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!