Episodes
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Best Of BPR 10/18: Ballot Question 1 Debate - Auditing The Legislature
Today:BPR hosts a debate on Ballot Question 1, which would grant the state auditor authority to audit the finances and workings of the legislature. Mary Connaughton, director of government transparency and COO at the Pioneer Institute, argues for YES on 1. Jerold Duquette, professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University and co-founder of MassPoliticsProfs.org, argues for NO on 1. -
Best Of BPR 10/17: Ballot Question 3 - Rideshare Driver Unions
Today:Roxana Rivera, co-chair of the Yes on 3 coalition and Assistant to the President at 32BJ SEIU, joins to discuss Ballot Question 3 - which would allow rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft to collectively bargain for better working conditions. Mass Fiscal Alliance wrote the opposition memo for this ballot question in the Secretary of State's voter guidebook, but no group formally launched an opposition to it. Mass Fiscal declined BPR's request to debate the issue. -
BPR Full Show 10/17: Live on Zoom from YouTube
Roxanna Rivera joins as a representative for Yes on 3 and United Justice. She makes the case for ballot question 3, which would allow ride share workers the right to unionize. Representatives from the group Mass. Fiscal Alliance, who wrote the official language for the “no” side, say they are not a ballot question committee and declined our invitation to join. Then we opened the phone lines to hear from listeners about how they plan to vote.Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral reacts to Nebraska’s high court ruling in favor of allowing people with felony records to vote. She also discussed the latest death-row case out of Texas involving a man who advocates say was falsely accused.Mass Education Sec. Patrick Tutwiler joins for his first-ever interview with Jim & Margery. He talks about why he's in favor of keeping MCAS graduation requirements, plans to divvy out $20 million for early literacy, and efforts to bolster student mental health support. Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins with reflections on Harris’ interview Brett Baier on Fox and the state’s new liquor license law and violence in the Middle East.Then it's Am I the A-hole day. -
Best Of BPR 10/16: Ballot Question 2 Debate - MCAS & Astronaut Suni Williams
Today:We bring you our debate on ballot question 2 - whether to eliminate the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement. Representing YES on 2 is Deb McCarthy, vice president of the Massachusetts Teachers Union. Representing NO on 2 is Keri Rodrigues, co-founder of the National Parents Union.And, Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut and commander of expedition 72 zooms into us from the International Space Station. She’s part of the Starliner crew who’s original 8-day mission has been delayed to 8-months because of technical problems. -
BPR Full Show 10/16: Eliminate MCAS?
Ballot question #2 debate: Deb McCarthy, VP of the Mass Teachers Association represents YES on 2; Keri Rodrigues, founder of the National Parents Union.NASA astronaut Sunita Williams joined over Zoom into the show from the International Space StationWe opened the lines to hear from listeners about their opinions on question 2National security expert Juliette Kayyem on FEMA making "operational adjustments" amid threats to rescue and aid workers for hurricanes Helene and MiltonGovernor Maura Healey answered listener questions for Ask The Gov. -
Best Of BPR 10/15: Ballot Question 4 Debate - Legalize Psychedelics
Today:We host a debate on Ballot Question 4 - whether to legalize certain psychedelic drugs. Representing Yes on 4: Emily Oneschuck from Massachusetts for Mental Health Options. Representing No on 4: Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, a psychiatrist and researcher specializing in depression and bipolar illness. -
BPR Full Show 10/15: Legalizing Psychedelics?
Ballot Question #4 debate with Emily Oneschuk, grassroots campaign director for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options, representing YES; and Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, professor of psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center and clinical lecturer at Harvard Medical School, representing NOAttorney General Andrea Campbell spent the hour taking listener questions for Ask The AGCNN's John King discussed the latest national political headlinesWe ended the show discussing Trump's impromptu concert -
Best Of BPR 10/14: Ballot Question 5 Debate - Tipped Wages
Today on the podcast: BPR hosts its first of five ballot question debates, starting with Question 5 - to eliminate the tipped minimum wage, and bring tipped workers up to the state minimum wage, currently $15 an hour. Alex Galimberti, organizer for One Fair Wage Massachusetts and a former restaurant worker, argues in favor of eliminating the tipped wage. Opposite Alex, is Doug Bacon, local restaurateur aligned with the Committee to Protect Tips, against changing the tipped wage model. -
BPR Full Show 10/14: Raise Minimum Wage For Tipped Workers?
Our first debate of the week on Question 5 - the minimum wage for tipped workers -- with Alex Galimberti, founder of the organization’s Mass. chapter of One Fair Wage and former restaurant worker representing YES, and Doug Bacon, head of Red Paint Hospitality, on behalf of the Committee to Protect Tips, representing NO.We then opened the lines to hear listener thoughts on Q5.Charlie Sennott of the GroundTruth Project discussed the latest news from the Middle East.Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed Harris' medical report and Vance's high-risk pool health insurance plan.Brooks Tingle, CEO of John Hancock, discussed life insurance and longevity ahead of the second annual John Hancock Longevity SymposiumWe ended the show discussing the companionship of dogs -
Best Of BPR 10/11: Where Deplatformed YouTubers Go To Spew Hate + LMF Odyssey Opera
Today: GBH investigative reporter Phillip Martin, journalist Tim Biba and Megan Squire of the Southern Poverty Law Center tell us about Odysee, an alternative YouTube for the alt-right. And, Grammy-winner Gil Rose, baritone Aaron Engebreth and soprano Heather Buck, preview “Of Thee I Sing” and “Let ‘Em Eat Cake” tomorrow night at Jordan Hall with Odyssey Opera.
