8/1/18 -- In the last minute scramble of legislation, the state appears to have made horse racing illegal, which means Lauren and Steve are off to the glue factory.

But first, they speak with The Springfield Republican’s Shira Schoenberg about the chaotic end of the Legislature’s formal session, and what did and didn’t fall through the cracks. Then former state senator Ben Downing returns to analyze the legislative process that led to the messy end of session, and we continue our tour de commonwealth with CommonWealth Magazine’s Michael Jonas on the race for Middlesex District Attorney.

This episode is sponsored by WeWork Boston.

7/25/2018 -- On the podcast this week, Lauren Dezenski is still on vacation, but calls in to talk with Steve and Doug Rubin, senior strategist for Deval Patrick and Elizabeth Warren, about presidential race rumors.

Then, a quick check in on the MA1 Primary with Shannon Young, of MassLive and The Springfield Republican; followed up by a look at key races in the Pioneer Valley with MassINC Polling Group's very own Research Director, Rich Parr.

This episode is sponsored by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts and the National Institute for Reproductive Health.

7/18/18 -- The Legislature has reached a budget compromise and our guest host Lizzi Weyant, manager of government affairs at MAPC, explains what’s in it, what’s not and what’s next. Then George Cronin of Rasky Partners details the questions still standing on the ballot, and The Dorchester Reporter’s Jenn Smith highlights the “proxy fight” in the 7th congressional district.

Plus Lauren Dezenski puts her vacation on pause to talk about former governor Deval Patrick stumping in Texas, and what that means for his future ambitions.

This episode is sponsored by the Massachusetts Business Round Table.

7/11/18 --We’re back post-Fourth of July with a check in on what’s still pending on Beacon Hill. MassLive’s Gin Dumcius walks us through why Massachusetts still does not have a state budget; then in a return to the pod, Principal of Waterville Consulting Sean Curran explains quarter two fundraising reports and Gov. Charlie Baker’s massive ad buy.

Plus Steve and Lauren look at the recent Supreme Judicial Court ruling which maintains the 20 day voter registration cut-off.

This episode is sponsored by the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.

7/4/18 -- Happy Independence Day, Horse Race fans! We're on hiatus this week, so enjoy a reel of some of our favorite outtakes. Tune in next week when we return to the latest #mapoli developments, and enjoy the holiday!

Featuring special appearances by The Benator (Ben Downing) and Senate President Harriette Chandler.

State Senate President Harriette Chandler joins us for a special extended edition of The Horse Race. We ask her about the grand bargain, legislation vs. ballot questions, the fallout from Stan Rosenberg, and what she has learned in her time at the top.

Then WBUR's Shannon Dooling discusses what the immigration debate means for Massachusetts.

This episode is sponsored by the Massachusetts Business Roundtable

6/20/18 -- We have a “Grand Bargain”...kind of. State House News Service reporter Katie Lannan discusses the bill moving through the house that would combine a minimum wage increase, paid family leave and a permanent sales tax holiday; then Steve chimes in with polling on education spending and regional ballot initiatives.

Plus Chris Lisinski of the Lowell Sun circles back to the race to replace Rep. Niki Tsongas.

This episode is sponsored by the Massachusetts Business Round Table.

Episode 36: EMERGENCY POD - SJC strikes down Fair Share Ballot Question by Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith

6/13/18 -- The statewide candidates are locked -- so who exactly are they? This week we breakdown the bios of the Republican Senate candidates with the Springfield Republican’s Shannon Young, and Michael Bonner of the Cape Cod Times highlights Peter Tedeschi, who’s challenging Rep. Bill Keating in the 9th congressional district.

Then Andy Metzger of State House News returns for an update on the Grand Bargain and the continuing wait for a court ruling on the Fair Share ballot question.

This episode is sponsored by the Massachusetts Business Round Table.

6/6/18 -- There were some unexpected twists at the Democratic Convention last weekend. MassLive’s Gintautas Dumcius joins us to discuss the upset in the Secretary of State’s race, and State House News Service reporter Katie Lannan breaks down the top-ticket governor’s race.

Then, Steve highlights parts of the latest WBUR poll, and answers audience questions!

This episode is sponsored by the Massachusetts Business Round Table.