 381: AI or A+

    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 GroupJennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth BeaconFurther Reading: What Mass. can and can’t do about ICE Parents Divided as AI Rapidly Reshapes Massachusetts Classrooms

    29 min

  5. JAN 22

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

    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 GroupJennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon Further Reading: Moulton Introduces Healthcare Reinvestment Act to Redirect ICE Funding to Protect Affordable Healthcare⁠ Moulton Celebrates Two Successful Years of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠ ⁠Parents Divided as AI Rapidly Reshapes Massachusetts Classrooms⁠

    35 min

  6. JAN 15

    Ep 379: Polling ICE-land and Greenland

    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

    33 min

  7. JAN 8

    Ep 378: 2026 Horse Tradin' & Legislatin'

    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

    31 min

  8. JAN 1 · BONUS

    Ep 377: 2025 Blooper Reel

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

    3 min
See All (402)

4.9
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    402
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith
  • Show Website
    The Horse Race

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