I Hate Politics Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sunil Dasgupta
Exploring a human activity we love to hate. A podcast about politics close to home, from our schools, streets, businesses, and local governments. Hosted by Sunil Dasgupta.
Raleigh, NC, architect and climate activist Tim Martin recently returned to society after completing a yearlong sentence for defacing in 2023 the case of Degas' Little Dancer sculpture in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC as an act of climate protest. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Martin about what drove his act of civil disobedience, the experience in DC jail and in a federal prison camp, and the future of climate action.Music from Seth Kibel's brand new album, Clarinet Without A Net.
Like most economic activity, data centers promise much and impose costs. Loudoun County, Va, is the Data Center capital of the world with 253 already running and more on the way. Why did Loudoun become Data Center Alley? What impacts have they had? How are they moving forward? What can others learn from Loudoun? Sunil Dasgupta asks Mike Turner, Vice-chair of the county's Board of Supervisors, who has a white paper on the subject: https://t.ly/ui7EO. Music from Seth Kibel's brand new album, Clarinet Without A Net.
Primary Day in Maryland. The federal government has issued new rules for work requirements for Medicaid enrollees and thrown states in another tizzy. Maryland's Office of People's Counsel is asking the state's public service commission to reject all but $15 million out of Pepco's $120 million rate increase proposal. And as we begin summer, we have a reminder about Maryland's lists of noxious weeds and invasive plants. And more. Music from Seth Kibel's brand new album, Clarinet Without A Net.
Penn State University announced the closure of seven satellite campuses even as it adds more capacity to its flagship campus at University Park in State College, PA. The university is now looking at closing programs. All of this led the Penn State faculty to vote 3-1 in favor of unionization. Sunil Dasgupta speaks to Penn State, Berks, Political Science Professor Randy Newnham about the reorganization at the university, unionization, and what it means for the future of higher education. Music from Seth Kibel's brand new album, Clarinet Without A Net.
Montgomery County, MD, pauses the processing of data centers permits for six months, Student journalists in MCPS protest a new rule that requires prior review of all school-sponsored publications. We have crowd-sourced data on MCPS schools affected by HVAC failures. And Delegate Kris Fair from Frederick County has an explainer for what happens with the replacement ballots Maryland had to send out. And more. Music from Seth Kibel's brand new album, Clarinet Without A Net.
Unlike in cities, suburban unhoused tend to hide in forgotten spaces in the folds of modern architecture, between transportation infrastructure and housing developments, in the no-man's land between state and county administrations, between private and public property. Glenn Fellman, the publisher of the online local news and advocacy website Montgomery Fix (www.montgomeryfix.com) has for the last several months been reporting on homelessness in Montgomery County, MD. He joins Sunil Dasgupta to talk about the nature of the problem and the inadequacy of county policy. Music from Seth Kibel's brand new album, Clarinet Without A Net.
Voter information for the Maryland primary election on June 23. For polling place, early voting centers, and to register: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/PollingPlaceSearch. Governor Moore finally decides lto endorse Councilmember Will Jawando for County Executive in Montgomery. We have updates on the other races as well. The Montgomery County Board of Education approves final budget adjustments after the county council does not fully fund the school district's ask. We look at the impact on student mental health support in schools. Maryland Attorney General adds four more apartment building owners to lawsuit against the rental real-estate platform RealPage and eight other companies. And more. Music from Seth Kibel's brand new album, Clarinet Without A Net.
Maryland Primary Day is June 23. Only Democrats and Republicans can participate in the primary elections, leaving out the fastest growing group, independent voters. The state-funded and state-organized primary ballot leaves out third parties while officials are elected only by 20-25 percent of voters. But three third parties are expected to be on the ballot in the November general elections. How do they see the state's politics? Sunil Dasgupta finds out from Andy Ellis, the Green Party's candidate for Maryland Governor. Music from Seth Kibel's brand new album, Clarinet Without A Net.
Affordable Maryland PAC's ad attacking Will Jawando's record on education leads to push back. PAC Chair Jonathan Robinson joins us. The Montgomery County Board of Education is going to vote on a long list of position cuts this week and MCPS school psychologist Alli Jacobus and parent Rachel Singer join to talk about the impact in one department. MCPS College and Career Navigator Sarah Kessler (whose position is also on the chopping block) joins to talk about University of Maryland's Fall 2026 admission numbers and clear up some common misconceptions about who is admitted and who is not. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
In the run-up to the Maryland primary on June 23, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Dee Clarkin, Executive Director of the progressive group Indivisible Montgomery, and Chris Pickett, the founder of the group who has just published a memoir on local organized called The People United (https://a.co/d/08qqpizt) about the challenges grassroots political action including wading into purely primary elections and managing volunteers. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Immigration court data reveals dramatically different treatment of enforcement cases in Maryland and Virginia. Montgomery County Council passed its 2027 operating budget and MCPS announced its proposed cuts at a Board of Education meeting. The school district wanted to end open lunch, which is the practice of allowing students to leave the school campus during lunch time, with procedural argument. And more. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Despite offering tax incentives for data centers since 2020, Maryland has seen limited build out of the power and water guzzling industry, but now several hyperscale projects want to locate in the state as electricity rates rise and communities rise in opposition. Sunil Dasgupta speaks to Maryland Senator Katie Fry Hester about what rational data center regulation looks like. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Maryland GOP delegates Mark Fisher and Biran Chisholm call Chinese American and Democratic state delegate Chao Wu a Chinese spy. Maryland puts Ozempic under upper payment limits for state and local entities. Montgomery County Council took emotional straw votes last week on next year's capital and operating budgets. Maryland Public Service Commission steps back from its plan to curb excessive investment in gas delivery infrastructure by utility companies. A former Montgomery County employee in the Office of Human Resources alleges discrimination and denial of disability accommodations in that office. And more. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Maryland is holding primary elections on June 23, 2026. Mail-in ballots start going out May 9. In the state's largest jurisdiction, Montgomery, the overwhelming numbers of registered Democrats makes the primary more important than the general elections in determining who will take office but the voter turnout can be abysmally low. Among the most competitive races is the contest to be the next county executive. In this episode, guest host Ambereen Khan talks to two-term councilmember Evan Glass about why he wants to be county executive. Music by Bach Street Boys: Jerome Amon, Cello. Aayush Banerjee, Violin. Malachi Winder, Piano.
The County Council is trying to balance new progressive income tax brackets by removing the flat homestead tax credit of $692 that goes to county homeowners when they live in the house they own. Maryland People' Counsel David Lapp explains his complaint against the regional electricity grid operator, PJM, for unlawfully allocating the cost of new transmission projects to Maryland ratepayers. And a group of clean water advocacy nonprofits are suing the state of Maryland over the lax control over industrial stormwater runoff in the state. And more. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Maryland is holding primary elections on June 23, 2026. Mail-in ballots start going out May 9. In the state's largest jurisdiction, Montgomery, the overwhelming numbers of registered Democrats makes the primary more important than the general elections in determining who will take office but the voter turnout can be abysmally low. Among the most competitive races is the contest to be the next county executive. In this episode, guest host Ambereen Khan talks to two-term councilmember Will Jawando about why he wants to be county executive. Music by Bach Street Boys: Jerome Amon, Cello. Aayush Banerjee, Violin. Malachi Winder, Piano
Wootton High School cluster parents Elisa and Pavel Sukhobok file a complaint with MSDE alleging wrongful decision moving Wootton High school from Rockville to Gaithersburg. Coming changes to Math education. Did you know about the case of the Oklahoma woman arrested on a Montgomery County warrant and held in Maryland for 5 months based on an incorrect facial recognition match? ACLU has filed complaints against Montgomery, Prince George's, and Anne Arundel police departments seeking compensation and policy change. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Maryland is holding primary elections on June 23, 2026. Mail-in ballots start going out May 9. In the state's largest jurisdiction, Montgomery, the overwhelming numbers of registered Democrats makes the primary more important than the general elections in determining who will take office. Among the most competitive races is the contest to be the next county executive. In this episode, guest host Ambereen Khan talks to two-term councilmember Andrew Friedson about why he wants to be county executive. Music by Bach Street Boys: Jerome Amon, Cello. Aayush Banerjee, Violin. Malachi Winder, Piano.
The Maryland General Assembly did not move on gaming bills this year. This week Sunil Dasgupta talks with State Senator Jeff Waldstriecher about state-level regulation of gaming, internet gaming, and the thinking about hot hot prediction markets. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
In a series debriefing the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session, Sunil Dasgupta talks with state Senator Brian Feldman, Chair of the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee about the omnibus energy bill to come of this year's legislative session. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez offers an alternative budget proposal to County Executive Marc Elrich. Montgomery County Public Schools propose to start the next school year five days earlier than usual. We have data on local ICE arrests. And Maryland Senator Brian Feldman on coming changes to solar net metering. The full interview will follow. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
We are breaking down key policy areas and legislation now that the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session has ended. First up, healthcare, which saw a new standalone committee this year. Sunil Dasgupta talks with the new Health Committee Chair Heather Bagnall from Anne Arundel County to chair the Health Committee. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
The 2026 session of the Maryland General Assembly ended yesterday. The Governor got 2 out of his 3 housing bills. The Special Elections bill rose and then fell again. A bill sought to address AI-led grocery store pricing. Delegate Pam Queen explains. In Montgomery County, the Council staff breaks down the County Executive's budget including tax proposals. And is MCPS looking to make a big push for public-private partnerships to accelerate school construction? And more. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Guest host Tula Dasgupta of Rockville High School interviews Northwood High School sophomore Leul Dawit, one of two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education for 2026-27. The SMOB is one of eight on the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members, but voted in by MCPS secondary school students only. Music for this episode comes from Bach Street Boys: Jerome Amon, Cello. Aayush Banerjee, Violin. Malachi Winder, Piano. Dawit Insta: @Leul4smob.
Double-header: Reemey Ghermay for MCPS SMOB (2026-04-10)
Guest host Tula Dasgupta of Rockville High School interviews Walter Johnson High School junior Reemey Ghermay, one of two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education for 2026-27. The SMOB is one of eight on the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members, but voted in by MCPS secondary school students only. Music for this episode comes from Bach Street Boys: Jerome Amon, Cello. Aayush Banerjee, Violin. Malachi Winder, Piano. Ghermay Insta: @reemey4smob.
Maryland House passes Good Cause Eviction for the second time Bill sponsor Jheanelle Wilkins is hoping the Senate will finally pass it this year. MD Senator Cheryl Kagan joins to discuss the Special Elections Bill. MCPS families receive emails from a class action settlement in Illinois involving the platform Naviance which is widely used in the school district. What is going on? Online privacy attorney Joel Schwarz clarifies. And more. Music by A Shrewdness of Apes.
Maryland Governor Moore is betting on lighthouse industries, biotech and quantum computing, to bring economic growth to the state, but how and why innovation works at the state level is contested territory. There are a ton of books and articles on the subject, but no consensus. Sunil Dasgupta talks with the Cambridge University political economist James D.G. Wood, whose new book, States of Innovation: Driving the American Economy in the 21st Century (https://a.co/d/04HheIVO), examines how four states Maine, Michigan, California, and Texas incubated tech innovation economies. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.
Last week the Montgomery County Board of Education approved a plan for secondary regional programs that will split the county into six mini-districts and a proposal to move Wootton High School from Rockville to Gaithersburg. In Annapolis, MD Senate and House face off over a special election bill and a thwarted Congressional redistricting. And more. Music by A Shrewdness of Apes.
After Crossover Day in the Maryland General Assembly, the last day bills need to be passed by one chamber and moved to the other for regular consideration, Sunil Dasgupta talked with Delegate Marc Korman about what bills made the cut and what they mean. Music by Seth Kibel.
Montgomery County Board of Education to vote this week on regional programs to reorganize the school district into six mini-districts. We have a report from John F. Kennedy High School in east county. What is prevailing wage and why does it matter for school construction? Frederick County data center opponents report they have enough signatures for a ballot question to shrink the land area allowed for data center construction. And more. Music by A Shrewdness of Apes.
The dire budget situation in Maryland and seeming mismanagement at the agency has put the crosshairs on the state's Developmental Disabilities Administration, DDA, which supports about 20,000 Marylanders with everyday assistance like employment, at-home assistance to round the clock 1-on-1 help. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with Greg Snyder, vice-president of the Maryland Association of Community Services, about the cuts and their impact. Music by Seth Kibel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Wootton High School shooting revives calls to bring SROs back to MCPS schools. MontgomeryCounty Councilmember Dawn Luedtke on why. Magruder High School in Derwood often gets overlooked in MCPS planning. PTSA President Kim Glassman wants answers. The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee can now for the first time become involved in non-partisan Board of Education races. Chair Pam Luckett explains when. College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir on city efforts to protect its student renters. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
From Walkersville, MD, a purple town of 7,000 on Route 15, which connects Frederick, MD, to Gettysburg, PA, a tale of political education. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Town Commissioner Chris Ragen, a self-professed conservative, about his efforts to increase public participation in a decision that could have changed the town's police force and saved money. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
MCPS proposes to move Wootton High School from Rockville to Gaithersburg and causes uproar in the community. The Montgomery County Council oversight hearing on the failure of snow response comes down to coordination and communication. We read between the lines. Howard County, MD, becomes the first in the state council to revoke a building permit in Elkridge for an ICE jail. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
A new book, Storm at the Capitol: An Oral History of January 6th, by Associated Press Congressional Reporter Mary Clare Jalonick, captures first-hand descriptions of the day of the biggest attack on the United States Capitol since 1814. Jalonick, who was trapped in the press gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives, says she wanted to create a definitive record of the day because there is now, following Trump's return to power, there is a risk of erasure of what really happened. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
How do other jurisdictions and past snow events compare to Snowcrete 2026? Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson weighs in prior to oversight hearings. Leaders from Republican-leaning jurisdictions oppose the 287g ICE agreement ban because they say the arrangement preempts ICE violence. MD Delegate Vaughn Stewart explores legislative ideas to limit ICE presence after the federal agency buys two warehouses in the state to serve as detention centers. In Prince Geroge's County, a Chinese Immersion Program in a Title 1 school in College Park is being cut as part of budget woes. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
Montgomery County Public Schools, which had banned AI in classrooms in 2023, now has a draft new AI policy document out for public comment. Sunil Dasgupta talks with MCPS parent, Ed tech expert, and Stoneridge School of the Scared Heart teacher Jaime Chao Mignano to break down the document and the big AI questions that are predicted to upend education itself. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
The snow emergency has captured attention; hundreds of millions of raw sewage has spilled into the Potomac River from a pipe break under the American Legion Bridge, which joins Maryland and Virginia. DC Water, which runs the pipe, is working on it, but no local jurisdiction has issued a health advisory. Maryland Governor Wes Moore presented the last budget of his first term. We have takeaways. Montgomery County Board of Education has been considering a written policy on the use of AI in classrooms. We break it down. And more. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin, Paul Whiteman band, and Marian Andersen.
Data center demand for power is causing electricity bills to rise dramatically. The regional grid operator for the 13-state electricity market, PJM Interconnection, is under bipartisan pressure to address affordability. Meanwhile new 2026 property tax assessment notices show variation in assessed values of similar homes. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Abe Silverman, electricity lawyer at Johns Hopkins University, about electricity markets, and with Bob Yeager, Director of Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, and Adam Lewis, Supervisor in the Real property Division about how homes are evaluated for tax purposes. Music by Kara Levchenko.
MD's new House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk on the new era and its challenges. The state's ER wait times problem. ICE action in Democratic jurisdictions leads Montgomery County, MD, to codify a 2019 immigrant protection executive order into law, says council president Natali Fani Gonzalez. A crisis call gone wrong leads to a call for police protection for mental health response. Music by Kara Levchenko.
In 2025, Governor Wes Moore's housing bills were defeated in the General Assembly, in part due to the efforts of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), which represents the state's 23 counties and Baltimore City. Will the state's counties be more supportive of the Governor's housing bills this year? Sunil Dasgupta talks with MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson about housing and related questions. Music by Kara Levchenko.
Renee Good's killing in Minneapolis sparks local protests. Delegates David Moon and Adrian Boafo propose new laws to deter ICE abuse of force. Governor Moore presents new spending ideas after promising no new taxes. Pay raise proposed for Montgomery County school board. A John Harbaugh retrospective and what's next at the Baltimore Ravens. Music by Kara Levchenko.
Maryland is projecting a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, the state is under federal retrenchment, and elections are this year. Sunil Dasgupta talks with two of the most powerful leaders in the state assembly, Brian Feldman, chair of the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee in the Senate, and Marc Korman, chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee in the House of Delegates, about how they see the session ahead. Music by Kara Levchenko.
In a departure from our usual worm's eye view of the world, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Cato Institute Senior Fellow Walter Olson about the extraordinary rendition of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores to the United States on still shifting rationales that include oil, drug trafficking, and the changing nature of extraterritoriality of US law. Music by Kara Levchenko.
In this third installment of the Chocolate City Mixtape, Markus Batchelor talks with activist and award-winning filmmaker Merawi Gerima about his film Residue, a deeply personal reflection on his deep roots in Washington, D.C., the impact of gentrification on the community, the importance of D.C. is a broader fight for representation and freedom, and the role of art in social change.
Timestamps
01:00 Roots of Activism in Chocolate City
06:15 The Impact of Gentrification on Community
08:33 Creating Residue: A Personal Journey
15:14 Activism Beyond Art: A Call to Action
19:40 Rapid Fire: The Chocolate City Mixtape
22:44 End Credits
Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association is defending its right to receive county emergency transportation funds after an IG report says they are not eligible. Rockville Councilmember Adam Van Grack and Gaithersburg Councilmember Yamil Hernandez face off over the Wootton High School solution. National Park Service has RFP out for redeveloping nearly 40 acres of Rock Creek Park to expand Carter Barron tennis complex. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.
In the second installment of the Chocolate City Mixtape, Markus Batchelor talks with UMBC Professor G. Derek Musgrove and the co-author of Chocolate City, A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital to explore the history of Black culture and grassroots activism in shaping Washington DC's identity, the impact of congressional governance on local autonomy, and the ongoing struggles for representation and home rule.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome / Intro
01:45 The Inspiration Behind 'Chocolate City' Book
03:19 Race, Democracy, and Political Empowerment in D.C.
05:32 The Historical Context of Race in D.C.
10:00 Fears and Hopes for D.C.'s Future
15:13 Lessons from History: Grassroots Movements in D.C.
19:50 The Fight for Home Rule in D.C.
21:44 Grassroots Movements and Political Advocacy
23:03 Reflections on the Black Power Resurgence
25:28 Mobilizing for Change in Today's Political Climate
27:04 Call to Action: Engaging with Local Organizations
28:39 Fun and Personal Reflections on D.C.
31:19 Final Thoughts and Take-Aways
Maryland House of Delegates elects a new speaker and overrides 19 governor vetoes. PJM, the regional electric grid operator which includes MD, VA, and DC, holds a capacity auction that predicts sharp increases in rates but is held in check by a price cap. Frederick County Council considers whether to approve an expanded area for data center building near Adamstown. Damascus and Wootton High School communities contest who will get a new building first. Montgomery County Public Schools announced its new operating budget, but we are still stuck And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.
In this first episode of a new I Hate Politics series called Chocolate City Mixtape, Markus Batchelor talks with Arrington Dixon, a pivotal figure in the march to home rule in Washington DC. With DC's self-government now contested by the federal administration, Dixon reflects on the challenges of creating a new government, the legacy of that activism, and the future of self-determination in the city.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Civic Engagement and Personal History
04:21 The Role of Community Institutions in Civic Life
07:14 The Fight for Home Rule and Political Activism
07:41 Establishing a New Government: Challenges and Triumphs
14:56 Legislative Challenges and Innovations
16:40 Navigating Early Governance and Oversight
18:35 Modernizing Government through Technology
21:45 Statehood Efforts and Civic Engagement
22:20 Continuing the work through the Anacostia Coordinating Council
24:21 Legacy and Community Impact
Governor Moore calls a special legislative session to install a new speaker. The session will consider veto overrides but not redistricting. UMBC Maryland issues poll results show a clear message on what's on the minds of residents. A new affordable housing project in Montgomery County, Md, provides 98 units for $55 million. How to advocate to MCPS. The county tries to build sidewalks in the Takoma-Langley area but stranger danger is brought up. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.
What's Wrong with Petitioning Your Local Government (2025-12-12)
The right to petition your government is constitutionally protected and, as a part of the right to free speech, sacred in a democracy. But public input must be structured correctly to be effective. In two separate interviews, Sunil Dasgupta talks with former Montgomery County, Md, Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson, and parent activist Rebekah Kuschmider, about public input in development and education politics. Music by Kara Levchenko.
MCPS faces criticism for wrong calls and "gaslighting" over snow closure calls last week. Can this be done better? MCPS has announced adjustments to its ongoing boundary and program change proposals. The teacher's union announces Apple Ballot recommendations for next year's elections much earlier than the past. Montgomery County Council staff is now projecting declining revenues from property and income taxes. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.
No other state in the US has Maryland's system of paying for hospital services despite its 50-year existence and the extra $2bn a year it brought. A new agreement between the state and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ends the preferential arrangement in 2027. Sunil Dasgupta asks Delegate Bonnie Cullison, Vice-Chair of the Maryland House Health and Government Operations Committee, and Jon Kromm, executive director of the Health Services Cost Review Commission, the state's hospital cost regulatory body, what to expect. Music by Kara Levchenko.
New state laws and lawsuits force gunmaker Glock to redesign popular pistol to prevent easy conversion from semi-automatic to fully-automatic. Maryland public health officials worry about low flu vaccine uptake. Gov. Wes Moore announces a rental assistance program for families of students who go to community schools. The Combined Federal Campaign has paused charity registration for next year. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.
Feeling disoriented after the 2024 election, suburban Maryland couple Christina and Adam Bobrow have hosted a weekly dinner for their neighbors and friends for most of 2025. Not a potluck. No RSVP. Just show up. Sunil Dasgupta talks with the Bobrows about how to do it sustainably and what lessons they learned in community-building. Music by Kara Levchenko.
Maryland's non-partisan Department of Legislative Services provides a bleak fiscal outlook, but two months ago the Board of Revenue Estimates reported high tax collections for last year. What's with the prediction swings? PJM membership votes down all 12 proposals on new data center connection rules. Prince George's County ends a 27-year old ban on the pit bulls in the county. The intersection of pitbull bans with race and class politics. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.
Two interviews demonstrate the political problem of expectation-setting. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Byron Johns of the Montgomery County, Md, NAACP Parents Council, and the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Excellence, about MCPS' proposal for six new programmatic regions and 30 magnet and special programs. And to Christine Condon, environment reporter for Maryland Matters, about the renewal draft of the interstate Chesapeake Watershed Agreement. Music by Kara Levchenko.
Who is MD Gov Moore targeting with his new political slate? The legality of creating an 8-0 Democratic advantage in the Congressional District map in Maryland. Regional grid operator members vote on new rules for adding. Half of NIH institutes have short two-week director searches open. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.
Two interviews that speak to what happens when the Abundance agenda meets local politics. Yesim Sayin of DC Policy Center on creating a research and advocacy ecosystem to push state-level policy to enable more housing construction. Their report: https://t.ly/jhuaF. And Declan Cullen of George Washington University on how cities deal with tech disrupters like Uber and self-driving car companies Waymo, and Zoox. Music by Kara Levchenko.
MD Attorney General Brown has filed or is participating in over 100 lawsuits maintained against the Trump Administration. State Senate President Ferguson under pressure to allow mid-term redistricting, but is it feasible? MCPS issues detailed FAQ on Immigration Response Protocol. As Silver Spring International Middle School moves toward closing, teachers and staff feel dislocated. Washington County Humane Society is offering a $10,000 reward for information on the cat-killer of Boonsboro. And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.
On August 25, 2022, Sarah Langenkamp, 42, a diplomat and mother, was struck and killed by a driver on River Road in Bethesda, MD, while she was riding her bike. In the three years since, her husband, Dan, has devoted much of his life to improving road safety especially for bicyclists and pedestrians. With the fourth annual bike ride in Sarah's memory coming up November 16 (rideforyourlife.org), Dan Langenkamp reflects on the challenges of fighting the car brain. Music by Kara Levchenko.
The cities of Gaithersburg and College Park vote today. After days of persuasion, MD Gov Moore approves $62 million in state funds to make up for the SNAP shortfall. District 16 Delegate Marc Korman on how MDOT uses a road design manual to say no. Prince George's County Planning Board does not have enough members to constitute a quorum. MCPS faces continued resistance against planned programming changes. Music by Dear Daria.
MCPS' plans to expand magnet education and change school boundaries potentially turns the nation's 14th largest school system toward becoming six mini-districts. Sunil Dasgupta talks with MCPS officials leading the program changes, Jeannie Franklin and Angela McLane, about their plans, the challenges, and the possible consequences of the reorganization. Music by Seth Kibel and Flo Anito.
Maryland cuts off SNAP funding without federal reassurances of reimbursements; state eliminates 502 jobs to save $27m. Protests gather steam against deportation flight company Avelo Airlines, Silver Spring demolition firm ACECO, and Maryland Israel Development Center, a state investment agency. Montgomery County Planning Staff report survey results on why developers with preliminary approvals are not building. With MCPS wanting to repurpose the new Crown High School building, competing petitions. A young, refugee, immigrant county council candidate proposes a cricket fundraiser. Music by Dear Daria.
The City of Gaithersburg in Montgomery County, MD, is holding elections November 4. Two candidates are running for mayor: incumbent Jud Ashman and challenger Tiffany Kelly. In accompanying double-header episodes, Sunil Dasgupta talks with community activist Kelly about need gaps in the city. tiffanyisrunning.com Music By Adam Bobrow.
The City of Gaithersburg in Montgomery County, MD, is holding elections November 4. Two candidates are running for mayor: incumbent Jud Ashman and challenger Tiffany Kelly. In accompanying double-header episodes, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Ashman about rent stabilization. votejud.com Music By Adam Bobrow.
Montgomery County Public Schools in MD proposes a whopping 6-year $2.7 billion capital plan that includes a countywide elementary school boundary study as enrollment numbers head downward. A school board meeting revisits a recent I Hate Politics episode with MD House of Delegates Majority Leader David Moon who proposed the state not funding school construction projects where there are open seats in nearby schools. In College Park, MD, Mayor Fazlul Kabir wants more police services from Prince George's County for the taxes his residents pay. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
College admissions season is here and to help you to through the home stretch, think through the dilemmas of whether your child should go test optional or submit score, the difference between early action and early decision, and much more, Sunil Dasupta talks with UMBC's director of financial aid and scholarship, Andrea Cipolla. External scholarships: https://scholarships.umbc.edu/searching-the-web-2/. International student resources: https://financialaid.umbc.edu/eligibility/international/ Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
An 11-year old on a bike coming home after school dies in a collision with a MCPS school bus. We look at how pedestrian safety is seldom preventive. MCPS is proposing new boundary changes that leave two schools in the richest part of the county untouched while increasing the poverty rate at schools with high poverty rates. A county executive candidate forum showcases debate over rent stabilization. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
The Conowingo Dam in northern Maryland is the state’s largest hydroelectric project and the Susquehanna River it controls is the largest tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. As part of renewing its federal license to operate, the dam’s private owner, Constellation Energy and the state of Maryland have finally come to an agreement on improving water quality in the river, fish lifts, and dredging the dam’s 9000-acre reservoir. Ted Evgeniadis of the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper and Robin Broder of Waterkeepers Chesapeake, were also parties to the negotiations and the agreement and joined Sunil Dasgupta to explain why the Conowingo Settlement was a big deal. Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
Gov Moore says MD will continue federal assistance programs. MCPS’ only charter school, Mecca Business Learning Institute, is teetering as families withdraw. Natali Fani-Gonzalez is the first elected official critical of MCPS’ program reorganization plan. Maryland Public Service Commission solicits battery storage and nuclear power projects for expedited approval. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
Montgomery County Public Schools is proposing to expand its magnet programs to build on a pedagogical method seen as highly successful over four decades, but faces criticism that their actual plans are unlikely to provide the necessary resources and support. Sunil Dasgupta asks former longtime coordinators of two of the most successful MCPS magnet programs, Eileen Steinkraus, at Montgomery Blair High School Math and Science magnet, and Mark Curran, at coordinator of the Poolesville High School, about what make those programs work and what it might take to replicate them. Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
MD Board of Revenue Estimates issues surprisingly strong tax outlook, but state leaders highlight caution. DC Council okayed the RFK stadium deal and almost immediately project leaders say there might be delays. As MD considers a VA proposal to put toll lanes on the Wilson Bridge, an 18-minute drive on I-66 cost $66. New MD law hikes to speed camera tickets take effect Oct 1. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
School construction money is never enough and Maryland has reported 80 percent of its school buildings are unreliable and or in need of repair. Sunil Dasgupta talks with the state’s House Majority Leader David Moon about his plan to link state aid for school construction to how efficiently counties use existing school capacity, encouraging school boards to change attendance boundaries before they build new. Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
The 7-state Chesapeake Bay Watershed agreement is up for renewal, but environmental activists are unhappy with the new text.The federal takeover of DC has lapsed, but 14 Congressional bills still pose threats to home rule. The plight of H-1B schoolteachers who were recruited with promises of green cards. Not on your fall bingo: a lice report. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
MCPS is reorganizing its high school specialty programs, ending countywide recruitment for its marquee magnets, and introducing 30 separate programs and 84 pathways across 6 regions. Sunil Dasgupta talks with parent volunteers Rebekah Kuschmider and Audra Dove, members of the Opportunity Design Team organized by MCPS to engage the community, about whether MCPS can really deliver on its promises on equity and learning. Plan details: https://t.ly/TirIX Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
School district security chief Marcus Jones on swatting. Eyewitness accounts of ICE action near Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring and over 450 people signed a letter to MCPS asking for help defining protocols in case of ICE action immediately outside of schools. MCPS school administrators and PTAs are flummoxed by changes in rules and fees for PTA use of school space. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
As the fall local government budget season comes up, Sunil Dasgupta talks with author Celina Su, professor of political science at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, and Brooklyn College, about her new book Budget Justice: On Building Grassroots Politics and Solidarities (https://a.co/d/7uX3b0R), where she uses the experience of participatory budgeting in New York, Barcelona, and Porto Alegre, Brazil, to create a different vision of the budget process and of democracy itself. Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb have responded differently to the Trump takeover. MD Governor Wes Moore orders creation of new county level housing targets and opening of state land to housing. MD Department of Transportation issues its new 2026 capital budget plan. In Montgomery County, a viral story about ICE turns out to be false. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
Charlie Stephenson, 21, of Alexandria, Va, died by suicide while at college in Fort Worth, Tx, in July 2022. His mother, Betsy Thibaut Stephenson, wrote a book that was recently published, Blackbird: A Mother’s Reflections on Grief, Loss, and Life After Suicide (https://a.co/d/haDI8ml). She joins Sunil Dasgupta for this episode. Call or text 988 for the National Suicide Helpline. Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
A Trump-appointed federal judge dismisses the Administration’s lawsuit against the entire bench of the federal District Court of Maryland. Baltimore wins a $62 million jury award against ghost gun dealer. The Maryland Public Service Commission looks likely to propose a longer period of review for a controversial high voltage power transmission line between Baltimore and Frederick. In Northern Virginia, a project connecting 68 rain gauges seeks to improve rescue operations and stormwater planning. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
The USDA has been promoting its “Stomp It” campaign for some years now to try to control the spread of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, but the plant-hopping insect, a native of Southeast Asia, has continued to travel out from the Mid-Atlantic where it first arrived in the United States, and is threatening fruit trees and vineyards. As the insect embarks on another annual mating season come September, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Penn State University entomologist Julie Urban about the effort to kill them. Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
MCPS communications chief and CTO on outreach platforms as schools reopen. How to think about the magnet program changes proposed last week (https://t.ly/qBJ79). Maryland Public Service Commission Chair Fred Hoover on new hearings looking at how the state’s gas utilities should align their investments with the state’s climate goals. And more. Music By Dear Daria.
When Wes Moore, the first black governor of the state, vetoed the reparations bill in Spring 2025, it sent a shock of disappointment and betrayal especially among black leaders inside and outside Maryland. Delegate Aletheia McCaskill from Baltimore was the lead sponsor of the bill in the House of Delegates and tells her side of the story in this episode. Music By Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
The US DOJ and Maryland Elections Board tussle over access to the state’s voter list. Montgomery County Council is looking at changing a provision in the new gas leaf-blower ban requiring picture-taking with complaints. MoCo County Council faces a First Amendment challenge from a local satire blogger. And more. Music by The Longtimers.
With increasing inland flash flooding in the region, a new study from Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board finds FEMA flood maps cover only 15 percent of flooding-related road closures in the Washington DC region. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Katherine Rainone, a transportation resilience planner at MWCOG, about the regional vulnerability study and projects to come out it. Flood analysis interactive tool: https://t.ly/kkchF Full flood analysis report: https://t.ly/f-DRF Music by A Shrewdness of Apes.
Fighting off attacks from his own political base over the non-release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, President Trump uses the pretext of a crime emergency to orchestrate a federal takeover of Washington DC’s police Department and removal of homeless people from the district. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich invites two Vanderbilt University law professors to strengthen his hands against the County Council’s new law to ease zoning restrictions. Penn State entomologist Julie Urban on what to do when you see a lanternfly and what experts are doing. And more. Music by Anna Rubin.
Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor, who is beginning his second year at the helm of the nation’s 15th largest and Maryland’s largest school district, has said that MCPS was one of the nation’s best school districts in 2011-12 and, by implication, not since. Taylor joined Sunil Dasgupta to talk about his vision and the challenges ahead as he tries to return the district to its old glory. Music by Damascus-based rapper Cataclizm.
New study finds FEMA flood maps account for only 15 percent of flooding-related road closures in the region over the last 20 years. MCEA files grievance action against MCPS for delays and inaccuracies in payroll. Superintendent Thomas Taylor offers a fix by date. Rockville City Council nixed rent stabilization the second year. Councilmember Izola Shaw who championed the cause analyzes. Washington Post travails continue, says former Metro editor Bob McCartney. TAME Coalition kills the M-83 highway plan after decades of effort. And more. Stay with us. Music by the DC area roots band The Longtimers.
Washington DC Council has been getting ready to vote on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan to redevelop the RFK Stadium and its adjacent land as the new home for the Washington Commanders football team, which will cost the city $1 billion. Sunil Dasgupta talked to the DC Policy Center Executive Director and longtime DC public finance economist Yasim Say if this was a fair deal? Music by Washington DC prog rock band, A Shrewdness of Apes.
Montgomery County, MD, upzones around transit corridors, but opposition remains. Finally, a new Impact tax agreement between Gaitersburg and MoCo. Court awards an MCPS teacher half a million dollars for false accusation of racism by the school district. At least 3 teachers are involved in another lawsuit for wrongful punishment for “antisemitic” speech. New economic analysis of the RFK Stadium says long-term revenue projections are higher without the stadium, but it’s never that simple is it? MD House Majority Leader David Moon proposes trigger legislation to open mid-decade redistricting in the state if another state breaks the 10-year-rule. Music by the DC area roots band The Longtimers.
Montgomery County Public Schools, MD, is on the verge of big changes in attendance boundaries, program access, and grading policy, but this summer faces political contestation between wanting these changes and deciding on whom to impose the cost of that change. Sunil Dasgupta talks with MCPS parent and Kensington resident Rebekah Kuschmider about the likelihood and cost of disbanding the regional school choice program centered on Silver Spring called the Down County Consortium (DCC) even as the school district seeks to expand choice more widely. Music by Washington DC prog rock band, A Shrewdness of Apes.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: One Big Beautiful Act impacts with MD Delegate Marc Korman and MD Health Care for All Executive Director Vincent DeMarco: “Could have been worse!” Fall General Assembly Special Session now unlikely. Montgomery County Council considers pilot to become a retail energy supplier to residents. MD Delegate Lorig Charkoudian explains the concept. MoCo Council will vote on a law to allow duplexes/triplexes in single-family-zoned areas. Trayon White wins the DC Ward 8 Special Elections despite pending bribery charges. Analysis from once-Ward 8 candidate Markus Batchelor. Music by Washington DC art-pop rock band, Catscan!
One of the biggest complaints against Montgomery County Public Schools, the largest school district in Maryland and 17th nationwide, is communication style. When Superintendent Thomas Taylor took office in 2024 set a new tone with a funny snow day video, but as the school district seeks a major overhaul of school attendance boundaries, the school district is losing control over its strategy and communications. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Michael Ricci, a MCPS parent and former communications director for Governor Larry Hogan and US House Speakers Paul Ryan and John Boehner, about MCPS’ inscrutable style and how to fix the problem. Music by Anna Rubin.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: The DC Council looks to undo two citywide referendums: Initiative 82, which provided a path to equalize tipped minimum wages, and Initiative 83, which would change the district’s elections to ranked-choice voting (RCV) and holds firm. The Moore administration in MD makes an employee buy-out offer and restaffs cabinet positions as reelection year approaches and the state’s fiscal worries grow. Howard County, Maryland, considers a new approach to Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance even as school overcrowding eases. Former Congressman and billionaire David Trone endorses Even Glass for Montgomery County Executive. Music by Washington DC art-pop rock band, Catscan!
The Trump chaos has brought a key constitutional principle to the fore: What happens when bureaucrats believe the president is not living up to his pledge to the Constitution? Sunil Dasgupta talks with Hamilton College, NY, Associate Professor of Sociology Jamie Lee Kucinskas about her new book, The Loyalty Trap: Conflicting Loyalties of Civil Servants Under Increasing Autocracy, where she reports prescient findings from 127 interviews she conducted with civil servants during the first Trump administration. https://a.co/d/75tNqQ2 Music by Anna Rubin.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Wrongly-imprisoned Baltimore man James Langhorne speaks to the difficulties of returning to society after 27 years in prison even as he is awarded $2.9 million. Maryland’s new 3 percent tech services tax started July 1 Montgomery county, Maryland, gas leaf blower ban went into effect July 1, but Gabe Albornoz, wants a 3-year fall season exemption for commercial landscapers. Councilmember Dawn Luedtke explains her “house party” bill. Music by Washington DC art-pop rock band, Catscan!
Three stories about introspection, learning, change, and hope from the destruction of federal worker layoffs and budget cuts. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Kevin Gash of Rockville who went from a 14-year career as a USAID contractor to starting a food truck called PLAN B Sausages. Liza Achilles, also of Rockville, was a technical writing contractor for USDA hoping for a new career in creative writing. And Robbyn Lewis, a Maryland state delegate from Baltimore, who for most of her professional life worked on USAID global health contracts and is struggling with finding the right new direction. Music by Silver Spring power pop band, The Airport77s.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Breaking down two of the most consequential Supreme Court rulings that came down last week: the ban on universal injunction and the expansion of religious rights of parents in public schools. The Trump Administration’s case against all 16 judges in the federal District of Maryland. The second Trump Administration has built a sophisticated legal team that seemed impossible in the first term. How? Lessons for Ranked Choice Voting from Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York Democratic primary. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Cato legal scholar and RCV advocate Walter Olson. Music by Washington DC art-pop rock band, Catscan!
How broken is the criminal-justice system? If you are charged, you might have to pay for your own pre-trial supervision, that is, if you can make bail. The cost may be high enough that you take a plea deal even if you are innocent. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Natasha Dartigue, Maryland Public Defender and the new president-elect of the Maryland Bar Association, about pre-trial detention, bail reform, and disproportionate outcomes in state courts. Music by Silver Spring power pop band, The Airport77s.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: A new report offers the first real breakdown of the impact of federal cuts and layoffs in Maryland. The neighborhood next to the RFK Stadium wants a community benefits agreement guaranteeing developer commitments. WMATA launches new bus routes next week. Adjunct faculty at Stevenson University, outside Baltimore, unionize. West Virginia University strips voting powers from faculty, students, and staff representatives on its Board of governors. Tips for hunting and fishing based on Maryland’s Natural Resource police blotter. And more. Music by Washington DC art-pop rock band, Catscan!
Frederick County, MD, school board saw escalating tensions between conservative activists and liberal school board leadership over LGBTQ rights in county schools. A newly elected board member attacked trans rights from the board table, a conservative activist tried to forcibly seat herself on at the board, and a man fake-mooned a board meeting. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Frederick Board of Education President Rae Gallagher, and Vice-President Dean Rose about the fight over LGBRTQ rights and its impact on school governance. Music by Silver Spring power pop band, The Airport77s.
Maryland’s first bond issue following Moody’s downgrade of state debt has surprising results. Former Washington DC councilmember and director of the DC Department of Energy and Environment, gets into the fight to claw back the environmental spending cuts proposed by Mayor Bowser. MCPS has new grading regulations and the Student member of the Board of Education is not happy. And more. Music by Washington Dc art-pop rock band, Catscan!
After weeks of protests over firings, grant freezes, and budget cuts, more than 300 scientists and staff from Maryland-based National Institutes of Health issue a public letter of protest called the Bethesda Declaration fashioned after the Great Barrington Declaration, which was co-authored in 2020 as an act of dissent from the scientific orthodoxy on Covid by their current Trump-appointed director Jay Bhattacharya. Sunil Dasgupta talks with three signatories to the letter, NIH staffers Mollie Manier and Ian Morgan, and former staffer Anna Culbertson about the public statement and the relationship between science and politics. Bethesda Declaration: https://www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-declaration The Great Barrington Declaration: https://gbdeclaration.org/ Music by Silver Spring power pop band, The Airport77s.
A new case of religious liberty against MCPS follows the LGBTQ books case already in the Supreme Court. DC Council pauses Initiative 82, a ballot referendum which tried to equalize minimum wage for tipped and non-tipped workers. A tort case in Maryland brings up the persistence of contributory negligence doctrine in a handful of states in the DC region. Prince George’s County holds special elections and we revisit voter turnout issues. And more. Music by Washington Dc art-pop rock band, Catscan!
HOAs and Condo associations have grown to be a big part of the American housing landscape over the last 50 years. In 2025, the Maryland general assembly passed a new law requiring independent third-party elections of HOA/condo boards and the City of Gaithersburg left Montgomery County’s Commission on Common Ownership Communities. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Gaithersburg councilmembers Neil Harris and Yamil Hernandez, themselves experienced HOA officials, about how they are thinking of a new regulatory regime. Music by Silver Spring power pop band, The Airport77s.
Mayor Muriel Bowser in Washington DC offers a budget proposal with cuts and regulatory changes. MCPS has released boundary change options as it plans opening new high schools. Complaints about air quality in Argyle Middle School. MD Public Service Commission asks Baltimore Gas and Electric and Delmarva Power to spread out coming rate increases, watch your electricity bills. A lawsuit challenges closed primaries in the state of Maryland. And more. Music by Washington Dc art-pop rock band, Catscan!
On October 23, 1971, Deputy Sheriff James T. Hall was killed in the parking lot of Manor Country Club, the center of a wealthy golf course community between the city of Rockville and Olney, MD. The case remained unsolved for 50 years, until 2021, when cold case detectives finally took another look at the urging of Hall's daughter, Carolyn Philo, who had long moved to Dallas, Texas, where she told the story of her father’s murder to her doctor, Michael Weisberg, a moonlighting crime writer. As cold case detectives pursued neglected leads, Weisberg began writing the book. Weisberg joined Sunil Dasgupta to talk about the recently-published book, A Second Shot: https://a.co/d/duIqQyx. Music by Silver Spring power pop band, The Airport77s.
Federal employee rights will change in the Trump-backed budget legislation “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Will budget-busting drugs like Jardiance and Farxiga soon cost less in Maryland? A new law sets up a mechanism. The state is fixing to charge for viewing land records and the Maryland State Bar and title attorneys are not happy. In Frederick County, MD, a fake mooning incident at a school board meeting. We have the audio, which may be more incendiary than the video. And more. Music by Arlington-based experimental music composer Pierre Bernasconi.
Last week Maryland Governor Wes Moore vetoed a reparations study bill and three environment bills despite their low budget impact, angering some of his closest allies: the General Assembly’s Black Caucus and the region’s environmental groups. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland Senator Charles Sydnor, regional environment leader Mike Tidwell, and bike and pedestrian safety advocate Seth Grimes, about the politics. Music by Frederick, MD,- based country-folk singer-songwriter Susanna Laird.
Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart explains final budget tradeoffs as vote arrives this week. New data analysis shows a disproportionate increase in staff positions in the county and in the school district. A survey of regional homelessness shows little change except in Montgomery County. The National Park Service proposes ending the morning and afternoon reversible lanes on Rock Creek Parkway. In small town Maryland, New Market and Woodsboro, stories of political contestation. And more. Music by Arlington-based experimental music composer Pierre Bernasconi.
There is a long tradition in political philosophy where democracy and transparency are equated. A new article in the Policy Studies Journal, by UMBC colleagues UMBC’s Eric Stokan, Ian Anson, University of Texas Austin’s Nathan Jensen studied the impact of government transparency on Amazon’s search for its second headquarters to find surprising conclusions: https://doi.org/10.1111/psj.70016. Sunil Dasgupta talks with lead author Eric Stokan. Music by Frederick, MD,- based country-folk singer-songwriter Susanna Laird.
Washington DC releases its 2025 homeless count, with significant improvement. Trump wants beautification, but where do the unhoused go? Mayor Muriel Bowser steps into the tipped wage debate again. MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor lays out the school district’s problems. With some talk of Larry Hogan running again for Maryland governor, Delegate Marc Korman talks about the new law changing conflict rules for Maryland governors that will affect Hogan if he returns. And more. Music by Arlington-based experimental music composer Pierre Bernasconi.
With Montgomery County, MD, in the throes of budget season, Sunil Dasgupta talks with the county’s Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno about how the budget balance taxation and services. Music by Frederick, MD,- based country-folk singer-songwriter Susanna Laird.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: And more. As the DC government considers a $1 billion investment in a new football stadium, Lora Nunn of Kingman Park in DC talks about what the project means to the stadium’s neighbors. Brookeville, MD, community objects to a new drug treatment center, they choose anonymity. Montgomery County Council approves pay raises and collective bargaining agreements but has angst about tax increases. And more. Music by Arlington-based experimental music composer Pierre Bernasconi.
Local journalist and author Miranda Spivack has a new book out, Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Spivack about the book, why transparency has been a persistent problem in government, and how the public can fight back. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Washington DC loses its AAA bond-rating. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is withdrawing proposed property tax increase and will instead propose raising county income tax. The Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board is Maryland is redefining school poverty such that Montgomery and Caroll counties are seeing increases and Baltimore City is seeing decrease. One stairway reduces building costs but also reduces the margin of error on safety. The National Fire Prevention Association is thinking about the balance. The bizarre story of the murder of half a million bees in Stafford, Va. And more. Music by Seth Kibel and Friends.
Two years ago climate activists Tim Martin and Joanna Smith poured red and black paint on the enclosure and pedestal of a famous Degas statue, The Little Dancer, in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. Martin and Smith were a part of a group called Declare Emergency, which engages in disruptive protests to compel urgent climate action. Sunil Dasgupta talked with Tim Martin as his trial in DC courts finally began this month, April 2025. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: SCOTUS hears Montgomery County, MD, LGBTQ books opt-out case. Can public education be apolitical? MoCo Executive Marc Elrich vetoes a tax rebate bill for office to apartment conversions. MD Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld responds to NTSB criticism that the state did not evaluate the Chesapeake Bay Bridge or the Key Bridge in Baltimore for strength. DC tries to maneuver around Congressional budget constraints. A new climate cost report from MD Comptroller Brooke Lierman on Earth Day. And more. Music by Seth Kibel and Friends.
Following the end of the Maryland General Assembly 2025 session, House of Delegates Majority Leader David Moon and Maryland Association of Counties Executive Director Michael Sanderson join Sunil Dasgupta to talk about what transpired but the conversation opened the question whether tight budgets will bring deregulation in housing, energy, and occupations. Official legislative record called the 90-day report: https://t.ly/IOp3C. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Montgomery County offers $3 million to help restart White’s Ferry connecting Maryland and Virginia. Sandy Spring Friends School closes due to financial trouble. MCPS wants to tighten grading policy after almost 20 years of growing leniency. Ike Leggett says that Blueprint education funding remains on track despite the budget crisis. Washington DC inaugurated a new full-service hospital east of the Potomac River. And planting recommendations from the Washington Gardener Kathy Jentz. Music by Seth Kibel and Friends.
The Mecca Business Learning Institute is Montgomery County, Maryland,’s second officially-approved public charter school project and expected to open its doors for the Fall 2025 school year. The school is reporting strong interest from families but as of a few weeks ago the school building was not ready, staff had not been hired, negotiations with the teachers and staff unions incomplete, and finances overly dependent on the county disbursements. Montgomery has long resisted public charter schools even as Washington DC, Prince George’s County, and Baltimore have embraced the idea. Sunil Dasgupta talked with founders LaChaundra Graham and Tracey Cooper about their model and the prospects for opening on time for the next school year. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan! School Website: https://www.mbli-md.org/
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Locals join nationwide Hands Off Rally against the Trump presidency. Congressman Jamie Raskin channels Winston Churchill at the protest. MD General Assembly ends the 2025 session with budget, energy reform, education bills, and more. MCPS launches boundary study potentially affecting the entire county. Poll shows Marylanders want countywide voting centers, but what are the tradeoffs with neighborhood polling places? Washington DC tries to limit open meeting law. Music from the Hands Off Rally protests.
Guest Host Lorena Treviño of Walter Johnson High School talks with NorthwestHigh School junior Peter Boyko, one of two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2025-26. The SMOB is one of eight on the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members, but voted in by MCPS secondary school students only. Music for this episode comes from Adam Bobrow. Suvarna Insta: @peterforsmob.
Guest Host Lorena Treviño of Walter Johnson High School talks with Montgomery Blair High School junior Anuva Maloo, one of two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2025-26. The SMOB is one of eight on the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members, but voted in by MCPS secondary school students only. Music for this episode comes from Adam Bobrow. Suvarna Insta: @anuva4smob
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Maryland House of Delegates passes the 2026 budget amidst pushback and now the state Senate debates. Maryland reconsiders how local police interact with ICE. Delaware pushes through new law to restore its reputation as the corporate registration capital of the US. Also from Delaware, why Senator Stephanie Hansen is upset with Ocean City, Maryland? And more. Music by Washington DC area composer Anna Rubin.
Two new books by local authors Paula Whyman’s Bad Naturalist (https://t.ly/Oj2C7) and Mike Tidwell’s The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue (https://t.ly/pnJc-) grapple with the challenges and hopes of conservation and climate action. Sunil Dasgupta talks with climate activist and Takoma Park resident Tidwell and fiction-author-turned conservationist Whyman, a longtime Bethesda resident, about their approaches to saving the world. Books at Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: MD Sen Brian Feldman on bills to lower rising energy costs. Will the state legislature move a bill to allow state university faculty to unionize? The NTSB the Key Bridge in Baltimore was not evaluated to adequate strength standards before it was hit and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge still has not been assessed. In New Market, MD, an effort to term-limit the long serving mayor fizzles out. The four-day Sprung Comedy festival opens in Silver Spring, Mar 26-29: improbablecomedy.com/sprung. Music by Washington DC area composer Anna Rubin.
After 10 Democratic Senators including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted with Republicans to pass the Continuing Resolution to keep the government from shutting down, Democratic anger exploded. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Democratic political consultant and VP of Red Horse Strategies Michelle Ngwafon about the problem of Democrats unable to meet the moment. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Maryland, Virginia, and DC find themselves in different places with their budget and economic woes. Developers ask for deregulation to bring construction activity back to the city. Montgomery County releases 2026 budget proposal that includes property tax and fee hikes. In New Market, MD, the town council passes mayoral term limits in an explosive meeting where opponents say the council violated charter amendment process. Music by Washington DC area composer Anna Rubin.
Following a series of widely-reported safety incidents and community demand, a 2024 safety audit of the John F. Kennedy High School in the Aspen Hill area of Montgomery County, MD, recommended $400,000 worth of fixes. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Kennedy HS PTSA President Ricky Ribeiro about where things stand, what he hopes will happen, and where the holdup might be. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
Local area Democrats protest cuts to National Institutes of Health. Does OPM’s revised guidance on firing probationary federal employees reveal cracks in the Trump Administration? Montgomery County State’s Attorney reassures residents that ICE enforcement in Maryland is limited. Charles Koiner Conservancy’s urban farm at Loiderman Middle School offers a new path to farming education and community engagement. Prince George’s County State’s Attorney likely to be the new county executive. Music by Washington DC area composer Anna Rubin.
In 2023, Maryland set up a commission to expand apprenticeships in the state and the commission released its interim report in February 2025: https://t.ly/cUrf1. Commission chair Jacob Hsu, a Baltimore technology entrepreneur, and member Jim Rosapepe, state senator from College Park, home of the University of Maryland, joined Sunil Dasgupta to talk about the report, the tradeoffs between internships, and apprenticeships, and the failures of higher education to meet the labor market. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Maryland and Virginia ask laid off federal workers to seek state jobs. Will former federal employees sign up to be public school teachers where staff shortage is acute? The Maryland State Department of Education proposes an overhaul of the high school math curriculum. Could it impact parent-favorite accelerated math instruction in elementary school? Illegal dumping in DC and Prince George’s County remains a problem. How to “buy” renewable energy without putting rooftop solar or depending on retail energy suppliers? Music by Washington DC area composer Anna Rubin.
Since Washington DC area jurisdictions began banning plastic straws and taxing plastic bags, trash traps have seen dramatically fewer bags and straws. What are the next steps in fighting plastic pollution? Sunil Dasgupta talks with Trey Sherard of Anacostia Riverkeeper, the nonprofit that works to clean up the river and its tributaries flowing through Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and on the east side of Washington DC. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: President Trump mulls executive order asserting greater federal control over DC. Under a new law, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb sues three Maryland drivers with over $90,000 in tickets. MD Senator Jeff Waldstreicher on his bill on camera enforcement of texting while driving. Vermonter Bob Atchinson goes to the Supreme Court. And the bizarre case of World War 1 chemical weapons debris in a Northeast DC neighborhood. More at https://t.ly/xiMrg. Music by Washington DC area composer Anna Rubin.
With rising electricity rates and the Maryland General Assembly considering over 50 energy-related bills, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jason Stanek, the executive director of PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission operator for 14 states including Maryland and DC, and the body responsible for managing the electricity market. Stanek was previously chair of the state’s Public Service Commission. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Protests continue in Washington DC and across the country against the Trump administration. The state of Maryland and its suburban counties most affected by the possibility of mass federal layoffs gear up to help those losing jobs. Montgomery County passes a law banning retail plastic bags in 2026. DC’sHoward University becomes first HBCU to get Research 1 status. What a guilty plea in a series of robberies in a DC Walgreens says about retail theft. And more. Music from “No Kings” protests on the National Mall.
Whether it is news or music, algorithms run by streaming platforms deliver us content and it gets stale and dangerous. For this Valentine’s Day episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Poolesville, MD, resident Kevin Schramm about how he finds music regularly. Sampled music from: Stella, Magdalena Bay, Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, Beverly Glenn Copeland, Nourished by Time, Parannoul, Lexa Gates, William Onyeabor.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Maryland Governor Wes Moore gives his 2025 state of the state address. House Minority Leader Delegate Jason Buckel offers Republican response. Prince George’s County Budget Director Stanley Earley on the impact of the state budget on counties. New UMD-Washington Post poll on Moore’s favorability. And more. 1920s music by the Benson Orchestra of Chicago, the Paul Whiteman band, Carl Fenton, and Jan Garber.
Urban and transit planner, data analyst, app-maker, and recently former USDOT official David Schneider created the concept of an 18-hour neighborhood to measure the vibrancy of urban life using retail around transit stations. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Schneider about his methodology, how he applied it to the Washington DC region, and the implications of his research. At dmvtransittourism.com. Music by Washington art-pop rock band Catscan!
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: As the Trump Administration moves to fulfill the new president’s campaign promises, fear and loathing spreads in the Washington DC region. State and local governments run business as usual as they wait. Internal consolidation may be the best preparation but housing shows how difficult it is to find consensus. Bills to stop rent collusion among landlords using digital platforms, prevent district court commissioners from issuing peace orders and warrants, and limit cell phone use in classrooms. 1920s music by the Benson Orchestra of Chicago, the Paul Whiteman band, Carl Fenton, and Jan Garber.
Bethesda Magazine and its news website Bethesda Today refocus on their core market as a new federal administration seeks to remake the Washington DC metropolitan area. Sunil Dasgupta talks with publisher Jennifer Farkas and editor Jule Rasicot about the road ahead for local journalism in Bethesda and Montgomery County, MD. Newly in public domain music by Clara Smith and The Troubadours.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: The regional power transmission organization covering New Jersey to Illinois goes to Annapolis and finds upset legislators. Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services can’t seem to spend the money it has to improve service. A state program to give renters on the verge of eviction legal assistance seems to have worked. City of Rockville eases height restrictions and eliminates some off-street parking requirements in the Town Center. Stay with us. Newly in public domain music from the 1920s: The Benson Orchestra of Chicago, the Paul Whiteman band, Carl Fenton, and Jan Garber.
Facing a fiscal crisis, MD Governor Wes Moore has proposed $2 billion dollars in spending cuts in his 2025 budget proposal (as well as taxes and fees). What does that $2 billion look like to legislators beginning to hear from constituents and advocates? Sunil Dasgupta asks Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon and the Appropriations Committee member Emily Shetty to break down the cuts and put them into perspective. Newly in public domain music by Clara Smith and The Troubadours.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th president of the US amidst fears in blue states like Maryland where hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors live and work. Maryland Governor Wes Moore presents a balanced budget for 2025 with $1.4 bn in cuts, $1.3 bn new revenue, and $800 m in transfers from savings. Newly in public domain music from the 1920s: The Benson Orchestra of Chicago, the Paul Whiteman band, Carl Fenton, and Jan Garber.
MCPS Student Takeover: Lorena Treviño of Walter Johnson High School talks with Leila Khademian and Teemo Taiwo, co-presidents of Wootton High School’s Black Student Union, about continuing racist incidents and adult failures in one of the academically best-performing high schools in Montgomery County, MD. Newly in public domain music by Nacio Herb Brown and the Carl Fenton band.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando makes a big political play on housing policy. State could cut 5 percent from the University System of Maryland budget. The Town of Cheverly in Prince George’s County files lawsuits against the neighboring Bladensburg for trying to annex land on which a big development project is planned. Newly in public domain music from the 1920s: The Benson Orchestra of Chicago, the Paul Whiteman band, Carl Fenton, and Jan Garber.
The state of Maryland is looking down a deep fiscal hole as the 2025 General Assembly session begins. Sunil Dasgupta asks state Senate leaders, Brian Feldman, chair of the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee, and Jim Rosapepe, vice-chair of the Budget and Taxation Committee, for their solutions. Newly in public domain music by Nacio Herb Brown and the Carl Fenton band.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Pepco raises rates in DC and MD. How much salt should you use to melt snow on your driveway? Indian-Americans dominate special elections in Loudoun COunty, VA. MD Senator Brian Feldman says a new special elections law is possible in the 2025 state assembly session. MD Delegate Heather Bagnall proposes a statehouse joint resolution to exonerate witches from the colonial past. Newly in public domain music from the 1920s: The Benson Orchestra of Chicago, the Paul Whiteman band, Carl Fenton, and Jan Garber.
The Maryland General Assembly starts its 2025 session on January 8 looking down a deep fiscal hole. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Majority Leader David Moon and Environment and Transportation Committee Chair Marc Korman about how the House of Delegates is thinning about the budget crisis. Newly in public domain music by George Gershwin and Nacio Herb Brown.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Maryland’s statewide aggregate property value estimated to increase 20%. State’s Climate Subcabinet issues report but fiscal constraints remain. 2024 road safety update and Delegate Julie Palakovich-Carr takes on modified exhaust noise. And more every week. Music by Sting Pain Index.
With news that wholesale prices of electricity are going to rise sharply next year, there is increasing concern about the regional transmission organization called PJM, which covers 13 states from New Jersey to Illinois. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian and West Virginia Delegate Evan Hansen about how they see the problem and are working together. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) launches a pilot to make it easier for tens of thousands of small nonprofits to join the CFC charities list. Montgomery County Public Schools released its budget proposal, with an ask of an extra $300 million and a new bill proposes to raise Board of Education member salaries to $124,000 Music by Sting Pain Index.
Holiday Weekend Special with local music featured on the podcast. Artists and bands in order of appearance: Cataclizm, Oren Levine, Dear Daria, Apollo 66, Sting pain Index, Myster Treefrog, 7 Door Sedan, Jim Kennedy, and Doogie Whittaker. Links at ihppod.org.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: DC area towns Bladensburg and Cheverly fight over annexing a site ready for redevelopment. George Washington University Hospital narrowly avoids a medical resident strike. Silver Spring United Methodist Church unveils plans to build affordable housing on church grounds. A racist incident shakes Wootton High School. And more. Music by Sting Pain Index.
Housing lobbyist Tom Coale and housing researcher Salim Furth argue that reducing public comment on by-right development projects, standardizing environmental waivers, early vesting of development entitlement, and other permitting reforms can jumpstart housing supply and mitigate the housing shortage in Maryland. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Coale and Furth about their recent paper on the subject https://t.ly/gaveq. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Prince George’s County Executive hopeful position themselves. Montgomery County Council considers a formal resolution to block its president from running for higher office. Impact tax reduction vetoed; County Executive wants new tax. 2-acre brush fires in Rock Creek. And more. Music by Sting Pain Index.
December begins the budget politics season. School districts announce their proposals and local and state leaders begin to think about their own numbers. This year, Maryland is looking ahead to a structural budget deficit in part because of its ambition on a new education funding law called the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Sunil Dasgupta talks with the Maryland State Education Association’s leaders Paul Lemle and Nikki Woodward about the Blueprint’s progress and prospects. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: The Archdiocese of Baltimore embarks on a major reorganization plan that will close 31 parishes. MD Gov Moore joins county leaders to question a power transmission project that will feed data centers in Virginia. Police staffing woes continue for Montgomery County, MD, among other jurisdictions. And a recruitment scandal in a Fairfax, VA, high school football program. And more. Music by Sting Pain Index.
For this Thanksgiving week episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with young activist and Kennedy High School junior Richa Tripathi, who is now the president of the youth wing of the local advocacy group MoCo Pride. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan.
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.
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: https://t.ly/gyvqq Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan.
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.
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. www.wequitamerica.com. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 democracy-education.org and her mission. Music from Finster.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: https://t.ly/C7Cd6. Music from Washington DC post-punk band Grey Swift.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Tropical Storm Debby brought needed rain to the DC region which has been on drought watch, but also flooded low-lying areas of Old town Alexandria, by the Kennedy Center and the Watergate Building in Washington; and Dock Street in Annapolis. The NEA, the largest union in the country, has locked out its own staff for six weeks now. Rockville Mayor and Council of end discussion on a new rent stabilization bill prompting one councilmember to pen an oped about how he changed his mind; MCPS welcomes 42 special education teachers from the Philippines, the first big batch hire in the school district. And more. Music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s.
No one likes to pay taxes. We do because we must. Governments raise taxes in infinite ways to meet seemingly unending demands from the people. With many states and local governments headed toward a few years of fiscal imbalance, Sunil Dasgupta asks Michael Sanderson, Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties, about where local and state taxes come from? Music for this episode comes from Alexandria, Virginia, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Persistent dry spell leads to drought watch in the Washington DMV area. Local governments ask residents to conserve water. Fortune Magazine declares Silver Spring In Montgomery County, MD, to be the best place for families to live in all of the United States. Wallet Hub declares Maryland to have the third best public education system in the country. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Laurie Halverson of Potomac, Cara Fletcher of Germantown, and Eric Weissman of Takoma Park about community and community-building from three different perspectives. Music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s.
In 1988, Benjamine Spencer, a young black man in Dallas, TX, was wrongfully convicted of the murder of Jeffrey young, a young white man, the son of a prominent Ross Perot supporter, by prosecutors trained by Henry Wade, the Wade in Roe v Wade. Washington DC journalist and author Barbara Bradley Hagerty, whose 2018 reporting led to Spencer’s release has now written a book, Bringing Ben Home, (https://a.co/d/6w5uHll) and talks with Sunil Dasgupta about the case and its implications. Music by Alexandria alt-rock band Jackie and the Treehorns.
Maryland and Washington DC are reporting high levels of Covid in wastewater but not Pennsylvania and New York. Montgomery County expands a subsidy program for companies renting office space in the county. Frederick City to become the second locality in Maryland to adopt ranked choice voting. Quince Orchard High School to ban smartphones, but how will this be enforced? And more. Music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s.
The government from city and county to state and federal is one of the biggest buyers of goods and services in any modern economy, but government procurement is often accused of being corrupt and wasteful. Sunil Dasgupta asks former chief procurement officer of Baltimore City, Erin Sher Smyth, to unbox the vast, byzantine, and changing world of government buying from police body cameras to cybersecurity. Music by Alexandria alt-rock band Jackie and the Treehorns.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Biden withdraws reelection bid; endorses Harris. What does it mean for Blue State Democrats who would win regardless? Montgomery County school board members work full-time but are paid for part-time work. Former MCPS Superintendent Josh Starr weighs in on the role of the board. UMD pays $500K to settle a federal complaint that it did not disclose foreign grants from Chinese telecom firm Huawei. Baltimore sues progressive group over a ballot question to give parents $1,000 for every newborn/adoption Laid off DCist employees start a new local news website, The 51st. Music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s.
If zoning laws tell you what to build where, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordnance tells you when you can build. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Planning Department’s Lisa Govoni, who is leading the county’s 2024 reevaluation of adequacy measures of school and transportation needs and capacity. Lots of impact taxes, exemptions for impact taxes, and the impact on housing affordability. Music by Alexandria alt-rock band Jackie and the Treehorns.
Washington Metro rationalizes its bus network, but at what tradeoff? MD looks at holding back third graders who don’t read at grade level. VA Governor Youngkin orders new rules in place to remove cell phones from classrooms by Jan 2025. NEA, the country’s largest union, locks out its own staff union. Music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s.
After a tumultuous few years, Montgomery County Public Schools is going through big leadership changes and the general elections in November may bring more. Among them is the new president of the teachers’ union, MCEA: David Stein, a veteran math and statistics teacher in Montgomery Blair High School’s famed STEM program. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Stein about how he sees the challenges ahead for MCPS and for public education. Music by Alexandria alt-rock band Jackie and the Treehorns.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: What do the responses to a new community survey from MCPS tell us? Harford County, MD, withdraws an AP African American studies course. A crowded field of candidates seeks to replace former Prince George’s County Councilmember Mel Franklin; illegal fireworks destroys Aspen Hill home; he really short water boil advisory in DC and Arlington; a glut on pianos on local listservs and Buy Nothing groups. And more. Music from Silver Spring band Airport 77s.
As Washington DC developed and grew, the many streams and water bodies that made up and fed the marshes around the Potomac River, became hidden, buried, and even regraded. Sunil Dasgupta talks with cartographer, historian, and graphic designer David Ramos about his project to identify lost streams and how this information can help daylight streams, direct urban planning, and revive the memories of water. See maps at https://imaginaryterrain.com. Music by Alexandria alt-rock band Jackie and the Treehorns.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: 18 yo transgender former MCPS student, Alex Ye, charged with threatening mass violence at school, is denied bond. New poll finds Alsobrooks 10 points ahead of Hogan in MD’s US Senate race. MD Governor Moore finally ends debate over Baltimore’s Red Line: will it be light rail or buses. Minimum wages go up in Maryland and Washington DC. Montgomery County has really low unemployment, high office space vacancy, and dramatically rising home values. And more. Music from Silver Spring band Airport 77s.
Term limits are a voter favorite. In 2016, a successful ballot question led by Robin Ficker led to council members and the county executive being limited to three consecutive terms. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Reardon Sullivan, former Republican county executive candidate from 2022, about his signature petition for a ballot question reducing the current term limit period to two terms. Music by Alexandria band Jackie and the Treehorns.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: MD Senator Jeff Waldstreicher on his 2023 criminal record expungement bill following the Governor’s mass marijuana pardon. Baltimore sues soda and snack giants for plastic pollution. Prince George’s County opposes VDOT’s plan to turn unused transit space on Wilson Bridge into express lanes. DC Public Service Commission turns down a new $700 million gas pipeline proposal. Montgomery County Animal Shelter reopens for adoption after 6 weeks of canine flu. And more. Music from Silver Spring band Airport 77s.
In November 2023 the Montgomery County Board of Education passed a School Safety Resolution sponsored by the Student Member of the Board Sami Saeed. But MCPS had not made any progress by April 2024. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Saeed about his frustrations over getting MCPS to act. Music from Silver Spring musician and writer Jon Brayton who performs as Myster Treefrog.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: MD Governor Wes Moore pardons 175,000 criminal convictions for marijuana possession. MCPS appoints new superintendent. Montgomery County and Washington DC find money in existing education budgets to avoid the worst cuts. New noise pollution signs go up in downtown Silver Spring but enforcement remains unclear. Drought conditions temper the impact of the summer’s first heat wave. Music by Rockville singer-songwriter Andrew Glor and Drew Pictures.
This year the Maryland state government waded into housing affordability policy with three bills, one of which controversially sought to preempt local zoning authority. What can and should the state really do on housing? Sunil Dasgupta asked Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon and former Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson. Music from Silver Spring musician and writer Jon Brayton who performs as Myster Treefrog.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Montgomery County Public Schools may furlough instead of laying off staff; Prince George’s County introduces permanent rent control; Baltimore County passes new law to stop developments if schools are overcrowded; commuter reports from the first week of Metro Red Line; and what’s it like inside a tornado. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Andrew Glor and his band Drew Pictures.
What happens when you don’t pay your property taxes? Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County’s Finance Director Micahel Coveyou, the organizer of the upcoming June 10 delinquent tax sale, about the law, the process, and the outcomes of dealing with property tax debt. Music from Silver Spring musician and writer Jon Brayton who performs as Myster Treefrog.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Montgomery County Public Schools announces school-specific cuts; a new grant seeks to bring back driver’s ed to public schools in Maryland after 30 years; a plan to cut 1,200 trees to allow upgrading an old golf course in Rock Creek National Park sparks outrage; and much more. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Andrew Glor and his band Drew Pictures.
Congressman David Trone’s campaign for Maryland’s US Senate seat was one of the most expensive races in the country and yet his rival Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks won. Sunil Dasgupta talks with the Trone campaign political director Michelle Ngwafon about the twists and turns and the lessons from a lost race. Music from Silver Spring musician and writer Jon Brayton who performs as Myster Treefrog.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Montgomery County, MD, Board of Education and County Council play hot potato over the 2024-25 school budget as the teacher’s union and program beneficiaries mount protests. Federal court in Baltimore allows the estate of Henrietta Lacks to sue a company that used her stem cells without consent. City of Rockville looks at moving its big annual Memorial Day music festival back to its downtown. And shutting down a high school greenhouse for the summer. Music from SoulTet and Capital Effect playing at Rockville’s Home Town Holidays.
Electronic mapping and the databases that drive it–together known as Geographic Information System or GIS–have revolutionized how local government works from street repair to summer camps. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Yeon Kim, the founding manager of the GIS unit for the City of Gaithersburg, about the impact on municipal services, public information, and decision-making in city hall. Music from Damascus, MD,-based rapper and music producer Cataclizm: youtube.com/@thereckoning301.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson on criticism of the new 2024-25 budget passed last week. Maryland Public Service Commission Chair Fred Hoover on getting tough with retail energy suppliers. Primary election numbers with Gilberto Zelaya of the County Board of Elections. Canine flu outbreak continues in the local animal shelter. Music from Doogie Whittaker and the Lonesome Mile.
Maryland’s 2024 primary election featured never before money, some wide open races, political establishment reassertion, and scandals looming over local races. I Hate Politics Assistant Producer Daniel Gelillo talks with UMBC history professor Andrew Nolan and UMBC political science professor and regular host Sunil Dasgupta to draw out lessons from the recent polls. Music by Washington DC post-punk band, Grey Swift.
Maryland Primary Day 2024; what early voting yielded for turnout. Student protests in the Washington DC region die down and Congress holds hearings on antisemtism in schools including in Montgomery County. City of Rockville asks the regional Transportation Planning Board to remove the I-270 toll lane project from the list for studying air quality impacts while Virginia seeks to add toll lanes on Woodrow Wilson Bridge in space designated for transit. Music from Doogie Whittaker and the Lonesome Mile.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with former MCPS teacher Brenda Diaz, now a challenger running for the Montgomery County Board of Education in District 2. All eligible voters can cast their choice for all school board races. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
The problem of web-ballots in elections; what happens when a candidate using public campaign funds decides to quit; Northwood High School students come together to protest the school board’s decision to leave them without an auditorium and athletic fields; and the Washington Metro workers union protests discussions about wage freezes in their management’s talks with government officials. Music from Doogie Whittaker and the Lonesome Mile.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with State Senator Sarah Elfreth from District 30 now running for Congress in Maryland’s Third District, which is centered on Howard and Anne Arundel counties. The MD3 race is a crowded field. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with State Delegate Terri Hill from District 12A now running for Congress in Maryland’s Third District, which is centered on Howard and Anne Arundel counties. The MD3 race is a crowded field. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with MCPS second-grade teacher Natalie Zimmerman, now a challenger running for the Montgomery County Board of Education in District 2. All eligible voters can cast their choice for all school board races. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two short original piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with State Senator Clarence Lam from District 12 now running for Congress in Maryland’s Third District, which is centered on Howard and Anne Arundel counties. The MD3 race is a crowded field. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Student protests at George Washington University shows evolving demands; underlying the DC budget certification drama is the age-old tension between fiscal prudence and popular spending; a new report calls for expanding tree canopy around schools; and more. Music from the GWU protests.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with PTA leader, lawyer, and public school mom Rita Montoya who is a challenger for the at-large seat on the Montgomery County Board of Education. All eligible voters can cast their choice for all school board races. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two original piano compositions by Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with first-term Montgomery County Board of Education member Lynne Harris who is now running for reelection. All eligible voters can cast their choice for all school board races. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two original piano compositions by Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with two-term State Delegate Lesley Lopez from District 39 now running for Congress in Maryland’s Sixth District, which goes from Montgomery in the south all the way to Western Maryland. The Sixth District is probably the most competitive US House race in the state this election season. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two short original piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with first-term State Delegate Joe Vogel from District 17 now running for Congress in Maryland’s Sixth District, which goes from Montgomery in the south all the way to Western Maryland. The Sixth District is probably the most competitive US House race in the state this election season. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two short original piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
Montgomery County Congressman Jamie Raskin votes against bill to provide military aid to Israel; MCPS faces lawsuits from Jewish and Muslim groups; White’s Ferry owner says he will donate the ferry in an effort to restart it, but what’s going to happen to the per vehicle fee that was holding things up? New shuttle bus service and bus-only lanes on Georgia Ave connecting Redline stations from Glenmont to Takoma Park this summer; and much more. Music from Baltimore jazzman Seth Kibel: sethkibel.com.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with two-term Board of Education member from District 4 Shebra Evans now running to be reelected for a third time. All eligible voters can cast their choice for all school board races. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two short original piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
2024 Primary Election Candidate Interview with long-time county and state PTA leader Laura Stewart who is running for the Montgomery County Board of Education in District 4. All eligible voters can cast their choice for all school board races. You can find interviews with other candidates in the I Hate Politics library on all major streaming platforms. Music for the episode are two short original piano compositions from Kensington resident Adam Bobrow.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Picking lawyers to file lawsuits in the Key Bridge collapse case; MCPS introduces tougher safety measures but at what cost; analyses of new tree canopy report for the DMV; and University of Maryland scientists develop an invisibility cloak for AI tracking. Music from Baltimore jazzman Seth Kibel: sethkibel.com. MD 90-Day report: https://t.ly/HxQM6. Tree canopy report: https://t.ly/VrEoF.
The 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly saw over 800 bills passed of the nearly 3000 filed. Sunil Dasgupta talks with veteran Annapolis reporters Josh Kurtz of Maryland Matters and Pam Wood of The Baltimore Banner about the successes, failures, and surprises from 90 days of legislative work under conditions of one-party rule. Music from Damascus, MD,-based rapper and music producer Cataclizm: youtube.com/@thereckoning301.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: The Maryland General Assembly ends 2024 session with a budget increasing vehicle fees; Washington DC’s proposed budget pivots to policing and away from services; colleges and universities further delay financial aid decisions because of data problems on the new federal financial aid platform; Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman upbraids UMBC for Title IX violations, and more. Music from Baltimore jazzman Seth Kibel: sethkibel.com.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with Clarksburg High School junior Praneel Suvarna, one of two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2024-25. The SMOB is one of eight on the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members, but voted in by MCPS secondary school students only. Music for this episode comes from Adam Bobrow. Suvarna Insta: @praneel4smob.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery Blair High School junior Samantha Ross, one of two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2024-25. The SMOB is one of eight on the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members, but voted in by MCPS secondary school students only. Music for this episode comes from Adam Bobrow. Ross Insta: @sam.for.smob.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: The collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore; the governor’s housing supply expansion bill falters; protestors heckle Congressman Jamie Raskin over the Gaza War; and how good is school testing data really? Music from Baltimore jazzman Seth Kibel: sethkibel.com. Port of Baltimore live cam: youtu.be/83a7h3kkgPg Solar eclipse watch info: transportationops.org/eclipse
In a week when we saw video of Baltimore's Key Bridge crumple from the impact of a colliding container ship, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County drone reporter Tim Pruss whose aerial video footage of crashes, first response teams, lines of traffic, and the serenity of nature are just as stunning in the emerging field of drone news reporting. Music from Damascus, MD,-based rapper and music producer Cataclizm: youtube.com/@thereckoning301. Follow Pruss: https://twitter.com/MyDronePro.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon on a revenue plan impasse with other Democrats; new revenge porn bill; four elementary schools thrown off the Title 1 list fight back; and Montgomery County Chief Health Officer Kisha Davis on how different it is now from four years ago. Uninsured Covid treatment: test2treat.org. Music from Baltimore jazzman Seth Kibel: sethkibel.com.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political scientist Tom Schaller and Washington DC journalist Paul Waldman about their bestselling new book examining the threat to American democracy from the paradox of the power and impotence of 15 percent of the US population living in rural America. Music from Damascus, MD,-based rapper and music producer Cataclizm: youtube.com/@thereckoning301. White Rural Rage: https://a.co/d/0YmkWJ7.
A legal settlement could upend the custom of home sellers paying 6 percent commission to brokers. Maryland House considers new tax proposal opposed by Governor Wes Moore and the state Senate leadership. The Governor breaks with his climate allies over building data centers in the state. State retirees object to being moved to Medicare Part D prescription coverage, and Takoma Park passes a ceasefire resolution. Music from Baltimore jazzman Seth Kibel: https://sethkibel.com.
In the face of population loss and sluggish economic growth in the state, Maryland’s Comptroller Brooke Lierman commissioned a State of the Economy Report. Lierman talks with Sunil Dasgupta about the central findings and implications of the report including women’s participation in the state labor market, housing affordability, childcare, and more. Music from Washington DC garage punk band, Apollo 66: apollo66rock.com.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Washington DC and Maryland pass controversial public safety bills that respectively relaxes restrictions on chokeholds and lowers the age of those who can be charged for non-violent crimes to include fifth graders. New report looks at how DC schools did in 2022-23; and the Supreme Court refuses to hear a case of Asian discrimination in Thomas Jefferson High School in Northern Virginia. Music from Baltimore jazzman Seth Kibel: https://sethkibel.com.
In yet another setback to news reporting, Washington DC public radio station WAMU closes its local news website, DCist, and lays off 16 staffers. Sunil Dasgupta talks with longtime WAMU and DCist reporter Martin Austermuhle about how mismanagement killed a popular news source. Austermuhle left the station on his own a few months before the layoffs and is not bound by a non-disparagement agreement. Music from DC garage punk band, Apollo 66: apollo66rock.com.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Montgomery County, MD, reverses stand on cooperating with ICE when releasing undocumented criminals in their custody. Has the tide turned on new rent stabilization? Proposed bills to allow religious institutions to build affordable housing on their land, state woes with the transportation trust fund, and a bizarre case of abuse of judicial process involving a midnight door knock. Music from DC songwriter and composer Oren Levine and the band Lucky So & So: https://ohljazz.com. New rent rules: https://t.ly/ZyUpl. Religious org zoning: https://t.ly/N_Gwd
When owner Ted Leonsis and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced their plan last December to move the Capitals and Wizards from Washington DC to Alexandria in Northern Virginia, they caused the rise of local opposition to their $2 billion proposal for a new sports and entertainment arena, which would be largely supported through public finance. Sunil Dasgupta talks with former Alexandria city councilmember Andrew Macdonald, one of the leaders of the opposition, about their plans to stop the stadium. Music from DC garage punk band, Apollo 66: apollo66rock.com.
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: DC NPR radio station shuts down news website, lays off 15. MCPS changes how it calculates eligibility for Title 1 dollars and kicks four schools off the list; but keeps the online academy and extended school year for two schools. A new state bill pushes adoption of phonetic learning; state bill prioritizes how gas companies invest in infrastructure; and Pepco allows indefinite credits for net metering of rooftop solar power. Music from DC songwriter and composer Oren Levine and the band Lucky So & So: https://ohljazz.com.
The Moore Administration’s housing bills tie density and affordability, open the door to state preemption of local zoning law, and provide gap financing for projects that may be stuck. With the General Assembly weighing the proposals and local opposition building, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland Housing Secretary Jake Day about the logic and expectations of housing reform. Previously as mayor of Salisbury, Day expanded housing starts in his city. Key bill: https://t.ly/99LgN. Music from DC garage punk band, Apollo 66: apollo66rock.com
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics. This week: Raskin endorses Alsobrooks in the MD US Senate race. Community voices speak on the possibility of closing down three MCPS programs: the Montgomery Virtual Academy, extended school year pilot, and the social-emotional learning curriculum Leader in Me; MCPS orders a spending freeze because of surprising cost increase; teachers of year candidates and SMOB finalists for 2024-25. Music from DC songwriter and composer Oren Levine and the band Lucky So & So: https://ohljazz.com.
Neighborhood gift exchange groups are wildly popular and satisfying and offer many lessons in community building, conservation, and bridge the digital and in-person worlds. For this Valentine’s Day weekend episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with local Buy Nothing group admins Lisa Silverman and SJ Ikle-Khalsa to learn about the most wholesome corner of Facebook. Music from DC garage punk band, Apollo 66: apollo66rock.com
The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics. This week: The sale of the biggest media company in Montgomery County raises the specter of yet another decline in local news. Will county governments gain more direct control over school districts because of Maryland's Blueprint education reform legislation? No new taxes says the governor, but some legislators are trying to fix the revenue problem, says the MD Legislative Coalition. The lowdown on local and state primary races and what it means when Democrats want to run against Trump in solidly blue districts. Music from DC songwriter and composer Oren Levine playing with the band Lucky So & Sos: https://ohljazz.com.
To address worsening housing unaffordability, the Moore Administration in Maryland has proposed a set of housing bills, opening the possibility of preempting land-use and zoning law long seen in the assembly and in the counties as the preserve of local government. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Delegate Vaughn Stewart, Chair of the Land-Use and Ethics Subcommittee in the state house, about whether the “Housing Session” of the General Assembly will deliver. Local news about the aftermath of the Beidleman scandal in MCPS and an update on state bills from MD Legislative Coalition. Housing Bills: https://t.ly/tX-VV, https://t.ly/FUyYO, https://t.ly/3Co_Y. Music from Washington DC power pop band, Dear Daria’s brand new EP, Solastalgia: deardariaband.com.
For 50 years, the famously liberal City of Takoma Park has not built multifamily housing and remained unchanged in population even as the region has grown dramatically. Could a new plan to redevelop a former hospital site be the lever which finally ends the block on affordable housing in the Washington DC suburb? Sunil Dasgupta talks with Takoma Park Mayor Talisha Searcy about the Minor Master Plan passed by the city and now up for vote in the Montgomery County Council: https://t.ly/23V4F. Local news: MCPS, firefighter/EMS short staffing woes, state bills update from MD Legislative Coalition. Music from Washington DC power pop band, Dear Daria’s brand new EP, Solastalgia: deardariaband.com.
Confused about the new changes to FAFSA–Free Application for Federal Student Aid–which is undergoing its biggest overhaul in four decades? Sunil Dasgupta spoke with UMBC’s Financial Aid Director Andrea Cipolla to find out about the changes and their impact on financial aid decisions. Local news Montgomery County school board seeks to oust superintendent for mishandling sexual harassment scandal. State bills update from MD Legislative Coalition. Music from Washington DC power pop band, Dear Daria’s brand new EP, Solastalgia: deardariaband.com.
Montgomery County, MD, has fashioned a $100 million housing production fund to intervene in the local housing market with low-cost capital to rescue market-rate projects that are stuck and then using the equity to extract more low-income units. Sunil Dasgupta finds out how Zach Marks, who manages the fund on behalf of the county’s Housing Opportunities Commission, cracked the affordability problem. State news: budget drop and upcoming bills with MD Legislative Coalition. Music for this episode comes from 1923; sound recordings from that year just entered the public domain. National Jukebox: https://t.ly/DDGgx.
In December 2023, a Montgomery County jury heard a disability discrimination case against one of the world’s largest medical science philanthropies, the Chevy Chase-based Howard Hughes Medical Institute, in a lawsuit brought by one of its former research scientists, Vivian Cheung. Sunil Dasgupta asked Cheung about the case and its implications for scientific rigor, peer review, and disability accommodation. Local news: new statewide housing legislation shapes up. Music for this episode comes from 1923; sound recordings from that year just entered the public domain. National Jukebox: https://t.ly/DDGgx.
The 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly starts January 10 with a difficult revenue situation, big spending needs in education and transportation, and a reticent governor. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Aileen Alex and Jimmy Tarlau of the Maryland Legislative Coalition and Monica O’Connor of the Climate Justice Wing for a preview of what is coming up in the state legislature. Music for this episode comes from 1923; sound recordings from that year just entered the public domain. National Jukebox: https://t.ly/DDGgx MD Legislative Coalition signup: https://t.ly/HSeB4 Climate Justice Wing Summit Jan 6-7: https://t.ly/gCEV1.
One of the biggest local stories of 2023 were the Muslim protests demanding the right to opt out students from reading LGBTQ-themed books in public elementary schools. In Montgomery County, this was not just a fight between conservatives and liberals. The controversy frayed the Democratic coalition itself. Sunil Dasgupta’s interview with protest leader Wael Elkoshairi was the most downloaded episode (#121) of the year. We rerun the interview and update the story with the latest news. Music from Arlington roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic. Episodes 141 looked at coverage of the coverage and several shows between #130 and #141 carried student reviews of the controversial books. Don’t forget to check them out.
2023 Holiday Weekend Special with local music featured on the podcast and local nonprofit stories: Artists and bands in order of appearance: Shanika Freeman, Adam Bobrow, Finster, Kara Levchenko, Reggie Right-Eye, Gabrielle Zwi, Ammonite, Catscan!, Jackie and the Treehorns, Grey Swift, Collide, Drew Pictures, Steven Gellman, Oren Levine, Valeria Stewart and the Crooked Sparrow, Seth Kibel, Rockambo. Nonprofit orgs: Martha’s Table, Community Farmshare, Asian American LEAD, MoCoPAAN, Friendship Place, Montgomery County Special Olympics, The Civic Circle, and Urban Adventure Squad. Links at ihppod.org.
Following ten years of advocacy, Montgomery County Public Schools’ have launched a new web-based district-wide school-profile data dashboard (https://t.ly/Bsbi1) with information on enrollment, demographics, class size, learning, assessment, and more. Sunil Dasgupta talks with local education activists Laura Stewart, Audra Dove, Cathy Stocker, and Jill Ortman Fouse (Board of Education member 2014-18) to find out if they got what they wanted. Data dashboard feedback: https://t.ly/z6gB3. Music from Rockville singer-songwriter Andrew Glor and his band Drew Pictures: drewpicturesmusic.com. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:
Community FarmShare
The Civic Circle
Friendship Place
MoCo Pride Prom
Montgomery County Special Olympics
MoCoPAAN
Urban Adventure Squad
In deep blue Maryland, pro-Palestinian tweets from immigrant rights group CASA led to widespread condemnation from elected leaders and exposed divisions within the state and local Democratic Party. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Josh Kurtz, editor of Maryland Matters, to find out about the progressive-centrist division in Maryland Democrats and what it means state and local politics. Music from Rockville singer-songwriter Andrew Glor and his band Drew Pictures: drewpicturesmusic.com. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:
Community FarmShare
The Civic Circle
Friendship Place
MoCo Pride Prom
Montgomery County Special Olympics
MoCoPAAN
Urban Adventure Squad
Resorts and hotels have long been accused of charging hidden fees, but since the pandemic restaurants have used them to meet rising operating and labor costs while seeming to keep menu prices down. Sunil Dasgupta talks to attorney Lauren Wolfe of the Washington DC public interest group Travelers United who has helped file price deception lawsuits against local restaurant group Clyde’s, and hotel chains Hyatt, Hilton, and Sonesta. Clyde’s case: https://t.ly/XbvHj; Hotels cases: https://t.ly/YL2cT. Music from Rockville singer-songwriter Andrew Glor and his band Drew Pictures: drewpicturesmusic.com. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:
Community FarmShare
The Civic Circle
Friendship Place
MoCo Pride Prom
Montgomery County Special Olympics
MoCoPAAN
Urban Adventure Squad
In the general despair over the decline of local news, a homegrown, social media-driven, local news company, The MoCoShow, is not only commercially profitable but also turning on its head some central principles of journalism. Sunil Dasgupta talked to MoCoShowe founder Alex Tsironis about his vision and how he turned a snow reporting social media handle to over hundred thousand followers and millions of unique hits across his various platforms. Music from Oren Levine: https://ohljazz.com. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:
Community FarmShare
Friendship Place
MoCo Pride Prom
Montgomery County Special Olympics
MoCoPAAN
Urban Adventure Squad
As the Moore Administration in Maryland wrestles with its plan to toll highways in the Washington DC suburbs, Sunil Dasgupta talks with transportation planner Patrick Decorla-Souza about the history of congestion pricing and his new idea, HOTTER Lanes, which gives carpoolers cash rewards from the revenue generated by tolls. Local news re dedicated bus lanes, security camera program, MCPS hires a former councilmember, counties want a hand in shaping school budgets. Music from Oren Levine: https://ohljazz.com. HOTTER Lanes: https://t.ly/hj7rv. Bus Lanes: https://t.ly/CgsjR Camera Rebate: https://t.ly/DUAt_
How we hold politicians accountable is an enduring challenge in democratic societies, but a new book, Accountability in State Legislatures, argues that voters are uniquely unable to punish state legislators. Sunil Dasgupta talks with author and political scientist Steven Rogers about the connections of his research to political polarization, one-party rule, gerrymandering, barriers to challenger entry, and the decline of local and state news coverage. Local news about Rockville and Gaithersburg city elections and the continuing local fallout of the War in Gaza: immigrant rights group CASA missteps and a rally in Rockville is met with nasty rhetoric. Music from Oren Levine: https://ohljazz.com Accountability in State Legislatures: https://a.co/d/87aZZM6
Washington DC was the sixth city where Uber began operations, but it is here that the Big Tech firm was best able to mold the regulatory environment to its needs. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Katie Wells and Kafui Attoh, two authors of the local fall book to read, Disrupting DC: The Rise of Uber and the Fall of the City. Local news: Rabbi Yosef Goldman of Shaare Torah on antisemitic vandalism, DC’s AG sues landlords and tech firm Real Page for price-fixing (https://t.ly/5sUvF); Gaithersburg council elections, amicus briefs in the LGBTQ books opt-out lawsuit (https://t.ly/kbun1; https://t.ly/GX2UK). Music from Oren Levine: https://ohljazz.com/ Disrupting DC: https://a.co/d/3sKbFzH
Double-header on Rockville City Mayor and Council election scheduled for November 7. This episode includes 5 City Council candidate interviews: Marissa Valeri (2:55), Adam Van Grack (18:47), Izola Shaw (35:46), Paul Scott (50:45), and Kate Fulton (1:08:30). See links on Twitter @ihppod. Accompanying episode (#142) features mayoral candidates. The 2023 Rockville City election ushers in a new era for the Rockville government. The Mayor and Council is expanding to 7 members. A minimum of 5 but as many as all 6 seats on the council may be filled by candidates who have never held elected office before. Music from Rockambo: rockambo.com, Pete Chauvette, Dara Blecher, and Collide: collideduo.com.
Double-header on Rockville City Mayor and Council election scheduled for November 7. This episode features candidate interviews with the two mayoral candidates Mark Pierzchala (3:26) and Monique Ashton (24:50). Both currently serve on the Rockville City Council. See links on Twitter @ihppod. Accompanying episode (#143) features City Council candidates. The 2023 Rockville City election ushers in a new era for the Rockville government. The Mayor and Council is expanding to 7 members. A minimum of 5 but as many as all 6 seats on the council may be filled by candidates who have never held elected office before. Music from Adam Bobrow.
In 2023, the normally deep blue Montgomery County, Md, saw conservative religious groups demanding the right to opt their children out of LGBTQ+ themed books in the public school curriculum. This wasn’t a call for banning books, but adjacent. The county’s only full-time education reporter at that time was Em Espey, who is nonbinary. After six months of remarkable coverage, Espey left their reporter job for MoCo360 Media for a new one, away from journalism. Sunil Dasgupta asked Espey what it was like covering a movement that threatened their identity and existence. Local news re MCPS departs from its electric bus adoption plan. Student review of Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo. Music from folk singer-songwriter Steven Gellman’s new album, All You Need: hiddenpoet.com.
The Maryland Prepaid College Trust, a state-run tax-protected 529 college savings plan, unraveled over the last few years despite having more than enough money to meet its obligations. A series of bad decisions made by its independent and high-powered Board led to the loss of account values, accusations of mismanagement, and halting of disbursements to families on the verge of sending their children to college. Sunil Dasgupta talks with parents and account holders Lisa Getter Peterson and Brian Savoie to get the full story. Local news: how Jewish comedian Carmiya Weinraub, founder of a local interfaith comedy group, is carrying on: interfaithcomedy.com. Music from folk singer-songwriter Steven Gellman’s new album, All You Need: hiddenpoet.com. MD Prepaid College Trust: https://t.ly/qTT7V.
The Maryland Department of Transportation released its capital budget plan with key projects missing and explicitly stating that the document reflects the priorities of the previous governor. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Marc Korman, Chair of the House of Delegates Environment and Transportation Committee, to find out what’s going on. Local news re why MoCo Councilmember Gabe Albornoz opposed the new ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, preliminary analysis of local sporting event fights, MoCo allows tunnel type greenhouses in all backyards. Music from folk singer-songwriter Steven Gellman’s new album, All You Need: hiddenpoet.com; Gas leaf blower ban: https://t.ly/Y9sXO; MoCo tunnel greenhouse: https://t.ly/bsGCB; MD transportation plan: https://t.ly/bL3Uk.
Two and a half years after he bought the Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Beat, Rockville-based real-estate developer Scott Copeland speaks with Sunil Dasgupta about the media business, rebranding Bethesda Beat as MoCo360, his own political education, and the troubles with housing and public education in the county. Local news re Safe Streets Act, the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, a possible new housing moratorium in Frederick County, and the growing prospect of a strike at Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic. Music from local Southern soul band, King Soul: kingsoulband.com. Safe Streets Act: https://t.ly/pZeL5. Gas leaf blower ban: https://t.ly/Y9sXO.
In spring 2020, when millions had to apply for unemployment insurance, government systems became overwhelmed and broke down. In the midst of all that, in May 2020, the state of Maryland went ahead with a scheduled change to its unemployment insurance computer system to a new platform called Beacon, which failed spectacularly. We know this generally, but attorney Rachel Harris, who worked for Maryland Legal Aid helping residents secure benefits during the meltdown, explains exactly how the system failed and what problems continue three years later. Local news: a looming federal government shutdown, not understanding school truancy, and new MoCo tipped minimum wage bill. Music from Washington DC post-punk band, Grey Swift: https://t.ly/cu_jx. MCPS Attendance Action Plan: https://t.ly/O7FAz.
Why does local governance constitute an alphabet soup of overlapping organizations? Sunil Dasgupta talks with Tracy Hadden Loh, Brookings Institution scholar and one of the authors of the book, Hyperlocal: Place Governance in a Fragmented World, about local democracy practice going beyond formal government. Local news re office building to home conversions, a first-ever pedestrian master plan and its discontents, and ongoing culture wars. Student book review of LGBTQ book, Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, written by Sarah S. Brannen, and illustrated by Lucia Soto: https://a.co/d/gVaGW4l. Music from Washington DC post-punk band, Grey Swift: https://t.ly/cu_jx. Hyperlocal book: https://t.ly/Y2LmF. Discount Code: 4LOCAL23. Pedestrian Master Plan: https://t.ly/cQqJf
When President Biden nominated former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley to be director of the Social Security Administration, Democratic State Senator Jill Carter from Baltimore said she couldn’t support the president anymore, opening a view into the traumatic history of hundreds of thousands of illegal arrests during O’Malley’s tenure as mayor of the city. Jill Carter talks to Sunil Dasgupta about what happened and how she was silenced and marginalized when she protested. Local news: Alexandria planners recommend end to single-family zoning, shakeout among MoCo craft breweries, student review of LGBTQ book, Born Ready by Jodie Patterson and Charnelle Pinkney Barlow: https://a.co/d/cHN87lP. Music for the episode comes from DC post-punk band Grey Swift: https://t.ly/cu_jx. Baltimore Police Consent Decree: https://t.ly/bwY2g.
One of the great weaknesses of minimum wage laws is that it excludes tipped workers. In 2018, Washington DC voters passed Initiative 77 to level minimum wage across the board but the DC Council killed it. In 2022, the DC voters passed Initiative 82 with even bigger numbers and the measure is once more in front of the DC Council. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Washington DC bartender and labor activist Max Hawla and National Women’s Law Center labor organizer Diana Ramirez about how the fight to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers. Local news re Maryland US Senate seat, MCPS’ Biedleman scandal, and court decision on LGBTQ+ books. Music for the episode comes from DC post-punk band Grey Swift: https://t.ly/cu_jx Mahmoud v McKnight decision: https://t.ly/OxhRv WRAP Act: https://t.ly/Dvmubhttps://t.ly/Dvmubhttps://t.ly/Dvmubhttps://t.ly/Dvmub
When political leaders win narrow victories, how do they govern? From the middle or hammer home the consequences of their election? Sunil Dasgupta talks with political analyst and housing activist Jonathan Robinson about structure and dynamics of Montgomery County’s housing politics where County Executive Marc Elrich's 32-vote victory has become a coalition that passed three housing-tax increases and a new rent stabilization law. Local news re MCPS absenteeism data, 495/270 toll lanes. Episode includes student review #4 of MCPS LGBTQ+ books: My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal; illustrations by Art Twink: youtu.be/3MAiz9olE2U. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel’s new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp.
Maryland’s natural gas utilities are spending billions in building out and strengthening distribution networks at a time when the state has set ambitious goals to reduce fossil fuel use. When gas consumption falls, ratepayers and maybe taxpayers remain on the hook for these capital investments. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland People’s Counsel, David Lapp, about a petition his office made to the state Public Service Commission asking gas policy be rationalized with climate action goals: https://t.ly/eR4bS. Episode includes student book review #3 of MCPS LGBTQ+ books list: Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake: https://a.co/d/2aHIlSk. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel’s new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp.
Three Delaware municipalities—Fenwick Island, Henlopen Acres and Dagsboro—allow corporations, trusts, and LLCs to vote in municipal elections. And the state almost allowed a fourth this spring. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Claire Snyder-Hall of Common Cause Delaware about artificial person voting and the state’s political culture. Episode includes student book review #2, this time of a contested picture book on MCPS LGBTQ+ curriculum list. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel’s new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp. John McCarthy 03/20/2023 testimony on police gun seizures: https://t.ly/LpJUH Love, Violet read-aloud: youtu.be/BcyRMgHgoAQ
The City of Rockville adopted a comprehensive land-use plan in 2021 envisioning increased housing density in certain locations and the city is now working to bring its zoning law into compliance. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Rockville Planning Commission member Suzan Pitman about development issues likely to inform the upcoming mayor and council elections. Local news about a newly-disclosed 2022 MCPS memo questioning the school district’s handling of new LGBTQ+ books. This episode also starts a new podcast segment featuring student reviews of books under political fire. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel’s new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp. Rockville Comprehensive Plan: https://t.ly/H2LVM Michael Bayewitz letter: https://t.ly/iBQGfhttps://t.ly/iBQGf Best At it: https://a.co/d/a30aqPl
Traffic stops are the most common police-public interaction in America, and in many cases they have gone horribly wrong. Traffic stops are also used as an excuse for searches that would otherwise be illegal. The police have used traffic stops to target minority drivers disproportionately. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando who has proposed a bill to shrink the reasons police officers can use to make traffic stops in an effort to improve public safety. Backgrounder and forecast on 2024 elections in Maryland. Music from Baltimore clarinetist and composer Seth Kibel’s new album, Clown with a Stick: https://t.ly/uR9hp. STEP Act: https://t.ly/6A8aK Legislative traffic stops report: https://t.ly/fqZZq.
Like many close-in suburbs, Montgomery County, Md, is faced with a housing affordability crisis. Change in the make-up of the county council and organizing by social justice groups leads to the adoption of a new rent law that seeks to stem rising living costs without killing new housing production. Sunil Dasgupta talks with local housing activist Mike English about what’s in the law, how it came about, and what it means for the county’s housing shortage. Local news re the removal of 300-year-old #LindenOak tree. Music from the band Finster. Their 2023 album, Crosswinds, now on vinyl: https://t.ly/-bAF. MoCo ReCo bill: https://t.ly/Yfsdh Linden Oak:https://shorturl.at/bvJKY
Montgomery County is about to pass a Safe Streets Bill. Traffic deaths and collisions are up. Distracted driving is rampant. Everyone wants safer roads but the only way to get there, it seems, is through small steps taken in the face of institutional and cultural barriers. Sunil Dasgupta talks with pedestrian and bike safety activist Miriam Schoenbaum about the bill and its implications. Local news re DC’s tough crime bill expanding pretrial detention for adults and juveniles. Music from the band Finster. Their 2023 album, Crosswinds, now on vinyl: https://t.ly/-bAF. DC’s crime bill: https://t.ly/SUJ8X. MoCo Safe Streets Bill: https://t.ly/nF4TL. Legislative report: https://t.ly/Gd1CX.
Kara Levchekno’s voice has counterbalanced many a heated political conversation on this podcast. Now after three years of work, the voice of #IHP Candidate Interviews and high school choir teacher releases her debut album, Letters to Myself. A lot of her music and a portrait of the artist in this episode. Stream on Spotify. Buy here: https://t.ly/frla. Listening Advisory: explicit song lyrics. Local news re new rent law coming to Montgomery County showing that money does not always prevail in politics. MoCo’s Home Act: https://t.ly/R-NYj
This year’s Fourth of July episode explores the ideology of localism, a foundational tenet of American political philosophy. Sunil Dasgupta talks with political theorist and author Trevor Latimer about his new book. Small Isn’t Beautiful, where he takes on the widespread presumption that the government closest to us is necessarily the best. Local news re LGBTQ+ book protests, Maryland opens to marijuana, and the Anacostia River opens to swimming after a half-century. Music from the band Finster. Their 2023 album, Crosswinds, now on vinyl: https://t.ly/-bAF. Latimer’s book: https://t.ly/YRjS. MD marijuana FAQ: https://t.ly/-CI6. Anacostia swim event: https://t.ly/KBDf.
Summertime. Christy Brock of DC-based outdoor education nonprofit, Urban Adventure Squad, offers a list of her favorite outdoor things to do. This is not your typical DC list. News from Delaware, where the state allows artificial persons (LLCs, trusts) to vote in local elections and is now considering new law for the city of Seaford to do so. Music from the band Finster. Their 2023 album, Crosswinds, now on vinyl: https://t.ly/-bAF. Brock’s list: https://t.ly/UKkx. Seaford artificial persons voting bill: https://t.ly/cRCN.
The two promises of utility deregulation in Maryland and several other states–lower prices and green energy–have not come to fruition. How energy trading firms can exploit competitive advantage to lower prices is hard to see and they have used Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), not necessarily new generation, to claim they are selling green energy. Instead, energy trading firms have been accused of deceptive marketing and overcharging customers especially low-income and minority households. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Baltimore-based energy activist Laurel Peltier to find out how things went this wrong. Music from Arlington-based roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic. Peltier’s Help Desk: https://t.ly/6QtrL MD Public Service Commission complaint link: https://t.ly/c_da
Thirteen books with gay and trans themes or characters introduced by MCPS into elementary and middle school curriculum have mobilized conservative Muslims groups in deep blue Montgomery County alongside the national right-wing parents group Moms 4 Liberty. Meanwhile in DC, the Council passes a budget that pilots flexible schedules for teachers. Sunil Dasgupta talks with local Muslim leader Wael Elkoshairi and DC education activist Scott Goldstein. Music from Arlington-based roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic. Goldstein’s org: https://t.ly/_wAq Elkoshairi’s org: https://t.ly/-yts SPLC report: https://t.ly/VwcYT
Four South-central Virginia county governments consider resolutions recognizing their local militia following over 100 local jurisdictions in the state declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries. Sunil Dasgupta talks with American University’s Carolyn Gallaher about the evolution of militias from anti-government rage to paramilitary alliance with Republican governments. Local and state news where Maryland and Montgomery County come in first. Music from Arlington-based roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic Sharing economy info: https://tinyurl.com/52bz37xp Virginia 2A Sanctuaries: https://tinyurl.com/mu7y3asj
A Richmond, Va-based, produce delivery company, Seasonal Roots, reinvents community supported agriculture (CSAs) by gigging out the last-mile delivery to an army of part-time workers and other insights from the fresh food business. Sunil Dasgupta talks with founder Duane Slyder as his company targets growth in suburban Maryland. Local news re three tax hikes in Montgomery County. Music from Arlington-based roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic Seasonal Roots: https://www.seasonalroots.com/ MoCo tax hikes: https://rb.gy/42t53
Building the Purple Line light rail connecting Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties raised concerns that the resulting increase in housing costs will force out current residents and businesses while a new wealthier population moved in. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Nicholas Finio, one of the authors of a new study of rent increases near proposed Purple Line stations, about their findings and what they mean for public policy including rent control. Local news re Montgomery County Democratic Party and public schools struggling with absenteeism. Music from Alexandria, Va, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns: jackieandthetreehorns.com MCDCC Handbook: https://bit.ly/3pz5nMh Silver Chips story: https://bit.ly/3MkhxjK Peng, Knaap, & Finio paper: https://bit.ly/3MDaxj5
Housing is a highly individual choice, but how does it relate to larger trends in the market, loosening commutes due to work from home, interest rates, and politics? Sunil Dasgupta speaks with recently former College Park-resident Alaina Pitt and soon to be ex-Silver Spring resident Paul Meyer about how they rethought their family housing choices. Local news about the teacher’s union disrupting Montgomery County Council proceedings and a recusal motion in the Montgomery County Democratic Party. Music from Alexandria, Va, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns: jackieandthetreehorns.com MCDCC Handbook: https://bit.ly/3pz5nMh
Downtown Silver Spring is a half square mile area and it has 20 coffee shops. It has had roughly 20 coffee shops since 2017, but the list keeps changing with closings and openings. Why do new coffee shop owners believe they can make this difficult business work for them? Sunil Dasgupta talks with David Fogel, owner of longtime DTSS coffeeshop, Bump ‘n’ Grind, about the economics of coffeeshops in Silver Spring. Music from Alexandria, Va, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns: jackieandthetreehorns.com Dan Reed’s DTSS Coffeeshop Roll Call: https://bit.ly/3NCuOX2 MCAP info: https://bit.ly/3LV91IT
Agricultural land preservation is a longstanding policy tool against the threat of sprawl and a particular issue in Frederick County, Maryland’s fastest-growing jurisdiction. Sunil Dasgupta talks about how things are going in Frederick with Anne Bradley, the county’s land preservation programs manager, and with Katie Stevens, who runs the county’s agriculture business support. Local news about machine gun access, 529 reform, and Maryland’s new workforce shortage student grants. Music from Alexandria, Va, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns: jackieandthetreehorns.com Frederick Ag Land Preservation: https://bit.ly/3oPMrID Frederick Ag Business Support: https://bit.ly/3oSfmvt MD Workforce Shortage Student Grants: https://bit.ly/41KPArR
We take trash collection for granted today, but like housing and climate action today, garbage collection was once a controversial idea and tough ask. Sunil Dasgupta talks with political scientists Patricia Strach of the University of Albany and Kathleen Sullivan of Ohio University about their new book, The Politics of Trash, where they write about how corruption rather than good governance motivated 19th century American city leaders to set up municipal garbage collection. The implications of their work apply to modern problems of pandemic and climate policymaking. Music for this episode comes from Catscan! a Washington DC band who play art pop music with satirical lyrics: https://bit.ly/3KEpfFF The Politics of Trash: https://amzn.to/3N5RXAK Strach: https://bit.ly/3mMj1KK Sullivan: https://bit.ly/41oAN5N
The 445th session of the Maryland General Assembly was billed as the cannabis session. Based on a referendum that was supported overwhelmingly by Maryland voters, the body had to build an entire framework for growing, processing, and selling recreational marijuana in the state before July 2023. What came of it? Sunil Dasgupta talks to Maryland Delegate David Moon, vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a longtime advocate for legalized marijuana. Music from Catscan! a Washington DC band who play art pop music with satirical lyrics: https://bit.ly/3KEpfFF. More info on adult-use recreational marijuana in MD: https://bit.ly/3nZfDML Legislation: https://bit.ly/3KXv0yw
With school budget politics heating up, Sunil Dasgupta talks with former MCPS superintendent, continuing MCPS parent, and education consultant Josh Starr about losing his contract, his book on school leadership, and education challenges in a post-pandemic world. Music for this episode comes from Catscan! a Washington DC band who play art pop music with satirical lyrics: https://bit.ly/3KEpfFF. MCPS operating budget: https://bit.ly/3nTwYH7 Montgomery County budget document: https://bit.ly/2IGNnod Mink/Jawando tax bill: https://bit.ly/3KF7lmk.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with MCPS juniors Yoseph Zerihun of Springbrook High School and Sami Saeed of Richard Montgomery High School, the two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2023. The SMOB is one of the eight members of the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members of the Board, but voted in by MCPS secondary school students only. Music for this episode are two debut piano compositions by Kensington resident Adam Bobrow. Sami Saeed website: sami4smob.com. Yoseph Zerihun website: yoseph4smob.com.
Former Wall Street Journal reporter Neil King Jr. walked 26 days covering 330 miles from his home on Capitol Hill in Washington DC to Manhattan and chronicled the journey in a new book, American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal. Sunil Dasgupta talks with King about his walk, what made him go, and what he learned. Local news re Arlington’s new zoning law and corruption, as a former aide to the previous Maryland governor, Larry Hogan, skips a court date and becomes a fugitive. Music for this episode comes from DC area rock trio Ammonite at ammoniteband.bandcamp.com. American Ramble available at https://a.co/d/7pvc723. Arlington’s new zoning law: https://bit.ly/409VqSR.
America’s fastest-growing sport comes not from the youth but from the aging. The rapid spread of pickleball has reinvigorated underused neighborhood rec centers and parks but also brought to the fore conflicts with tennis and complaints about noise and travelers crowding local streets. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Emer Daly, local pickleball coach and a founder of MoCo Pickleball Facebook group, and Chuck Kines, pickleball planner for Montgomery County, MD, Parks Department. Local news re highway and transit options. Music for this episode comes from DC area rock trio Ammonite. MoCo Pickleball: https://bit.ly/3Fwk4EL Pickleball in Montgomery Parks: https://bit.ly/3llp6NG Montgomery County Rec Pickleball: https://bit.ly/3ZQoApX
Nearly all 25 high schools in Montgomery County, MD, have greenhouses, but there is only one agriculture program and two programs on agriculture, sustainability, and the environment. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Lori Mayhew of Damascus High School and Glenn Miller of Sherwood High School about the rhetoric and reality of agriculture education programs, which are themselves part of the larger push outward career and technical education (CTE) in the school district and the state. CTE programs must generate their own money for materials and their courses generally count as electives. Music for this episode comes from DC area rock trio Ammonite. Other links: Damascus High School Ag Program, Sherwood High School C.A.S.E Program, MTA Progress Report on Purple Line 2023-03.
In early 2020, Montgomery County, MD, passed a new law which allowed owners of residential properties zoned for single-family homes to build Accessory Dwelling Units, ADUs, which are separate or adjacent structures designed for independent living, a way of allowing greater housing density. But few homeowners have taken the county up on it. To find out why, Sunil Dasgupta talks with architect Eric Saul who designed the county’s first newly permitted free-standing tiny home ADU and with former HOA board member and lawyer Erik Herron on how county law on ADUs and state law on HOAs conflict. Music for this episode comes from Baltimore-based electronic music composer Shanika Freeman: neekofreeman.bandcamp.com. MoCo ADU Guidelines: https://bit.ly/3kxMuXX
After the Maryland State Highway Administration took away two driving lanes to install new bike lanes following the deaths of two teenaged bicyclists on Old Georgetown Road, communities along the street have been up in arms. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Council Member Andrew Friedson and local resident Laura Chasen about rebalancing road safety and driving efficiency. Local news: apartment fire, bus shooting, and the Proud Boys hit Silver Spring. Music for this episode comes from Baltimore-based electronic music composer Shanika Freeman: neekofreeman.bandcamp.com. State Highway Analysis: https://bit.ly/3YXbdDE WABA petition: https://bit.ly/3IqOR6L #bikelanes #pedestriansafety #roaddiet #sharetheroad
With the Maryland General Assembly weighing several new gun-related bills, Sunil Dasgupta talks with State Senator Jeff Waldstriecher, vice-chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, about how Maryland can beat back the Bruen case, respond to a right-wing Supreme Court, and reduce gun violence. Local news on cannabis infrastructure. Music for this episode comes from Baltimore-based electronic music composer Shanika Freeman: neekofreeman.bandcamp.com Maryland state legislation search: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Search/Legislation. State Cannabis Workgroup materials: https://bit.ly/3I6J2Lj. #gunsense #momsdemandaction #guncontrolnow
Following an increase in fentanyl poisoning and deaths, MCPS and Montgomery County launch a full court press to try to stem the crisis. Sunil Dasgupta speaks with MCPS Medical Officer Patricia Kapunan and county anti-drug use actiovist and PTA leader Laura Mitchell to try to understand the scope of the problem and what MCPS is doing to bring it under control. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Montgomery Goes Purple: https://montgomerygoespurple.org/ Montgomery County Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Advisory Council: https://bit.ly/3DU95nR Community message from Dr. Kapunan: https://bit.ly/3RJ7IOx
The successful demonstration of work from home during the pandemic has led urban cores losing population and transit ridership plummet. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Nicholas Ramfos of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board about their “2022 State of the Commute” survey, and to Jordan Rappaport of Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City about his paper predicting a housing boom in the exurbs. Guests’ views are their’s alone, not their employer’s. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Rappaport paper: https://bit.ly/3HxhCOm State of the Commute: https://bit.ly/3jyhiad
The arrival of winter snow and ice is met with millions of tons of road salt across the county, which corrodes infrastructure and automobiles goes into waterways, raising salinity levels even in drinking water and destroying plants and animals. Sunil Dasgupta walks with Abby Hileman of Izaak Walton League’s Salt Watch Program and Karl Van Neste, a local salt advocate, about the problem and what to do about it. If you feel the crunch underfoot, that’s too much salt. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Montgomery County Salt Petition: https://forms.gle/mhNdVcJzBH15Jpys6
Last October, the climate group Declare Emergency blocked traffic on the Capital Beltway in an effort to force President Biden to announce a climate emergency. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Will Regan and Nora Swisher, who were arrested and jailed for that action, and Paul Severance, the group’s spokesperson to find out about their theory of victory. The episode includes a second interview Maryland state senator Ben Kramer about his claim to disruptive politics in proposing big changes to the agency responsible for land-use planning in Montgomery County. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and the Missing Pieces Band.
Twenty-five years after releasing their first album, Finster, a band originally formed in 1990s in State College, PA, release their second album, Crosswinds, on this episode. Listen to their music, how they came back together during the pandemic, and about the tough economics of local music. Kate Johnson on vocals and guitar, Doogie Whittaker on guitars, Howard Rabach on bass, and Matt Zelenz on drums. Streaming at https://finster96.bandcamp.com/ and your favorite music platform. Local news on bike lanes and Washington DC’s plan to bring back residents after the pandemic.
In the 100th episode of the show, Sunil Dasgupta talks with narrowly-elected Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater about her campaign, her coalition, and how she intends to govern, offering a case study in managing political polarization. Frederick is living through contestation between newcomers interested in mainline pocketbook politics preferred by Democrats and Trump-inspired right-wing politics pushed by, among others, former Republican nominee for governor Dan Cox, who organized buses to take rebels to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and his Missing Pieces Band.
With the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session starting in less than two weeks, the new governor and the new assembly not only will have to figure out which issues to focus on but also how to balance between them, all the while developing new marijuana legislation. Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political science professor Roy Meyers and Maryland Association of Counties (MaCo) Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally to find out how they see the Assembly’s priorities shaping up. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and his Missing Pieces Band. For the last couple of days for 2022 giving:
Woman to Woman Mentoring
The Civic Circle
Project Linus Montgomery County Chapter
Action Committee for Transit
Urban Adventure Squad
The Senior Connection of Montgomery County
Miriam’s Kitchen
UpCounty Prevention Network
Washington Independent Review of Books
VisArts Art Lab
Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad
Poolesville Green
MoCoPAAN
Sustainable Earth Eating
Repair the World
Montgomery County Special Olympics
Holiday Weekend Special with local music featured on the podcast and local nonprofit stories: Artists and bands in order of appearance: Ruben Dasgupta, The Sunshiners, The Airport 77s, Eddie Boxxer, The Treading Lemmings, A Shrewdness of Apes, Pete Chauvette, Emily Hall, Dara Blecher, and Kara Levchenko. Nonprofit orgs: Woman to Woman Mentoring, The Civic Circle, Linus Project Montgomery County Chapter, Action Committee for Transit, Urban Adventure Squad, The Senior Connection of Montgomery County, Miriam’s Kitchen, UpCounty Prevention Network, Washington Independent Review of Books, VisArts Art Lab, Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, Poolesville Green, MoCoPAAN, Sustainable Earth Eating, Repair the World Baltimore, and Montgomery County Special Olympics. All links at ihppod.org.
New Year. New General Assembly session. New Governor. But most important of all, Maryland is looking at unprecedented budget surpluses for the next 5 years. In the counties, however, there isn’t a feeling of flush. Sunil Dasgupta asks Delegate Marc Korman, the Maryland House Chair for the state’s Spending Affordability Committee, how the state windfall is likely to reshape public finance in the state and in counties? Music from Silver Spring’s own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:
Poolesville Green
MoCoPAAN
Sustainable Earth Eating
Repair the World
Previous weeks’ community organizations
Washington Independent Review of Books
VisArts Art Lab
Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad
Miriam’s Kitchen
UpCounty Prevention Network
Woman to Woman Mentoring
The Civic Circle
Linus Project Montgomery County Chapter
Action Committee for Transit
Urban Adventure Squad
Sidewalks v trees is a common 21st century battleline in American suburbs pitting neighbor against neighbor in a struggle between two public goods, road safety and tree conservation. Politicians naturally promise both, but government agencies often fuel the conflict to justify inaction. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks to one local government official, City of Takoma Park public works director Daryl Braithwaite, who found a way to build a much-needed sidewalk and save trees and much more. Music from Silver Spring’s own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:
Washington Independent Review of Books
VisArts Art Lab
Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad
Previous weeks’ community organizations
Miriam’s Kitchen
UpCounty Prevention Network
Woman to Woman Mentoring
The Civic Circle
Linus Project Montgomery County Chapter
Action Committee for Transit
Urban Adventure Squad
With Washington DC’s education leadership working to revise the city government’s School Report Card, Sunil Dasgupta talks with DC Board of Education member Ruth Wattenberg who has been fighting a long battle against test score-driven school evaluations. As the conversation dug deeper, Wattenberg opened up about charter schools, private foundation money, and mayoral control of DC’s public schools. Music from Silver Spring’s own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:
Miriam’s Kitchen
UpCounty Prevention Network
Last week’s community organizations
Woman to Woman Mentoring
The Civic Circle
Linus Project Montgomery County Chapter
Action Committee for Transit
Urban Adventure Squad
The Senior Connection of Montgomery County
Thanksgiving and the holiday season is also the college admission season. As families struggle with college decisions, Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC’s Director of Financial Aid Andrea Cipolla to break down the primary instrument colleges use to determine financial aid, the FAFSA, and about the consequences of the college financing system we have created. And local area nonprofits tell you what they do and pitch for your support. Music from Silver Spring’s own power pop band, The Airport 77s.
Traffic cameras take out discretionary officer involvement and create strong incentives for drivers to follow the rules, but Maryland State Delegate David Moon tells Sunil Dagupta that Montgomery County’s school bus camera program, which generates millions in fines, does not make streets safer and talks about what can be done. He was finally able to get data and analyze the top-grossing locations for bus camera tickets. Local news about pedestrian safety and comparison of the Silver and Purple Lines. Music from Silver Spring’s own power pop band, The Airport 77s.
As Maryland ends a historic election, choosing Wes Moore as the first black governor of the state and Aruna Miller as the first Indian-American to hold statewide office, Sunil Dasgupta talks with veteran campaign worker Abi Green about the joys and the challenges of campaign work. News analysis of coming one-party rule in Annapolis, the rise of MAGA politics in local politics, and legalizing recreational marijuana use. Music from DC area progressive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.
Days before the 2022 midterm elections, Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political scientist Ian Anson about his research into our beliefs about political knowledge and its consequences for polarization and democracy. Local news about a new county antisemitism resolution, surprising increases in project costs in capital budget for public schools, and how college financial aid really works. Music from DC area progressive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.
In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with local school board candidates in the upcoming elections, incumbent Karla Silvestre (3:10) about MCPS’ teacher and staff recruitment efforts and with former elementary school teacher Valerie Coll (24:26) about the role of the board in active governance of the school system. Look back at Episode #65 for interviews with two other candidates Scott Joftus and Julie Yang. Original music from 9th-grade singer-songwriter from Bethesda Dara Blecher.
Despite higher revenue projections, Montgomery County government has curtailed borrowing limits to manage its debt-service burden. With a new capital budget coming soon, Sunil Dasgupta talks with county PTA leader Laura Stewart about spending affordability guidelines, swapping out county support for state funding, and delays in school projects including HVAC upgrades. Music from DC area progresive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.
With general elections coming up Nov 8, Sunil Dasgupta interviews three statewide candidates: for the Maryland Attorney General’s race, Republican Michael Peroutka (02:30) talks about the state’s constitutional crises and Democrat Anthony Brown (24:08) talks about equity in the criminal justice system including the treatment of juveniles. For the Maryland Comptroller’s race: Brooke Lierman (43:45) talks about the state's floundering Minority Business Enterprise Program. Original music from 9th-grade singer-songwriter from Bethesda Dara Blecher.
Thirty-five people have died on roads in Montgomery County, MD, in 2022; not one related to escooters, but that is the bill the County Council passed recently. An omnibus road safety bill, which is desperately needed, isn't even an idea despite unanimity on the council that road deaths are the bigger problem. Sunil Dasgupta talks with County Council member Sidney Katz about the justification for and provisions in the escooters law he sponsored. Music from DC area progresive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.
The fall is not only apple and pumpkin picking season, but also time for Oktoberfests and cool dining choices. Sunil Dasgupta talks with local food maven Michelle Katz, whose Instagram account @pikeandrozay is one of the most influential food and food photography accounts in Montgomery County. She talks about Oktoberfests, Happy Hours, and food trends. Music from Montgomery County musician Eddie Boxxer.
The fall is not only apple and pumpkin picking season, but also time for Oktoberfests and cool dining choices. Sunil Dasgupta talks with local food maven Michelle Katz, whose Instagram account @pikeandrozay is one of the most influential food and food photography accounts in Montgomery County. She talks about Oktoberfests, Happy Hours, and food trends. Music from Montgomery County musician Eddie Boxxer.
Not everything in human life–neighborhoods, schools, businesses–is political, but any issue can become political when we disagree with each other. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Silver Spring civic activist and urbanist Dan Reed about the politics of his neighborhood association, and with physician and businessman Joe Zammit-Lucia, who has written a book called The New Political Capitalism arguing that businesspeople don’t understand politics. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
Not everything in human life–neighborhoods, schools, businesses–is political, but any issue can become political when we disagree with each other. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Silver Spring civic activist and urbanist Dan Reed about the politics of his neighborhood association, and with physician and businessman Joe Zammit-Lucia, who has written a book called The New Political Capitalism arguing that businesspeople don’t understand politics. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
Montgomery County set aside roughly a third of its land area as an agricultural reserve to protect it from development and save local farms. Bike rides, apple-picking trips, CSAs, and farmers’ markets leave a romantic impression of organic food production in a verdant landscape. In reality, the economics of the ag reserve are surprising and precarious. What a farm owner gets for land is shocking. Sunil Dasgupta talks with ag reserve farm-owner and agricultural scientist Douglas Boucher about the fragile economics of Montgomery Country’s Agricultural Reserve. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
Montgomery County set aside roughly a third of its land area as an agricultural reserve to protect it from development and save local farms. Bike rides, apple-picking trips, CSAs, and farmers’ markets leave a romantic impression of organic food production in a verdant landscape. In reality, the economics of the ag reserve are surprising and precarious. What a farm owner gets for land is shocking. Sunil Dasgupta talks with ag reserve farm-owner and agricultural scientist Douglas Boucher about the fragile economics of Montgomery Country’s Agricultural Reserve. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with long-time Montgomery County resident Bill Conway, who is putting together a billion-dollar carbon sequestration project in central Louisiana on behalf of the local electric utility, CLECO, which requires significant federal support to be financially viable and serves as a case study in how governments promote new technology using tax credits and tax credit markets and choose winners and losers. Local news about youth curfews and public outreach. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with long-time Montgomery County resident Bill Conway, who is putting together a billion-dollar carbon sequestration project in central Louisiana on behalf of the local electric utility, CLECO, which requires significant federal support to be financially viable and serves as a case study in how governments promote new technology using tax credits and tax credit markets and choose winners and losers. Local news about youth curfews and public outreach. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
Providing mental health support to students has been a challenge even before Covid. As the stigma of mental health has lifted, the demand for services has grown often beyond the capacity of school districts and even the mental health profession to provide. Sunil Dasgupta talks with child psychiatrist and Institute of Juvenile Research Director Niranjan Karnik about the history and evolution of youth mental health and ways to overcome challenges to helping young people with mental health concerns. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
Providing mental health support to students has been a challenge even before Covid. As the stigma of mental health has lifted, the demand for services has grown often beyond the capacity of school districts and even the mental health profession to provide. Sunil Dasgupta talks with child psychiatrist and Institute of Juvenile Research Director Niranjan Karnik about the history and evolution of youth mental health and ways to overcome challenges to helping young people with mental health concerns. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
As millions of children return for the new school year, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Casey Anderson, chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, and Eli Glazier, the lead author of a new Pedestrian Master Plan, about walking and biking to school. Only 12 percent of MCPS students walk to school. The rest are driven, ride the bus, or drive themselves. Anderson and Glazier propose improving the situation with better school site planning, design, and infrastructure development. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
As millions of children return for the new school year, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Casey Anderson, chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, and Eli Glazier, the lead author of a new Pedestrian Master Plan, about walking and biking to school. Only 12 percent of MCPS students walk to school. The rest are driven, ride the bus, or drive themselves. Anderson and Glazier propose improving the situation with better school site planning, design, and infrastructure development. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
The US District Court in Maryland dismissed a lawsuit against Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for violating equal protection in magnet admission rules. MCPS has struggled for years to bring in more Black and Latino students to its most prestigious programs, but an Asian-American parent group, backed by the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation, argued that even a facially-neutral lottery system was intentionally discriminatory against Asian students. Sunil Dasgupta talked with University of Maryland professor and Asian-American activist Janelle Wong about the controversy and its implications. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
With the first count of votes in the July 2022 Democratic Primary in Montgomery County, MD, now available, Sunil Dasgupta talks with veteran journalist Louis Peck about the implications of another razor-thin margin in the county executive race between incumbent Marc Elrich and challenger David Blair. A recount is coming, independent expenditure in local elections is here to stay, and low turnout remains a structural problem in "one-party" jurisdictions where primary victory is tantamount to winning in the general. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
As a nationwide teacher and staff shortage threatens to disrupt fall school reopening, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland State Education Association president Cheryl Bost about steps to address teacher recruitment and retention in the state and to MCPS instructional specialist Miriam Plotinsky about her new book, “Teach More, Hover Less,” which offers a pedagogical approach that could allow teachers to be more effective following the pandemic disruption. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with Nishant Trivedi and Pallav Thakkar, members of a local Indian-American fitness group, about their 184.5 mile bike ride from Cumberland, in Western Maryland, to Washington DC; and to Maryland state house majority leader Eric Luedtke about a new law expanding and revitalizing state parks. Listen to the end for Luedtke’s top 10 list. This is a how-to-get-outdoors episode. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
The 2022 Maryland primary elections are over and the state is waiting for results. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Adam Jentleson, a former staffer for Senator Harry Reid, who together with like-minded friends created a PAC that spent close to a million dollars on television ads attacking incumbent Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s housing record. Whether they succeed or not, the entry of PAC-spending in local elections has been a big bone of contention and brings to the suburbs a hardball national political style on behalf of pro-housing policies. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
With 26 US states set to impose degrees of abortion bans following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade, Maryland is likely to become the southern-most state on the Eastern seaboard to offer fully legal abortions and the state’s providers are expecting women from abortion-banned states to travel to Maryland for services. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland Delegate Ariana Kelly about how the state is preparing. Kelly has been one of the leading voices pushing to expand reproductive health services for Marylanders and out-of-state patients. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
Montgomery County, Md, has long had a reputation for being tough for business and compared unfavorably with Northern Virginia. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Julie Verrati, co-founder of Denizens Brewing Company in Silver Spring, about the business climate in the county and neighboring jurisdictions. Verrati also served in the federal Small Business Administration during the Biden presidency and, in the episode, announces her choice in the County Executive race. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
As the country deals with the upending of the landmark abortion rights case, Roe v Wade, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Julie Statland of Riveting Women about the importance of having more women in local and state political positions and to Maryland Delegate Vaughn Stewart and UMBC History Professor Andrew Nolan about a moment in time when protections against the tyranny of the majority, including the venerated judicial review, look like anti-democratic measures that need to be jettisoned if the American experiment is to survive. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
In June 2022, Carroll County Board of Education (in Maryland) banned Pride flags from schools. Carroll is a conservative jurisdiction whose changing demographics have put it at the forefront of the culture war over education policy. Sunil Dasgupta speaks with county resident Stephanie Brown, who found herself in the middle of a political fight as she sought to defend the rights of her 13-year-old who goes to a county public school. Music by Montgomery County percussionist Pete Chauvette.
Montgomery County Council District 5 is a newly created seat in the eastern part of the county covering Burtonsville, White Oak, and Four Corners. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with five candidates running for the seat: Planning Department employee Brian Anleu (3:45), county business liaison officer Daniel Koroma (26:46), political operative Jeremiah Pope (49:13), immigration lawyer Fatmata Barrie (1:10:40), and community organizer Kristin Mink (1:34:09) about housing, economic development, education, and healthcare. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Council District 2 candidates community activist Lorna Forde (4:28) and former Jamie Raskin-staffer Will Roberts (23:46). A belated addition is former Maryland delegate Al Carr (52:32) who is now running for Council District 4. Look back in the archives for interviews with other D2 and D4 candidates: Marilyn Balcombe, Kate Stewart, Amy Ginsburg, and John Zittrauer. Links on Twitter @ihppod. Music by Emily Hall.
The Montgomery County Council is expanding to 7 members elected from demarcated districts and keeping 4 members who are elected countywide or at-large. In this episode Sunil Dasgupta talks with four at-large candidates, former Gaithersburg city council member Laurie-Anne Sayles (4:27), past council president Tom Hucker (26:27), Montgomery County Democratic Party leader Scott Goldberg (52:51), and incumbent at-large council member Evan Glass (1:12:10) about education, climate action, housing, and transportation. Look back in the archives for interviews with other at-large candidates: Brandy Brooks, Will Jawando, and Gabe Albornoz. See links on Twitter @ihppod. Music by Emily Hall.
Maryland State District 18 seat is one of the few contested state legislative offices in Montgomery County. Viable challenges to state legislative incumbents are rare, but in the 2022 community organizer and social activist Max Socol is challenging longtime senator Jeff Waldstreicher. Sunil Dasgupta talked to Socol about affordable housing. Waldstriecher did not respond to interview requests. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
The Montgomery County Executive race is one of the most closely watched and contested elections in the 2022 primary. Sunil Dasgupta talks with incumbent Marc Elrich about housing and jobs. Elrich is in a three-way race with businessman David Blair and Councilmember Hans Riemer. Prior to becoming county executive, Elrich sat on the Montgomery County Council for 12 years. IHP candidate interviews with Blair and Riemer appeared earlier in February 2022. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
Montgomery County Council District 4 is a newly created seat in the southern part of the county starting in Takoma Park and going all the way over Kensington and to North Bethesda on Rockville Pike. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with three candidates running for the seat: bartender John Zittrauer (timestamp 4:44) about safe injection sites for drug users, Takoma Park mayor Kate Stewart (22:33) about housing, and nonprofit executive Amy Ginsburg (49:26) about economic development. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
Montgomery County Board of Education District 3 used to be held for a long time by Pat O’Neill, who died in fall 2021. The Board chose education consultant Scott Joftus to replace her. Joftus is now running to keep his seat and Julie Yang, a former MCSPS career and college counselor, is running against him. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Joftus (timestamp 4:11) about how he will bring to bear his education consulting experience, and with Yang (31:22) about student mental health. Yang’s interview is truncated because of lost audio. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
The Apple Ballot is the voter guide issued by the teacher’s union in Maryland that has been one of the most powerful endorsements for public office in the state. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jennifer Martin, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, the county teachers’ union, about education politics. Very local news as police return to schools in Montgomery County and anger erupts over the local Sierra Club’s political endorsements. Music for the episode comes from Montgomery County vibes and drums player, Pete Chauvette.
IHP 64 Earth Day with the Sunshiners
Earth Day episode with The Sunshiners, a local band of climate activists debuting on the show their first album, Endangered Species. Kipyn Martin, Rick Sullivan, and Jeffrey Weisner bring their talents to the cause in the hope that music speaks louder than words alone. We play the full album. News update about political candidate shuffling and a war update from faraway Ukraine.
Montgomery County Council District 7 is a newly created seat eastern upcounty centered on Olney, Damascus and Montgomery Village. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with three candidates running for the seat: Dawn Luedtke (timestamp 3:34) about public safety, Jacqueline Manger (27:13) about jobs, and Ben Wikner (46:58) about the Montgomery Village Equity Center. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
The Maryland Attorney General’s race in 2022 features two heavyweights on the Democratic side. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Congressman Anthony Brown, who served as lieutenant governor before and ran to be governor; and with Judge Katie Curran O’Malley, former first lady of the state and longtime circuit court judge in Baltimore. They talk about public safety, civil rights, and rethinking the office. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
Sunil Dasgupta speaks with Albert Einstein High School junior Baba Cissé and Walt Whitman High School junior Arvin Kim, the two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2022. The SMOB is one of the eight members of the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members of the Board, but voted for only by secondary school students in the county. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
An exhausted Ukrainian medic talks about life and war in her country, a Maryland Delegate finds unexpected celebrity support for his bill on court transparency, and a mayor ponders on voter turnout and election management. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maria Nazarova and David Moon, and Andtew Saundry talks with Jud Ashman in an episode that goes from global to national to local news. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.
In December 2021, the Washington Post Sunday Magazine had a story about the decline of local news around the country, but left out any discussion of the Post’s own local coverage. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with former Washington Post Metro Editor and columnist Robert McCartney about how local coverage in the newspaper declined even in the robust media market of the DC metropolitan area. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was a landmark piece of legislation that made institutions responsible for accommodating persons with disability, but the burden of proof remained with disabled persons. Sunil Dasgupta explores the politics and evolution of disability rights with Annie Tulkin and Katherine Lucas McKay, two Montgomery County disability rights advocates. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.
Montgomery County Council District 6 is a newly created Latino-plurality seat in mid-county centered on Wheaton and Aspen Hill. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with Natali Fani-González (timestamp 3:12), Omar Lazo (22:52), and Maricé Morales (49:32), all three of them Spanish-speaking candidates with family roots in Latin America. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
In this mega-episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with four candidates running for Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office in the June 2022 primary. The State’s Attorney race is a down ballot contest often ignored by voters but one of the most important independently-elected offices in local politics. The candidates appear in order of my interviews with them: Tom DeGonia (timestamp 2:56), Bernice Mireku-North (30:52), John McCarthy (1:00:00), and Perry Paylor (1:37:28). Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
Sunil Dasgupta speaks to three-term and term-limited councilmember Hans Riemer who is now running for Montgomery County Executive in a four-way race with incumbent Marc Elrich, fellow councilmember Tom Hucker, and Rockville businessman David Blair. Riemer talks about the county’s pandemic response. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
There are over 100,000 people on the US transplant list, and on average 17 die each day from the lack of organs. For this episode going into Valentine's Day, Sunil Dasgupta talks to local residents Ashley Waters, organizer of City of Frederick’s Oktoberfest, and Eric Saul, publisher of The Takoma Torch, about their experience donating their kidney.
Sunil Dasgupta speaks to Tim Adams, mayor of the City of Bowie, in Maryland. Adams is a businessman who built a large federal contracting firm starting out from the trunk of his car and continued to lead and grow his business even after he became wheelchair-bound almost two decades ago following a spinal cord injury. In his race to be comptroller of Maryland, Adams lent his campaign $1.8 million to draw abreast in fundraising with his Democratic primary opponent Delegate Brooke Lierman.
I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with David Blair for Montgomery County Executive. Blair is a Rockville businessman who ran a self-financed campaign for county executive in 2018 and lost the Democratic primary to current incumbent Marc Elrich by 77 votes. He talks to Sunil Dasgupta about how to attract corporations and high-paying jobs to the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
Taking stock of a tumultuous few weeks that includes a student walkout, a teachers’ vote of no-confidence, a call from principals for a pause to plan, local education reporter Caitlynn Peetz talks with Sunil Dasgupta about Montgomery County Public Schools not having metrics for when schools stay in person or go virtual, lacking clarity about who is making decisions; and displaying an overall unwillingness to see mistakes resulting in doubling down on policies that are not working. Local news and music from The Airport 77s, a power pop band from Silver Spring.
Fair Maps Maryland and Judicial Watch have filed lawsuits challenging the Democratic majority’s Congressional and redistricting plan. Dominique Bonessi talks with Doug Mayer of Fair Maps Maryland, and Sunil Dasgupta talks with Walter Olson, Chair of the Hogan-appointed Citizens Redistricting Commission. Local news and music from The Airport 77s, a power pop band from Silver Spring.
I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with Marilyn Balcombe for Montgomery County Council District 2. Balcombe is the president of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce and talks with Sunil Dasgupta about how to bring more jobs to the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
In the middle of a pandemic that threatened to devastate the economy and squeeze government budgets, Maryland is reporting higher than expected tax collection, more than $2 billion of it. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland House Majority Leader Eric Luedtke and UMBC budget expert Roy Meyers about the politics of plenty. Very local news, including a poorly designed public survey. Music from DC area band King Soul.
Christmas Special with all local music from the Washington DC region: In order of appearance, Kara Levchenko, Sic ‘Em Buster, Bad Robot Jones, Doogie Whittaker, Two Truths, Soul Witness, Premila Mistry and Laura Guli, Emily Hall, Seth Kibel, Damon Foreman, King Soul, The Treading Lemmings, and The Airport 77s, Arlington Presbyterian Church Choir and Abby Madden.
A year ago in January 2020, White’s Ferry, a car barge connecting Poolesville in Montgomery County, MD, to Loudoun County, VA, closed down. Much has happened since but no quick resolution seems likely. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Libby Devlin, part-owner of Rockland Farm, the ferry landing site on the Virginia riverfront to get to the bottom of a long-running commercial dispute with implications for public transportation. Local nonprofits pitch for your support. Music from DC area Southern soul band King Soul.
When Maryland State Delegate Kathleen Dumais left her District 15 seat in Montgomery County recently to join the circuit court as judge, the County Democratic Party appointed its chair, Linda Foley, to fill the position. This led to questions about whether the appointment process is truly open and democratic. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Delegate David Moon from District 20 in Montgomery County about his push to reform vacancy appointments. Very local news. Music from DC area Southern soul band King Soul.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political scientist Tom Schaller about his new book, Common Enemies: Georgetown BasketBall, Miami Football, and the Racial Transformation of College Sports, and with Rahul Khanna, who co-founded the Maryland Badminton Premier League, bringing an immigrant sport to a changing land. Music from the incomparable Washington area horn player and composer, Seth Kibel. Very local news including on redistricting.
This week for the Thanksgiving holiday, we bring you the history and politics of the labor movement in the Washington DC region. Sunil Dasgupta talks with journalist Louis Peck about labor politics in Montgomery County and labor leader David Rodich about organizing adjunct faculty in the DMV area, a big win for the labor movement after decades of losses in membership and influence. Music from this Rockville-based Brit-pop band, The Treading Lemmings.
I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with Will Jawando for Montgomery County Council at-Large. Jawando is an incumbent MoCo, MD, councilmember, running for reelection. He talks to Sunil Dasgupta about the problem of inequality in the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
This week we bring you a special voice-acted episode with unfiltered words and arguments from the frontlines of the zoning wars. These are real excerpts from thousands of social media posts across several platforms including Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter, and neighborhood listservs. The language is not always appropriate for young children. Guest produced by Mike English. Voice actors: Adam Bobrow, Biz Duval, Mike English, Elana Mintz, Eric Saul, and Lisa Winston.
As the Washington DC metro area struggles with housing affordability, Sunil Dasgupta talks with James Hedrick, Chair of the Board of Rockville Housing Enterprises, the city’s public housing authority, about the challenges they face in bringing truly affordable housing to residents. Very local news. Music from this Rockville-based Brit-pop band, The Treading lemmings.
I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with Gabe Albornoz for Montgomery County Council at Large. Albornoz is an incumbent MoCo, MD, councilmember, running for reelection. He talks to Sunil Dasgupta about health disparities in the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
In this episode Sunil Dasgupta interviews Abhi Janamanchi, Cedar Lane Unitarian-Universalist Church in Bethesda and Steven Cenname, Sunday school teacher in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville, to find surprising differences in how they Covid-19 challenges. Very local redistricting and other news. Music from Two Truths, an electronic Americana band from Rochester, NY, with DMV roots.
In a mega-episode, I Hate Politics Upcounty Reporter Andrew Saundry interviews Gaithersburg City Council candidates Dave Delgard (03:20), Philip Cook (23:50), Lisa Henderson (38:15), Yamil Hernandez (56:00), Jim McNulty (1:15:00). Note timestamps for each candidate. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
I Hate Politics Upcounty Reporter Andrew Saundry interviews Gaithersburg mayoral candidates incumbent Jud Ashman and challenger Stephen Escobar. IHP Candidate Interviews focus on one issue. Ashman chose development in east Gaithersburg. Escobar chose support for veterans. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
For 18 months since the start of the pandemic, Heather Dublisnke has been the COVID-19 coordinator for Montgomery County Public Schools. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Dublinske about her role and the challenges and the frustrations of working in a large school system. Very local news about zoning wars and staff shortage in schools. Music from Two Truths, an electronic Americana band from Rochester, NY, with DMV roots.
What does grassroots organizing really mean? How is it done? Sunil Dasgupta talks to Tino Fragale of Everyday Canvassing and Anika Manzoor of Youth Activism Project about how they recruit and operate their grassroots organizations. News about local schools, test scores, real-estate project starts, and from faraway Texas. Music from local rock/metal band, Sic 'Em Buster.
After a rocky start to the new school year and grim news on the climate crisis, Sunil Dasgupta talks with local education reporter Caitlynn Peetz and local green bank president Tom Deyo for a change in perspective. Very local news about Montgomery County Police Department. Music from local rock/metal band, Sic 'Em Buster.
Following the death of 19-year-old Melkin Cedillo in flash flooding in Rockville, Sunil Dasgupta talks to Eliza Cava of the Audubon Naturalist Society about the challenges of stormwater management in Montgomery County. Very local news on schools, the pandemic, and closure of Metro stations. Music from Washington area rock and metal band, Sic ‘Em Buster.
I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with Brooke Lierman for Maryland Comptroller. Lierman, who presents District 46 (Baltimore City) in Maryland General Assembly, talks to Sunil Dasgupta about her expansive view of the job of the state comptroller. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
In the hottest recorded summer in the Washington DC region, Sunil Dasgupta talks to Adriana Hochberg, the Montgomery County, MD, official who led the writing of the county’s Climate Action Plan. Very local news including reopening woes in MCPS. Music from Baltimore-Washington musician and arranger Seth Kibel.
As Montgomery County wrestles with attracting new businesses to the county, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jacob Sesker, a former county budget analyst who has proposed a $275 million jobs fund to incentivize businesses to bring high-paying jobs to the county. Music from Baltimore-Washington musician Seth Kibel.
I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with organizer and activist Kristin Mink, who is running at-large for Montgomery County, MD, County Council. Mink talks with Sunil Dasgupta about public safety and how the national movement to defund the police applies to Montgomery County. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with organizer and activist Brandy Brooks, who is running at-large for Montgomery County, MD, County Council. Brooks talks with Sunil Dasgupta about participatory policymaking, emphasizing groups and individuals historically excluded from policymaking and power-sharing. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centerville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
As Maryland Governor Larry Hogan steps up pressure on his plan to add privately-built and operated toll lanes to I-270 in suburban Maryland, State House Delegate Marc Korman offers a different vision to solve the region's traffic woes. Andrew Saundry's Upcounty Report on what happens when manmade lakes drain out (Maryland has no major natural lakes). Very local news. Music from Baltimore-Washington musician Seth Kibel.
Inspired by political economist Albert O. Hirschman’s groundbreaking work, Sunil Dasgupta talks with epidemiologist Katie Schenk and recently retired schoolteacher Valerie Coll about the decline in public health and education as public institutions and as professions. Very local news including on I-270 toll lanes. Music from Washington DC and Baltimore area woodwind player and music producer Seth Kibel.
The first I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with former U.S. Education Secretary John King, who is now running for the governor of Maryland in a crowded field of Democrats. Rather than playing 20 questions usual for candidate forums, Sunil Dasgupta and John King talk in depth about education and equity in education. Music from Arlington singer-songwriter Kara Levchenko.
In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County resident Will Taylor and the county's right of way manager about more permissive use of the public space that sits in front of most single-family homes. Right of way gardens seem like a small concern but speaks to several contemporary problems of political philosophy including the nature of law-making, policing, pollution, and how we treat neighbors. Very local news. Music from the 1921 Buster Keaton movie, The Goat.
In this July 4 episode, Sunil Dasgupta interviews urbanist blogger, Addison Del Mastro, about his road trips to North Virginia's small towns and lessons for urbanism. Local advocacy group presents pedestrian and bicycle safety demands. Andrew Saundry introduces candidates for the Gaithersburg City Council elections. Very local news: minimum wage goes up when a hot labor market doesn't push wages rates at the bottom; new county climate plan is out. Music from 1921 Buster Keaton movie soundtrack, The Goat.
In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with education author Karin Chenoweth about her new book, Districts that Succeed, where she looks at five successful school districts that beat severe challenges, and with Richard Montgomery High School (MCPS) history teacher Jerome Price about how schools need to practice what they preach on anti-racism. Very local news. Music from The Airport 77s.
Podcast promo with Jill Ortman-Fouse, former member of the Montgomery County Board of Education and currently senior policy advisor to Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker.
In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with school equity firebrand Jill Ortman-Fouse about the inability of the local school board to change school boundaries, allowing inequalities to persist across the 207-strong school system. Andrew Saundry on how no Upcounty transportation project made the Biden infrastructure draft bill. Music from Silver Spring band, the Airport 77s. Very local news and much more.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's plan to widen and add tolls lanes to I-270 comes up against protest. Sunil Dasgupta goes to a "Don't Widen 270" rally and talks with transit advocate Ben Ross. New music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s. Very local news and much more.
As the pandemic school year comes to an end, Sunil Dasgupta talks to Wheaton Woods Elementary School Principal Daman Harris about accounting for every student in a difficult year and to Montgomery County Board of Education Member Karla Silvestre about the coming surge of unaccompanied minor refugees in county public schools. Original music from DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Local election races heat up and other very local news and more.
In time for Memorial Day 2021, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Elana Mintz, founder and executive director of Washington DC nonprofit Urban Adventure Squad, about learning outdoors safely, equitably, and inexpensively. Insect and plant expert Carol Allen of Washington Gardener Magazine on variations in cicada densities. Music from Washington DC area band, Bad Robot Jones. Very local news and more.
In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jackie De Carlo, president of Manna Food Center; Oscar Alvarenga of Epworth United Methodist Church of Gaithersburg; and I Hate Politics Upcounty Reporter Andrew Saundry about organizing and running pandemic food distribution and the lessons they drew from it. New music from Washington DC area band, Bad Robot Jones.
Local media giant Bethesda Magazine (and accompanying Bethesda Beat) was sold to new owners in April 2021. Sunil Dasgupta talks to founder, editor, and publisher Steve Hull about the challenges of building a commercially viable local media outlet at a time when local news has been in decline. Andrew Saundry returns with his Upcounty Report on things to up north. Music by local singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC budget expert Roy Meyers as Maryland and its counties find their coffers surprisingly full from unexpectedly strong tax revenues and federal pandemic recovery funds. Montgomery Blair High School statistics teacher David Stein on lessons from his classroom for electoral redistricting, now waiting for census data to be released. DC singer-songwriter Emily Hall with new music.
Sunil Dasgupta talks to Gaithersburg Mayor and Book Festival Founder Jud Ashman about suburban Washington's only--and publicly-supported--book event which starts May 1 and a deep dive into the controversy over the design for a proposed 88-ft mural on the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission's new headquarters in Wheaton. New music from Wheaton and DC singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
Sunil Dasgupta talks to Maryland State House Delegate Gabriel Acevero, one of the leaders of the police reform and accountability movement, about new public safety legislation passed by the state that creates a new standard for use of force and brings transparency to investigations on officer misconduct. Student voices on returning to school buildings and music from locally-composed musical Sunflower: The Story of Amalie and Vincent.
Earth Day 2021 episode. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Montgomery County, MD, Council Member Hans Riemer about the failure of his proposal to change zoning rules to allow ground-based solar panels in the protected agricultural reserve. Andrew Saundry talks with Will Roberts about the eviction crisis. Music from new locally-composed musical Sunflower: The Story of Amalie and Vincent.
In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with urban planner, blogger, and community activist Dan Reed about the role, evolution, and character of neighborhood associations, HOAs, and PTAs. In the Upcounty Report, Andrew Saundry offers placemaking as a way for greater social solidarity in the burgeoning northern part of Montgomery County.
Sunil Dasgupta talks with Lori Morrow, of the Maryland State Board of Education, about a particularly tough year for education including on the question of closing and reopening schools. The discussion turns to reveal blurry lines of accountability that makes it hard to determine who is ultimately responsible for public education. And A Tragedy of the Commons in Sycamore Creek, Aspen Hill.
Following the mass shooting of six women of Asian descent outside Atlanta, Sunil Dasgupta talks to civil rights attorney and Asian-American activist Aryani Ong about the making of the Asian-American political identity and the challenges involved. The Upcounty Reports takes on the political impact of cost of living differences in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County, MD, removes police officers from public schools. Student activist Lauren Payne and teacher Neha Singhal talk with Sunil Dasgupta about the movement for social and racial justice in the county. Andrew Saundry on getting an Upcounty transportation project included in the federal infrastructure bill. Timestamps
5:30 News Roundup
8:35 Lauren Payne and Neha Singhal Interview
34:50 Lessons from the Interview
38:12 Andrew Saundry’s Upcounty Report
Montgomery County, MD, teachers Becky Taylor and Tanya Aguilar share lessons from Covid vaccine hunting for people unable to find appointments on their own. They find that pre-existing disparities in public health and puzzling lack of coordination between levels of government and different agencies of government. And our report on Montgomery County's only—unauthorized—Covid Memorial.
Like many other growing jurisdictions, Montgomery County, Maryland, has a housing shortage and a housing mismatch on its hands that are rooted in exclusive single-family zoning going back decades. Sunil Dasgupta talks to County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson about the problem and possible solutions. Plus Andrew Saundry's Upcounty Report.
In this episode, we connect lessons from the stoppage of White's Ferry to public-private partnerships including the Purple Line light rail project in suburban Maryland, the largest public-private transit partnership in the US. New Upcounty Report on sports teams leaving communities.
In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta explores two contrasting styles of local government advocacy with pedestrian safety activist Miriam Schoenbaum and former Winston Churchill High School President Bruce Adelson.
Georgia Avenue in the southeastern end of Montgomery County, Maryland, is looking at a redesign of its streetscape to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and to bring the communities separated by the Capital Beltway back together. Can they do it? We talk to community activists and planners.