On the 300th episode of The Horse Race, Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, and Lisa Kashinsky celebrate reaching this milestone by looking back at the early days of the pod (with help from some special guests), and by trying out the Dunkin' orders of various Massachusetts officials. And of course, they do what they do best: discuss the latest poll resu…

This week on The Horse Race, Katie Lannan of GBH News joins Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, and Lisa Kashinsky to discuss a new poll out from GBH, CommonWealth Beacon, and the MassINC Polling Group. Plus, what to watch for in the MA House leadership budget proposal.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Ben Forman of MassINC joins Jennifer Smith to discuss a new report on economic development in the Pioneer Valley, Steve Koczela weighs criticisms of the Harvard/Harris poll's perceived slant, and Lisa Kashinsky recaps the latest in the MassGOP's internal struggles.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela get to the bottom of why hemp-based THC seltzers are appearing outside of dispensaries, and why fewer and fewer voters are registered with a party. Meanwhile, Jennifer and Lisa Kashinsky do not get to the bottom of where Maura Healey travels, or why elected officials say the things they …

This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith break down the latest numbers on why young residents are staying in, or leaving, Greater Boston. Then, Gin Dumcius of CommonWealth Beacon sorts out the different aspects of a ballot measure on tipped wages. Plus, a look back at the first days of Covid, and a quizzical glance at the Kenat…

This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Lisa Kashinsky break down the Super Tuesday results in Massachusetts and elsewhere, explaining what the surprising and not-so-surprising outcomes mean for November. Plus, Jennifer Smith checks in on the first of a series of committee hearings on the current slate of ballot measures.…

This week on The Horse Race, the Boston Globe's Tiana Woodard breaks down a new report on what local reparations could look like in Boston. Then, Jennifer Smith digs into AG Campbell's lawsuit against Milton and its wider implications for home rule in Massachusetts. Plus, Lisa Kashinsky gives us the background on Elizabeth Warren's new challenger.S…

This Valentine's week, on a special joint recording of The Horse Race and The Codcast, Steve and Jenn ask the burning question: is #mapoli breaking up? They're joined by a crew of #mapoli veterans to discuss how social media has impacted political communications over the past decade and a half, and what the declining political twittersphere means f…

This week on The Horse Race, Lisa checks in on the Mass. GOP one year into Amy Carnevale's tenure, Steve walks through Mass. voters' feelings on presidential candidates and immigration, and Jenn explains what's new and different in the latest ballot measure litigation. Plus, a roundup of animal-based climate prediction in the northeast.…

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn talk to the Boston Globe's Diti Kohli about renewed controversy between Boston's North End and Mayor Michelle Wu; and Jenn asks Steve some probing questions about how pollsters rank each other. Plus, the glorious return of #mapoli trivia: name that reporter edition.…

This week on The Horse Race, the crew is scattered across the country. Lisa breaks down the New Hampshire primary results, Steve digs into Diana DiZoglio's financial support base with the help of CommonWealth Beacon's Gin Dumcius, and—we swear there's a Massachusetts connection—Jenn and producer John report from the Sundance Film Festival.…

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn ask how pollsters did in the Iowa caucus, and what the results say about the GOP primary. Then, Jenn explains how Massachusetts taxes stack up next to other states for the majority of earners. Plus, the terror of the downtown Boston public art installation…and the terror of the MBTA.…

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn try out a new segment format, announce a Valentine's live pod event, and also manage to discuss the news. Specifically, are people really fleeing Massachusetts? Should they? And why have the state's tax revenues fallen short?By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by friends of the pod Katie Lannan of GBH News and Chris Lisinski of the State House News Service to take a look back at some of the biggest news stories of 2023, and share what they're watching in 2024. Plus, some service journalism (and public interest polling) about treats to enjoy this holi…

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn talk to WBUR's Max Larkin about the controversy following university presidents' Congressional testimony about antisemitism on campus. Then, they dive into a poll of former members of Congress and how they feel about the state of democracy. Along the way, they recap the finale of the Granite Bachelor and …

This week on The Horse Race, it's a polling extravaganza, as Jenn and Steve talk with the MassINC Polling Group's Rich Parr about controversies in poll-land, the Massachusetts public's transportation opinions and experiences, and a recent national poll of youth.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Lisa talk to the Shah Foundation's Ross Wilson about guaranteed income programs, before breaking down the contest for New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu's presidential endorsement with an extended metaphor that longtime listeners may be familiar with.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Steve, Jenn, and Lisa resume their annual Thanksgiving tradition: bloopers, bleepers, and hot-mic moments.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve talk through new polling on how parents think their children are planning for after high school, and the Boston Globe's Catherine Carlock joins to catch us up on rent control proposals. Also, the great Thanksgiving dish debate continues.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Jenn, Steve, and Lisa break down the big takeaways from this week's elections in Massachusetts, with some help from GBH's Katie Lannan. Of course, there's also polling, and that picture of Ben Affleck that went viral.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve mark the launch of Commonwealth Beacon by discussing new polling and bringing on Commonwealth Beacon reporter Gin Dumcius for the latest on the migrant shelter crisis.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, there's a bumper crop of polls for Jenn and Steve to discuss, along with the state's new guidance on diversity in higher education admissions. Plus, Lisa's latest report from the campaign trail in New Hampshire, and an exciting announcement about the launch of CommonWealth Beacon.…

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Lisa talk to GBH's Katie Lannan about what is and isn't in the new housing bond bill, and Lisa explains the governor's latest announcement on the shelter emergency. Plus, what do our hosts think of the new Green Line "super" cars?By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn recap the gun bill hearing on Beacon Hill, Brent Benson explains why a central Mass. Senate seat may be a toss-up, and Steph Solis of Axios joins to review Massachusetts elected officials' responses to the violence in Israel and Palestine.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, the Boston Globe's Taylor Dolven goes through the MBTA's considerable woes, while Lisa explains those of the Massachusetts GOP. Meanwhile, Steve and Jenn have woes of their own, as they are once again forced to cover politicians releasing recorded music.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Lisa and Jenn break down the Beacon Hill tax reform package, Todd Wallack of WBUR explains why there are so many vacant subsidized housing units, and Steve tells us when to panic and when to plan in response to bad poll numbers.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Lisa and Jenn talk through elections and endorsements around the Commonwealth, and Jenn explains the current challenge to a foreclosure practice known as home equity theft. Plus, novelty Dunkin' drinks and political piano ballads.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, the MassINC Polling Group's Rich Parr breaks down a new survey on MBTA-area transit habits and opinions, Jenn and Lisa react to the latest prelim results, and Steve pitches a hot take on firetrucks.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by Matt Szafranski to discuss the Springfield mayoral election, and Jenn and Lisa react to learning which ballot measures have been cleared by the AG's office. Plus, the long-awaited return of art thievery content to the pod, featuring a brand new mailbag question for listeners.…

This week on The Horse Race, Lisa tells us why the 2024 New Hampshire primaries might not have either Joe Biden or Donald Trump on the ballot, and Jenn explains why Massachusetts may need a program of managed retreat from threatened coastal areas. Plus, fresh polls on Boston parents' opinions of public schools.…

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn talk with the Boston Globe's Tal Kopan about the ethics of Rep. Stephen Lynch's earmarks requests. Plus, Steve breaks down Biden and Healey polls, Jenn breaks down controversy over public money going to church buildings, and we all break down over this podcast's dubious history of pun-based episode titles…

This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve talk with State Senator Becca Rausch about Governor Healey's budget vetoes, in particular a veto of funding for a youth mental health hotline. They also sort through the various renewed efforts to expand ranked-choice voting in Massachusetts, and consider expanding their global media empire into the onlin…

This week on the Horse Race, Steve and Jenn explain Governor Healey's emergency declaration regarding migrant shelter capacity, and discuss the implications of Ohio's special election for the role of abortion in national and state politics. Plus, shots fired between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and sandwiches stolen by sassy seagulls.…

This week on The Horse Race, the budget battles have barely wound down as the ballot battles start to ramp up. Steve, Jenn, and Lisa walk you through the details.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, we’ve got a stalemate at the State House and chaos in the council chambers with The Dorchester Reporter's Gin Dumcius. Then we pull back the sequined curtain on drag queen story hours.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, we've got a fire at the State House, floods in New England, and pandemic era policies to discuss. Commonwealth Magazine's Jennifer Smith breaks it all down with special guest host Katie Lannan. MassINC Polling Group's Rich Parr joins as well.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, we’re not on shrooms, but you could be soon. Seven years after the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts, is there a new path to decriminalize psychedelics in the bay state? Then we'll take a ride through some of the other potential ballot measures for 2024 with State House News Service reporter Chris Lisinski.…

This week on The Horse Race, two new polls show Donald Trump still dominating his Republican competitors in a potential primary. Then, how can the MBTA staff up when the workers they already have are leaving? And finally, we’ll look at the connection lawmakers are making between cell phone data privacy and the abortion fight.…

This week on The Horse Race, Governor Maura Healey is launching the nation’s first green bank dedicated to affordable housing. Boston Globe climate reporter Sabrina Shankman stops by to give us all the details. Then we’ll take a look at how Donald Trump’s latest indictment is affecting, or not affecting, his bid to retake the White House in 2024.…

This week on The Horse Race, a routine audit uncovers an accounting error that could cost the state billions. And we’ll take a closer look at the Massachusetts Lottery’s new “Billiion Dollar Extravaganza” with Commonwealth Magazine’s Michael Jonas.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, the push to bring back happy hour gets another shot on Beacon Hill and plans for the machine gun range on Cape Cod draw fire from residents and the Environmental Protection Agency.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, we've got two new MPG polls to discuss and two new MPG polling experts to introduce to our listening audience! Research Manager Zayna Basma tells us about a new statewide parent poll that highlights ongoing concerns for students' mental health and academic development. Then, MPG Research Director Olivia Wine dives into …

This week on The Horse Race, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins calls it quits amid federal investigations into her conduct. We’re looking at it from every angle: the report, the background and what happens next.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, we’ve got chaos in the council chambers and a new 56 billion dollar spending plan at the State House. All that, plus we’ll mark the end of the Covid public health emergency in Massachusetts with GBH News reporter Katie Lannan.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, we’re looking at elections. They weren’t races so much, but they were elections as strictly defined. We'll also sift through a new survey of Boston Public School parents by MassINC Polling Group and The Shah Family Foundation. Some of the findings may surprise you. Finally, Jennifer Smith tells us about legislation that…

This week on The Horse Race, it’s buses and trains the whole way through! We’ve got transit on the brain and political shenanigans in New Hampshire on the menu. TransitMatters' Jarred Johnson stops by to talk all things MBTA, then we discuss the new RTA survey from MassINC Polling Group with MPG Senior Research Director Rich Parr.…

This week on The Horse Race, it’s money money money season on Beacon Hill. We’ll look at the House’s new tax cut proposal and their fiscal year 2024 budget with State House News Service reporter Chris Lisinski. Also, Steve Koczela delves into the new poll from UMassAmherst/WCVB.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley

This week on The Horse Race, the federal court case challenging the legality of Boston’s new voting map is underway, we’ll look at what both sides want with reporter Sean Phillip Cotter. And then, the MBTA needs to bolster its workforce but will more workers mean fewer problems for the Tee? MassLive's Chris Van Buskirk stops by to take a closer loo…

This week on The Horse Race, Elizabeth Warren makes it official; she’s running for a third term. Lisa Kashinsky and Steve Koczela look at what that means for the state’s restless bench of ambitious Democrats. Then, Governor Healey pushes for her proposed Secretary of Housing on Beacon Hill. SHNS reporter Sam Drysdale brings us an update.…

This week on The Horse Race, what happened to #mapoli Twitter? Also, we dive into the state of polling, nationwide and here in Massachusetts. Then, the gig worker debate is picking up steam at the State House. Lisa Kashinsky and Jennifer Smith look at what both sides want.By Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Lisa Kashinsky; Libby Gormley