Podcast
The Horse Race
Hosted by Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith · EN
Your weekly update on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 382: T.P.S. Reports
Feb 500:33:00Tap to summarizeThis week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by Sarah Betancourt, immigration reporter for GBH news. She sheds light on recent moves by the Trump administration to end "Temporary Protected Status" for Haitians in the United States. Massachusetts has one of the largest Haitian immigrant populations in the country, so what options are Beacon Hill considering? How are federal judges responding? And how is this likely to affect Haitians in Massachusetts?Hosts:Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling GroupJennifer Smith, senior reporter for CommonWealth Beacon Guest: Sarah Betancourt, immigration reporter for GBH news Links:Thousands of Mass. Haitians face end of temporary protected status in FebruaryHaitian immigrants can retain protected status for now, federal judge rulesMassachusetts City Trades the Weather Predicting Groundhog for a Flamingo
Transcribe →Ep 381: AI or A+
Jan 2900:28:52Tap to summarizeThis week on the Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss what states like Massachusetts can do and are doing to push back against federal ICE actions. Then, a new poll! How do parents of K-12 children feel about AI. And if you are sick of shoveling, try riding a unicycle... Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling GroupJennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth BeaconFurther Reading: What Mass. can and can’t do about ICE Parents Divided as AI Rapidly Reshapes Massachusetts Classrooms
Transcribe →Ep 380: Moulton Lava, with U.S. Rep Seth Moulton
Jan 2200:34:34Tap to summarizeOur Delegation Conversations series begins with U.S. Rep Seth Moulton of Massachusetts’s 6th District. Jenn and Steve sit down with him to discuss Venezuela and Greenland, ICE in Minneapolis, Congressional age caps, his challenge to U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, and more.Guests:Congressman Seth MoultonHosts:Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling GroupJennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth BeaconFurther Reading:Moulton Introduces Healthcare Reinvestment Act to Redirect ICE Funding to Protect Affordable Healthcare Moulton Celebrates Two Successful Years of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Parents Divided as AI Rapidly Reshapes Massachusetts Classrooms
Transcribe →Ep 379: Polling ICE-land and Greenland
Jan 1500:33:10Tap to summarizeHow do Americans feel ICE is handling the situation in Minneapolis? Should the United States try to take over Greenland? This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn look at the polling on controversies at home and abroad. Then, they discuss a surprising story from CommonWealth Beacon on the legal designation of a "Gateway City" and why some cities who are receiving targeted funds might not meet the standard. Finally, our colleague and friend Chris Lisinski joins the pod for some puppy content.Hosts:Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling GroupJennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth BeaconFurther Reading:FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter's homeMore Americans view the ICE shooting in Minnesota as unjustified than say it is justifiedVery few Americans want the U.S. to seize Greenland or pay its residents to secedeNo way in and no way out: Beacon Hill hasn’t kept track of which communities qualify for Gateway City statusReddit: The Somerville PD has a new puppyCredits:Theme Music & Production by Charlie Koczela
Transcribe →Ep 378: 2026 Horse Tradin' & Legislatin'
Jan 800:30:48Tap to summarizeWhat plans are in place to tackle the housing crisis, the health care crisis, and a budgetary crisis brought on by Trump's so-called One Big Beautiful Bill? This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by their friend and colleague, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Chris Lisinski, to review the State Legislature's agenda for the year ahead. Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling GroupJennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon Guests: Chris Lisinski, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon Further Reading: In sudden twist, Liz Breadon clinches Boston City Council presidency, GBH News What to expect when you're expecting (legislative action), CommonWealth Beacon Somerville has a new cat mayor: Meet Minerva, Boston. com Credits: Audio of City Council proceedings provided by Boston City Council Television Theme Music & Production by Charlie Koczela
Transcribe →Ep 377: 2025 Blooper Reel
Jan 100:03:00Tap to summarize(3 mins) From all of us at The Horse Race, Happy New Year!
Transcribe →