Chris Oates
@chrisoates.bsky.social
Civic tech and political risk analysis. Occasionally #mapoli and #COYS
Pinned
Chris Oates
@chrisoates.bsky.social
· Nov 18
mapoli bluesky electeds
docs.google.com
The starter packs are great, but I'm trying to combine a list of all #mapoli electeds on Bluesky and was hoping a good old fashioned crowdsourced Google sheet might be easier since so many are joining.
Please add anyone who the voters put into office here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Please add anyone who the voters put into office here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Crazy #mapoli stat. In 2022 and 2024, there were 38 competitive Democratic primaries (loosely defined as the result being within 30 percentage points).
The average winner got 2,525 votes and four were decided by less than 100 votes. So when your seat is contested, your vote really matters.
The average winner got 2,525 votes and four were decided by less than 100 votes. So when your seat is contested, your vote really matters.
January 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Crazy #mapoli stat. In 2022 and 2024, there were 38 competitive Democratic primaries (loosely defined as the result being within 30 percentage points).
The average winner got 2,525 votes and four were decided by less than 100 votes. So when your seat is contested, your vote really matters.
The average winner got 2,525 votes and four were decided by less than 100 votes. So when your seat is contested, your vote really matters.
What are the trends in where Massachusetts gets its money from, according to the estimates from the governor's budgets?
I look at that here, with the tl;dr being that income taxes are becoming more important, with both pros and cons to that.
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
I look at that here, with the tl;dr being that income taxes are becoming more important, with both pros and cons to that.
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
Where does our money come from?
Breaking down budgetary trends
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM
What are the trends in where Massachusetts gets its money from, according to the estimates from the governor's budgets?
I look at that here, with the tl;dr being that income taxes are becoming more important, with both pros and cons to that.
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
I look at that here, with the tl;dr being that income taxes are becoming more important, with both pros and cons to that.
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
Today's @massterlist.com should set the tone for the year. The MBTA Communities Act can be attributed to less than 6,804 new units, which is 3% of the target set by the Gov for 2035. So will we pass the other laws needed to fill the rest of the gap?
January 28, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Today's @massterlist.com should set the tone for the year. The MBTA Communities Act can be attributed to less than 6,804 new units, which is 3% of the target set by the Gov for 2035. So will we pass the other laws needed to fill the rest of the gap?
What’s crazy about these stats is that it was obvious that public opinion would head this way if ICE continued this way. Elected officials needs to be able to trust their own judgement at what they’re seeing, not have to wait a couple weeks for a poll to tell them what’s happening
YouGov is out with a new poll after ICE killed another person in Minnesota today. Abolishing ICE is now +5 among all adults, and **+12 among independents**
substack.com/@gelliottmor...
substack.com/@gelliottmor...
January 25, 2026 at 3:12 AM
What’s crazy about these stats is that it was obvious that public opinion would head this way if ICE continued this way. Elected officials needs to be able to trust their own judgement at what they’re seeing, not have to wait a couple weeks for a poll to tell them what’s happening
This week, I'm looking at how government can work when a huge success - 20% of MA's electricity from clean energy - happens without much attention.
Is this business as usual because if it doesn't bleed, it doesn't lead, or something new to a fragmented media
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
Is this business as usual because if it doesn't bleed, it doesn't lead, or something new to a fragmented media
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
Electricity flowing from Quebec
A small example of why progress is hard
open.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:35 PM
This week, I'm looking at how government can work when a huge success - 20% of MA's electricity from clean energy - happens without much attention.
Is this business as usual because if it doesn't bleed, it doesn't lead, or something new to a fragmented media
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
Is this business as usual because if it doesn't bleed, it doesn't lead, or something new to a fragmented media
open.substack.com/pub/massachu...
I've only seen one of these and it's the one everyone's making fun of
January 22, 2026 at 3:08 PM
I've only seen one of these and it's the one everyone's making fun of
The @massago.bsky.social win against Kalshi really exposes how politically clueless many businesses can be. Clearly, they’re doing sports betting. But somehow smart investors thought they wouldn’t have to follow gambling regulations because…?
January 20, 2026 at 10:54 PM
The @massago.bsky.social win against Kalshi really exposes how politically clueless many businesses can be. Clearly, they’re doing sports betting. But somehow smart investors thought they wouldn’t have to follow gambling regulations because…?
For the #mapoli crowd, a trivia question.
Which of these projects do you think, based purely on the timeframes, was a four mile extension alongside existing rail lines, and which tunnelled under an entire city?
Which of these projects do you think, based purely on the timeframes, was a four mile extension alongside existing rail lines, and which tunnelled under an entire city?
January 17, 2026 at 9:37 PM
For the #mapoli crowd, a trivia question.
Which of these projects do you think, based purely on the timeframes, was a four mile extension alongside existing rail lines, and which tunnelled under an entire city?
Which of these projects do you think, based purely on the timeframes, was a four mile extension alongside existing rail lines, and which tunnelled under an entire city?
With the #mapoli legislature back in session, we had Senate Arts, Financial Services, and Bonding Committee hearings. We also had a real debate about the Boston tax shift, which you may have heard about.
But there was one line that really stood out-
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/2026-is-st...
But there was one line that really stood out-
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/2026-is-st...
2026 is starting off with a public vote
A rarity on a Beacon Hill that has moved towards megabills
massachusettsdigest.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:41 PM
With the #mapoli legislature back in session, we had Senate Arts, Financial Services, and Bonding Committee hearings. We also had a real debate about the Boston tax shift, which you may have heard about.
But there was one line that really stood out-
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/2026-is-st...
But there was one line that really stood out-
massachusettsdigest.substack.com/p/2026-is-st...
Trying to decompress at night by reading history. This week it’s a one volume of World War I. No spoilers but the archduke was shot and I’ve got a bad feeling
January 16, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Trying to decompress at night by reading history. This week it’s a one volume of World War I. No spoilers but the archduke was shot and I’ve got a bad feeling
I don't know if other startups use the same metric, but I'm happy to announce that @legislata.com has transcripts of the state legislatures worth 96 electoral votes. Still not enough to get to the White House, but we're working on it.
January 13, 2026 at 8:23 PM
I don't know if other startups use the same metric, but I'm happy to announce that @legislata.com has transcripts of the state legislatures worth 96 electoral votes. Still not enough to get to the White House, but we're working on it.
Anyone here know folks in the Maine public policy world who'd be up for a chat? We're now producing transcripts of committee hearings in Augusta and are curious what other transcript feeds would be useful down east.
January 13, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Anyone here know folks in the Maine public policy world who'd be up for a chat? We're now producing transcripts of committee hearings in Augusta and are curious what other transcript feeds would be useful down east.
Set up transcripts for the Scottish Parliament and saw this:
“The cabinet secretary highlighted the importance of not blaming vandalism solely on young people”
What is happening to Britain, @stephenkb.bsky.social? Blaming the youths are what politicians do!
app.legislata.com/public_offic...
“The cabinet secretary highlighted the importance of not blaming vandalism solely on young people”
What is happening to Britain, @stephenkb.bsky.social? Blaming the youths are what politicians do!
app.legislata.com/public_offic...
Legislata
Legislata
app.legislata.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Set up transcripts for the Scottish Parliament and saw this:
“The cabinet secretary highlighted the importance of not blaming vandalism solely on young people”
What is happening to Britain, @stephenkb.bsky.social? Blaming the youths are what politicians do!
app.legislata.com/public_offic...
“The cabinet secretary highlighted the importance of not blaming vandalism solely on young people”
What is happening to Britain, @stephenkb.bsky.social? Blaming the youths are what politicians do!
app.legislata.com/public_offic...
"For journos and national influencers, Bluesky."
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging govt to leave X, arguing that it should "show direction to others in the UK"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
January 9, 2026 at 4:53 PM
"For journos and national influencers, Bluesky."
Note for #somerpoli since its council meeting time. Transcripts of all of the meetings are available here (along with about 30 other cities and towns) for free. Usually by the next morning: app.legislata.com/public_offic...
Legislata
Legislata
app.legislata.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:24 AM
Note for #somerpoli since its council meeting time. Transcripts of all of the meetings are available here (along with about 30 other cities and towns) for free. Usually by the next morning: app.legislata.com/public_offic...
I wanted to see if the Grok going crazy story was over or underreported and in the first few of its posts I saw a photo of Billie Eilish that Grok put into a swastika bikini with a MAGA hat and this was its reply to someone praising it.
How in the world is this thing still running.
How in the world is this thing still running.
January 7, 2026 at 1:11 AM
I wanted to see if the Grok going crazy story was over or underreported and in the first few of its posts I saw a photo of Billie Eilish that Grok put into a swastika bikini with a MAGA hat and this was its reply to someone praising it.
How in the world is this thing still running.
How in the world is this thing still running.
Since my days are spent trying to understand what’s happening in politics, I’ve decided to get off social media at night and read books about quieter times. First up: the Napoleonic Wars.
January 6, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Since my days are spent trying to understand what’s happening in politics, I’ve decided to get off social media at night and read books about quieter times. First up: the Napoleonic Wars.
Reposted by Chris Oates
Exciting #mapoli news: we've decided to make all of the public info on app.legislata.com - like transcripts of State House committees, Gov Council meetings, etc - completely free for everyone.
Rather than sell subscriptions, it feels better to make it free and support it with sponsorships
Rather than sell subscriptions, it feels better to make it free and support it with sponsorships
January 6, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Exciting #mapoli news: we've decided to make all of the public info on app.legislata.com - like transcripts of State House committees, Gov Council meetings, etc - completely free for everyone.
Rather than sell subscriptions, it feels better to make it free and support it with sponsorships
Rather than sell subscriptions, it feels better to make it free and support it with sponsorships
Exciting #mapoli news: we've decided to make all of the public info on app.legislata.com - like transcripts of State House committees, Gov Council meetings, etc - completely free for everyone.
Rather than sell subscriptions, it feels better to make it free and support it with sponsorships
Rather than sell subscriptions, it feels better to make it free and support it with sponsorships
January 6, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Exciting #mapoli news: we've decided to make all of the public info on app.legislata.com - like transcripts of State House committees, Gov Council meetings, etc - completely free for everyone.
Rather than sell subscriptions, it feels better to make it free and support it with sponsorships
Rather than sell subscriptions, it feels better to make it free and support it with sponsorships
Since this has generated talk from the coffee cup placement, if I were running for office, every photo would have a strategically placed controversial item like engagement-bait Where’s Waldo
Mayor Mamdani hasn't moved into Gracie Mansion yet and remains in his Astoria apartment for now, his team says. He expects to move at some point before his lease is up Jan. 30.
His team also shares this pic of him taking the W train to City Hall this morning from Astoria.
His team also shares this pic of him taking the W train to City Hall this morning from Astoria.
January 2, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Since this has generated talk from the coffee cup placement, if I were running for office, every photo would have a strategically placed controversial item like engagement-bait Where’s Waldo
Thanks to @gintautasd.bsky.social for including me in the @massterlist.com set of New Year’s resolutions.
Though apparently I made a mistake by giving an actual resolution when it looks like the thing to do is recite a policy agenda?
Though apparently I made a mistake by giving an actual resolution when it looks like the thing to do is recite a policy agenda?
January 2, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Thanks to @gintautasd.bsky.social for including me in the @massterlist.com set of New Year’s resolutions.
Though apparently I made a mistake by giving an actual resolution when it looks like the thing to do is recite a policy agenda?
Though apparently I made a mistake by giving an actual resolution when it looks like the thing to do is recite a policy agenda?
Just got an automated sales prospecting email from a SaaS company I already use. These things always clear me of any FOMO I have that my go to market efforts aren’t as good as billion dollar companies
December 30, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Just got an automated sales prospecting email from a SaaS company I already use. These things always clear me of any FOMO I have that my go to market efforts aren’t as good as billion dollar companies
You can pretend like you’re not 40, and then you extricate yourself from a blocked in parking situation and feel like you won the Super Bowl and realize time is inevitable
December 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
You can pretend like you’re not 40, and then you extricate yourself from a blocked in parking situation and feel like you won the Super Bowl and realize time is inevitable
Was at the same restaurant as John Cena tonight and I have to give some credit to that guy’s tailor. Impeccable.
December 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Was at the same restaurant as John Cena tonight and I have to give some credit to that guy’s tailor. Impeccable.
Grinchmanji
Saving Private Grinch
Cool Hand Grinch
December 20, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Grinchmanji