Radio Worcester’s Talk of the Commonwealth

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The best interviews from the Talk of the Commonwealth morning show as heard on AM 830 WCRN and the Radio Worcester Network. radioworcester.com.

  1. Feb 14

    Dr. Charles Into the WooSox Hall of Fame and Spring Training Report

    Worcester Red Sox President Dr. Charles Steinberg reacts to the the news he is going into the WooSox Hall of Fame. The Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr who is at spring training with the Red Sox. Starr describes the atmosphere at spring training as interesting due to significant roster turnover. She feels the team has the opportunity to surprise people.

    51 min

  2. 12/28/2025

    Bill Moore on the Work of Project New Hope

    Bill Moore tells us about the work of Project New Hope with our veterans.

    21 min

  3. 12/24/2025

    Worcester City Manager Eric Batista on the Tax Rate

    On the Talk of the Commonwealth, Hank Stolz spoke with Eric Batista, Worcester’s City Manager, about a range of issues facing the city, including tax policy, aging infrastructure, water main breaks, and the city’s response to homelessness during the winter months.

    20 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    State Senator Michael Moore on Cannabis Lounges

    State Senator Michael Moore discussed recent legislative activities in Massachusetts. He began by clarifying that the long delay in establishing cannabis lounges was due to the dysfunction and inaction of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), not the legislature. He detailed a new bill aimed at reforming the CCC. The Senator then outlined key items in a supplemental budget, including funding for sheriff's departments, World Cup security, and MassHealth. He also explained why Massachusetts rescinded its past calls for a constitutional convention, citing fears of unintended consequences. Finally, he shared insights from a recent trip to Europe with the German Marshall Fund to discuss artificial intelligence regulation and concluded by answering a constituent's question about testing for elderly drivers.

    19 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    Worcester Mayor Petty on local issues

    Mayor Petty expressed caution about a proposal to levy fees on all vacant lots, noting that some property owners used adjacent lots for family activities and that such a policy could be seen as government overreach. He confirmed the City Council voted 10-0 to recognize International Migrants Day but acknowledged the debate was emotional due to fear within the BIPOC community regarding federal immigration enforcement. He clarified that the Worcester Police Department did not cooperate with ICE on non-criminal immigration enforcement. He spoke positively about the economic and community impact of a new Raising Cane's restaurant, highlighting its job creation and replacement of a former eyesore. He discussed a proposal for colleges and universities to invest 0.5% of their endowments into a community impact fund to help offset the tax revenue lost from exempt properties. He revealed that a forthcoming school report showed a surprising increase in behavioral incidents in grades K-3, while incidents in high schools had decreased. He stated that school resource officers were unlikely to return in their previous capacity, but the police were exploring other ways to build relationships within schools.

    17 min

  6. 12/22/2025

    Will the Affordable Care Act be Extended?

    Hank Stolz spoke with Congressman Jim McGovern about several key issues before the holiday recess. Congressman McGovern first detailed the procedural mechanics and political dynamics behind a discharge petition, signed by a bipartisan majority, to force a vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. He then discussed his failed War Powers Resolution aimed at requiring congressional approval for any military action in Venezuela, criticizing Republicans who he said bowed to White House pressure. Finally, he offered a sharp critique of a recent presidential address on the economy, arguing the president was out of touch with the financial struggles and affordability issues faced by ordinary Americans.

    11 min

  7. 12/13/2025

    The Political Roundtable on Venezuela and Affordability

    The political round table discussion covered several key national and international topics. The conversation began with an analysis of the United States' strategy towards Venezuela, focusing on the recent seizure of an oil tanker as a form of economic pressure to oust the Maduro regime. The participants debated the merits and risks of US-led regime change, referencing historical precedents. The discussion then shifted to the domestic US economy, where the panelists critiqued the characterization of it as an "A plus plus" economy, arguing that a significant affordability crisis was affecting the majority of Americans. This led to a critique of President Trump's leadership style, specifically his tendency to surround himself with loyalists and reject criticism.

    39 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    McGovern on Affordability and Venezuela

    The interview with Congressman Jim McGovern focused primarily on the issue of affordability for American families. McGovern argued that despite a strong stock market, many people were struggling with the rising costs of necessities like healthcare, groceries, and heating. He placed blame on the Trump administration's policies, particularly tariffs and the failure to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. The conversation also shifted to foreign policy, where the Congressman expressed deep concern over the administration's escalating hostility toward Venezuela, which he believed could lead to war.

    11 min
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The best interviews from the Talk of the Commonwealth morning show as heard on AM 830 WCRN and the Radio Worcester Network. radioworcester.com.

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