So That Reminds Me

Massachusetts voters will decide nine statewide ballot questions this Election Day, and understanding what's on the ballot can be challenging. In this episode of So That Reminds Me, Tyler Garnet, Ryan Feyre and Chris Maza break down all nine Massachusetts ballot questions, explaining what each proposal would do and how it could affect residents, taxpayers and local communities. Topics include public records transparency, voter registration, tax policy, housing development, environmental funding, recreational marijuana, firearm regulations and other major issues facing Massachusetts voters.00:30 Welcome00:48 The Big E and West Springfield Agreement Discussions06:17 Question 1: Massachusetts Public Records and Government Transparency12:50 Question 2: Union Rights for Massachusetts Public Defenders and Public Counsel Employees17:34 Question 3: Open Primaries, Ranked-Choice Voting and Massachusetts Election Reform23:23 Question 4: Election Day Voter Registration and Expanding Voting Access in Massachusetts33:18 Question 5: Massachusetts Taxpayer Rebates, State Revenue Limits and Fiscal Policy41:06 Question 6: Environmental Conservation Funding, Parks and Open Space Protection46:01 Question 7: Single-Family Housing Development, Zoning Reform and the Massachusetts Housing Crisis51:13 Question 8: Recreational Marijuana Legalization, Cannabis Sales and State Drug Policy58:03 Question 9: Massachusetts Gun Laws, Firearm Regulations and Ghost Gun Restrictions1:03:55 How to Research Ballot Questions, Prepare Your Vote and Navigate Election Day1:06:16 Final Thoughts on the Massachusetts Election, Voting Resources and Episode Wrap-Up

State Sen. Jake Oliveira joins So That Reminds Me to discuss school funding, Proposition 2½ overrides, rising energy and health insurance costs, East-West Rail, economic development and the future of the Quabbin Reservoir. Oliveira also weighs in on the proposed Hampden County courthouse, legislative transparency, state spending and what Beacon Hill can do to help local communities manage growing costs while investing in the future.00:30 Welcome03:10 Holyoke's Wyckoff Country Club redevelopment proposal and future housing plans07:02 Holyoke cannabis dispensary extended hours pilot program09:52 Chicopee's debate over the PROTECT Act school policy15:37 Interview begins: Sen. Jake Oliveira on representing Western Massachusetts17:27 Springfield courthouse proposal and concerns over a long-term state lease22:26 Proposition 2½ overrides and school funding challenges facing local communities27:23 Rising gas prices, energy affordability and the proposed Massachusetts gas tax suspension30:44 Health insurance costs and the impact on municipalities, taxpayers and businesses35:15 Quabbin Reservoir water withdrawals and concerns about Western Massachusetts water resources38:08 One Stop for Growth grants and economic development projects in the region40:23 Looking ahead: legislative priorities, Chapter 70 funding, energy affordability and East-West Rail43:29 Ballot Question 1, legislative audits and government transparency48:53 Episode wrap-up

In this episode of So That Reminds Me, Chris Maza and Ryan Feyre sit down for an exclusive interview with Springfield College professor and author Marty Dobrow to discuss his new book, Original City, Original Sin: King, the Klan, and the Fight for Civil Rights in St. Augustine, Florida, scheduled for release on Oct. 15.Dobrow explores the little-known story of the civil rights movement in St. Augustine, Florida, the nation's oldest city and one of the movement's most significant yet often overlooked battlegrounds. The conversation examines the roles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Ku Klux Klan, local activists, and other key figures who shaped the struggle for civil rights. Dobrow also explains the surprising connections between this pivotal chapter in American history and Western Massachusetts.The hosts also break down some of the top local news stories from across Western Massachusetts, including Halloween season events at Holyoke's Wistariahurst Museum, a partnership between the Hampden District Attorney's Office and students in Dean Technical High School's Auto Collision and Diesel Technology programs, new state earmarks supporting local veterans services and organizations, and plans for the future of the East Longmeadow Town Hall.0:30 Welcome6:43 Wistariahurst Museum Halloween events8:44 Hampden District Attorney’s support for Dean Tech students9:55 Chicopee veterans funding11:34 East Longmeadow Town Hall move12:53 Twisted Sister Prime Magazine feature14:25 9/11 25th anniversary reflections19:25 Welcoming Marty Dobrow22:40 Inspiration for Original City, Original Sin27:44 Western Mass. connections33:24 Impressions of St. Augustine43:04 The South’s struggle with racial history55:34 Reflections on the process59:39 Where to find Original City, Original Sin

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll joins Dennis Hackett and Ryan Feyre on this episode of So That Reminds Me for an in-depth discussion on the major issues shaping the state and Western Massachusetts in 2026.Driscoll discusses the Healey-Driscoll administration's proposal to suspend the Massachusetts gas tax and weighs in on the controversial Hampden County courthouse project in Springfield, growing concerns over Proposition 2½ overrides and efforts to address the Massachusetts housing crisis as residents face rising costs and affordability challenges.The conversation also covers the state audit and legislative transparency, data center development across Massachusetts and local control over proposed projects in communities such as Holyoke, Westfield and Agawam, and the administration's response to potential federal SNAP benefit cuts. Driscoll also reflects on the accomplishments of the Healey-Driscoll administration's first term, her priorities moving forward and her approach to the election season.In addition to the interview, Hackett and Feyre discuss other top stories from around Western Massachusetts, including The Big E, regional 9/11 memorial events, Springfield Public Schools' recovery from a cyberattack and data breach, local communities' responses to data center proposals and other news impacting residents throughout the region.00:30 Welcome05:52 Western Massachusetts Headlines14:45 Interview: Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll15:40 Massachusetts Gas Tax Relief19:26 Springfield Courthouse Debate21:37 Proposition 2½ and School Funding24:05 Massachusetts Housing Affordability28:40 State Audit and Government Transparency29:52 Data Centers and Community Impact30:58 Supplemental Budget and SNAP Benefits33:46 Healey-Driscoll Administration Accomplishments40:34 Wrap-Up

In this episode of So That Reminds Me, hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet sit down with Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni to discuss the work of the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, youth outreach, public safety and community engagement across Western Massachusetts.Gulluni talks about his office’s youth programs, including Hoop Up Springfield and HERizon, the importance of building relationships with young people and why approaches such as “Scared Straight” may not be the best way to prevent crime. He also discusses other community outreach programs, how their effectiveness can be measured and the importance of connecting with residents throughout Hampden County.The conversation also covers the Hampden County courthouse, including Gulluni’s concerns about the process behind the selection of the Liberty Junction bid as well as Springfield’s recent multi-agency public safety initiative, which resulted in more than 50 arrests, more than 200 motor vehicle citations and firearm seizures over a two-day period.Ryan and Tyler also recap the Sept. 1 Massachusetts primary election, including several key results in Western Massachusetts, U.S. Senate and Congressional races and the South Hadley tax override vote.Welcome: 0:30Primary election results: 1:08District Attorney Anthony Gulluni: 10:17Wrap up: 45:09