The first episode of Backyard Media's series about the City Council elections in Cambridge, MA. We'll tell you about why local matters, introduce you to key some players in city politics, and dive into the debate on affordable housing.

Episode 1: What the heck is going on, and why should I care?

Backyard Cambridge is all about the politics going on in your backyard. In series 3, we’re covering our bigger backyard: Backyard Massachusetts. The 2018 election is fast approaching, and we’re going to tell you a story about this election that you probably haven’t heard much about.

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In our post-election episode, we recap what happened on November 6th, 2018. Which candidates won? What were the results for the ballot questions, especially for Question 3? And what do these results mean for citizens in Massachusetts? This is the last episode of Season 3 of Backyard Cambridge. While this feed will be quiet for a while, you can stay in touch with us by subscribing to our weekly newsletter for Cambridge news and events. Sign up for the newsletter here: https://www.backyardcambridge.com/subscribe
 Also visit our our website, www.backyardcambridge.com , where you can find our other content, like written transcripts of Backyard Massachusetts episodes that you can comment on, as well as previous seasons of our show. Follow Backyard Cambridge on social media: Twitter: @BackyardCambMA Facebook: facebook.com/BackyardCambridge/ 
Further Reading: Massachusetts 2018 ballot question results Overview of the 2018 midterm election results Massachusetts 2018 House of Representatives elections Massachusetts 2018 State Senate elections United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts United States Senate elections in Massachusetts No on 3’s concession on Facebook Kelly's Quest (biographical series by Kelly Jenkins on YouTube)  “Blipper” by Podington Bear (www.soundofpicture.com)

S3 Episode 5: The Results

In our final regular episode, we’re talking about how the 2016 public accommodations law is more than just a bathroom bill. We look to other states to understand how the implications of this vote on Question 3 go beyond just transgender people. What does it mean for the Commonwealth and the rest of the country if this law stays? And if it’s overturned? Check back in two weeks for our election wrap-up episode, where we’ll explain what happened in this year’s election, including Question 3.  Visit our website: www.backyardcambridge.com Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for more election coverage: https://www.backyardcambridge.com/subscribe  Further Reading:
Find your polling place here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/ Question 3 Yes on 3: Freedom for All Massachusetts No on 3: Keep MA Safe SB 2407 (2016): An Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination Politifact: HB2 has cost North Carolina Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Gallup: Americans Split Over New LGBT Protections, Restroom Policies NYT: ‘Transgender' Could Be Defined out of Existence Under Trump Administration Forbes: Indiana's Religious Freedom Act Cost Indianapolis $60 Million in Lost Revenue Bureau of Labor Statistics: Labor Force Projections (PDF) Western Mass Politics & Insight
 Follow Backyard Cambridge on social media: Twitter: @BackyardCambMA Facebook: facebook.com/BackyardCambridge/ 
 “Blipper” by Podington Bear (www.soundofpicture.com) “A Little Powder” and “Glass Runner” by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

S3 Episode 4: Beyond a Bathroom Bill

Are ballot questions really a form of pure direct democracy? Or are they a more complicated process?  Today, we’re unpacking some arguments you don’t hear very much - arguments against the ballot question process itself. In what ways can this process be opaque, too influenced by money, or vulnerable to intervention by state legislators? We’ll also look at a possible solution right here in Massachusetts that could improve the ballot question process for everyone.  Visit our website: www.backyardcambridge.com Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for more election coverage: https://www.backyardcambridge.com/subscribe  Further Reading: Healthy Democracy Question 1 WBUR - 'Millionaire's Tax' Won't Be On the State Ballot, Mass. SJC Rules Proposition 2.5 (1980) Boston.com - What you need to know about the 'grand bargain' Raise Up Massachusetts Massachusetts Citizens Initiative Review 2018 Citizens Statement on Question 1
 Follow Backyard Cambridge on social media: Twitter: @BackyardCambMA Facebook: facebook.com/BackyardCambridge/
 “Blipper” and “Vibe Drive” by Podington Bear (www.soundofpicture.com) “Denzel Sprak” and “Glass Runner” by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

S3 Episode 3: Direct Democracy vs Bureaucracy

As we approach Election Day, how are the Yes and No campaigns reaching their bases of support? What strategies are they using in October to educate voters about Question 3? And what does it mean for transgender citizens in Massachusetts if this veto referendum passes or if it fails?  Visit our website: www.backyardcambridge.com Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for more election coverage: https://www.backyardcambridge.com/subscribe Further Reading: Question 3 Yes on 3: Freedom for All Massachusetts No on 3: Keep MA Safe Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll Pew Research Center: Americans divided on which public bathrooms transgender people should use (2016) UCLA Study: Number of Americans who identify as transgender Gallup poll: Number of LGBT Americans 
 Follow Backyard Cambridge on social media: Twitter: @BackyardCambMA Facebook: facebook.com/BackyardCambridge/
 “Blipper” by Podington Bear (www.soundofpicture.com) “Leave the TV on” and “Glass Runner” by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

S3 Episode 2: Strategy and Persuasion

What are ballot measures? Where do they come from, and who campaigns for them? And what does it say about our democratic process when we’re asked to vote on questions of civil rights? In our first episode, we give an overview of Question 3 and the different groups that are campaigning for and against it. Visit our website: www.backyardcambridge.com Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for more election coverage: https://www.backyardcambridge.com/subscribe  Further Reading: Question 3 Question 1 Question 2 Yes on 3: Freedom for All Massachusetts No on 3: Keep MA Safe SB 2407 (2016): An Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination HB 3810 (2011): An Act Relative to Gender Identity Public Accommodations Protections Critical to Health of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People, Study Says Ballot Measure Readability Scores 
Follow Backyard Cambridge on social media: Twitter: @BackyardCambMA Facebook: facebook.com/BackyardCambridge/ 
“Blipper” by Podington Bear (www.soundofpicture.com) “Massive” and “Glass Runner” by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Episode 1: What the heck is going on, and why should I care?

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