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Today we talk about the tax package that is moving through the house, senate, and governor's office. In a state that overly burdens low- and middle-income folks with taxes, and shortly after our state voted to increase taxes on the most wealthy, this tax plan includes multiple tax cuts for exactly those wealthy people. We are not fans and explain why we should all make some noise about it before it's too late.

Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 5. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/podcast
* Donate to the show at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast

Climate: Vanuatu demands climate justice; new study finds plastics more harmful to health than previously thought. 

International and national: protests in Israel and France; deaths at a migrant facility in Mexico; school shooting in Nashville; California bill to penalize oil profits moves forward; Warren to run again. 

State: New MBTA boss; campaign finance reform bill introduced; tenant protections expiring; Speaker of the House won't comply with state audit. 

Thanks for tuning in! Please let us know what you think: [email protected]. 

And donate to the show: incorruptiblemass.org/podcast

Please donate to the show!

Today we talk about power -- what is it? Why do we need it? How is wielding power different in a blue state from in a purple state? What does exercising power look like? Spoiler alert: being close to power is not enough.

Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 5. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/podcast
* Donate to the show at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast

Please donate to the show!

Today we cover 13 myths that many people believe about politics.  Any of these sound familiar?

1. Myth: Massachusetts state government is in good hands.
2. Myth: It's better to spend time and money organizing in red or purple states.
3.  Myth: My state rep votes the way they tell me they are voting.
4.  Myth: If a candidate says during a campaign they will support certain policies, they will support them after the election.
5.  Myth: If my state rep officially cosponsors legislation, they will vote for it.
6.  Myth: If I want national policies passed, I should focus on Congress, not on Massachusetts state politics.
7.  Myth: Taxachusetts - we have a high tax rate on the wealthy. 
8.  Myth: If my state rep proposes an amendment, they intend for it to be voted on.
9.  Myth: Lobbying is an effective strategy for changing policy.
10.  Myth: Voting rights are only a problem in red and purple states, not in Massachusetts.
11.  Myth: Democracy is in crisis in other states, but not here in Massachusetts.
12.  Myth: You have democracy in your city in Massachusetts.
13.  Myth: Massachusetts leads the country in donations to progressive candidates and causes.

Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 5. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/podcast
* Donate to the show at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast

Please donate to the show!

Today we talk about the insane amount of power the Speaker of the MA State House has over what bills are allowed to pass. He controls the salaries of more than half of the 160 members, and only he can control who chairs committees, where your office is, how many staff you get, where your parking spot is, and so much more. We dive into how this affects our democracy.

Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 4. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/podcast
* Donate to the show at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast

Please donate to the show!

Do you think Massachusetts is doing pretty well, and doesn't need your activism? Then this is the podcast for you. Today we talk about how far our policies are from the views of the electorate, which policies are voted down year after year that are in the Democratic party platform, and policies where Massachusetts falls behind many other states including deep red states.

Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 2. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/podcast
* Donate to the show at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast

Please donate to the show!

Today we talk about why state level politics is the most impactful way you can cause progressive change. Any policy that matters to you can be passed more easily at the state level than nationally -- and will benefit 7M people. It's much, much cheaper to win state-level seats, so your dollars and volunteering go much further. And passing legislation at the state level might be the best way to get it passed nationally -- we have plenty of examples of important legislation that would never have been passed if it hadn't been passed first a the state level.

Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 2. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/podcast
* Donate to the show at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast

Welcome to Season 5!
Please donate to the show!

We know that change cannot happen without a vision of the world we want to create. So join us today as we paint a picture of what we could have here in Massachusetts if we fixed our state politics.

In dozens of other countries, people go to the doctor without worrying about the cost. Roads are well-paved and pothole free.  Water that comes out of the tap does not have lead in it. Kids get a great education no matter what school they go to. People graduate from college without massive debt.  Friends and family live near each other, because no one is priced out of their city. And people who work have plenty of time for friends and family.

Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 1. You can watch the video version on our YouTube channel.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/
* Donate to the show at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast

Today we thought we'd dream about the Massachusetts we could have if our legislature were not so dysfunctional. We mostly dive into the big three -- Housing, Health care, and Education.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy holidays, and may we all have a better 2023! Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 4 episode 58.  You can watch the video version here.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people understand state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com/)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/

Today we talk about the 2022 ballot questions -- which ones passed and failed, and by how much. We get some intel on how they fared in different parts of the state and why. And we discuss why state rep incumbent 'fears' of voting for immigrant rights are really just excuses.

Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat about Massachusetts politics. This is the video version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 4 episode 57.  You can watch the video version here.

You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people understand state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.

To stay informed:
* Subscribe to our YouTube channel
* Subscribe to the podcast (https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com/)
* Sign up to get updates at https://www.incorruptiblemass.org/