I Hate Politics Podcast

Sunil Dasgupta
  • 4.6 (38)
  • POLITICS

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.

  1. 11H AGO

    Elrich Proposes Tax, User Fee Hikes, Pepco and WashGas Rate Increases, Provisional Driver's License

    Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich proposes tax and user fee hikes in his 2026-27 budget. We have the details. Pepco and Washington Gas rates are about to go up again. David Lapp, Maryland's utility consumer advocate, breaks it down. Baltimore County Delegate Sheila Ruth has proposed a bill to remove the 18-month provisional driver's license period for new drivers above the age of 18. Why? And more. Music by A Shrewdness of Apes.

    37 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Counting the Days, Counting the Hours! MCPS' Snow Day Predicament

    The January 2026 snowstorm closed MCPS for 5 consecutive days. The school district is seeking new state law to exempt itself from the 180-day school year requirement. The move has broad support from local elected officials. But one voice of an MCPS parent and PTA activist stands out. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Evelyn Chung who says letting MCPS off the hook for the lost days defeats the school district's primary education mission, especially when the school district put itself in this position with poor decisions. Music by Seth Kibel.

    36 min

  3. MAR 10

    Data Center Wars, MCPS AI Monitoring, Snowcrete Melt Trash Report

    An accidental revelation outs Amazon Web Services as the company behind a Calvert County datacenter NDA and residents are upset. In Frederick County, data center opponents are collecting signatures for a ballot referendum. Montgomery County rejects proposal for a data center task force. MCPS is piloting AI-based security camera monitoring in three high schools. Have you noticed the increased street garbage after the Snowcrete melt? We have a trash report from Washington DC. And more. Music by A Shrewdness of Apes.

    31 min

  4. MAR 6

    Gino Unfiltered

    Gino Renne is the longtime president of UFCW 1994 MCGEO, the county government employees union. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Gino Renne about the county's politics, history, the role of unions, and the challenges of economic development and rent stabilization. Music by Seth Kibel.

    33 min

  5. MAR 3

    OPM to Close CFC? Data Center Wars, ICE jail bills, School Community Organizing

    OPM is shuttering the CFC website. Data center wars heat up over new proposal for old coal power plant in Dickerson in Montgomery County MD. CCAN's Mike Tidwell spoke to the developer, Atmosphere. In West Virginia, state officials welcome an even bigger data center. WV Delegate Evan Hansen with what is known. As ICE appears to move its equipment fleet to Maryland, state Delegate Vaughn Stewart explains two bills that seek to curtail ICE jails. PTA leader Dan Silva of the Magruder High School Cluster on organizing families to push for Magruder's facility needs. And more. Music By A Shrewdness of Apes.

    37 min

  6. FEB 27

    Harvesting Empathy

    Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC Media Studies Professor Jason Loviglio about his new book, Empathy Machines: This American Life, Podcasting, and the Public Radio Structure of Feeling, about the sociology of public radio aesthetics and the podcasting that emanated from it, as well as the political economy of a medium that burst through the American consciousness and now searching for its evolution. Music by Seth Kibel.

    36 min

  7. FEB 24

    Potomac Sewage Spill, Housing Bills, Charter School Closure

    President Trump and Gov Wes Moore spar over jurisdiction at the sewage spill site. Dean Naujoks of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network with an update. What's happening with the housing agenda in the Maryland General Assembly? Maryland Association of Counties' Michael Sanderson explains. Montgomery County Board of Education takes the first step closing down the school district only and months-old charter school. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.

    31 min

  8. FEB 20

    Can Maryland Control Prescription Drug Costs?

    In 2019, Maryland became the first state in the nation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. After years of preparatory work, the agency is poised to take its first actions on two blockbuster diabetes drugs, Jardiance and Farxiga, and a year later, the Board can expand its price control mechanism to the private insurance market. Will they clear the thicket of dysfunction in the drug marketplace and help lower actual drug costs? Sunil Dasgupta talks with Andrew York, Executive Director Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.

    34 min
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4.6
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Sunil Dasgupta
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    390
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights belong to Sunil Dasgupta
  • Show Website
    I Hate Politics Podcast

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