Incorruptible Mass

Please donate to the show! We kick off a series on our economy with a fascinating conversation with Dr. Noam Maggor, a professor of American history at the Queen Mary University of London. We talk about his book, Brahmin Capitalism, covering topics like the history of the economy and of capitalism in Massachusetts, how the past can help us understand our current economic realities, and what lesson...

Please donate to the show! We have an important conversation with Laura Rotolo, the senior advocacy director for field initiatives at the ACLU of Massachusetts, in part three of our series on immigration during the Trump administration. We discuss how current actions on immigration attack our democratic foundations, why the administration has chosen such a brazen approach, and how we can push back...

Please donate to the show! In part two of our series on immigration during the Trump administration, we talk with Nicole Eigbrett, a co-executive director of the Asian American Resource Workshop. We discuss ICE's abduction of Tufts doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk, the importance of defending immigrant rights from the administration's assault, the LUCE Network, and steps our listeners can...

Please donate to the show! We start a series on immigration during the second Trump administration by speaking with Dr. Geralde Gabeau, the founder and CEO of the Immigrant Family Services Institute. We take a look at temporary protected status for immigrants, economic reverberations for all Americans, and the personal crises of those being targeted by the administration. You’re listening to Incor...

Please donate to the show! Our fourth and final episode in our series on healthcare discusses the findings of an alarming report into the state of health care in Massachusetts conducted by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. We explore the difficulties of getting primary and preventative care in our state, the realities that insurance coverage figures obscure, and what the future of the me...

Please donate to the show! We invite Morgan Moore, executive director of the New York Metro Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program, to the show for the third part of our series on health care. We take a look at New York as a case study for advancing single-payer health care legislation, challenging reluctant Democratic legislative leadership, and building long-term movements to achiev...

Please donate to the show! We continue our series on health care with a special guest: Kimberley Connors, executive director of the Single Payer Campaign of Massachusetts, or MassCare. We discuss the history of advocacy for single-payer health care in Massachusetts, other models around the world, and why it's so urgent to adopt single-payer health care in Massachusetts now. You’re listening t...

Please donate to the show ! In the first episode of our new season, we kick off a series on healthcare by discussing the Luigi Mangione incident and the public’s response. We delve into the critical work of Healthcare Now, reflect on the Trump administration’s influence on healthcare goals, and explore how potential changes to Medicare could reshape the conversation around Medicare for All. This i...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we dive into the latest legislative moves in Massachusetts. First, we’ll revisit question one on the state auditor and examine the legislature’s actions. Then, we’ll unpack the end of the legislative session, where lawmakers broke their own rules to pass key bills—including economic development and climate change initiatives—highlighting the arbitrary nature of t...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we will be discussing the five ballot questions that appeared on the state ballot across Massachusetts. We’ll break down the results—covering the three that passed and the two that failed—and dive into the details, outcomes, and key takeaways from each. Tune in for everything you need to know about how these measures played out and what they mean going forward. T...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we’re stepping into the realm of national politics to unpack the recent election results, which didn’t unfold as many of our listeners might have hoped. We’ll explore key takeaways, share differing perspectives, and discuss what these results mean moving forward. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 64. You can watch the v...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we’re diving into strategies for mobilizing voters and convincing them to support causes you care about. We’ll discuss what motivates marginal voters, the importance of a theory of change in politics, and how to effectively engage with elected officials and key issues. Plus, we’ll break down the tools of election season—canvassing, social media, texting, and phon...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we’re tackling the issue of city and town revenue in Massachusetts. We’ll break down how state laws limit local revenue-raising options compared to other states and the impact these restrictions have on our communities. From the constraints of Proposition 2½ to the role of the state legislature and the Speaker’s power, we’ll unpack why Massachusetts cities and to...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we will be discussing how unfortunate it is that data often doesn’t drive decision-making, despite claims of economic reasoning. We’ll cover a few upcoming ballot measures, including: unionizing Uber and Lyft drivers, increasing the tipped minimum wage, and addressing widespread misconceptions around progressive policies that supposedly lead to dire consequences—...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we will be discussing the propositions that will be on the ballot in November, including: Question 1, which addresses whether or not to audit the state legislature; Question 2, which focuses on whether or not to eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement; Question 3, which asks if rideshare drivers should be given the opportunity to join a union; Question 4, which...

Please donate to the show ! Today we will discuss the recent primary elections! We will be covering what happened with the state house representative seats, talking a little bit about the governor's council, and what it's like to run a second time as a challenger. We'll also get into the system that we have in Massachusetts and why it is so broken. This is the audio version of the I...

Please donate to the show !   Today we will discuss shelter, including legislation such as ERAP and RAFT, the current policy sphere, how it has changed, how it affects cities and towns, and how Governor Healy has been engaging with this issue. City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj joins Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan to chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of th...

Please donate to the show ! Today we discuss Kamala Harris's Vice Presidential pick, Tim Walz. We're also going to be talking about Walz's state of Minnesota and how impressive it is that their one-vote majority of Democrats is passing so much policy. We'll compare it a little bit to Massachusetts, where we will be discussing our session this time around, which is abysmal in ho...

Please donate to the show !   Today we discuss the legislative cycle to remind you of what happens in Massachusetts every two years. We will talk about a little bit about a few specific amendments that have been announced and then pulled, and we'll talk about why this happens. Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we discuss the Olympics and the real  consequences of having Olympics in your city: displacement, gentrification, militarization. We'll talk about the athletes' under compensation relative to big executives, and the corporatism of the International Olympic Committee. Jordan Berg Powers, Anna Callahan, and Jonathan Cohn chat about Massachusetts politics...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we discuss the implications of passing laws that are not currently legal, and why that is particularly important for legislators at the city and state levels here in Massachusetts. We start with home rule petitions for policies that the state has not allowed legislation for yet, and later explore how Republicans and Democrats view this legislating strategy differ...

Please donate to the show ! Today we talk about the legislative session which is ending in a few weeks and the 121 bills that passed. Don't get your hopes too high, though. We will talk about the many things that have not passed, and those will include things like pay equity, gun safety, prescription drug pricing, plastics and climate bills, childcare, the transfer fee, a many housing bills,...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we discuss the funding of our public schools here in Massachusetts, the student opportunity act, how inflation has impacted schools, and the expiry of federal Covid-19 funds for schools. We are joined by experts from Mass Budget and Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance to examine this issue as analysts, advocates, and invested parents. Vatsady Sivongxay from...

Please donate to the show ! Today we will be talking about community land trusts--what they are, how they can support residents like you--as well as other state-level legislation including the TOPA (Tenants' Opportunity to Purchase Act) and Real Estate Transfer Fee. Minnie McMahon from the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative joins Anna Callahan and Jonathan Cohn in our latest episode. This...

Please donate to the show ! Today we will be highlighting a wonderful organization in the state that does fantastic work on the progressive scene. It is called Progressive Mass, and we will be joined by fellow podcaster Jonathan Cohn, the Policy Director. Anna Callahan interviews fellow podcaster Jonathan Cohn. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 50. You c...