Incorruptible Mass
152 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsOur goal is to help people transform state politics. We investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in Massachusetts if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved. If you believe in fighting for social justice, in reducing inequality, in health care for all, in affordable housing, in reforming our criminal justice system, and if you want to be part of getting these policies – and more – passed, then this is the podcast for you.
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Episodes
Supreme Court Corruption
April 19, 2024 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we cover a Supreme Court case about corruption, and the little decisions that lead up to people eventually making horrible corrupt decisions. We also discuss the hollowing out of the middle class and how that has affected corruption as we see it in government, and the important implications for democracy. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, s...
Media Bias -- Hot Off The Press
April 12, 2024 16:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about today we talk about how the media does not expect for conservatives to govern and only puts all of that burden on the Democrats and how that affects all sorts of issues, from abortion to climate to taxation, including all sorts of state issues and local issues and national issues. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode...
The Governor's Council -- The Appendix of Massachusetts
April 04, 2024 19:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about today we talk about the Governor's Council -- what they do, the unofficial tenure of the people who've been on there for decades, their (lack of) diversity and how this affects the lives of people who have been incarcerated here in Massachusetts. Jean Trounstine and Harry Margolis join Jonathan Cohn and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 43. You can w...
For Whom The Gov Serves
March 25, 2024 18:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about who the government really works for. Does our government work for you? Does our government work for vulnerable people? Does our government work for the bottom 50% of wage earners? And if not, who does it work for? We'll talk a little bit about the grand bargain, big lobbies like real estate and insurance and health. And lastly, we'll discuss local elected officials and the pressures that they are under to represent certain constituents or othe...
Lawmakers Breaking the Law
March 25, 2024 18:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the three times when the state legislature broke the law instead of passing progressive policy, to make sure that they crushed progressive policy. And those times include crushing clean elections (getting money out of politics), Medicare for All (healthcare as a right for all people who live here), and education funding reform (ensuring that everyone--no matter their race, no matter where they live--had access to a good childhood education). ...
DPU Decision: Done Doggedly Denying Climate Disaster
March 01, 2024 21:00 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the Department of Public Utilities decision that happened in December, where they made some decisions about the future of gas in the state of Massachusetts. We also discuss a little bit of environmental history in Massachusetts, the reality of distributed environmental justice, and how Massachusetts compares to other states. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan are joined in this episode by Jess Nahigan from the Sierra Club of...
Joint Rule 10 Day: Arbitrary State Deadlines Not Even Followed
February 23, 2024 15:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about Joint Rule 10 Day, which is a deadline for getting bills passed through certain hoops before they can pass through other hoops. This includes bills like the Transfer Fee, Debt Free College, Rent Control, PILOT Reform, Public Banking, Medicare for All, Prison Moratorium, Safe Communities Act, Vote 16, and more. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptibl...
Cities vs The State: How Massachusetts Pre-empts Progressive Local Policy
February 09, 2024 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about cities versus the state, and how the Massachusetts state constitution prevents cities' duly-elected city councilors from passing a whole swath of policy locally that residents need. We discuss home rule, how we compare to other states, and how inefficient the state's oversight is. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episo...
Governor's Budget — What it means for You, Your Kids, and Your Pocketbook
February 01, 2024 15:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we are talking about the governor's proposed budget. We're talking about where that money comes from, how things are getting paid for as well now. We also cover some questions, like: Can things be changed in the middle of the year like what happens next? How do we compare with other states? Phineas Baxandall from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat about Massachusetts politics. This...
Small Potatoes - Why We Lack Big Progress in Democrat-Majority Massachusetts
January 25, 2024 14:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about why so-called "state wins" are actually small potatoes. We dive into how we hear from state reps or state senators "Hey, look at these amazing things that we did," and how looking into their boasts reveals that not a lot of actual change was made compared to what else could they be doing with their time and with their supermajority. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 36. You can watch the video versi...
Public Banking - What It Is and How It Could Change Your Life
January 18, 2024 12:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about public banking--what it is, why it matters, and how you might be helped by it. We discuss how it might affect communities of color, women-owned businesses, cooperatives, and small farms, as well as the political movement for and history of public banking. And then we dive into a super wonky little subject at the end about the Mass Municipal Deposit Trust, which we hope to do a whole podcast on later. Nancy Ryan joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonath...
Budget Cuts -- How cutting the state budget hurts our futures
January 11, 2024 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBToday we talk about Governor Healy's 9C budget cuts. We'll dive into how it affects our funding of programs that we need, tying it to the Fair Share amendment and tax cuts that they passed. We will be talking about how you know the downturn is affecting all of us, government programs in need of investment, and explore the state budget. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 34. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel. You’re listening ...
Homelessness -- Covid-19 and Homelessness: How Massachusetts Has Fallen Behind
December 22, 2023 16:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the new regulations around shelters. We go into how Covid has affected homelessness as well as legislation to make things easier for a lot of the people who are homeless today. And of course, we will be exploring some of the deeper values that we share here among the listeners of our podcast and the underlying fundamental problems of why we even have homelessness. Kelly Turley joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat...
Parole -- how does it work and why it needs to be improved in Massachusetts
December 15, 2023 17:00 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk to two wonderful experts about parole and what needs to change about it. We talk about how long people can be on parole, how many people return to jail because they break some small technical aspect of parole, and what we need to do here in Massachusetts to make parole more humane and better for our society. Laura and Lisa Berland join Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio versio...
Local election results! Boston, Worcester, Medford, Malden, Somerville, Everett, Revere & more
November 21, 2023 20:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the results of the local elections from Nov 7. We'll go over Boston, Worcester, and Medford in some detail, as well as quick updates for Malden, Somerville, Everett, Revere, Springfield, Newton, Marlborough, & Waltham. We also talk about how the electorate for local and state elections has changed since mail-in voting started during COVID and what that means for progressives. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Mass...
Local Elections -- Vote this Tuesday Nov 7th!
November 05, 2023 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about city elections in Massachusetts. We'll cover why local elections matter, how to vote, and what to look for in local elected officials. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 30. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel. You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform sta...
Halloween Special: Bills Graveyard! Nightmare on Beacon Street!
October 30, 2023 21:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBPlease donate to the show! Cue the spooky music! Today we chat with Erin from Act on Mass about all the bills should have passed but died in the state legislature. Many of these bills have been around for years, and often they die not because they are voted down, but because leadership never allows them to come up for a vote! Erin Leahy joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podca...
Healey's Housing Bond Bill - what's in it and why it's not enough
October 24, 2023 18:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the $4B housing bond bill. You may think it allocates $4B to affordable housing, but in fact, our state has cut funding for affordable housing, rental assistance, and the unhoused. This bill simply allows the state to go into up to $4B of debt that will potentially be used for affordable housing. Listen in to hear more about the policies in this bill and why they are not enough. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about M...
UAW, unions, and worker power
October 06, 2023 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk with Evan MacKay, President of the Harvard Graduate Students Union about workers rights. We cover the UAW strikes across the country as well as what is happening here in Massachusetts, including worker-centered policies like worker safety and right to strike. Evan MacKay joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 27. Yo...
MBTA -- How can we fix our public transit in an equitable and sustainable way?
October 02, 2023 18:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the MBTA, and how it has been under-funded for decades. Public transit can be such a benefit to society and to our future sustainability. We talk about what recent developments are influencing transportation as well as some of the fare-free options in Massachusetts. Jim Aloisi joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 ep...
5.25 Cherish Act -- How we can support education and prevent student debt
September 12, 2023 17:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about how we can provide higher education in a way that does not leave people struggling with debt for decades. We talk to three experts about both the Cherish Act and the Debt Free Future Act. You'll hear how our current higher ed system impacts people, not only students but also our educators. Max Page, Ella Prabhakar and Vatsady Sivongxay join Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the ...
Transparency -- MA is unique in being the only state where all 3 branches of govt are exempt from public records law.
September 02, 2023 15:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about transparency. Massachusetts is the only state where all three branches of government are exempt from public records law. Andrew Quemere, host of The Mass Dump and Lights Out Mass, joins us to talk specifically about the governor's track record on this issue, as well as ongoing law suits in MA about transparency. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptibl...
The Thrive Act -- how all of our students can succeed and thrive
August 25, 2023 19:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk to Vatsady Sivongxay about the Thrive Act. We'll talk about receivership and why it is so damaging especially for our BIPOC community, as well as about the MCAS, what it does to our kids, and we'll also talk about the positive vision the Thrive Act provides. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 23. You can watch the ...
Ballot Proposals for 2024 are out!
August 11, 2023 20:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we discuss seven of the proposed ballot measures for 2024. We cover 1. one fair wage, 2. rent control, 3. same day voter registration, 4. MCAS, 5. Uber/Lyft, 6. auditing the legislature, and 7. psychedelics. We'll give you our analysis of each of these so you understand how they might impact you and those you love. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Ma...
Massachusetts budget update and the summer of climate change
August 08, 2023 16:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we give you an update on the budget for the state of Massachusetts -- a few good things that are in it, but also a 30,000-ft view of why it does not meet the needs of our residents. We also cover the climate crisis this summer and how our state government and the media are not doing their part to avert even deeper crisis. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorrupt...
Why has it taken over 23 years to update our sex ed curriculum?
July 25, 2023 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBPlease donate to the show! Every other curriculum framework in Massachusetts has been updated in the last nine years -- except sex education. Ours currently does not include consent, is not required to be medically accurate, and leaves out LGBTQ+. And is it a coincidence that we are now considering updating it when we have an LGBTQ+ friendly governor? Cara Berg Powers joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio versi...
Location Data Privacy with the ACLU: who is making money off of knowing where you are?
July 17, 2023 19:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about location data -- did you know that many companies track your location and then sell that info to the highest bidder? We are joined by Kade Crockford of the ACLU to talk about the Location Shield Act in Massachusetts, which would ban companies from selling our cell phone location information. Kade Crockford joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incor...
Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action, student debt
July 05, 2023 12:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action and on student debt. While higher education institutions with billion-dollar endowments are now bemoaning this decision that makes it more difficult to ensure that people of color have opportunities to attend, they still refuse to pay their fair share of property taxes so we talk about PILOT. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the a...
Housing: HDIP, transfer fee, right to counsel, rent control, TOPA, eviction sealing.
June 26, 2023 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about housing. With the Senate increasing funding for HDIP, is this actually solving our housing crisis? We'll talk about all the more effective strategies that are bills at the State House and could allow municipalities to protect tenants and slow down our skyrocketing housing costs. Mark Martinez joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mas...
Tax Package: The Senate package is better, but why is no one talking about it?
June 16, 2023 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the state Senate's version of the budget, and specifically their tax package. Thankfully, this relies less heavily on cutting taxes for the rich (capital gains and estate taxes), but it does have some details that could use improvement. We also discuss why there is no public discussion and analysis of the budget. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Inco...
Bostopia News with Evan George -- Boston politics, redistricting, media bias, TikTok
June 10, 2023 12:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk with Evan George of Bostopia News. We talk about Boston politics, local vs state politics, the recent redistricting in Boston and why it's to be questioned, as well as touching on media bias against progressive voices and why it's so important to have people like Evan covering these issues on his podcast and on his very popular TikTok. Evan George, Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn (absent today), and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts pol...
5.14 Youth Vote: Why won't the State House approve the expansion of democracy?
June 02, 2023 04:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we take on another question from a listener about youth voting. There are ten municipalities in Massachusetts that have passed legislation allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in municipal elections. In Massachusetts, these have to be approved by the state (by Home Rule Petitions) -- and yet the state has approved none of them. Why? David Seaton, Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan as we chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio...
IM News 5-30-23: MA legislature least productive in 40 years; Native Americans help solve river drought; profiteering the driver of inflation...
May 30, 2023 23:00 - 5 minutes - 3.96 MBPlease donate to the show! This week in activism! Wednesday, May 31st - Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s advocacy day at the State House Thursday June 1st, 10am Lobby Day for Homes for All including rent control and foreclosure prevention June 6, 11am, Local Option for Housing Affordability - Day of action at the state house room 428 June 7th 2pm, Citizens for Juvenile Justice Youth Justice Lobby Day, State House room 428 Climate Gila River Indian Community project a...
How do we pay for Medicare for All here in Massachusetts?
May 30, 2023 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we take on a listener's question: how do we pay for a single-payer, Medicare for All-style health care system at the state level? We go over what happened in Vermont when they tried to pass one, as well as how it will be paid for here in Massachusetts according to the bill that has been in the legislature for decades. And we throw in a bit about how the media repeats talking points from the other side that are not based in fact. Stephanie Nakajima from Ma...
IM News May 23, 2023: 1.5C global warming; Colorado river in danger; FL, NC and SC pass abortion and trans bans
May 23, 2023 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.73 MBPlease donate to the show! IM news for Tuesday, May 23, 2023. This week’s activism: May 24, 9am - State of Education in the Commonwealth. Suffolk University Sargent Hall May 30 10am - Healthy Youth Act lobby day at the State House Wednesday, May 31st - MA Commission on the Status of Women’s advocacy day at the State House Thursday June 1st, 10am Lobby Day for rent control and foreclosure prevention Climate U.N. warns that global warming may exceed 1.5°C only five years from now. F...
How to answer the question, "Why Are You Running for Office?"
May 16, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBPlease donate to the show! If you're a candidate, everyone will ask you why you are running for office. And you'd better have a good answer. Sadly, most candidates answer this question in a way that is not good for their campaign. We will talk you through how to craft a compelling short answer that is both personal and inspiring to voters and endorsing organizations. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Inc...
IM News May 9, 2023: Greenpeace win, 202 mass shootings, debt ceiling, MA revenues down $2.2B
May 09, 2023 18:00 - 7 minutes - 5.04 MBPlease donate to the show! IM news for Tuesday, May 9, 2023. This week’s activism! May 16 1pm - support Massachusetts Social Workers at their lobbying for the SUPER Act at the State House May 20, 21 - Mass Alliance Grassroots Campaign Training for candidates MA also has their Grassroots Organizing Academy running from May 15 - June 14 Wednesday, May 24th - 9:30am-2pm, MTA THRIVE Act Advocacy Day - end the misuse of tests and let students thrive. Climate April was the hottest and drie...
The MA state budget: Everything you want to know but won't hear anywhere else
May 05, 2023 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the budget that just passed in the State House. We'll tell you what's in it, what's not in it, what should be in it, what we're irritated about in terms of the way that they passed it. From no-cost-calls for prisoners to free pre-K to free community college to tackling climate change, we're covering it all. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mas...
IM News May 2, 2023: LGBTQ, MA state budget, Climate battles in Brazil, Still protesting in France.
May 02, 2023 19:00 - 8 minutes - 5.68 MBPlease donate to the show! This is IM news for Tuesday, May 2, 2023. This Week’s Activism! All week – Families for Justice as Healing Week of Action for No New Women’s Prison - see their site for opportunities to take action May 2nd 6:30pm Acton Climate Coalition - Building with Clean Energy May 4th 10am – MassCare lobby day to pass Medicare for All at the state level May 16th 1pm - MA Social Workers organizing legislative briefing on the Super Act, State House room 428 And if you kno...
Manny Alvarado at Manny Jae Media: The voice of Black Brown & LGBTQ in Worcester
April 28, 2023 15:00 - 41 minutes - 28.9 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk to Manny Alvarado from Manny Jae Media. His podcasts and videos celebrate and give voice to the Black, brown, and LGBTQ communities in Worcester. Manny has amazing stories from his childhood and from his current work, and we also talk about systemic oppression in different areas. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 10. Yo...
IM News April 26: Climate, National, International, State
April 26, 2023 15:00 - 8 minutes - 5.57 MBPlease donate to the show! This is IM news for Wednesday, April 26. This Week’s Activism! •Wed 4/26 3-4:30pm Acton Water Wise Nature Walk Meet @ Bruce Freeman Rail Trail 4 guided walk •A27th 6-8pm 15th Taste of Dorchester, 256 Freeport St •Noon-4 Saturday, April 29: Poor People's Campaign Statewide Meeting in Springfield •May 4th 10am – MassCare lobby day to pass Medicare for All at the state level And if you know of any actions happening, please let us know! We’ll announce them each week...
Climate Change with the Sierra Club -- successful inside-outside strategy
April 21, 2023 17:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we interview Jess Nahigian from the Sierra Club Massachusetts. We cover what environmental legislation was passed last cycle, where Massachusetts is falling behind on implementation, and how we can all bring more joy to our climate work. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 9. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel...
IM News April 18: Climate, National and international, State, as well as Black Lives Matter
April 19, 2023 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.5 MBPlease donate to the show here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast This is Incorruptible Mass news for Wednesday, April 18th, 2023. This Week’s Activism! 3:30pm Friday April 21 - Earth Day in Love and Rage Boston City Hall 2pm Saturday April 22nd – MAPA Peace and Justice agenda with legislators Noon-4 Saturday, April 29: Poor People's Campaign Statewide Meeting in Springfield May 4th 10am – MassCare lobby day to pass Medicare for All at the state level If you know of any...
News Analysis: Trump indictment, climate law, democracy abroad, wins in Wisconsin & Chicago
April 10, 2023 16:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we analyze this week's news. We talk about Trump's indictment and how that relates to Massachusetts state politics. We talk about California's new environmental legislation and the hoops they had to go through to pass it. New Yorks climate law might have died on the implementation table -- we talk about how important it is to follow through the implementation phase of the laws we pass. We discuss the Finnish elections as a bellweather for the effect that cli...
IM News for for Wednesday, April 5th
April 05, 2023 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5 MBClimate, International, National and Massachusetts State news, as well as your Action Announcements where you can hear when and where to show up to transform our beautiful state. Thanks for tuning in! Please let us know of any other actions we can announce: [email protected]. And donate to the show: incorruptiblemass.org/podcast
The terrible horrible no good very bad tax package
April 03, 2023 21:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the tax package that is moving through the house, senate, and governor's office. In a state that overly burdens low- and middle-income folks with taxes, and shortly after our state voted to increase taxes on the most wealthy, this tax plan includes multiple tax cuts for exactly those wealthy people. We are not fans and explain why we should all make some noise about it before it's too late. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan ...
IM News for Wednesday, March 29, 2023
March 29, 2023 21:00 - 5 minutes - 3.83 MBClimate: Vanuatu demands climate justice; new study finds plastics more harmful to health than previously thought. International and national: protests in Israel and France; deaths at a migrant facility in Mexico; school shooting in Nashville; California bill to penalize oil profits moves forward; Warren to run again. State: New MBTA boss; campaign finance reform bill introduced; tenant protections expiring; Speaker of the House won't comply with state audit. Thanks for tuning in! Plea...
Power - Only power can get policy passed, and it has to be used to be real.
March 24, 2023 15:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about power -- what is it? Why do we need it? How is wielding power different in a blue state from in a purple state? What does exercising power look like? Spoiler alert: being close to power is not enough. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 5. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel. You’re listening t...
Mythbusting -- 13 myths you might believe about politics.
March 17, 2023 14:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we cover 13 myths that many people believe about politics. Any of these sound familiar? Myth: Massachusetts state government is in good hands. Myth: It's better to spend time and money organizing in red or purple states. Myth: My state rep votes the way they tell me they are voting. Myth: If a candidate says during a campaign they will support certain policies, they will support them after the election. Myth: If my state rep officially cosponsors le...
Absolute Power: Why 3 out of 4 Speakers of the House go to jail
March 10, 2023 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBPlease donate to the show! Today we talk about the insane amount of power the Speaker of the MA State House has over what bills are allowed to pass. He controls the salaries of more than half of the 160 members, and only he can control who chairs committees, where your office is, how many staff you get, where your parking spot is, and so much more. We dive into how this affects our democracy. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is th...