The Capitol Pressroom: Recent Episodes
WCNY
Aug. 10, 2026- We get to know Patrick Martinez, who won a tight Democratic primary in June for an open Assembly seat in Western Queens. He discusses why he wants to serve at the Capitol and what he'll prioritize.
Aug. 10, 2026- A report from the state comptroller's office exposes room for improvement in the administration of a state housing program that serves New York veterans with disabilities. Our guest is Tina Kim, deputy comptroller for the Division of State Government Accountability at the Office of the State Comptroller.
Aug. 10, 2026- In an excerpt of Dispatches from Planet Albany, we talk to State Sen. Shelley Mayer about her new role as chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. The Westchester County Democrat also identifies potential pickups in the state senate.
Aug. 7, 2026- We get to know attorney David Siffert, who won a Democratic Primary in June for a downtown Manhattan Assembly seat. We talk about why they ran, where they'll fit into the Assembly and their legislative priorities.
Aug. 7, 2026- State lawmakers are looking to codify a legal settlement requiring New York's Medicaid program to cover medically necessary dental procedures. We talk about the legislation and access to dental services with Belkys Garcia, a staff attorney in the Civil Law Reform Unit at the Legal Aid Society.
Aug. 7, 2026- This week a state law took effect allowing terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives with the help of a physician. We discuss the implementation of the measure with Nathalie Chara, program director for End of Life Choices New York.
Aug. 6, 2026- We get to know Frank Jereis, who won a Democratic Assembly Primary in June to succeed his retiring boss in a Yonkers-based seat. We discuss his family, the needs of Yonkers schools, and whether he's prepared to buck the Democratic establishment.
Aug. 6, 2026- An independent review of New York's program for court-mandated mental health treatments makes the case that the state should do more to promote voluntary programs. We discuss the findings and the future of the coerced treatment with Dr. Miriam Tepper, chief medical officer at the State Office of Mental Health.
Aug. 6, 2026- Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny, a Southern Brooklyn Republican, makes the case for his re-election bid as he prepares for a rematch this fall against Democrat Chris McCreight.
Aug. 5, 2025- New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn discusses the administration and funding for SNAP benefits, addressing child poverty and whether her office is due for a name change.
Aug. 5, 2026- We are continuing to get to know some of the new faces heading to Albany next year and on this episode we're checking in with attorney David Orkin, a Democratic Socialist who won a Queens Assembly primary in June against incumbent Jenifer Rajkumar.
Aug. 4, 2026 - We sat down with Zoe Jacobs, director of regulatory reform and delivery in the governor's office. We discussed updates to state requirements, identifying outdated rules and regulations with the help of artificial intelligence, and monitored the impact of regulatory changes.
Aug. 4, 2026 - In an excerpt of Dispatches from Planet Albany, Assemblymember Micah Lasher talked about his mandate as Gov. Kathy Hochul's policy director and whether he ever though about deviating from his congressional career trajectory.
Aug. 3, 2026- Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra, a Long Island Republican, reflects on the legislative session and his ambitions to grow the Assembly GOP conference.
Aug. 3, 2026- New York nonprofits that provide services for survivors of sexual violence are bracing for cuts in funding from the state. We explore what this means for the network of support with Emily Miles, executive director for a coalition of service providers for victims of sexual assault in the state.
July 31, 2026 - State health officials are looking to relax the training requirements for certified nurse aides. We hear pushback to the proposal from Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition.
July 31, 2026 - We explore how municipal governments may use artificial intelligence with Tyler Traudt, founder and CEO of DebtBook, a software company in business with some New York localities.
July 31, 2026 - New York Focus education reporter Melissa Manno explains the debate between education stakeholders over the authorization of new charter schools in the Empire State.
July 31, 2026 - Oneida-Madison Electric Cooperative CEO Brian Bell discusses the work of rural electric cooperatives and legislation intended to deter the theft and vandalism of utility infrastructure.
listings by large employers and explains an expanded protection for employees offered a severance agreement.
July 30, 2026- We get to know public defender Eli Northrup, who will be heading to Albany in 2027 after winning the Democratic primary this summer in an open assembly seat on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
July 30, 2026- We check in on the state's ethics watchdog, which is hoping to make upgrades to its lobbying database, but didn't get additional funding in the state budget. Our guest is Sandy Berland, executive director of the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.
July 30, 2026- Deputy State Comptroller for Budget and Analysis Maria Doulis talks about an online dashboard tracking migration behaviors by New Yorkers, including high-income earners critical to funding the state budget.
July 29, 2026- We get to know Adam Bojak, a Democratic Socialist who won the Democratic primary for an open Buffalo Assembly seat. We discuss why he's running and how he'll approach work at the Capitol.
July 29, 2026- New York Focus reporter Benjy Sachs has exposed the woeful staffing levels at oversight boards tasked with monitoring the quality of life for vulnerable New Yorkers in the state's care.
July 29, 2026- After more than a decade, the state has satisfied a legal settlement requiring more than 1,000 New Yorkers with special needs get served in community-based programs. We discuss the resolution with Clarence Sundram, an independent monitor for the settlement.
July 29, 2026- International Window Film Association Executive Director Darrell Smith weighs in on legislation that would relax visible light requirements for passenger and rear windows in automobiles.
July 28, 2026- We get to know real estate attorney George Dobbins, the GOP candidate for the 130th Assembly District, a conservative leaning open seat in the Rochester suburbs. We talk about his decision to run, addressing the state's housing supply and requiring identification to vote.
July 28, 2026- We're joined in the studio by Robert Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to talk about New York's multi-year investment in building out its swimming pool infrastructure.
July 27, 2026- Legislation awaiting the governor's signature would require municipal social workers have panic buttons when making a home visit. We consider this safety proposal with Sharon McLennon Wier, executive director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York.
July 27, 2026- Riverkeeper's associate director of government affairs, Jeremey Cherson, makes the case for codifying a formal state committee and staffer to oversee the long-term preservation and health of the Mohawk River basin.
July 27, 2026- We're joined in the studio by Tim Hogues, commissioner of the state Department of Civil Service, which has been responsible for implementing NY HELPS. We unpack the job filling initiative and discuss initial takeaways from a study of private sector compensation versus the public sector.
July 24, 2026 - Public Service Commission CEO and Chair Rory Christian visits the studio to explain how financial penalties are used to incentivize better customer service by New York's utility operators. We also discuss the state utility regulator's role in developing future nuclear power and data center projects.
July 24, 2026 - After decades of stagnant housing subsidies for low-income New Yorkers, the Hochul administration is being taken to court to boost the shelter allowance offerings. We discuss the case and potential remedy with Susan Antos, managing attorney for the benefits practice group at the Empire Justice Center.
July 24, 2026 - One of the country's largest student loan servicers has been playing hard to get with state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who has been trying for more than six months to get answers about their operations. We talk with the Brooklyn Democrat about his interest in their operations and why he thinks more oversight of this multi-billion dollar industry is warranted.
July 23, 2026 - State lawmakers overwhelmingly backed legislation signing the state up with a multi-state compact allowing psychologists and their patients to work together across borders. We consider the merits of the initiative with Dr. Francis Lee, chair of the psychiatry department at Weill Cornell Medicine.
July 23, 2026 - Assemblyman Phil Steck, a capital region Democrat, makes the case for legislation requiring social media companies to respond to search warrants in a timely fashion.
July 23, 2026 - Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, a Long Island Democrat, talks about his first term in office, including how it compared with his expectations, staying present in the district, and approaching the work with soft eyes.
sheds new light on how the anti-discrimination language might be utilized in the future. We discuss the issue with legal observer Rob Rosborough.
July 22, 2026 - Politico New York reporter Marie French unpacks Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to pause state permitting of large data centers for a year.
July 22, 2026 - We discuss an audit of the state's services for survivors of domestic violence with Kelli Owens, executive director at the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.
July 22, 2026 - Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, a Long Island Democrat, makes the case for ensuring New Yorkers under the care of a guardian can be visited by family members.
July 22, 2026 - Democrat Dan Norton discusses his bid for an open Assembly seat in the Southern Tier. He talks about why he's running and makes the case for local zoning changes.
July 21, 2026 - We share an excerpt from our Dispatches from Planet Albany conversation with Rebecca Garrard, co-executive director for Citizen Action of New York, who discusses the efficacy of protest at New York's Capitol.
July 21, 2026 - State lawmakers are looking to update the penal code's definition of harassment to include different forms of online communications. We talk about the legislation with Jennifer Friedman, senior director of family law and policy at Sanctuary for Families.
July 21, 2026 - In response to increased collisions between boats and marine mammals off New York's coast, state lawmakers want better training for boaters to protect dolphins and whales. We discuss this issues with Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
July 13, 2026 - Northern Rivers Family of Services CEO Bill Gettman shares concerns that behavioral health care providers have about the state's implementation of a settlement to provide mental health services to kids on Medicaid.
July 13, 2026 - Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo, a Southern Tier Democrat, has decided to step away from life at the Capitol after more than two decades of elected service. We explore her retirement, why she initially ran for the Assembly and everything in between.
July 10, 2026- We examine the role licensed home care agencies play in the continuum of care for seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities. We also discuss the licensing and oversight of these agencies with Gwen Crossett, founder of ConstantCare247.
July 10, 2026- Democrats in Albany want the Hochul administration to study the viability of smart guns that would only fire in the hands of an authorized user. We discuss the potential of this technology with Kerri Raissian, executive director of Yale School of Public Health's Firearm Injury Prevention Team and a member of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
July 10, 2026- Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for legislation ensuring that people giving statements to the police are translated accurately when they aren't proficient in English.
July 10, 2026- We consider legislation that would ban a controversial herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson's Disease and has been restricted by countries. Our guest is Zach Hardy, senior state government relations manager at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
July 9, 2026- We get to know Samantha Kattan, a Democratic Socialist working at a housing nonprofit, who is the presumptive next representative for a western Queens Assembly District after winning an open primary in June.
July 9, 2026- Southern Brooklyn Democrat Chris McCreight explains why he is running for the Assembly again and weighs in on the future leadership of the Brooklyn Democrats.
July 9, 2026- A decade ago New York prohibited elephants from being part of circuses and now Gov. Kathy Hochul will have to decide whether other large animals can be part of traveling exhibitions. We discuss legislation approved at the Capitol with Brian Shapiro, state director in New York at the Humane World for Animals.
July 9, 2026- We talked with New York State Council of Professional Geologists Executive Director John Nadeau about legislation reshuffling the state's geological survey bureau and creating a state geologist post in order to make New York eligible for federal geology funds. We also consider how many geologists the state should have on staff.
July 8, 2026 - Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for legislation requiring private insurance companies cover name-brand drugs at the same price as generic alternatives when there is a shortage of the generic drug.
July 8, 2026 - We’re getting to know the politicians destined to join the state legislature, so we’re checking in with Christian Celeste Tate, a progressive Democrat who unseated a Brooklyn Assemblymember in the June primaries. We talk about his expectations for office and his commitment to being present in his district.
July 8, 2026 - Assemblyman Patrick Carroll, a Rockland County Democrat, makes the case for updating New York's protections for consumers of new and used cars. We also reflect on his first term in office.
July 8, 2026 - SUNY Chancellor John King provides an update on the state's free community college initiative, discusses higher education in prison, the funding needs for a unique SUNY campus, and protections for college athletes.
July 7, 2026- Former Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, an Oswego County Republican, joins the show for his exit interview. We discuss his first bid for the Assembly, reflect on his special election loss in 2008 and explore his relationship with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
July 7, 2026- We're getting to know the politicians destined to join the state legislature, so we're checking in with Brian Romero, who won an open Democratic Assembly primary to represent a part of Western Queens.
July 7, 2026- The state court has updated its rules for advertising by lawyers, eliminating restrictions on when solicitation efforts could begin. We discuss this changing landscape with New York State Bar Association President Taa Grays.
July 6, 2026- The Trump administration is suing the state for alleged Medicaid fraud in the operation of a multi-billion dollar home care program serving seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities. We discuss the latest chapter in the transition of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program with Bill Hammond, senior fellow for Health Policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy.
July 3, 2026- We consider the benefits of a statewide right to counsel for New Yorkers facing eviction with Malika Conner, coalition director for The Right to Counsel Coalition.
July 3, 2026- We check in with Assemblymember Michael Cashman, a Plattsburgh Democrat, who reflects on his first legislative session. We discuss his legislative approach, partnerships he developed and expectations for the 2027 session.
July 3, 2026- New York lawmakers approved a number of employee protections this past legislative session, so we get the employer perspective on some of the proposals with Frank Kerbein, director of the Center for Human Resources at the Business Council of New York State. We discuss AI reporting requirements, guaranteeing access to personnel files and an expansion of workers compensation benefits.
July 2, 2026- Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for collecting information about binding arbitration results between customers and businesses.
July 2, 2026- Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat, discusses a new tax rate proposal for vape products and lays out potential guardrails for college athletes.
July 2, 2026- We talk about legislation and regulatory actions that impact utility customers in New York with Laurie Wheelock, executive director Public Utility Law Project of New York. We discuss $1 billion for rebate checks, a commission to review utility costs, and an investigation into utility billing practices.
July 1, 2026- The Hochul administration is taking steps to further the development of new nuclear projects and shedding light on what the future will look like. We explore the latest developments, including a state report, with Tim Knauss, a watchdog reporter on the Public Affairs Team at Syracuse.com and Syracuse Post-Standard.
July 1, 2026- State lawmakers are looking to root out elder abuse by imposing new training requirements on New Yorkers who work with the elderly. We explore this proposal and the hidden world of abuse with Kelly Zunner-Daniels, division leader for the Upstate Elder Abuse Center at Lifespan of Greater Rochester.
July 1, 2026- We discuss legislation requiring the disclosure of generative AI used by news organizations. Our guest is Sam Wheeler, executive director of the Writers Guild of America East.
July 1, 2026- New York Focus education reporter Melissa Manno provides an update on New York's uphill battle to modernize how reading and math are taught in schools.
June 30, 2026 - In a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt, we talk with New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs about the primary results, how Democrats will prepare for November, and his future as the party's leader.
June 30, 2026- New York Lawyers for Public Interest Environmental Justice Director Caroline Chen discusses the danger of extreme heat and makes the case for tracking heat-related deaths in the Empire State.
June 30, 2026- We talk to State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer about the Hochul administration's commitment to providing integrated services to New Yorkers with disabilities as the Trump administration backs off its commitment to local programs.
June 30, 2026- Association of Towns of the State of New York Executive Director Chris Koetzle talks about the legislative session at the Capitol and highlights unfinished business for next year.
June 29, 2026- We unpack the latest survey of voters by the Siena Research Institute, which took the temperature of New Yorkers on the race for governor and a Democratic effort to overhaul redistricting in the Empire State. Our guest is Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
June 29, 2026- We consider the possibility of more affordable and environmentally friendly ways of burying deceased New Yorkers with HK Lee, founder of Aeon Woods, a not-for-profit conservation cemetery.
June 29, 2026 - Assembly Disabilities Committee Chair Angelo Santabarbara, a capital region Democrat, discusses a memo from the Trump administration that has families of New Yorkers with disabilities concerned this will increase the use of institutionalization.
June 26, 2026- State Authorities Budget Office Director Joshua Norkin discusses the lucrative public subsidies local economic development agencies are offering for data center projects.
June 26, 2026- Parks and Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White talks about the 750-mile Empire State Trail's impact and what state officials can do to foster its growth.
June 26, 2026- The U.S. Supreme Court is not weighing in on a challenge to New York's law enabling lawsuits against gun companies. We discuss the implications with the measure's senate champion, Brooklyn Democrat Zellnor Myrie.
June 26, 2026- We shine a spotlight on good government bills approved by state lawmakers, as well as some that didn't make it across the finish line, with Blair Horner, senior policy advisor at the New York Public Interest Research Group.
June 25, 2026- We check in with Bria Nickerson, the recently appointed executive director of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus. We discuss the mission of the caucus and why she's excited about this new opportunity.
June 25, 2026- Assemblymember John McDonald, a capital region Democrat, makes the case for setting a minimum dispensing fee that prescription drug middlemen pay to pharmacists.
June 24, 2026- Assemblymember Landon Dais, a Bronx Democrat, talks about maintaining the state's marijuana supply chain integrity, wages at cannabis dispensaries, and the cannabis regulator in New York.
June 24, 2026- State Authorities Budget Office Director Joshua Norkin talks about a review of the management and spending oversight of an economic development agency in Broome County.
June 24, 2026- New Yorkers on Medicaid will have a more burdensome process of retaining their benefits in 2027 as the result of changes adopted by congressional Republicans and proposed rules from the Trump administration. We consider the potential fallout with Lara Kassel, coalition coordinator at Medicaid Matters NY.
June 24, 2026 - Legislation championed by New York's attorney general that would restrict how a person's online data informed what businesses charged them for goods and services made it through the state legislature. We consider potential downsides for grocery shoppers with Mike Durant, president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York.
June 23, 2026- Assemblymember Karen McMahon, a Buffalo-area Democrat, makes the case for increasing an income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and explains how her proposal gained traction in Albany.
June 23, 2026- We explore legislation expanding New York's firearm storage law to include all gun owners in the state. We talk with the measure's senate sponsor, Manhattan Democrat Erik Bottcher.
June 23, 2026- Host David Lombardo looks back at the session and budget with Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark and Bloomberg Government Capitol reporter Raga Justin. This conversation was recorded for the monthly Capitol Pressroom television broadcast.
June 22, 2026- New York State Budget Director Blake Washington talks about the state's recently adopted budget and the Empire State's financial shape.
June 22, 2026- In a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt we talk about campaign mail with political consultant Trip Yang.
June 19, 2026- State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham reflects on new federal overdose data and reviews initiatives in the state budget.
June 19, 2026- New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person makes the case against a federal tax credit for donations to school scholarships and lays out a push to reduce screen time in schools.
June 19, 2026- Environmental conservation law enforcement efforts have been undermined by a lack of resources and meaningful fines, but Democratic lawmakers are hoping to change that calculation. We discuss a pending legislative proposal with Matt Krug, a vice president with the union representing state environmental conservation officers.
Markets Commissioner Richard Ball talks about a federal disaster declaration requested for fruit farmers whose crops were impacted by a spring frost.
June 17, 2026 - State Liquor Authority Chair Lily Fan talks about relaxing New York's restrictions on where and when alcohol can be enjoyed and a new law restricting some of the fees charged by wholesalers in the industry.
June 17, 2026 - New York City's business interests spent millions lobbying on the state budget. We discuss the final outcomes with Steven Fulop, president and CEO for the Partnership for New York City.
June 17, 2026 - We explore bipartisan legislation designed to stop online outlets from scraping content from news sites and using artificial intelligence to repackage the material. Our guest is Danielle Coffey, president and CEO of the News/Media Alliance.
Advocacy Vice President of Policy Dede Hill and Alliance for a Quality Education Co-Executive Director Marina Marcou-O’Malley.
June 16, 2026- Kathleen Brady-Stepien, president and CEO of the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies, discusses state funding for human services providers and explore the future of foster care providers, which are grappling with high insurance costs and serving a broader swath of family members.
June 16, 2026- We explore the real and perceived powers of a state office responsible for permitting large-scale solar projects and the development of transmission infrastructure. Our guest is Jessica Waldorf, chief of staff and director of policy implementation for the New York State Department of Public Service.
June 15, 2026 - In an excerpt from an upcoming Dispatches from Planet Albany conversation, Politico New York Albany Bureau Chief Nick Reisman shares insights he gleaned from a one-on-one interview with Gov. Kathy Hochul.
June 15, 2026- New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner DaMia Harris-Madden reflects on an overdue state report examining the afterschool care landscape in the Empire State, including what universal access might cost.
June 12, 2026- New York State Troopers PBA President Charles Murphy discusses language in the budget ensuring state police members can get paid time off when they're involved in the use of force that kills or seriously injures someone.
June 11, 2026 - A new report from InUnity Alliance highlights the long delays for New Yorkers in need of community-based services for mental health and substance abuse disorders. We explore the underlying problems and how to address them with Jihoon Kim, the organization's president and CEO.
June 10, 2026- Times Union Investigative Reporter Ezra Bitterman talks about the future development of data centers in New York, including concerns about their energy consumption, debates over their economic value and legislation imposing a one-year moratorium.
June 10, 2026- New York Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps discusses how the state budget impacted cities and villages, including additional aid and new pension costs.
June 10, 2026- We get to know Kathy Moser, the recently confirmed commissioner for the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. We discuss land conservation efforts, making parks more accessible and celebrating the country's 250th birthday.
June 9, 2026-We check in with Taa Grays, the new president of the New York State Bar Association. We discuss her priorities for the organization, the role of a private right to action to protect consumers, and the spotlight on trial lawyers during the budget debate.
June 9, 2026- Politico New York reporter Marie French discusses environmental and energy headlines from the legislative session in Albany, including the horse trading involved in Gov. Kathy Hochul's effort to curtail the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals.
June 9, 2026- New York policymakers on both sides of the aisle got behind budget language that sweetens public sector pensions and comes with an estimated price tag of more than half a billion dollars. We consider why this is a good public policy with Joshua Terry, legislative and political director for CSEA, the state's second largest public sector union.
June 5, 2026 - We examine the top line spending on combatting the opioid epidemic in the recently adopted state budget with Rob Kent, former general counsel at the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports. We also consider regulatory reform to improve the state's capacity.
as the reptiles may be on the road this month in search of a nesting location. We discuss how to handle these situations with Brianna Denoncour, the state Wildlife Action Plan coordinator, and Sandy Van Vraken, a wildlife biologist in the land management section of the state DEC.
June 4, 2026- New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation President and CEO Michael Seereiter highlights the high unemployment rates for New Yorkers with disabilities and discusses the policy and cultural changes needed to address the problem.
June 4, 2026- We explore the expanded use of red-light and speed cameras in New York with Melba Rivera-Irizarry, vice president of strategic accounts for Verra Mobility, which operates hundreds of red light cameras in New York City.
June 4, 2026- Politico New York reporter Katelyn Cordero talks about the health care funding that made it into the state budget and what got left out of the final deal.
June 4, 2026- State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee Chair, Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, weighs in on the development of New York City casinos, the future of prediction markets and the fate of subsidies for horse racing.
June 3, 2026- State Sen. George Borrello, a Western New York Republican, calls on Gov. Kathy Hochul to suspend the state's taxes on gasoline to provide some relief at the pump in light of high fuel prices for drivers.
June 3, 2026- Food date labels can be misleading and lead to wasted food, so Democratic lawmakers are considering standardizing these practices with meaningful terms. We discuss this campaign with Claire Walsh Winsler, director of food, agriculture, and land use for Environmental Advocates NY.
June 3, 2026- New York Democrats are looking to gain an upper hand in future congressional races, with changes to the redistricting process that will allow for blatant partisan gerrymandering and eliminate when new lines can be drawn. We explore the proposed changes with Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and distinguished adjunct professor with the New York Law School’s Census and Redistricting Institute.
June 2, 2026- Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses language in the state budget - championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul - that is supposed to bring down car insurance costs.
foster care system. We explore the issue with Betsy Kramer, director of policy and special litigation at Lawyers for Children.
June 2, 2026- Jordan Nathan, founder and CEO of Caraway, an eco-friendly cookware company, makes the case for legislation would restrict the sale of pots and pans that use Teflon.
June 2, 2026- Allergy Advocates New York Executive Director Toni Taylor and parent advocate Amy Weber discuss legislation requiring restaurant menus to disclose major allergens.
June 1, 2026- Common Cause New York Executive Director Susan Lerner makes the case for a package of bills designed to ensure eligible voters can cast their ballot.
June 1, 2026- We break down what the state budget means for schools, including education aid to districts and delaying a transition to zero-emission school buses. Our guest is Brian Fessler, chief advocacy officer for the New York State School Boards Association.
June 1, 2026- Assemblymember Pat Burke, a Buffalo-area Democrat, discusses the legislative efforts to make psilocybin available for mental health conditions in New York.
May 29, 2026- We examine what comes next for the regulation of wetlands in New York after the Hochul administration chose not to challenge a court ruling limiting wetland protection rules. Our guest is Tom Berkman, a partner at Hodgson Russ and former general counsel for the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
May 29, 2026- State Office of Cannabis Management Chief Medical Officer Dr. June Chin discusses the findings from a listening tour that solicited feedback from young people, including what they know and the questions they have about marijuana.
May 29, 2026- Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat, discusses language in the state budget that redefines the relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials.
May 28, 2026- National Jewish Advocacy Center CEO Mark Goldfeder wants to write into state law a widely used, but controversial definition of antisemitism. We consider why a definition is needed in state law and what it should include.
May 28, 2026- Assemblymember Pamela Hunter, a Syracuse Democrat, wants to expand state criminal law to make it easier for prosecutors to bring charges against sex traffickers.
May 28, 2026- New York Farm Bureau Director of Public Policy Renée St. Jacques argues against legislation restricting the sale and use of a herbicide banned in dozens of countries.
May 28, 2026- Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer makes the case for updating state law governing the use and oversight of state-land in the Adirondacks.
May 27, 2026- State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, discusses the effort to adopt more consumer friendly regulations for live-event ticket purchasing. He talks about a federal anti-trust lawsuit and his pending legislation.
May 27, 2026- We explore the state of dams in New York and how best to oversee their maintenance or removal. Our guests are Laura Rabinow, director of research for the Rockefeller Institute of Government, and Mathilda Scott, a policy analyst with the organization.
May 26, 2026- State Sen. Lea Webb, a Southern Tier Democrat, provides an update on the state task force exploring the problem of missing women of color in New York.
May 26, 2026- The state Commission on Correction is supposed to get a shakeup of its leadership and mandate under state law, but not much has happened yet. We discuss the prison oversight agency with Yonah Zeitz, director of advocacy at the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, and Ziyadah Amatul-Matin, a member of the organization.
May 22, 2026-Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven Technologies, makes the case for creating alternatives to the yellow school bus to transport kids for school-related activities.
May 22, 2026- On the latest Dispatches from Planet Albany, New York Working Families Party Director Jasmine Gripper explain why her organization is sitting out the Democratic primary for state comptroller and highlights their effort to influence the state senate.
May 22, 2026- We explore a coordinated effort to use cryptocurrency kiosks to scam seniors and consider a potential legislative response. Our guest is Bill Ferris, state legislative representative with AARP New York.
May 22, 2026- State Sen. Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for his package of bills that are designed to prevent deed theft and ensure penalties for bad actors.
May 21, 2026- Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for amending New York's state constitution to accelerate and overhaul the redistricting process to boost his party's edge in the congressional delegation.
May 21, 2026- Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her legislation making it easier for New Yorkers living in apartments to generate their own solar power.
May 21, 2026- We discuss a potential update to the state's Child Victims Act that would ensure government entities could be found liable for sexual abuse that happens at foster care organizations they contract with. Our guest is attorney Jeff Herman.
May 20, 2026- State Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, discusses his bill giving New Yorkers more opportunities to change their health insurance coverage if a health care provider they rely on leaves their network.
May 20, 2026- Assemblymember Sarah Clark, a Rochester-area Democrat, explains why she thinks New York needs to level the playing field in home purchases. Her legislation is designed to promote the practice of property inspections for buyers.
May 13, 2026 - Could direct contracting for health care services be a cheaper alternative to employer-sponsored health insurance coverage? We explore how this type of self-insurance is utilized in New York with Courtney Burke, senior fellow for health policy at the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
May 13, 2026 - Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for updating New York's stalking laws to make it easier to obtain orders of protection against non-family members.
May 12, 2026- Efforts in New York to scale back the use of a popular coolant that contributes to climate change has generated bipartisan pushback. We discuss what the implementation of these restrictions should look like with Richie Kaur, senior super pollutant reduction advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
May 12, 2026- New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe makes the case for the state to stay on track with the implementation of a 2019 state law designed to reduce the Empire State's carbon footprint. We discuss about regulatory and legislative efforts to curb the ambitious law.
May 12, 2026-We talk about education services in state's prisons and how these programs can help incarcerated New Yorkers return to society. Our guest is Trent Griffin-Braaf, founder of Success Map Initiative.
May 11, 2026- State law requires school districts to adopt zero-emission school buses by 2035, so we discuss the implementation of this controversial mandate with Adam Ruder, director of clean transportation for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
May 11, 2026- The increase in online ordering has driven up the number of warehouses across the state, with environmentalists raising concerns about the concentrated pollution from delivery vehicles. We discuss pending legislation designed to curb the environmental risk with Sasan Saadat, senior research and policy analyst at Earthjustice.
May 11, 2026- Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, talks about regulatory changes to ensure vulnerable kids are getting the behavioral health services they need. He also makes some last-minute pitches for the state budget and laments this year's budget process.
May 8, 2026- We explore the effort to preserve and grow the Atlantic and Shortnose sturgeon population in the Hudson River. Our guest is Amanda Higgs, a fisheries biologist with the State Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Marine Resources and Cornell University.
May 8, 2026- We talk to New York State Association of Cemeteries Legislative Director David Fleming about issues facing non-profit cemeteries across the Empire State, including long-term financing of operations.
May 8, 2026- Legislation has been kicking around the Capitol for more than a decade that would promote more specialized care for New Yorkers with sickle cell disease. We discuss this effort with Ginger Davis, president of the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network.
May 8, 2026- Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, fills in some of the details on the proposed state budget, which is finally taking shape, despite the protestations from state lawmakers that there are still many unresolved questions.
May 7, 2026- We check in with New York Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan, as part of mental health awareness month, to talk about the need for mental health services in the Empire State and what the Hochul administration is doing to meet the demand.
lending industry. We consider what the rules should look like with Miranda Margowsky, head of communications for the Financial Technology Association.
April 30, 2026-We consider what happens to people facing criminal charges and are found not guilty because of a medical condition. We talk about reforming the mental health system with Garrett Smith, a statewide organizer for the Center for Community Alternatives, and Jayette Lansbury, a member of the New York State Criminal Justice Committee for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
May 6, 2026- State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, talks about updating New York's sex trafficking laws and hearing from victims of Jeffrey Epstein at a legislative committee meeting.
May 6, 2026- Democrat Mary Finneran discusses her bid for a deep-red Assembly seat, including her path to victory and policies she would prioritize.
May 6, 2026- We get to know Assemblymember Keith Powers, a Manhattan Democrat, who won a special election earlier this year after serving eight years in the New York City Council.
May 5, 2026- Assemblymember Joe Angelino, a Central New York Republican, discusses his effort to incentivize more volunteer first responders and reflects on the challenge of moving legislation at the Capitol when you're in the minority.
May 5, 2026- Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, discusses a package of bills designed to help New Yorkers make healthy food decisions.
May 5, 2026 - Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the GOP gubernatorial nominee, discusses what he would do as governor to bring down energy costs and combat child poverty. He also explains how he would approach the Democratic majorities in the state legislature.
May 4, 2026- In advance of the World Cup and America's 250th Birthday Celebration, Gov. Kathy Hochul tapped former NYC Council Member Justin Brannan, to serve as her senior director for major event operations. He joined the show to talk about his mandate and the big summer in New York.
Clark, discusses legislation that would make lobbyists and their clients go into greater detail about their positions on pending legislation.
May 4, 2026- Empire State Passengers Association Executive Director Steve Strauss makes the case for Metro North to offer train service north of Poughkeepsie and discusses how it could be implemented.
May 4, 2026- New York State Community Action Association CEO Tim Nichols wants the state to reverse course on plans to divert money away from home weatherization, which helps lower energy consumption and utility bills for low-income New Yorkers.
May 1, 2026- The New York Foundling President and CEO Melanie Hartzog discusses programs designed to prevent child abuse and discusses the network needed to support survivors of abuse.
May 1, 2026- A state law designed to limit rent increases for mobile park residents could get stronger teeth if an update is approved by the governor. We discuss the pending measure with Yvonne Maldonado, former New York organizer for Manufactured Housing Action.
May 1, 2026- Assemblymember Michael Cashman, a Plattsburgh Democrat, shares ideas to address safety in New York prisons.
May 1, 2026- We revisit the dispute resolution process for determining the reimbursement rates for out-of-network emergency services. Our guest is Dr. Thomas Lee, executive vice president of the Medical Society of the State of New York.
April 30, 2026- Assemblymember Pamela Hunter, a Syracuse Democrat, makes the case for a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for how automated license plate readers can be used and their data stored.
April 30, 2026- Voters for Animal Rights President Allie Taylor explains why New York should ban octopus farming, even though the practice hasn't been developed for commercial use yet.
April 29, 2026- We sit down with Robert Rodriguez, president and CEO of the New York State Dormitory Authority, which helps finance many of the state government's capital priorities. We talk about the evolution of the authorities mandate, the experience with marijuana dispensaries and their capacity to take capital upgrades in the SUNY and CUNY system.
April 29, 2026-We consider the merits of legislation restricting the sale of nonstick pots and pans made with Teflon in New York. Our guest is Kevin Messner, a senior vice president of public affairs for the manufacturer Groupe SEB and representative of the Cookware Sustainability Alliance.
April 27, 2026- A plan from Democratic state lawmakers to safeguard the online experience of kids would have unintended consequences for LGBTQ New Yorkers, according to Shae Gardner, policy director for LGBT Tech.
April 27, 2026- State policymakers are considering legislation that would restrict a host of potentially problematic chemicals from being used in beauty products. We hear the case for these broad restrictions from Oriene Shin, a manager for safety advocacy at Consumer Reports.
April 27, 2026- Gov. Kathy Hochul has embraced a surcharge on second homes in New York City worth more than $5 million as a way to address the Big Apple's finances. But the proposal has logistical challenges that we unpack with Martha Stark, a New York City finance commissioner in the Bloomberg administration.
April 28, 2026- We highlight legislation that would make it easier for incarcerated New Yorkers to shorten their prison sentences with good behavior. Our guests is Katie Schaffer, director of advocacy and organizing at Center for Community Alternatives.
April 28, 2026- State Sen. Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, pitches a package of bills catering to crime victims and argues that policymakers could do a better job responding to the wishes of crime victims and their families.
April 24, 2026- Keene Town Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson talks about managing the visitors to the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks following a controversial report that recommended capping attendance to certain spots.
April 24, 2026- New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang discusses her office's report on workers' compensation fraud in 2025.
April 24, 2026- The door to fracking in the Southern Tier has seemed closed for more than a decade, but a new lawsuit may give new life to the idea. We discuss the case in federal court with Yvonne Hennessey, a partner with Barclay Damon.
April 23, 2026- State policymakers are weighing whether to disconnect a state tax break for manufacturers from a federal credit that was made more lucrative this summer. Our guest is Todd Tranum, executive director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier.
April 23, 2026- Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito talks about the proliferation of toxic forever chemicals, including in vegetables, and makes the case for cutting the spread off at the source.
April 23, 2026- The process for authorizing charter schools in New York is in the crosshairs of New York's powerful teachers' union. We discuss their concerns with Bob Lowry, deputy director for advocacy, research, and communications for the Council of School Superintendents, which is backing the union's legal challenge.
April 23, 2026- Reinvent Albany Executive Director John Kaehny talks about the relationship between municipalities and state government and makes the case for giving localities more authority.
Wagering Committee Chair Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, talks about steps the state can do to prevent problem gambling with the expansion of gambling opportunities.
April 22, 2026- Civil rights activists and health care professionals want to ensure pregnant women provide informed consent before submitting to alcohol and drug screenings. Our guest is Dr. Erinma Ukoha, an OB-GYN and a maternal fetal medicine specialist.
April 22, 2026- Adirondack Council Director of Communications John Sheehan makes the case for having state regulators take additional steps to promote the remote nature of the Adirondack Park.
April 21, 2026- State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains his concerns with Gov. Kathy Hochul's latest effort to redefine the working relationship between federal immigration officials and local law enforcement.
April 21, 2026- State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson talks about navigating the Trump administration, new pathways for crime victims to receive support, and overcoming challenges funding community organizations.
April 21, 2026- The process to resolve disputes over out-of-network medical billing has become a very lucrative dynamic for healthcare providers, but Gov. Kathy Hochul and health insurers want to reform the dynamic. Our guest is Bill Hammond, senior fellow for Health Policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy.
shares his concerns with the governor's budget approach, and addresses the fiscal woes of New York's cities.
April 20, 2026- Legislation in New York and states around the country would limit when a criminal defendant's creative expression - such as their original music - can be used against them in a trial. Our guest is Todd Dupler, chief advocacy and public policy officer for the Recording Academy.
April 20, 2026- New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez talks about Gov. Kathy Hochul's approach to combatting potholes in the Empire State.
April 17, 2026- In a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt, we speak to Democrat Thomas Boomhower about his longshot bid to flip a rural Assembly seat from red to blue.
April 17, 2026- We explore a court ruling invalidating state wetland regulations designed to implement protections adopted into law in 2022. Our guests are Roger Downs, conservation director of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, and Drew Gamils, senior attorney with Riverkeeper.
April 16, 2026- Mamaroneck High School Students Max Dowell and Mark Lebowitz make the case for an amendment to the state constitution that would make primary voting open to New Yorkers who turn 18 between the primary and general elections.
April 16, 2026- State Sen. Chris Ryan, a Syracuse-area Democrat, wants to delay state rules limiting access to chemicals that are integral for existing cooling systems, but are major greenhouse gas contributors. His legislation was align New York's restrictions with federal guidelines.
April 16, 2026- Times Union Investigative Reporter Ezra Bitterman explains why the developers of clean energy projects are looking for additional funding from the state and how reluctance to pony up additional dollars could kill the initiative.
April 16, 2026- While Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to backtrack on the implementation of New York's greenhouse gas reduction law from 2019, a former state energy official is calling for New York policymakers to lean into this mission. We talk about implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act with Jamie Dickerson, senior director of Clean Energy and Climate Programs at Acadia Center.
April 15, 2026- We highlight funding requests for state programs designed to maximize utilization of federal anti-hunger programs. We talk about the potential return on investment with Krista Hesdorfer, director of Public Affairs at Hunger Solutions New York.
April 15, 2026- New York Solar Energy Industries Association Executive Director Noah Ginsburg talks about what the state could do to accelerate the deployment of home and community solar projects.
April 15, 2026 - Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, provides an update on state budget negotiations. He weighs in on a lobbying campaign from Uber and car insurance companies, identifies budget priorities for the Senate Democrats, and explores New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's influence in the budget process.
April 14, 2026- We get to know State Sen. Erik Bottcher, a Manhattan Democrat, who won a special election earlier this year. We discuss his policy area priorities, adjusting to life outside of the New York City Council and factoring the needs of all New Yorkers.
April 14, 2026- We explore the state budget priorities of students at New York's public colleges and universities with the help of Luca Rallis, president of the SUNY Student Assembly.
April 14, 2026- We talk with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's election attorney, Adam Fusco, about his lawsuit against the state Public Campaign Finance Board, which denied matching campaign funds to his bid for governor.
April 13, 2026 - In a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt, we explore whether any of the Democratic outsiders challenging state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in the party primary could be successful this summer. Our guest is Alex Elmasri, vice president of operations and growth for The Parkside Group.
April 13, 2026- In advance of an Albany screening of a documentary about censorship we talk with state Librarian Lauren Moore about efforts to ensure a diverse collection of thoughts and values on the shelves of New York libraries.
April 13, 2026- Just a few years after expanding health insurance coverage for Medicaid patients with cancer to include biomarker screenings, Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to limit access to the diagnostic tool. We talk about the coverage fight in the state budget negotiations with Michael Davoli, senior director of government relations in New York for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
April 10, 2026- We highlight a proposed amendment to New York's Constitution that would mandate the state take care of the mental health needs of people in the Empire State. We consider what the language would mean with James Norton, government and community affairs manager for the New York State of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
April 10, 2026- Legislation would empower the state to declare a disaster in the event of hazardous air conditions. We discuss the potential ramifications with Max Micallef, New York advocacy manager on clean air initiatives with the American Lung Association.
April 10, 2026- State Senate Consumer Protection Committee Chair Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, wants to empower home camera owners with informed consent about how their footage might be used. We also address a spiraling misconception about her legislation dealing with transmission lines.
April 10, 2026- A federal program providing hospitals and clinics access to discounted prescription medicines to subsidize care for low-income patients is being accused of being wasteful and opaque. We consider this critique with Bill Smith, senior fellow at the conservative Pioneer Institute.
April 9, 2026- A coalition of major business interests in the Big Apple are launching an advertising campaign opposing higher taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and large corporations in the state budget. We talk about the opposition with Steven Fulop, president and CEO of Partnership for New York City.
April 9, 2026- Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay, a Hudson Valley Democrat, discusses her legislation requiring a prompt response by utilities when they're notified about downed electrical wires.
April 9, 2026- We discuss an increase in veteran suicides in New York during 2023, the latest year with available federal data. Our guest is Derek Coy, senior program officer for the New York Health Foundation.
April 8, 2026 - Assemblymember Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for requiring insurance companies to cover acupuncture services prescribed by a health care providers.
April 8, 2026 - Assemblymember Matt Simpson, an Adirondack Republican, discusses his concerns about solar projects eating up green space and also advocates against land restrictions for oil and gas extraction.
April 8, 2026 - State Senate Aging Committee Chair Cordell Cleare, a Harlem Democrat, and Dan Savitt, president and CEO of VNS Health, call for updating how the state distributes Medicaid dollars for long-term care in order to ensure funding is available for New Yorkers with intense needs.
April 8, 2026 - The Trump administration seems poised to greenlight a major Hollywood merger without much scrutiny, so we consider whether state attorneys general can intervene. We discuss the powers of New York's attorney general with Phillip Berenbroick, senior strategist at the American Economic Liberties Project.
April 7, 2026- Education Trust-New York Executive Director Arlen Benjamin-Gomez makes the case for delaying the implementation of a state law requiring New York City public schools hit classroom size ratios that they won't be able to achieve this fall.
April 7, 2026- Assemblymember Sarah Clark, a Rochester-area Democrat, provides an update on child care negotiations in the state budget.
April 7, 2026- We explore how the Hochul administration is responding to federal changes that will impact how 1.7 million low-income New Yorkers get high-quality affordable health insurance. Our guest is Danielle Holahan, executive director of NY State of Health.
April 6, 2026- Assemblymember Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, talks about updating the alcohol laws in the Empire State, including rules governing licensing and where drinks can be sold.
April 6, 2026- We explore the state of New York's psychiatric care system for children with severe mental health needs. Our guest is Northern Rivers Family of Services CEO Bill Gettman.
April 6, 2026- New York Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps makes the case for increasing state support for municipalities and responds to a campaign to sweeten pensions for public employees.
April 6, 2026- We explore how the governor's budget proposal might impact New Yorker's with disabilities with Michael Seereiter, president and CEO of the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation.
April 3, 2026- We explore legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, that aims to curb the time hospitals have to wait to get paid by insurance companies.
April 3, 2026- State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald discusses efforts to ensure that New York's kids have access to vaccines regardless of shifting immunization policies at the federal level.
April 3, 2026- New York's transmission system is in need of a major overhaul, but could efficiencies be implemented in the short term? We discuss the potential of grid upgrades with Kristina Persaud, New York policy lead for the trade association Advanced Energy United.
April 2, 2026- We get to know State Sen. Jeremy Zellner, a Buffalo-area Democrat, who won a special election earlier this year. He discusses his legislative and budget priorities.
April 2, 2026- Assemblymember Patrick Carroll, a Rockland County Democrat, makes the case for ending the state government's blanket liability exemption from vehicle damages caused by potholes during winter months.
April 2, 2026- The Building Trades Employers’ Association President and CEO Elizabeth Crowley discusses a report finding that New York's construction liability laws are driving up costs without keeping workers safer.
April 2, 2026- Assemblymember Chris Eachus, a Hudson Valley Democrat, explains his legislation designed to make pepper spray more accessible for New Yorkers looking for a non-lethal defense tool.
April 1, 2026- Assemblymember Landon Dais, a Bronx Democrat, talks about efforts to track the origin of marijuana that ends up on shelves, preventing illegal cannabis products from being sold in New York, and his leadership role on marijuana issues at the Capitol.
April 1, 2026- State Sen. Thomas O'Mara, a Southern Tier Republican, argues that the governor hasn't gone far enough to scale back New York's green energy laws and calls for an aggressive utility relief program using clean energy funds.
April 1, 2026- State Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, explains a proposal to ensure that more than 400,000 New Yorkers poised to lose their government health insurance this summer will still be covered by the state.
March 31, 2026 - In an excerpt of Dispatches from Planet Albany, Republican Marc Molinaro explains why he is running for the state Assembly more than a decade after he left the chamber and got elected to multiple other offices.
March 31, 2026- Assemblymember Steven Raga, a Queens Democrat, and Katy Lasell, of the New Economy Project, make the case for rewriting New York's consumer protection laws to regulate the latest evolution of payday lenders that are skirting existing restrictions on loans.
March 31, 2026- A report from the state's Rural Ambulance Services Task Force paints a bleak picture on the reliability of emergency medical services in rural communities, while also offering ideas for improving the landscape. Our guests are task force members Aidan O'Connor, executive director of Greenport Rescue Squad, and Michael Benenati, an EMS coordinator with Ulster County.
funding to go to community-based organizations providing alternatives to incarceration. We also check on the status of budget negotiations, including the possibility of compromise on outstanding points of disagreement.
March 27, 2026- In 2022, Democratic state policymakers rushed through a gun control law following the mass shooting in Buffalo. Now the state is having to walk back a part of the law requiring the disclosure of social media accounts to apply for a concealed carry permit. We discuss the problems with this defunct initiative with Adam Scott Wandt, an associate professor of public policy at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
March 27, 2026- Following a failed attempt to use a drone to deliver prison contraband, we explore what items are forbidden in prisons and the efforts to keep them out. Our guest is Jennifer Scaife, executive director of the Correctional Association of New York.
March 26, 2026- We explore what the Empire State is doing this year to commemorate the founding of America with David Frank, assistant commissioner at the State Education Department, which co-leads the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission.
March 26, 2026- Empire State Association of Assisted Living Executive Director Lisa Newcomb makes the case for increased state funding to help cover the cost of specialized care for New Yorkers with Alzheimer's.
March 26, 2026- We examine the logistical, fiscal and regulatory burdens preventing vacant commercial properties upstate from being converted into housing. Our guest is Jeff Buell, the principal with Sequence Development.
March 25, 2026- New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels makes the case for extending mayoral control of public schools in the Big Apple. He discusses accountability measures, input from stakeholders and compromises with state lawmakers.
which has been narrowly interpreted in court rulings since 2002. Our guest is Thomas Berkman, a partner at Hodgson Russ and former general counsel for the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
March 25, 2026- We explore the availability of high-speed, affordable internet in New York and consider increasing the state's oversight of internet providers. We speak with Becca Miller, director of the Legislative and Political Department at the Communications Workers of America District 1.
March 24, 2026- In light of the Trump administration's inquiry into New York's Medicaid program, we consider the existing oversight of the program and the potential for more efficient spending. Our guest is Carlos Cuevas, founder of Safety-Net Health Advisors and former senior policy advisor to the New York State Medicaid Director.
March 24, 2026- We explore the shortage of engineers in New York and the potential of liability reforms for engineering work done as part of disaster relief. Our guest is John Evers, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York.
March 24, 2026- Earthjustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's potential rollbacks of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and argues the changes won't prevent energy cost increases.
March 23, 2026- We highlight the struggle to access supervised visitation in New York and consider how a well funded state system could keep families together. Our guest is Sheila Schwanekamp, a member of the New York State Coalition for Supervised Visitation.
March 23, 2026- State Sen. Anthony Palumbo, a Long Island Republican, discusses an ethics complaint against New York's chief judge, who commented on the type of judges voters should elect.
March 23, 2026- We explore the health of New York's nursing homes and how they could be strengthened with Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of New York State Health Facilities Association and New York State Center for Assisted Living.
March 23, 2026- Home Care Association of New York State President and CEO Al Cardillo makes the case for thinking more holistically about home care in the health care system and identifies policies and funding to boost the industry.
March 20, 2026- We're joined in the studio by New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James to talk about recruitment efforts, their relationship with federal immigration officials, curbing auto insurance fraud, and takeaways from a leadership scandal.
March 20, 2026- Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, a Rochester-area Democrat, shares concerns with statutory changes proposed in Gov. Kathy Hochul's plans to lower car insurance rates.
March 19, 2026- For decades the personal allowance afforded to New Yorkers on Medicaid in nursing homes has been stagnant. We consider the argument for increasing the available spending cash with Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition.
March 19, 2026- New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas makes the case for scaling back environmental protections to promote housing growth and provides an update on a housing voucher pilot program.
March 19, 2026- National Grid Ventures U.S. President Will Hazelip looks to build support for overhauling power plants that are decades old. We discuss the regulatory landscape and living within the state's green energy goals.
March 19, 2026- We assess plans to reduce energy prices and Gov. Kathy Hochul's campaign to roll back New York's green energy goals with Marie French, energy and environment reporter for Politico New York.
March 18, 2026- In part two of our conversation with Sports Betting Alliance President and CEO Joe Maloney we discuss betting restrictions on New York collegiate sports and regulations on push notifications through smartphones.
March 18, 2026- A report from the watchdog Available to All highlights the de facto segregation in New York's schools and the policies that contribute to the division. We explore potential policy responses with Tim DeRoche, the group's president.
March 18, 2026- Assembly Task Force on Women's Issues Chair Jessica González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, discusses budget priorities for the task force, including increased investment in food assistance for new mothers and support for reproductive healthcare.
March 18, 2026- State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, a Hudson Valley Democrat and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, make the case for legislation creating criminal penalties for company executives whose decisions contribute to property damage or serious injuries.
March 17, 2026- In part one of our conversation with Sports Betting Alliance President and CEO Joe Maloney he makes the case for the adoption of online casino gambling in New York and discusses the sports gambling disruption of prediction markets.
March 17, 2026- Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses efforts to boost access to primary care in order to save money and improve health outcomes.
March 17, 2026- State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for increasing taxes and limiting tax deductions in the state budget in order to increase spending on programs like child care and the social safety net.
March 16, 2026- We talk with professional genealogist Alec Ferretti about the challenge of accessing records maintained by state health officials and consider accessibility improvements.
March 16, 2026- Gov. Kathy Hochul is moving forward with efforts to develop new nuclear power projects, but what will that rollout look like and how long could it take? We try to answer these questions with the help of Ekin Senlet and Paul Powers, who are part of the nuclear team formed by Barclay Damon.
March 13, 2026- State Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses funding for schools, access to pre-k, immigration reform, and the future of the Senate Democratic leadership.
March 13, 2026- Mental Health Association in New York State CEO Glenn Liebman makes the case for investing in a statewide expansion of teen mental health first aid training.
March 13, 2026- We sit down with Zoe Jacobs, who is tasked with leading Gov. Kathy Hochul's effort to cut red tape in state government. The campaign is currently soliciting input from the public.
March 13, 2026- We get to know Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, the state's chief AI officer. We discuss her background, coordinating with state agencies and opportunities to use artificial intelligence.
March 12, 2026- New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley highlights common consumer complaints received by his department's division of consumer protection and identifies steps being taken to address bad actors.
March 12, 2026- State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, shares insights from a recent hearing he led on white-collar crime in New York and offers up potential policy responses. He also foreshadows a deeper investigation into student loan services.
March 12, 2026- State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, talks about chronic absenteeism, which has become a big problem following the pandemic, and lays out a legislative response.
March 11, 2026- We talk about regulating utilities, providing energy relief to ratepayers and the future of New York's statutory emission reduction goals with Brian Welsch, a vice president at National Fuel, a gas-only utility serving western New York.
March 11, 2026- A 2022 state law designed to prevent the dilution of racial and ethnic minorities in election districts is starting to have real consequences, as municipalities are changing their approach to elections as the result of lawsuits. We talk about the underlying law and the changes its bringing with David Imamura, an attorney promoting the implementation of the measure.
March 11, 2026 - Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark assesses some of the budget priorities of the legislative majorities, including their commitment to raising taxes.
March 10, 2026- A board controlling funds for civil legal services is being undermined by Gov. Kathy Hochul. We discuss the holdup and what it could mean for low-income families with Kristin Brown, president and CEO of the Empire Justice Center.
March 10, 2026- We dive into Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to address car insurance costs, including utilizing the state's excess profit law, with the help of Kaitlin Asrow, acting superintendent for the state Department of Financial Services.
March 10, 2026- New York Charter Schools Association CEO Anna Hall provides an explainer on the role public charter schools play in the Empire State and makes the case for updating how the state funds their operations.
March 9, 2026- We learn about the role community schools play in integrating a variety of services into academic settings. Our guest is Kelly Sperduto, director community schools for the Greece Central School District.
March 9, 2026- The acting head of the state Office of Cannabis Management, John Kagia, talks about his short-term goals and addresses the new seed-to-sale tracking system and the struggling medical marijuana landscape.
March 9, 2026- We chat about the lack of wheelchair accessible rides provided by services like Uber and Lyft. Our guests are Justin Wood and Eman Rimawi-Doster, from New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.
March 6, 2026 - Agudath Israel of America Director of New York Government Relations Yeruchim Silber speaks out against efforts to change how parents of kids with disabilities in private school access special services.
March 6, 2026 - Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson ValleyDemocrat and Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capital Region Democrat, share a plan for lowering energy costs and consider whether the state's emission goals need to be relaxed.
March 5, 2026- Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, talks about the prison landscape a year after an illegal strike rocked the system and continues to have ramifications for people living and working in correction facilities.
March 5, 2026- Assemblymember Emérita Torres, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for prohibiting companies from setting online prices based on a shopper's personal data and wants to require disclosure for other forms of automated pricing.
March 5, 2026 - New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew makes the case for sweetening retirement benefits for teachers in order to address recruitment and retention challenges at schools.
March 4, 2026- Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwen Craig explains how the state made it difficult for a nonprofit in the Adirondacks to utilize a grant for a land purchase and four years later they're looking to unload the property as a result.
March 4, 2026- We consider what the governor's budget does (and doesn't do) to address food insecurity with the help of Natasha Pernicka, executive director of The Alliance for a Hunger Free New York. We also consider the fallout from federal changes to SNAP eligibility.
March 4, 2026- We talk about tariff ambiguity, emissions restrictions and energy demands with Randy Wolken, president and CEO of MACNY, the Manufacturers Association.
March 3, 2026- Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal slashes state support for programs and resources designed to help New Yorkers with disabilities remain independent. We discuss the proposed budget cuts and accessible transportation with Tyler Whitney, president and CEO of Southern Adirondack Independent Living, and Lindsay Miller, executive director for New York Association on Independent Living.
March 3, 2026- The state's volunteer firefighter numbers are about two-thirds of what they were two decades ago, so we talked with Firefighters Association of the State of New York Secretary John D’Alessandro about ideas to boost those numbers.
March 2, 2026- New York policymakers have until the end of the year to enroll in a federal tax credit program incentivizing contributions to scholarship-giving organizations. We consider this proposal, which is being championed by private schools, with Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference.
Feb. 27, 2026- State Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, laments the governor abandoning an expansion of for-hire autonomous vehicles and calls for a new car registration fee to fund public transit.
Feb. 27, 2026- We consider the implications of changing a Medicaid payout to emergency medical service providers with Thomas Coyle, president of Monroe Ambulance transportation and chair of the United New York Ambulance Network, and Bryan Brauner, CEO of Twin City Ambulance.
Feb. 27, 2026- Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, talks about investing in child care workers, addressing foster care liability costs, looking out for young people in juvenile detention, and support for domestic violence services.
Community Protection Act. Gov. Kathy Hochul is making the case that the law is driving up costs and needs to be amended.
Feb. 26, 2026- Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, lays out his pitch for New York to host a future winter Olympics, with Lake Placid and New York City hosting various games.
Feb. 26, 2026- SUNY Chancellor John King discusses the campus upkeep funding needs at public colleges and universities, the expansion of free community college for adults, and holding the line on SUNY tuition.
Feb. 26, 2026- Miguel Velázquez, CEO of Regional Transit Service and president of New York Public Transit Association, makes the case for a recurring $25 charge on drivers to fund public transit systems outside of New York City, which are in need of dedicated operating funds to improve services.
Feb. 26, 2026- We explore some of the health care proposals in the governor's budget and consider how the state might spend unanticipated federal dollars. Our guest is Paul Francis, chair of the Step Two Policy Project.
Feb. 25, 2026- State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham addresses marijuana and sports gambling addictions, explains how the state wants to treat New Yorkers with co-occurring disorders, and responds to concerns about the speed of spending funds secured from opioid manufacturers and distributors.
Feb. 25, 2026- A report from the New York Independent System Operator explored what is driving the cost of wholesale electricity prices in New York. We discussed what they found and what it means for ratepayers with Kevin Lanahan, senior vice president for corporate communications and external affairs for the organization.
Feb. 24, 2026- New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli shares his concerns about the governor's budget proposal, including long-term deficits and restrictions on his oversight.
Feb. 24, 2026- New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon joins the show to talk about cutting red tape, spending on child care subsidies, and expanding an AI tool on the department's website.
Feb. 24, 2026- The governor's budget creates new penalties and higher registration fees for lobbyists, but that revenue isn't going to the New York's ethics watchdog, which is facing a funding cut. We discuss these proposals with Sandy Berland, executive director of the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.
Feb. 24, 2026- We try to make sense of the fallout from the Trump administration rolling back federal rules and regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Our guest is Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, who also talks about state regulations governing expanded wetland maps.
Feb. 23, 2026- New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare Executive Director Lauri Cole talks about prompt payments for her members, curtailing the role of insurance companies, and cutting red tape.
Feb. 23, 2026- We highlight the consumer protections available to New Yorkers who pay for a tax preparer. Our guest is Sara Carlson, director of community engagement for the State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Feb. 23, 2026- New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen talks about what the governor's budget proposal means for seniors, including funding to implement the master plan on aging and ensure oversight of long-term care facilities.
Feb. 23, 2026- We dive into the opaque and inconsistent world of discipline by the state police. Our guest is Sammy Sussman, an investigative journalist, who examined a decade's worth of records to shine a light on this important issue.
Feb. 20, 2026- Despite pledges of increased transparency by Gov. Kathy Hochul, a new report from Reinvent Albany found that executive agencies have a lot of room for improvement in responding to records requests under the Freedom of Information Law. We discuss the findings and the opaque state senate confirmation voting process with Rachael Fauss, a senior policy advisor for the good government group.
Feb. 20, 2026- Kevin Bolan, a physician assistant practicing in the Adirondacks and legislative chair for the New York State Society of PAs, makes the case for the governor's plan to let physician assistants work with less oversight.
Feb. 20, 2026 - After years of adding to a patchwork system of licensed financial services, state lawmakers took steps in 2025 to ensure New York's financial regulators have tools to go after unlicensed operators. We discuss this landscape and how it evolved with Winston Berkman-Breen, legal director at Protect Borrowers.
Feb. 20, 2026 - In this excerpt from Dispatches from Planet Albany, New York Working Families Party Director Jasmine Gripper explains why the liberal third party did not back a primary challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Feb. 19, 2026- Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to eliminate $230,000 in state funds for programs that help vulnerable New Yorkers living in adult homes advocate for better living conditions. We talked with representatives from the Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled and the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, plus peer advocate and former adult home resident Deborah Hunter.
Feb. 19, 2026- Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer makes the case for amending the state Constitution to allow for the redevelopment of three shuttered prisons in upstate New York.
Feb. 19, 2026- State Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, discusses his legislation that would limit local law enforcement's collaboration with ICE agents and discusses the politicization of immigration issues.
Feb. 19, 2026- We explore legislation that would prohibit certain food additives and promote greater disclosure of what's in the food consumed by New Yorkers. We talk about the bill and the approach of state regulators with Jensen Jose, regulatory counsel for the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Feb. 18, 2026- We explore the pathway to a gubernatorial upset for Republicans in New York, digest the news that Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is dropping his bid for governor, and consider the leadership change for the Assembly Republicans. Our guest is Nick Reisman, Albany bureau chief for Politico New York.
Feb. 18, 2026- Immediately after the New York Democrat's state convention in Syracuse we checked in with State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat and member of the Democratic National Committee. We talked about next steps for the state party and the path to victory for Democrats in November.
Feb. 18, 2026- The Children's Agenda Senior Policy Analyst Shannon Mullin discusses the limited access to pre-kindergarten outside of New York City and considers what has been proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul to increase availability.
Feb. 18, 2026- We consider the best way to implement a new personal finance education mandate from the state Board of Regents. Our guest is Next Gen Personal Finance Director of Educational Outreach Yanely Espinal, who calls for a standalone instruction on financial literacy.
Feb. 16, 2026 - After the New York Democratic Party Convention wrapped up in Syracuse earlier this month, we sat down with state party Chair Jay Jacobs to discuss the Democrat's next steps and whether he thought he would be in this role after a public disagreement with Gov. Kathy Hochul
Feb. 16, 2026 - Northern Rivers Family of Services CEO Bill Gettman identifies red tape the state could cut to improve non-profit operations, makes the case for a cost of living adjustment that keeps up with inflation and encourages the Hochul administration to speed up their effort to give localized mental health services to poor kids.
Feb. 17, 2026 - We explore the inner workings of the investigations team at the Office of the State Comptroller, including when they're deployed into the field and how they unearth criminal activity. Our guest is Nelson Sheingold, counsel for the comptroller's office, who oversees investigations.
Feb. 12, 2026 - State Assembly Mental Health Committee Chair Jo Anne Simon, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses the governor's budget, promoting access to child mental health services and enforcing health insurance parity.
Feb. 12, 2026 - One of the key fiscal integrity measures for New York's Medicaid program is an exclusion list that is designed to keep bad actors from participating in the system. We explore how the list works in practice with Margaret Surowka and Bob Hussar, from the law firm Barclay Damon.
Feb. 11, 2026- Jessica Ottney Mahar, the New York policy and strategy director for The Nature Conservancy, gives us a history lesson on the funding and administration of the Environmental Protection Fund and how it is being funded in the governor's budget proposal.
Feb. 12, 2026 -Retired Public Employees Association President RoAnn Destito makes the case for legislation ensuring retired public sector employees don't see a diminishment of their health care benefits when they enroll in Medicare.
Feb. 11, 2026- New York Farm Bureau Director of Public Policy Renée St. Jacques discusses the governor's budget proposal and makes the case for additional investments in a housing tax credit and agricultural research.
Feb. 10, 2026- New York State Office of Cannabis Management Chief Equity Officer Simone Washington discusses an effort to create a more level playing field for marijuana dispensary owners coming from marginalized communities.
Feb. 10, 2026- New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton makes the case for the governor's budget proposal, outlining spending on clean water, commitments to the Environmental Protection Fund, and reforms to the environmental quality review process for certain projects.
Feb. 10, 2026- In a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt, redistricting guru Jeff Wice explained where things stand with the Democratic effort to redraw a Republican-held congressional seat in New York City.
Feb. 6, 2026- State Authorities Budget Office Director Joshua Norkin discusses a proposed update to his agency's monitoring of tax breaks doled out by economic development organization's all over New York.
Feb. 9, 2026- We highlight what the state is doing, and could be doing, to realize its goal of eliminating hepatitis C transition by 2030. Our guests are Shirley Toro, president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission, and Michael Selick, director of Capacity and Community Mobilization at National Harm Reduction Coalition.
Feb. 9, 2026- We explore the state of nonprofits in the Empire State as they deal with a hostile federal government and challenges from the state government. Our guest is Megan Allen, CEO of The New York Council of Nonprofits.
Feb. 6, 2026- We explore what Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget does to support seniors in New York. Our guest is Adam Herbst, a former top health official with the state and now a partner with Sheppard Mullin.
Feb. 9, 2026- New York State Liquor Authority Chair Lily Fan talks about the governor's budget proposal, including language to restrict fees from alcohol wholesalers and new licenses for on-site alcohol consumption. We also explore the implementation of recent laws updating New York's alcohol laws.
Feb. 6, 2026- We got a visit this week from Tom Clark, Consul General of Canada in New York, who discussed relations between the Empire State and its northern neighbor.
Feb. 5, 2026- Assemblymember Bill Conrad, a Buffalo-area Democrat, calls for stricter rules and regulations governing the purchase and operation of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Feb. 5, 2026- Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo, a Binghamton-area Democrat, discusses a tariff relief proposal for farmers and the long-term challenges facing agriculture in the Empire State.
Feb. 5, 2026- We explore efforts to prepare educators to teach science-based literacy education techniques. Our guests are Maria Murray, CEO of the Reading League, and Stephanie Finn, a literacy coach for the West Genesee School District and chair of the Reading League.
Feb. 4, 2026- Assemblyman Ed Ra, a Long Island Republican, shares his concerns about the long-term financial stability of Gov. Kathy Hochul's fiscal plan.
Feb. 4, 2026- Community health centers are bracing for the impact of federal Medicaid changes and are also hoping Gov. Kathy Hochul will play catchup on the state's failure to fund their services for low-income New Yorkers. Our guests is Rose Duhan, president and CEO of the Community Health Care Association of New York.
Feb. 4, 2026- State Senate Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Committee Chair Nathalia Fernandez, a Bronx Democrat, responds to Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposals and identifies her own plans to address alcoholism and overdoses.
Feb. 4. 2026- We dive into the governor's plans to better address New Yorkers dealing with mental health and substance abuse. Our guest is Stephanie Marquesano, founder of The Harris Project.
Feb. 3, 2026- Dr. Brian Erkkila, head of scientific engagement for Phillip Morris International, which makes Zyn, argues against the governor's plan to increase taxes on nicotine pouches.
Feb. 3, 2026- We break down Gov. Kathy Hochul's legislation to protect kids when they go online, including limiting strangers from contacting them and restricting their spending. Our guests are Holly Grosshans and Amina Fazlullah from Common Sense Media.
CEO Janno Lieber discusses the transition to zero-emission buses, a middle ground on free buses, meeting the needs up Hudson Valley commuters and address toll evasion.
Feb. 2, 2026- New York State Health Foundation Senior Program Officer Derek Coy explains how federal changes to the administration of Medicaid will hurt veterans and discusses the impact of Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal on the state's veterans.
Feb. 2, 2026- We check in with Brian Fessler, chief advocacy officer for the New York State School Boards Association, to discuss what the executive budget proposal means for public schools. We also explore whether state policymakers should delay a statutory transition to electric school buses.
Jan. 30, 2026- Assemblymember Landon Dais, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for moving up New York's presidential primary in 2028 to ensure the state has more influence in who the major party candidates will be in November.
Jan. 30, 2026- Gov. Kathy Hochul has a plan to lower car insurance rates in New York, but the state's trial lawyers argue it won't help New Yorkers and will simply enrich insurance companies. We explore this critique and more with Andrew Finkelstein, president of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.
Jan. 30, 2026- The Trump administration has jeopardized millions of dollars used by nonprofits in New York for shelter serving the homeless, including survivors of domestic violence. We discuss this precarious situation with Michael Polenberg of Safe Horizon.
Jan, 29, 2026- Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, a Hudson Valley Democrat, discusses efforts to regulate utility companies, including restricting the use of estimated billing, increasing transparency, and limiting certain profits.
Jan 29, 2026- We explore Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to expand testing of autonomous vehicles outside of New York City and impose disclosure requirements on artificially generated content. Our guest is Julie Samuels, founder and CEO of Tech:NYC.
Jan. 29, 2026- New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare talks about the response to the recent snow storm, efforts to improve toll collections, the future of the renovated service plazas.
Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn talks about the executive budget proposal, including funding to roll out chip-enabled EBT cards and upgrade their infrastructure. We also discuss the administration of public assistance benefits and the commissioner's budget wish list.
Jan. 28, 2026- Assemblymember Sarah Clark, a Rochester-area Democrat, weighs in on Gov. Kathy Hochul's commitment to expanding child care access and considers how the Democratic majorities in the legislature may add to the plan.
Jan. 27, 2026 - Amherst Republican Dan Gagliardo talks about his campaign for a vacant special election in Erie County, why he stopped being a Democrat and addresses some of the issues being discussed in Albany.
Jan. 27, 2026 - State Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, explains how the state's environmental review process has been abused to hold up housing projects and discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to circumvent the rules for certain projects.
Jan . 23, 2026 - In light of the state attorney general's office investigating the handling of a village election in the Hudson Valley, where local officials allegedly took steps to lower turnout, we explore who should be monitoring village elections and if there is a more reliable election administration option. Our guest is Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny.
CEO Heather Mulligan provides an employer perspective on Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget, including extending a corporate tax surcharge, taking a swing a environmental regulations, and increasing spending on child care subsidies without raising taxes.
Jan. 23, 2026 - New York State Budget Director Blake Washington talks about the potential for hard budget choices in the future, the state's ability to replace federal dollars and whether legally present immigrants in New York will fall through the cracks of the social safety net.
Justice Managing Attorney Kevin Quinn discusses a new consumer protection measure for New Yorkers coerced into taking on debts, like domestic violence survivors and the elderly. We also explore why financial lenders don't stop these debts from being incurred in the first place.
Jan. 21, 2026 - For tens of thousands of low-income New Yorkers trying to access public benefits, the process of making their case to the state can drag on for months, which has prompted a lawsuit urging faster resolutions. We talk about what's driving this case with Saima Akhtar, a senior attorney at the National Center for Law and Economic Justice.
Jan. 21, 2026 - We review some of the top line figures and trends from Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal with Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein.
Jan. 21, 2026 - New York Focus Albany Bureau Chief Chris Bragg explains how Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration has become more opaque as they get entrenched in the second floor, refusing to release the governor's meeting logs in a timely fashion.
Jan. 19, 2026- In light of Micron Technology breaking ground in central New York, we wanted to explore the work of the state-aligned nonprofit working to support high-tech manufacturing in the Empire State. NY-CREATES President David Anderson weighs in on the Micron developments, creating a workforce for the semiconductor industry and weathering the volitivity at the federal level.
Jan. 19, 2026- Following an investigation into the use of algorithmic pricing by Instacart, the state attorney general's office is asking for information from the third-party shopping service. We explore the use personal data to set prices and efforts to regulate these practices with Justin Brookman, director of technology policy for Consumer Reports, which helped expose the tactics of Instacart.
Jan. 19, 2026 - In an excerpt of Monday's Dispatches from Planet Albany podcast, Rockefeller Institute of Government President Bob Megna discusses the significance of the latest cash report from the state comptroller's office.
Jan. 13, 2026- Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to boost housing production, but are her policies making a difference? We explore recent actions at the Capitol and consider other means of producing more affordable housing with Lisa Damiani, executive director of the Western New York Property Owners Association, and Tim Foley, CEO of the Building and Realty Institute.
Jan. 16, 2026- Office of the New York State Comptroller Deputy Comptroller for State Accountability Tina Kim discusses an audit that highlighted room for improvement in the state's dispersal of funds to replace lead service lines in the Empire State.
Jan. 13, 2026- Consultant Jenn O'Connor and Marion Waldman, executive director of Teach My Kid to Read, make the case for state grants to libraries so they can fill the gaps in efforts to promote early literacy.
Jan. 15, 2026- New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham makes the case for New Yorkers to drink less alcohol and gives an update on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
Jan. 15, 2026- Dutchess County Mental Health Commissioner Jean-Marie Niebuhr explains how the 9-8-8 crisis hotline can help people with mental health problems and addressed the lack of awareness of the number in parts of the state.
Jan. 15, 2026- Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, a Central New York Republican, responds to Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address, including where there was consensus, where there was disagreement, and where he thought the speech was lacking.
Jan. 15, 2026- Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to lower car insurance costs, with drivers in New York generally paying well above the national average. We discuss what is driving up costs and how to respond with Brianna January, director of State and Local Governments in the Northeast at the Chamber of Progress.
Jan. 14, 2026- Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera, a Buffalo Democrat, discusses his dissatisfaction with the process of selecting candidates for special elections after finding himself shut out from running for a vacant state senate seat. But he says he will pursue a full term in the role when the general election rolls around.
Jan. 14, 2026- New York policymakers have adopted a law to regulate the lawsuit lending industry, but how impactful will it be? We consider the future of these consumer protections with Tom Stebbins, executive director of The Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York.
Jan. 14, 2026- New York Civil Liberties Union Senior Policy Counsel Justin Harrison shares concerns about Gov. Kathy Hochul's effort to create a free speech buffer zone outside of houses of religious worship.
Jan. 14, 2026- In an excerpt of an upcoming Dispatches from Planet Albany episode, we talked about the tumult in the Empire State's marijuana oversight with Herb Barbot, former director of operations for New York Office of Cannabis Management and chair of the Empire State Green Standard Alliance.
Jan. 13, 2026- Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, and State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, discuss the fate of their 2025 bill to regulate cutting-edge artificial intelligence development, which was the subject of intense lobbying and got tweaked by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Jan. 12, 2026- Oswego County Administrator Phil Church, president of the New York State Association of Counties, explains the counties' Albany wish list, which includes state help responding to federal changes.
CEO Kevin Kerwin talks about the support hospitals will need in 2026 from the state, in part due to the fallout from actions championed by President Donald Trump and his allies in Washington D.C.
Jan. 12, 2026- New York State Dental Association Executive Director Michael Herrmann reflects on legislative actions taken in 2025 and shares the priorities for dentists in 2026 at the Capitol.
Jan. 12, 2026- New York Insurance Association President Cassandra Anderson discusses workers' compensation fraud, including more resources for state regulators and an anti-fraud measure vetoed by the governor.
Jan. 9, 2026- We explore concerns of the long-term care industry, including being excluded from a round of state infrastructure funding, dealing with inadequate Medicaid rates, and struggling to find staff. Our guests are Sebrina Barrett, president and CEO for LeadingAge New York, and Jeremy Rutter, president and CEO of Community Wellness Partners.
Jan. 8, 2026 - Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, a Hudson Valley Democrat, makes the case for a state takeover of an investor-owned utility with a suspect record in the Hudson Valley. We explore what the new entity would look like it and why she thinks drastic changes are necessary.
Jan. 8, 2026- The controversial transition of the administration of a popular home care program is complete, but how is it working now? Not well, according to Ilana Berger, the New York political director for Caring Majority Rising, which wants state policymakers to make changes to the status quo.
Jan. 8, 2026- In December, state law was strengthened to protect New Yorkers who request reasonable accommodations in public places, like at work. We explore the significance of this anti-retaliation measure and consider the merits of updating New York's paid medical leave program with Jesse Workman, a senior staff attorney with A Better Balance.
Jan. 7, 2026- A decade ago the state changed the way it administered Medicaid payments for behavioral health providers in order to save money and improve outcomes, but the plan hasn't worked according to providers. We consider returning to a fee-for-service model with Lauri Cole, executive director of the New York State Council for Community Behavioral Health Care.
Jan. 7, 2026 - Center for Effective Lawmaking co-Director Craig Volden discusses who were the effective state lawmakers during the legislative sessions in 2023 and 2024 in New York. This is an excerpt of a conversation for an upcoming Dispatches from Planet Albany episode.
Jan. 7, 2026- Progressive criminal justice activists are hoping this is the year that state policymakers take action to expand access to treatment courts. We discuss this diversion program with Casey Dalporto and Stephanie Bazell, senior policy attorneys with the New York County Defender Services.
Jan. 7, 2026- In advance of New York implementing a law allowing the terminally ill to legally end their lives with the help of a doctor, we check in with Medical Society of the State of New York President Dr. David Jakubowicz to explore how the program should be rolled out.
Jan. 6, 2026- Diane Eber, the executive director of the unique performing arts center at the Capitol complex, known as The Egg, discusses a major renovation of the venue and her vision for the future.
Jan 5. 2026- In the face of the Trump administration attempting to roll back Biden-era drinking water standards, environmental officials are calling on the Hochul administration to proactively backfill federal protections. We discuss the effort to increase state regulations of PFAS in drinking water with Rob Hayes, senior director of clean water at Environmental Advocates NY.
Jan. 5, 2026- Times Union Managing Editor Brendan Lyons talks about his coverage of the New York State Police and the union representing state troopers during 2025, which was a tumultuous year for both institutions.
Dec. 30, 2025- New York Farm Bureau Director of Public Policy Renée St Jacques talks about the overtime threshold for farmworkers and her organization's agenda for the legislative session in 2026.
and a 2023 exploration of West Bank politics. We hope these interviews shed a little light on the personality and evolution of the future leader of the Big Apple.
Dec. 24, 2025- The issue of title insurance is getting increased attention in New York because of efforts to curb deed theft and changes to the state's land acquisition process. We discuss these moving parts and more with John Kenealy, a vice president for Chicago Title in their Syracuse office.
Dec. 23, 2025- Politico New York reporter Marie French discusses the significance of the recently adopted state energy plan and what it indicates about the future priorities of the Hochul administration.
Dec. 23, 2025- A new fee from the state Thruway Authority that is scheduled for 2026 is getting pushback from the commercial interests that use New York's super-highway system. We talk about the charge with Darrin Roth, vice president of highway policy with the American Trucking Associations.
WNYC, shares his experience tailing case workers deployed to 9-1-1 calls by the Albany Police Department and considers how this model could be expanded.
CEO Doreen Harris explains how the state's energy plan fits with New York's green energy goals and what the future of offshore wind could look like.
Dec. 22, 2025- Rebecca Zangen, chief policy officer for the Supportive Housing Network for New York, makes the case for greater government investment into services and housing subsidies for New Yorkers who struggle to live independently.
Dec. 22, 2025- Businessman Joseph Hernandez explains why he is hoping to be the Republican state comptroller candidate in 2026 and discusses how he would use the office if elected.
Dec. 19, 2025- Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, talks about his legislation designed to address the shortcomings of the state's guardianship system, which is failing elderly New Yorkers.
Dec. 19, 2025- We check in with Zeryai Hagos, executive director of the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, to discuss new rules designed to speed up the permitting of new transmission projects.
Dec. 18, 2025- As New York policymakers consider a pathway to universal child care access, afterschool services will need to make up part of that continuum of care. We discuss an expansion of high-quality afterschool care with Alli Lidie, CEO of New York State Network for Youth Success, and Jenn O'Connor, a consultant specializing in services for working families.
Dec. 18, 2025- Association of School Boards and Business Officials of New York Executive Director Brian Cechnicki talks about state support for school districts to provide services to English Language Learners and how funding might be tweaked.
Dec. 18, 2025- Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca makes the case for legislation fostering a stronger working relationship between local law enforcement and Indian Nations trying to combat illegal activity, like drug trafficking.
Dec. 17, 2025- New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe discusses new emissions data being collected from polluters by state environmental officials and makes the case for taking additional steps to reduce pollution.
CEO Melissa Fleischut, and restaurateur Dominick Purnomo talk about changes to New York's alcohol laws and why restaurants want a break from credit card fees.
Dec. 17, 2025- Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, talks about his recent colonoscopy and why he's encouraging other New Yorkers to get a preventative screening.
Dec. 16, 2025- State Sen. Patrick Gallivan, an Erie County Republican, shares his reservations about legislation on the governor's desk that is supposed to increase accountability and oversight in New York's prisons.
Dec. 16, 2025 - Medical respite care is being pushed as a cheaper alternative than prolonged hospital stays for New Yorkers without a place to recuperate. We discuss how an expansion of this service might happen in New York with Jody Rudin, president and CEO of the Institute for Community Living.
Dec. 16, 2025- We go over the budget list wish for county prosecutors in 2026 with Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly, who is president of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. We talk about funding requests and potential policy changes for the legislative session.
Dec. 15, 2025- It's open enrollment season in the state's health insurance marketplace for New Yorkers without an employer-sponsored health insurance option and who earn too much to qualify for a government-run plan. We discuss this market, including the higher costs as the result of expiring federal subsidies, with Danielle Holahan, executive director for New York State of Health.
Dec. 12, 2025- New York State Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe discusses a new law designed to give sheriffs and police chiefs a larger pool of qualified candidates to hire.
Dec. 12, 2025- Assemblymember Josh Jensen, a Rochester-area Republican, talks about the impact of federal policies on access to health insurance in New York and considers how to make health care more accessible.
Dec. 11, 2025- New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer discusses investments in the workforce serving New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, promoting self-directed care, cutting red tape, and agency priorities in 2026 and beyond.
Dec. 11, 2025- Policymakers of all stripes in New York are talking about increasing access to child care, but there isn't a consensus on how to get there. We explore some possible next steps to take in 2026 with Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children's Agenda.
Dec. 10, 2025- Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill intended to give state property - that no one wanted at auction - a new life with non-profit organizations, instead of turning it into trash. We talk about the proposal with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Director of Sustainability Sue Fassler.
Dec. 10, 2025- Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses a bill that would require the state to create an online database tracking the deployment of federal immigration officials in New York.
Dec. 9 2025- In order to increase access to mental health courts, state policymakers are allowing for referrals from counties without mental health courts. We discuss this diversion program with James Norton, government and community affairs manager for the New York State affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
CEO Carlina Rivera makes the case for increased subsidies to preserve and develop affordable housing, considers how to reduce residential insurance costs, and addresses legislative efforts to get the state into the business of affordable housing constructions.
Dec. 8, 2025 - In light of an update to the process for requesting absentee ballots for school elections, we consider what else could be done to drive up turnout in these low-turnout races with Bob Lowry, deputy director for New York State Council of School Superintendents.
Dec. 8, 2025 - Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham talks about affordable housing creation, including a possible county-level loan fund and incentives to develop accessory dwelling units.
Dec. 8, 2025 - State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses her political future, weighs in on a potential sticking point for the 2026 legislative session, and considers what New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will need to do to be successful in Planet Albany.
tracking system will prevent illegal marijuana products from ending up on legal dispensary shelves in the Empire State. We talk with Michael Johnson, CEO of Metrc, the company implementing the tracking system, about their role in stopping inversion.
Dec. 4, 2025- After years of anticipation, plus some twists and turns along the way, there is clarity about the awarding of New York's three final casino licenses. We explore the latest news and what comes next with Bennett Liebman, who helped write the law that led to an expansion of casino gambling in New York.
Dec. 4, 2025- The headwinds may be blowing against New York's offshore wind industry, but they're still hoping to lay the groundwork for future projects in the Empire State. We explore the landscape with Alicia Gené Artessa, executive director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance.
Dec. 4, 2025- New York State Secretary of State Walter Mosley discusses the professional licensing his office oversees, including how they ensure their requirements are relevant. We also asked him whether he wants to be Gov. Kathy Hochul's running mate next year.
Dec. 3, 2025- In response to federal cuts and competition from other states, New York's medical schools are calling for a $500 million state investment in the life sciences infrastructure. We talk about building up this industry with Jonathan Teyan, president and CEO of Associated Medical Schools of New York.
Dec. 3, 2025- Republican Khurram Dara is hoping to be his party's nominee for state attorney general in 2026, so he joins us to discuss his vision for the office, where he fits in today's GOP, and why he thinks AG Tish James has politicized her role.
Dec. 2, 2025- Efforts to conserve thousands of acres of land in New York have been delayed by the state attorney general's office's burdensome process for approving property ownership, but that era may become a distant memory. We discuss the planned changes to the land owner verification process with Stu Gruskin, a senior advisor for The Nature Conservancy in New York.
Dec. 2, 2025- State environmental regulators have breathed new life into a gas pipeline proposal, which was previously stopped in its tracks during the same permitting process. We explore this reversal by the Hochul administration with Samantha Maldonado, a senior reporter with The City.
Nov. 26, 2025 - New York energy officials are retooling a program designed to prepare sites for renewable energy projects after it failed to generate much interest after five years. We consider why it wasn't more successful with Peter Keen, an attorney with Barclay Damon and decades of energy regulatory experience.
Nov. 26, 2025 - State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, shares insights he gleaned from a recent hearing into the cost of residential property insurance and discusses possible actions lawmakers might take in 2026.
Nov. 26, 2025 - State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for legislation designed to prevent residential ratepayers from shouldering the energy infrastructure costs of large data centers.
Nov. 25, 2025- After more than a decade, the state has satisfied its obligations to transition mentally ill New Yorkers out of adult homes and into supportive housing as part of a lawsuit filed after a New York Times series in 2002. We discuss the implementation of the settlement with Clarence Sundram, a court-appointed monitor for vulnerable people, who also addresses oversight responsibilities by the state and the ramifications of Medicaid changes.
Nov. 25, 2025- Erie County Water Authority Chairman Jerry Schad discusses EPA requirements for replacing lead service lines in drinking water systems and how the state can support this transition in the absence of major help from the federal government.
Nov. 25, 2025 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli visits the studio to discuss why he wants another four years in office, talks about his handling of the pension fund, and explains his office's approach to audits.
Nov. 24, 2025- We discuss Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to close a North Country prison and consolidate a western New York facility with Jennifer Scaife, executive director of the Correctional Association of New York, who had made the case for prioritizing the closure of a controversial facility in central New York.
Nov. 24, 2025- We highlight the state's effort to promote New York produced foods in cafeterias at schools in the Empire State. Our guess are Julie Raway, a registered dietitian with the Broome-Tioga BOCES School Nutrition Services, and Cheryl Bilinski, who oversees the Harvest New York Regional Farm to School Coordinator program for the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Nov. 24, 2025 - Former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin addresses the corruption case against him, which alleged he secured a state nonprofit in exchange for campaign contribution, and was dropped by federal prosecutors earlier this year. Find the full conversation on Dispatches from Planet Albany.
Nov. 21, 2025- Northern Rivers Family of Services CEO Bill Gettman makes the case for the state to address the inflationary costs absorbed by nonprofits providing human services and identifies some red tape the state could cut to stretch their investment further.
Nov. 21, 2025- We discuss the governor's decision to hit pause on a broad prohibition of gas appliances in most new construction with Allison Considine, interim director for New York at the Building Decarbonization Coalition.
Nov. 20, 2025- We talk with Cannabis Advisory Board Chairman Joe Belluck about the distribution of marijuana tax revenue to organizations serving communities impacted by past drug policies. We also explore the problem of out-of-state marijuana ending up in New York's recreational market.
Nov. 20, 2025- It's all hands on deck to promote the growth of new housing, but a new report from a government accountability group argues that certain economic development agencies should not be part of the process. We consider this critique from Ron Deutsch, a senior policy fellow with Reinvent Albany.
Nov. 20, 2025- State Budget Director Blake Washington discusses whether an expiring corporate tax rate will be extended, talks about the current year finances, and confirms that agencies are submitting efficiency plans in response to his call letter.
Nov. 19, 2025- The state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board has helped steer millions of dollars, but where is it going and who is on the receiving end? We explore those questions and recommendations on spending for the future with Toni Smith, state director in New York for the Drug Policy Alliance, which analyzed the first few years of settlement dollar spending.
Nov. 19, 2025- We break down the latest survey of New York voters from the Siena Research Institute, which examined a gubernatorial matchup between the frontrunners, asked about raising taxes, and where the state's senior senator stands after a quarter century in office. Our guest is Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
Nov. 18, 2025- Federal changes to Medicaid eligibility could hinder some New Yorkers from accessing treatment for their drug addiction, according to Allegra Schorr, president of Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates, who is hoping state policymakers will act in response.
Nov. 18, 2025- Assemblyman Jonathan Rivera, a Buffalo area Democrat, wants to ensure that government subsidies aren't going to businesses violating federal and state labor laws.
Nov. 18, 2025- The Trump administration is taking New York election officials to court for refusing to hand over sensitive voter identification information. We consider the lawsuit by U.S. Department of Justice with Erica Smitka, executive director for the League of Women Voters of New York State, who also discusses a 2026 legislative priority.
Nov. 18, 2025 - In an excerpt from an upcoming episode of Dispatches from Planet Albany, former Democratic Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski talks about the lobbying efforts of business groups at the Capitol.
Nov. 14, 2025 - Legislation in Albany would strictly regulate what happens to the byproducts of wastewater treatment, but some operators in the space argue this approach is a costly mistake. We consider the future of biosolids with Dan Rourke, executive director of the Saratoga County Sewer District, and Darcy Sachs, a project engineer with Carollo Engineers
Nov. 14, 2025 - Online sweepstakes games are under threat from state lawmakers and the state attorney general's office, but the operators argue that state policymakers should be working with them. We explore this unregulated industry with Jeff Duncan, executive director of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which was launched by a company with a stake in this evolving industry.
Nov. 13, 2025 - New York Lawyers for Public Interest Environmental Justice Director Caroline Chen talks about New York City's aging sewage system and makes the case for investing in infrastructure upgrades.
October 10, 2025- Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, a Bronx Democrat. talks about her visits to the TikTok offices and shares her thoughts on regulating social media.
October 10, 2025- The union representing police officers at SUNY campuses is looking to standardize and centralize their operations, which they argue will increase efficiency and performance. Our guest is Kurt Nolan, executive director of the PBA of New York State.
October 10, 2025- In the wake of the annual judiciary hearing on improving the delivery of civil legal services in New York, we check in with Adriene Holder, chief attorney of the civil practice for The Legal Aid Society.
October 9, 2025- Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein explains how fare and toll evasion cost the New York City transit system about $1 billion in 2024 and highlight strategies to curtail bad actors in the future.
October 9, 2025- Joshua Norkin was tapped this spring to lead the New York Authorities Budget Office, an obscure agency overseeing hundreds of quasi-governmental authorities all over the state. We talk about his new role and his oversight plans.
October 9, 2025- A massive piece of property in the Adirondacks that has long been coveted by conservationist is in the process of changing hands, so there is renewed pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to secure at least some of the land for preservation. We discuss the issue with Claudia Braymer, executive director of Protect The Adirondacks.
October 8, 2025- Raj Goyle, a former Kansas state lawmaker and co-chair of a New York City think tank, explains why he's looking to take on state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in the Democratic primary next year.
October 8, 2025- In an excerpt from Dispatches from Planet Albany, we explore how advocates for New Yorkers with disabilities are hoping to wield more clout at the Capitol. Our guest is Mike Schweinsburg, president of the 504 Democratic club, which endorsed Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's bid for governor.
October 8, 2025- It's the 200th birthday of the Erie Canal, so we're exploring how this milestone is being celebrated and what's in store for the future of the system with Rebecca Hughes, executive deputy director of the New York State Canal Corporation.
October 8, 2025- State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, weighs in on proposed rules from the state attorney general's office to implement his legislation designed to keep the most addictive features of social media away from kids.
October 7, 2025- Gov. Kathy Hochul championed $2 billion for "inflation refund" checks, but new reporting from Gothamist/WNYC Capitol reporter Jimmy Vielkind indicates that some of that money will be collected back by the federal tax man.
October 7, 2025- Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman, the Democratic nominee in the November special election for a North Country assembly seat, talks about why he's running, his approach to serving, and why he voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
October 7, 2025- Oswego County Administrator Phil Church, president of the New York State Association of Counties, explains how federal changes to the administration of Medicaid and food assistance programs will cost local government millions of dollars without relief from the state.
Sept. 29, 2025 - After imposing restrictions on Styrofoam food containers and packing peanuts, the state is going to prohibit the sale of disposable polystyrene containers next year. We consider this environmental initiative with Jeremy Cherson, associate director of government affairs for Riverkeeper.
Sept. 29, 2025 - An additional $340 million in this year's state budget is supposed to make breakfast and lunch available in schools to students all over New York without any out-of-pocket costs. We learn about the implementation of universal school meals with Katy Headwell, the Director of School Nutrition Services at Shenendehowa Central School District
September 30, 2025- The Hochul administration is being taken to court for relaxing state laws designed to ensure private school students are receiving a basic education. We discuss the lawsuit with Michael Rebell, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, and Adina Mermelstein Konikoff, executive director for Young Advocates for Fair Education.
Sept. 29, 2025 - A wide range of products derived from Kratom are showing up on shelves all over New York, so Assemblymember John McDonald, a capital region Democrat, makes the case for imposing age restrictions on sales.
Sept. 29, 2025 - State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the approval process for a controversial new gas pipeline and outlines his advocacy agenda for 2026.
September 26, 2025- Environmentalists are hoping a gas pipeline proposal for New York City gets rejected by state regulators for a fourth time, but interested business and labor groups think it deserves new consideration. We talk about the controversial proposal with Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy.
September 26, 2025- We get to know Jennifer Saunders, the new head of the state museum in Albany. We discuss why she was interested in the leadership role, the future of long-stalled renovations, and navigating turf wars at the Capitol.
September 25, 2025- The Hochul administration has green lit an overhaul of the Capitol complex, including a $25 million commitment to integrate the Empire State Plaza into the surrounding community. We explore this mandate - in a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt - with OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy.
September 25, 2025- State regulations for cannabis beverages can be limiting for producers and confusing for consumers, so the manufacturers of hemp-derived drinks want more latitude in New York. We talk about the regulatory landscape with Jake Bullock, CEO of Cann, a THC-infused beverage producer.
September 25, 2025- It's been about three years since Micron Technology announced a major development for central New York and work on the project could begin this fall. We get an update on the implementation of this potentially $100 billion investment with Glenn Coin, a reporter with Syracuse Post-Standard and Syracuse.com.
September 24, 2025- If federal environmental regulators are going to back off some water protection measures, how should state policymakers work to preserve clean drinking water? We examine this changing landscape with Robert Hayes, senior director clean water at Environmental Advocates NY.
September 23, 2025- New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner and CEO RuthAnne Visnauskas discusses an investment in manufactured homes and how it could promote homeownership in communities with low-property values.
Sept. 23, 2025 - Assemblymember Robert Smullen makes the case for creating a state process to setup roadside memorials to recognize traffic deaths. The Mohawk Valley Republican's son died in 2024 after being hit by a motor vehicles.
Sept. 23, 2025 - The Trump administration's hostility to immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, has prompted state action to preserve access to these public health services. We explore what the landscape looks like in New York with Dr. Scott Guisinger, vice president of pharmacy for Price Chopper, Market 32, and Tops Markets and a director on the board of the Community Pharmacy Association of New York.
September 22, 2025- New York policymakers looking to regulate the marketing of Kratom aren't making carveouts for "natural" products, which is a mistake, according to Dr. C Michael White, a department head at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy.
September 22, 2025- A handful of public colleges are facing hard choices in order to address systemic financial challenges, but a campus in central New York makes the case that their situation is unique and warrants additional state support. Our guest is Matthew Smith, local union president at SUNY College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, where he director of college libraries.
September 22, 2025- The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government wants to hear from the public on possible reforms to the state's laws and regulations designed to address corruption. We discuss what's on the table with Sandy Berland, the commission's executive director.
September 22, 2025- A major question of states' rights is going to play out in the courts as the result of Texas challenging a shield law in New York. We break down the case and its implications with Dale Margolin Cecka, an assistant professor of law at Albany Law school.
September 19, 2025-New York State Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton discusses staffing levels, gas pipeline permitting, and the unique stamp she brings to the Hochul administration.
September 19, 2025- Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, and state Sen. Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, weigh in on an affordable housing development in Brooklyn that isn't producing the promised units and make the case for a different model of building affordable units.
September 18, 2025- We explore legislation designed to let out-of-state athletic trainers work in New York in limited circumstances with Aimee Brunelle, athletic trainer and wellness coordinator for the South Colonie Central School District.
September 18, 2025- Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, a Rochester-area Democrat, makes the case for her legislation putting in-state payroll processing companies on the same playing field as their out-of-state competition.
September 18, 2025- State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray discusses the risk of political violence in New York and considers how the political discourse can contribute to violence.
September 17, 2025- New York State Coalition for Children's Behavioral Health President & CEO Kayleigh Zaloga discusses a settlement with the Hochul administration that requires increased state investment in Medicaid rates for child mental health services.
September 17, 2025-A new survey by the Siena Research Institute takes the temperature of New Yorkers on public safety and the performance of President Donald Trump. Our guest is Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
September 17, 2025- The Trump administration and their Republican allies in Congress are ending federal subsidies for green initiatives, like tax credits for electric vehicles, so we examine the fallout of these shifting priorities with Doreen Harris, president and CEO of New York State Energy Research & Development Authority.
September 17, 2025- LifeSciencesNY Executive Director Winthrop Thurlow warns that New York's plans to be on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence development could be undermined by the wrong regulatory approach. We discuss efforts to regulate this evolving industry and how AI could boost health care services.
September 16, 2025- Mental Health Association in New York State CEO Glenn Liebman makes the case for establishing a commission to oversee the reduction in the number of psychiatric hospitals in the Empire State.
September 16, 2025- Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, discusses her legislation requiring state health officials to proactively disseminate and promote information about reproductive health care in New York, including abortion services and financial support.
September 16, 2025- Legislation awaiting the governor's signature would potentially make formerly incarcerated New Yorkers eligible to be hired for preferred source employment opportunities. We consider the ramifications of this idea with Maureen O'Brien, president and CEO New York State Industries for the Disabled.
September 16, 2025- Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden talks about legislation tweaking the tax cap for municipalities to incentivize investments in emergency medical services.
September 12, 2025- In light of an investigation by the state attorney general's office revealing dangerous neglect by a nursing home operator in Syracuse, we explore the oversight of nursing facilities with Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition.
September 12, 2025- New York State of Health Executive Director Danielle Holahan explains how the Hochul administration is responding to federal changes that impact how the state provides health insurance coverage for 1.7 million low-income New Yorkers.
September 12, 2025- Child care providers have been sounding the alarm about a staffing crisis for years, so we check in on the status of the workforce and their need for investment with Alicia Marks, owner and operator for Marks of Excellence Childcare and Dede Hill, vice president of policy at the Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy.
September 11, 2025- The Medical Society of the State of New York is shining a spotlight on its longstanding complaint about delayed and limited payments approved by health insurers. We talk about their effort to get paid with the group's executive vice president, Dr. Thomas Lee.
September 11, 2025- State financial regulators continued the tradition this summer of approving premium increases for the individual and small group health insurance plans offered in the state marketplace, so we examine how we got to this point of escalating costs and consider what the future offerings will look like. Our guest is Paul Francis, chair of The Two Step Policy Project.
Sept. 10, 2025 - Assemblymember Pamela Hunter, a Syracuse Democrat, makes the case for updating the risk assessment tool used to classify sex offenders in New York.
September 9, 2025- The state Public Service Commission and New York's regulated energy providers are getting a lot of negative attention this summer for proposed rate hikes and negotiated cost increases. We consider what is driving prices up for energy consumers and evaluate some of the proposals to control out-of-pocket costs with Laurie Wheelock, executive director and general counsel of the Public Utility Law Project of New York.
September 8, 2025-In light of two defunct gas pipeline proposals getting new life under the Hochul administration, we explore their initial permitting process under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and consider what is being proposed now. Our guest is Susan Kraham, managing attorney with Earthjustice.
September 5, 2025- SUNY Chancellor John King gives an update on the state's effort to place adults in high-demand degrees at community colleges. He also talks about the structural deficits at some SUNY campuses and addresses the possibility of SUNY drawing the ire of the Trump administration.
September 5, 2025- We consider how many doctors getting trained in New York actually stay in New York (and why), with the help of David Armstrong, project director at the Center for Health Workforce Studies for the University at Albany.
Sept. 5, 2025 - The longtime leader of CSEA, Danny Donohue, passed away this summer, so we wanted to explore how he wielded power, his brash style, and whether anyone was picking up his mantle in Planet Albany.For all that insight we tapped into the institutional knowledge and insights of Liz Benjamin, a former journalist and now a big deal for Marathon Strategies. (This is an excerpt of Dispatches from Planet Albany)
September 3, 2025- New York prison officials are looking to update their procedures for reviewing mail sent from lawyers to their clients behind bars, so we consider the ramifications with Antony Gemmell, supervising attorney with the Prisoners' Rights Project at The Legal Aid Society.
September 3, 2025- We get an update on the state's use of road salt and alternative methods for keeping drivers safe in the winter with Rob Fitch, director of the Office of Transportation Maintenance for the state Department of Transportation.
September 3, 2025- New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert Schneider discusses how districts can address a teacher shortage and explains how school boards prepared to implement smartphone restrictions in schools this fall.
September 3, 2025- Food Industry Alliance of New York State President & CEO Mike Durant weighs in on legislation intended to let New Yorkers know if they're paying more for groceries they order online compare to shopping in a store.
September 2, 2025- We check in on the implementation of the state's "bell-to-bell" smartphone restrictions in schools with Bob Lowry, deputy director for advocacy, research, and communications at the New York Council of School Superintendents, and Dr. Donna DeSiato, superintendent of the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District.
September 2, 2025- Assemblymember Bobby Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for prohibiting financial institutions from writing minimum rent charges into mortgage agreements.
September 2, 2025- We discuss the first four years of Kathy Hochul's time in the executive mansion with New York Playbook co-author Nick Reisman. Catch the entire conversation on the Dispatches from Planet Albany podcast.
Aug. 29, 2025- New Yorkers are poised to lose their government health coverage in the coming years as the result of changes in Washington D.C., but a new report argues that community organizations could help prevent a gap in insurance. We explore this report and next steps for state policymakers with Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president of health initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York.
Aug. 29, 2025- Attorney Diane Houk explains why fair housing organizations are wading into a legal fight over the constitutionality of housing vouchers in New York and a law intended to prevent landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their payment method.
Aug. 29, 2025- Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Bill Magnarelli, a Syracuse Democrat, makes the case for increasing the cost of vehicle inspection fees and making the annual reviews more extensive. Legislation he moved this year would require the Hochul administration to study the existing standards and fees.
Aug. 28, 2025- The Hochul administration is looking for a firm to help craft the Next Generation Aviation Strategic Plan for New York so we consider what the future of this evolving field might look like with Ken Stewart, president & CEO of NUAIR.
Aug. 28, 2025- Politico New York reporter Marie French unpacks a decision by the state utility regulator to put another nail in the coffin of a scrapped transmission project originally intended to serve New York City.
Aug. 28, 2025- New York state lawmakers unanimously backed a measure to join a multi-state effort to promote accurate voter enrollment records. We discuss this voter integrity effort with Shane Hamlin, executive director of the Electronic Registration Information Center.
Aug. 27, 2025- Democratic state lawmakers want to empower state financial regulators to create standardized definitions for common insurance terms. We consider this pending legislation with Brad Lachut, director of government affairs for the Professional Insurance Agents of New York.
Aug. 27, 2025- University of Washington-Tacoma professor Eric Madfis explains how school behavioral threat assessments can reduce serious violence and considers how they might be deployed more widely in New York.
Aug. 27, 2025- The Hochul administration wants to update how parole officials consider applications from people who committed serious offenses when they were kids, but state Sen. Dean Murray, a Long Island Republicans, argues the emphasis is misplaced.
Aug. 26, 2025-Bottle redemption centers have been sounding the alarm about a fiscal crisis for years, but no relief has been coming from state lawmakers in Albany. We get an update on the situation from Jade Eddy, owner of MT Returnables.
Aug. 26, 2025- Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the crisis in early intervention accessibility and questions the Hochul administration's implementation of funding to support these services.
Aug. 26, 2025- In response to President Donald Trump's effort to allow church leaders to make political endorsements, Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for legislation intended to keep nonprofits from backing political candidates by tying nonpartisanship to their state tax-exempt status.
Aug. 25, 2025- Dr. Penelope Lema, an emergency room physician, makes the case for requiring hospitals to craft plans for keeping their staff safe from the threat of violence at work.
Aug. 25, 2025- State Senate Investigations & Government Operations Committee Chair Jim Skoufis, a Hudson Valley Democrat, reflects on an inquiry into the transition of a popular home care program. We touch on the lack of answers from the Hochul administration at the hearing and possible next steps for state lawmakers.
Aug. 25, 2025- The state senate's housing leader, Manhattan Democrat Brian Kavanagh, discusses why his chamber is looking into the cost and accessibility of residential property insurance.
Aug. 22, 2025- Drew Warshaw is hoping to be the next state comptroller and is mounting a big to wrest the Democratic nomination away from long-time incumbent Tom DiNapoli. We talk about changes he wants to make to the administration of pension fund, approach to auditing and distribution of unclaimed funds.
Aug. 22, 2025- Employment is a key part of the recovery process from substance abuse, so we explore what New York policymakers are doing to promote recovery ready workplaces with Christopher Assini, director of policy at Friends of Recovery - New York.
Aug. 22, 2025- Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, expresses her opposition to the governor's planned cutbacks on subsidies for home energy efficiency programs.
Aug. 21, 2025- This summer a quarantine zone for the European Cherry Fruit Fly was expanded in central New York so we explore the danger of this threat with Kevin Bittner, orchard manager at Bittner Singer Orchards.
Aug. 21, 2025- Dr. Rachel Flink-Bochacki, a board certified OBGYN and legislative chair of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists District II, shares concerns with legislation requiring health care providers to share information about IUDs, including pain associated with insertion, when discussing birth control with patients.
Aug. 21, 2025- Assemblyman Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, explains his bill protecting employees from getting trapped at a job through the threat of certain monetary penalties.
Aug. 21, 2025- New York City mayors have had control over the school districts in the five boroughs for more than two decades, but could a system work in other communities? We try to answer that question with Maxwell Herrera, a policy analyst for the Rockefeller Institute of Government, and Brian Backstrom, director of education policy studies for the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
Aug. 20, 2025- New York lawmakers are trying again to limit the footprint of for-profit hospice businesses, approving legislation prohibiting existing operators from expanding or new players from entering the Empire State. We discuss the proposal and the low-rate of hospice services in New York with Jeanne Chirico, CEO of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State.
Aug. 20, 2025- We explore the state of gun violence in New York and the prevention efforts being championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul with New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Executive Deputy Commissioner Joe Popcun and Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox.
Aug. 19, 2025- Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for legislation that limits what landlords can charge renters for a bounced check.
Aug. 19, 2025- The latest federal review of hospital metrics from around the country found that New York continues to trail almost every other state. We discuss the findings and how they should be used with Bill Hammond, a senior fellow at The Empire Center for Public Policy.
Aug. 18, 2025- We talk about efforts to promote traffic safety in the Empire State, including using cameras, lowering speed limits, and training drug recognition experts, with Mary Tanner Ritcher, deputy commissioner for traffic safety and investigations for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Aug. 18, 2025 - Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly, a Democrat, discusses changes to New York's evidence disclosure laws that took effect this summer at the urging of local prosecutors and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Aug. 15, 2025- State lawmakers approved a handful of new health insurance mandates this year, including bills dealing with inhalers and speech therapy, but insurers say these well-intentioned efforts won't result in lower costs. New York Health Plan Association President & CEO Eric Linzer explains how insurers determine what they cover and argues that policymakers should focus on the underlying cost of treatments.
Aug. 15, 2025- The state budget included an additional $400 million to ensure access to child care vouchers, but the increased investment isn't necessarily trickling down to families who need help, according to reporting by New York Focus reporter Julia Rock.
Aug. 14, 2025- In a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt we hear from Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a Manhattan Democrat, who makes the case for increasing New York's Democrats in Congress by tweaking the congressional boundaries before the next census.
Aug. 14, 2025- In a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt we check in with Blair Horner, senior policy advisor for the New York Public Interest Research Group, to get his take on efforts to do mid-decade redistricting and consider whether good government groups are losing influence in Albany.
Aug. 14, 2025- A new Siena Research Institute survey of New Yorkers explored the possibility of changing New York's redistricting process, responding to federal spending cuts, and a gubernatorial matchup between Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Elise Stefanik. We break down the results with Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
Aug. 14, 2025- The Hochul administration is in the process of crafting a plan to guide the conservation of endangered species and habitats for the next decade. We unpack the significance of this plan and what might be missing with Chris Amato, conservation director and counsel for Protect the Adirondacks.
Aug. 12, 2025 - Artificial intelligence is invading New York's political campaigns this year and the burgeoning technology could be even more prevalent in the future, according to Annie McDonough, a senior reporter for City & State New York. This is an excerpt of Dispatches from Planet Albany.
Aug. 12, 2025 - For more than a decade, New York lawmakers have tried to secure a compensation boost for home care workers in the New York City area, but those efforts haven't always resulted in more money in pockets, according to reporting by Sam Mellins, a senior reporter for New York Focus.
Aug. 12, 2025 - New Yorkers prescribed expensive, name-brand drugs may have to try cheaper alternatives before they get what the doctor ordered, as the result of insurance practices. We discuss how this process could be more transparent and have stricter rules with Ashira Vantrees, director of legal strategy and advocacy at Aimed Alliance.
August 11, 2025- New York Attorney General Letitia James is recommending the state narrowly restrict when police can engage in high-speed pursuits. We discuss the risk of police chases with Josh Parker, deputy director of policy for The Policing Project at NYU School of Law.
August 11, 2025- New York is fighting back against federal efforts to access state immigration information and interfere at state courthouses, citing the "sovereign rights" of the state. We explore this argument and its history with Sarah Rogerson, director of the Edward P. Swyer Justice Center at Albany Law School.
August 11, 2025- In light of an endangered sea turtle being released back into the wild this summer, we check in with Rob DiGiovanni Jr., founder and chief scientist for the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, to learn about his organization and the state's role in promoting their work.
August 8, 2025- State Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican who did combat tours overseas with the Army Reserves, talks about increasing services for Purple Heart awardees and reflects on the Trump administration's handling of U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
August 8, 2025- We go through the agenda items in Albany for New York's nearly 500,000 public sector retirees with Tom Tatun, the recently anointed executive director for the Retired Public Employees Association.
August 8, 2025- Gov. Kathy Hochul is promising affordable and reliable energy from new nuclear power plants, but how achievable is her vision? We get a contrarian take from John Howard, the former head of the New York Public Service Commission.
August 7, 2025- The state's "All-Electric Buildings" mandate will begin to be phased in next year and, while environmental advocates are welcoming the change, the construction industry is continuing to warn about unintended consequences. We discuss the transition with Mike Fazio, executive director of the New York State Builders Association.
August 7, 2025- In the wake of Gov. Kathy Hochul pushing to make it easier for New Yorkers to be involuntarily committed, President Donald Trump issued an executive order designed to promote more forced psychiatric institution of the country's homeless population. We unpack the significance of the action at the federal level, which could also hurt undermine harm reduction efforts in New York, with Patrick Wildes, director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law.
August 7, 2025- Starting in August, the more than 30,000 people incarcerated in New York don't have to pay to make outgoing phone calls. We unpack this policy decision from the Hochul administration, including how it could benefit society, with Bianca Tylek, founder and executive director of Worth Rises.
August 6, 2025- More than 100 marijuana dispensary owners are grappling with the revelation that their approved locations are in violation of a state law as the result of a measuring mix up by the Hochul administration. We consider possible remedies to this situation with Joe Rossi, founder of Modern Advocacy and a cannabis lobbyist, and Joseph Levey, founding partner of Helbraun Levey, a law firm focused on cannabis and hospitality.
August 6, 2025- As we continue to unpack the ramifications of the Big Beautiful Bill adopted by Republicans in Washington D.C., we're turning our attention to what it means for community health centers that serve low-income New Yorkers in medical deserts. Our guest is Rose Duhan, president and CEO of the Community Healthcare Association of New York State.
Aug. 5, 2025 - Shontell Smith, the former political director for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccessful mayoral primary bid in New York City, reflects on what went right and what went wrong during this Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt.
August 5, 2025- School districts have been encouraged by the state to find regional partnerships that might save money and improve operations. We consider what regionalization has looked like in the past and how it could happen in the future with Anita Murphy, a retired superintendent from the Capital Region BOCES, and Brian Backstrom, director of Education Policy Studies at the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
August 5, 2025- New Yorkers will get a chance this fall to bring the expansion and operation of the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports complex in compliance with the state Constitution, while also expanding the footprint of the Adirondack preserve. We hear the case for the constitutional referendum from John Sheehan, director of communication for the Adirondack Council.
August 5, 2025- A United States Supreme Court ruling this summer may give parents more influence over their school curricula if they have religious concerns with subjects and materials. We discuss the majority opinion from the court and its implications with Daniel Morton-Bentley, counsel for the State Education Department.
August 4, 2025- New York's prisons may have rescinded from the headlines, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to discuss about the corrections system with Chris Gelardi, a criminal justice reporter for New York Focus.
August 4, 2025- New York's development of offshore wind has stalled, so state regulators are hitting pause on the hunt for more transmission capacity. We explore the decision by the state Public Service Commission and its ramifications with Ekin Senlet, co-chair of Regulatory Practice area at Barclay Damon, and David Solimeno, an associate with the firm.
August 4, 2025- The administration of non-emergency medical transportation has undergone multiple transformations in the past 15 years as state policymakers look to save money. State Sen. George Borrello, a western New York Republican, argues the simplest answer to preventing fraud and abuse is returning oversight to the counties.
July 31, 2025- New York's effort to cap emissions may have stalled, but the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has entered a new phase, with updated goals adopted this summer. We talk about the program and its role in combatting climate change with Jackson Morris, director of state power sector policy for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
July 31, 2025- As New York pivots away from using Regents exams in order to graduate from high school, the state Board of Regents met this summer to approve an updated pathway to getting a diploma. We hear concerns about implementing this new vision from Jeff Smink, deputy director of The Education Trust-New York.
July 31, 2025- We explore the significance of new prevention agenda adopted by state health officials with our guest Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, medical director for the Office of Public Health at the State Department of Health.
July 30, 2025 - State law required a system restricting pollution from major emitters to be in place by now, but it hasn't been implemented so environmental groups sued the Hochul administration in a case now making its way through the courts. We explore the legal challenge and what's at stake with Collin Kinniburgh, a climate and environment reporter for New York Focus.
July 30, 2025 - New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare discusses an expanded speed camera program, gives an update on the service plazas, and explains what is being done to target toll evasion.
July 30, 2025 - We explore a new survey of LGBTQ New Yorkers and how it will be used to address health disparities with Kraig Pannell, director of the Office of LGBTQ Services at the state's AIDS Institute, and Dr. Lauren Miller, coordinator for the New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
July 29, 2025 - After nearly two decades as a journalist, including serving as news director WAMC public radio, Ian Pickus is taking a communications job in the Hochul administration. In an excerpt from Dispatches from Planet Albany, we reflect on some of the interviews he coordinated with then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
July 29, 2025 - The state Department of Health is implementing a legal settlement to resolve a challenge to its controversial transition of the administration of an expensive home care program. We explore the underlying lawsuit and the impact of the settlement with Elizabeth Jois, supervising attorney with New York Legal Assistance Group's Special Litigation Unit and an attorney for the plaintiffs.
July 29, 2025 - New York Democrats want to use mid-decade redistricting as a way to boost their numbers in Congress, but the legal pathways for this gambit are basically non-existent, according to Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and adjunct professor with the New York Law School's Census and Redistricting Institute.
July 28, 2025 - We learn about some of the complaints to the state's gambling regulator received by the state Inspector General's Office in 2024 and consider some of the controversies they're reviewing in 2025. Our guest is Ryan Hayward, chief of staff for the New York IG's Office.
July 28, 2025 - The social safety net in New York will have some holes moving forward as the result of the Big Beautiful Bill adopted this summer by Republicans in Washington D.C., according to Barbara Guinn, commissioner for the state Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance. We explore the future of housing supports, anti-hunger initiatives, and child poverty.
July 25, 2025 - The death of a state assistant forest ranger has renewed calls for state environmental officials to update the system for tracking government personnel deployed into the wilderness. We discuss this tragedy and the campaign for reform with James Odato, a contributing editor for the Adirondack Explorer.
July 25, 2025 - The legislative session in Albany included a few initiatives to avoid wasteful economic development spending and many more measures that will promote unnecessary government subsidies, according to John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany.
July 25, 2025 - State Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian highlights new regulations designed to ensure more working families have access to discounted energy bills.
July 24, 2025 - This summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed the New York Power Authority to get the ball rolling on the development of new nuclear power. We discussed this mandate and how it might be implemented with Charles Imohiosen, senior vice president for external affairs and communication at NYPA.
July 24, 2025 - New York State Office of Mental Health Chief Fiscal Officer Joe Katagiri explains efforts to boost access to mental health and substance abuse treatments for New Yorkers, including removing insurance barriers for Medicaid patients and requiring prompt access to providers.
July 23, 2025 - Public schools across the state have been forced to make hard decisions about programs funded with federal dollars that the Trump administration is looking to claw back. We talk about these challenges and looming budgetary challenges with Brian Cechnicki, executive director of Association of School Business Officials of New York.
July 23, 2025 - No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella discusses the potential fallout in the Empire State from federal cuts and changes to the hunger prevention safety net.
July 23, 2025 - For rural communities, a physician assistant is the first and last source of available medical care. We talk about these important health care providers and expanding their capacity with Katie Compagni, a PA in central New York.
July 23, 2025 - New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray discusses federal cuts to emergency services and considers a future without FEMA.
July 22, 2025 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli visits the studio to discuss increasing overtime hours and costs from the state workforce, the distribution of unclaimed funds, and whether state policymakers should be tapping into reserve funds to offset federal cuts.
July 22, 2025 - The "Big Beautiful Bill" adopted in July could have massive ramifications for New York's health care system, according to Paul Francis, chair of the Step Two Policy Project. We explore cuts in federal aid to health care providers, New Yorkers losing their state-provided health insurance, and how state policymakers might respond to this new landscape.
July 21, 2025 - Dan Egan, the outgoing head of Feeding New York State, reflects on the demand for food assistance over the last six years and considers how hungry New Yorkers will be affected by changes in Washington D.C.
July 18, 2025 - We check in with Adam Herbst, a former top health official in the state and now a partner with Sheppard Mullin, who describes the funding demands and other implementation challenges for the state master plan on aging.
July 18, 2025 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald and State Aging Director Greg Olsen explain how the state's master plan on aging came together, the process of evaluating proposals, and why federal spending cuts could impact implementation.
July 17, 2025 - On this excerpt from Dispatches from Planet Albany, we talk with Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, a Brooklyn Democrat, and NYC DSA Co-Chair Grace Mauser about the Democratic Socialists rallying behind Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign and how they build support for his agenda in Albany.
July 16, 2025 - Assemblymember Micah Lasher, a Manhattan Democrat, talks about legislation empowering the state attorney general's office to go after unfair business practices and addresses a critique that the measures doesn't go far enough.
July 16, 2025 - We check in with Benjamin Pomerance, deputy counsel at the state Department of Veterans' Services, to discuss services for marginalized veterans, addressing the risk of suicide among veterans, and closing holes in the social safety net.
July 14, 2025 - State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson swings by the studio to explain how the Hochul administration plans on spending record levels of funding for crime victims and discusses the challenges of getting this money to the right people.
July 14, 2025 - Business Council of New York State Vice President Ken Pokalsky reflects on the manufacturing landscape in the Empire State and considers why the industry looks the way it does.
July 14, 2025 - Earlier this year, state Office of General Services Commissioner was tasked with overseeing the improvement of government services. So we're checking in with OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy on these efforts, including the launch of a new state office.
July 11, 2025 - In response to the demand for more mariners the state has launched a revolving loan fund to help cover the cost of hands-on training needed for U.S. Coast Guard license. We talk about this investment with SUNY Maritime President John Okon.
July 11, 2025 - Politicians on both sides of the aisle talk about their support for low-income families, so why is it so hard to get major policy and spending initiatives enacted in Planet Albany that demonstrably improve their lives? We try to answer that question on Dispatches from Planet Albany with Jenn O'Connor, who has been working on these issues for years and launched her own consulting firm.
July 9, 2025 - Siena College Research Institute Director Don Levy breaks down a recent survey of New Yorkers, who weighed in on the end of the legislative session and their potential gubernatorial choices for 2026.
July 10, 2025 - The federal spending legislation approved by Republicans in Washington D.C. over the July 4th holiday looks to dramatically cut federal support that makes its way to Planned Parenthood chapters. We discuss the ramifications of funding reductions, which are being challenged in court, with Robin Chappelle Golston, president & CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts.
July 10, 2025 - The State Birding Trail has been updated with 12 locations, so we explore this resource designed for bird watchers of all experience. Our guests are Erin McGrath, New York state policy director for the National Audubon Society, and Laura McCarthy, senior manager of network engagement for the New York and Connecticut offices of the National Audubon Society.
July 10, 2025 - Environmentalists are hoping the governor will sign legislation overwhelmingly approved by the legislature that is designed to expand the proliferation of crossbows. We hear the case for the measure from Paull Gallery, stewardship manager for the Nature Conservancy in New York, and Bill Cooke, a policy advisor with the Nature Conservancy in New York.
July 9, 2025 - We check in with the Randy Simons, commissioner pro tempore at the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, to discuss an updated map of state resources, the planning for a major golf tournament on Long Island, keeping an eye out for sharks, and preparing for the country's 250th birthday.
July 8, 2025 - Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, an Albany Democrat, makes the case for expanding the authority of the state attorney general's office, including streamlining and defining powers.
July 8, 2025 - Hotels are supposed to be a last resort for housing the homeless in New York, but they're becoming a key solution for upstate communities, according to Spencer Norris, an investigative reporter for New York Focus and ProPublica.
July 8, 2025 - Katherine Haas, a staff attorney with the prisoners' rights project at the Legal Aid Society, provides an update on the court battle to reverse the Hochul administration's suspension of a law governing the use of solitary confinement in prisons.
July 8, 2025 - After months of build up, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state energy officials to get the ball rolling on developing a new upstate nuclear power project. We consider what the implementation could look like with Gavin Donohue, president and CEO of the Independent Power Producers of New York
July 7, 2025 - We check in with Dr. Andrew Talal, a member of the state's Hepatitis C Elimination Task Force, who provides an update on New York's goal of eliminating the transmission of the virus by 2030. He discusses work being spearheaded by the University of Buffalo and recommendations for state policymakers.
July 7, 2025 - New York is on the cusp of rolling out a state-run retirement program for private sector workers without access to a retirement option at work. New York State Department of Taxation & Finance Strategic Initiatives Deputy Commissioner Alexandra Greene discusses a pilot program being implemented in advance of a full deployment.
July 7, 2025 - New York State Energy Research & Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris talks about the state's energy plan and weighs in on the future use of nuclear power and fossil fuels in the Empire State.
July 3, 2025 - Communication 4 ALL founder and Executive Director Elizabeth Bonker makes the case for codifying a communication bill of rights to ensure that New Yorkers with a disability have access to services and tools that help them communicate with the outside world.
July 3, 2025 - The state's top court recently upheld the implementation of state rental regulations in Kingston, which a handful of other communities are trying to utilize. We explore the ruling and making it easier to invoke rental regulations with State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat.
July 3, 2025 - The medical marijuana industry in New York was launched more than a decade ago, but it has struggled to take off. State Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester Democrat, discusses the challenges facing the industry and the legislative response to the problem.
July 2, 2025 - New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Division of Criminal Justice Associate Commissioner Rabiah Gaynor talks about a recent visit to a Westchester County Jail program serving people behind bars with substance abuse and mental health conditions.
July 2, 2025 - Assemblymember Grace Lee, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for tax breaks designed to incentivize companies to grow or relocate to New York City, particularly in lower Manhattan.
July 2, 2025 - State lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to give restaurants and bars the flexibility to purchase wine and liquor from a retail store if they're in a pinch. We discuss the potential update to the state's alcohol laws and consider some other potential changes with Melissa Fleischut, president & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, and Scott Wexler, executive director of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association.
July 2, 2025 - NEW Pride Agenda Executive Director Kei Williams reflects on what was included in the state budget and during the legislative session to support LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. We also talk about unfinished business for 2026.
June 30, 2025 - In the second part of our conversation with Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, the aspiring Democratic gubernatorial candidate talks about how to fund universal child care and how his approach to federal immigration policies would look different than Gov. Kathy Hochul.
June 30, 2025 - State Budget Director Blake Washington stopped by the studio to discuss the state's finances following the release of the enacted budget financial plan. We talk about the future of corporate tax rates set to expire after next year and the ambiguity of future federal support.
June 30, 2025 - Eight parties submitted applications for three New York City-area casinos, so we examine the proposals and how they'll be vetted with Jason Beeferman, a Capitol reporter with Politico New York.
June 27, 2025 - We check in with Denise Miranda, the recently confirmed commissioner for the state Division of Human Rights. We talk about her mandate to overhaul the embattled agency, consider the ramifications of anti-discrimination language added to the state constitution, and discuss improvements under way at the division.
June 27, 2025 - We discuss what the state budget does (and doesn't do) to help seniors in New York, with Adam Herbst, a former Hochul administration health official, who is now a partner at Sheppard Mullin.
June 27, 2025 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado shares his reaction to Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's upset victory in the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City and outlines some of the policies he would enact as governor. (We'll have more of the conversation next week.)
June 25, 2025 - Among the challenges facing New Yorkers reentering communities after life behind bars is access to medical services, especially chronic conditions that this vulnerable population is more likely to suffer from. We explore how to ensure a continuum of care after leaving prison and discuss the state of medical services behind bars with Megan French-Marcelin, senior director of New York State policy at the Legal Action Center.
June 24, 2025 - Democratic state lawmakers pushed through a package of prison reforms in the waning days of the legislative session in June, but their proposals fell short of what progressive reformers were hoping for. We consider the scope of the proposed changes with Jennifer Scaife, executive director of the Correctional Association of New York.
June 24, 2025 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses his legislation putting guardrails on cutting-edge artificial intelligence research and explains how the measure was curtailed during the amendment process. He also talks about unfinished business from the legislative session, weighs in on the movie Mountainhead, and considers the status of Empire AI.
June 23, 2025 - State lawmakers have taken incremental steps to regulate "lawsuit lending," but the latest legislation abandons earlier protections that had been proposed, according to Tom Stebbins, executive director of the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York.
June 23, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to spend $1 million to identify sustainable revenue sources that could fund universal child care. We discuss the potential funding sources, as well as the cost of universal care, with Pete Nabozny, director of policy at The Children's Agenda and the lead author of a new report on universal child care.
June 23, 2025 - The state budget included $8.5 million to help a few thousand low-income families shoulder the cost of having a new baby. We explore the benefits of unconditional cash for new families and the limitations of the state's program with Steph Silkowski, director of policy and strategic initiatives at The Bridge Project.
June 18, 2025 - Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about legislative actions that could safeguard labor protections for private employees at the state level, as federal institutions abdicate their oversight role.
June 18, 2025 - The anti-discrimination language added to the state constitution is being tested in the courts, as judges challenge a forced retirement age in New York. We explore this constitutional amendment and its ramifications with attorney Evan Davis, who helped craft the protections.
June 18, 2025 - We're sharing an excerpt of a conversation on Dispatches from Planet Albany, which explored the path to the Democratic gubernatorial nomination for Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Our guest was Rebecca Garrard, co-executive director of Citizen Action of New York.
June 18, 2025 - Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for increasing costs on prescription drug middlemen in order to raise revenues to support independent pharmacies.
June 17, 2025 - Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse are all poised for a change in leadership, with the next mayors likely coming from the winner of the Democratic primaries. We talk about some of the unifying themes of these races with Alex Elmasri, a vice president with The Parkside Group.
June 17, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul was recently called before Congress to answer questions about the state's immigration policies, including restrictions on complying with federal officials. We explore the oversight hearing with Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter.
June 16, 2025 - State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham is still trying to get the Assembly on board with legislation reducing single-use plastic packaging waste, which was already approved by the Senate. The Westchester County Democrat addresses concerns from business groups and indicates his willingness to restart negotiations once the bill gets to the governor.
June 16, 2026 - Seneca Nation of Indians President J. Conrad Seneca discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul recent visit to the Cattaraugus Territory and addresses the nation's unresolved gambling compact with the state.
June 16, 2025 - Recreational marijuana sales are generating tax revenues for municipalities around the state, but counties are having a hard time distributing the funds. Ontario County Finance Director Mary Gates explains how mixed messages from state agencies are creating confusion about marijuana tax revenues.
June 12, 2025 - We examine how the funding streams for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have changed in recent years, which was the focus of a recent report from the state comptroller's office. Our guest is Rahul Jain, a deputy state comptroller.
June 12, 2025 - Assembly Children & Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, discusses his end of session priorities, including making supervised visitations more accessible, enacting Kyra's Law, and ending anonymous reporting of child abuse.
June 12, 2025 - State Sen. Anthony Palumbo, a Long Island Republicans, argues that a Democratic-led effort to create new judicial districts for Onondaga, Monroe, and Erie counties is brazen partisan meddling in the courts.
June 11, 2025 - Buffalo Sewer Authority Principal Sanitary Engineer Rosaleen Nogle talks about their effort in the Queen City to deal with wastewater and why this work is hampered by a lack of state and federal support.
June 11, 2025 - Environmental and public health advocates want state policymakers to more aggressively police what chemicals are in products New Yorkers buy, but the business community argues these efforts are misguided and overly burdensome. We hear those concerns from Ken Pokalsky, a vice president with The Business Council of New York State.
June 11, 2025 - State Sen. Chris Ryan, a Syracuse-area Democrat, is looking to update New York's bottle deposit and redemption laws. He explains his proposal, including what beverages would be covered, and why it's an alternative to a measure championed by environmentalists.
June 12, 2025 - An intense lobbying campaign by grocery stores to secure the right to sell wine is coming up short again in Albany, which is good news according to Michael Correra, a third-generation liquor store owner.
June 10, 2025 - Green energy jobs are a growing part of New York's economy and could become even more significant if state policymakers lean into the renewable energy goals in state law. We explore this evolving field, including the future variables, with Iris Packman, a senior research and policy development associate with Cornell University's ILR School's Climate Jobs Institute.
June 10, 2025 - In advance of the 2026 state elections, state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul made some changes to the state's system of public financing of election campaigns. We address the impact of the changes with Marina Pino, a counsel with the Brennan Center's elections and government program.
June 10, 2025 - We learn about the reporting requirements on lobbyists in New York and how they're monitored from Sandy Berland, executive director of the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.
June 10, 2025 - New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person makes the case for providing meaningful recess to elementary school-age children. She also discusses the implementation of smartphone restrictions in schools, funding for public education, and endorsements in the 2026 gubernatorial races.
June 9, 2025 - Assemblymember Pamela Hunter, a Syracuse Democrat, makes the case for amending the licensure process for New Yorkers who want to practice natural hair styling, which is disproportionately practiced by people of color and immigrants.
June 9, 2025 - In light of drug overdose deaths declining from 2023 to 2024, we explore what's driving the change with Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner for the State Office of Addiction Services & Supports. We talk about harm reduction strategies, opioid settlement funds, and addressing the risk of stimulants.
June 9, 2025 - Public Utility Law Project of New York Executive Director Laurie Wheelock discusses what the state budget does (and doesn't do) to lower utility bills and outlines steps policymakers in Albany could take to address what New Yorkers are paying for energy.
June 6, 2025 - We get to know Willow Baer, the recently confirmed commissioner at the State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. We discuss her unique stamp on the office, protecting vulnerable New Yorkers from abuse and neglect, boosting the direct care workforce, responding to federal Medicaid cuts, and promoting access to dental services.
June 5, 2025 - For years, nonprofits have experienced headaches contracting with the state, including dealing with delays in executing and funding contracts. Empire Justice Center President & CEO Kristin Brown hopes legislation shifting the payment structure can resolve some of the delays without costing the state.
June 5, 2025 - State Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, reflects on a recent hearing examining the state's response to harmful algal blooms and considers what additional steps should be taken to protect New York's freshwater.
June 5, 2025 - The state's superfund program, which helps clean up hazardous materials around New York, was updated in the state budget. We explore what the changes mean with attorney Jeff Stravino, a partner with Hodgson Russ.
June 5, 2025 - State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for eliminating about $3 billion in state tax breaks, which he argues aren't working in New York's best interest.
June 4, 2025 - We explore the ongoing legal skirmishes between the Trump administration and New York with Rebecca C. Lewis, senior state politics reporter at City & State New York.
June 4, 2025 - The Survivor Justice Coalition is pushing bills to ensure support survivors of sexual violence, including making it easier to bring a civil action against the state under the Child Victims Act and Adult Survivors Act. We discuss the package with Emily Miles, executive director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault.
June 4, 2025 - Politico New York reporter Marie French explains why two gas pipeline proposals, once left for dead, have new life after the Trump administration held a green energy priority of Gov. Kathy Hochul's hostage this spring.
June 4, 2025 - New York is in the process of setting up a system of automatic voter enrollment, but advocates are already identifying ways to make the effort more expansive. We discuss an enhanced program with Wennie Chin, senior director of community and civic engagement for the New York Immigration Coalition.
June 3, 2025 - New York Immigration Coalition President & CEO Murad Awawdeh talks about executive action he wants Gov. Kathy Hochul to take in response to federal immigration policies.
June 3, 2025 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for updating New York's harassment and stalking laws to account for online interactions.
June 3, 2025 - State Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, reflects on a recent hearing she led on the state prison system and discusses her agenda for reforming the state's correctional facilities.
June 2, 2025 - State Supreme Court Justice Frank Caruso, president of the State Association of Justices of the Supreme Court, shares his opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment lifting the limit on state supreme court judges and makes the case for an alternative approach to boosting the number of positions.
June 2, 2025 - Kevin Wolfe, deputy director of advocacy at the Center for New York City Neighborhoods, makes the case for a robust Homeowner Protection Program in New York and advocates for other consumer housing measures.
June 2, 2025 - Newsday reporters Arielle Martinez and David Olson explain the shortcomings of the state's disciplinary process for doctors. They discuss what the process could look like and how it plays out in practice, with the difference being a big concern for the public.
May 30, 2025 - Ruthanne Visnauskas, commissioner for New York State Homes and Community Renewal, talks about housing policies in the state budget, including a new voucher program, funds for infrastructure improvements in growing communities, and support for starter homes.
May 30, 2025 - Prisoners' Legal Services of New York Executive Director Karen Murtagh discusses potential changes to the grievance process in prisons and talks about what it takes for successful reentry following prison.
May 30, 2025 - Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, discusses the controversial transition of a popular home care program and identifies changes he wants to see to the administration of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program.
May 29, 2025 - Sen. Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, and Alex Beacham from Food & Water Watch, discuss a bill seeking to curb the promotion of large scale "factory" farms.
May 29, 2025 - Senate Internet and Technology Committee Chair Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, discusses what actions the legislature might take on artificial intelligence during the remainder of the 2025 legislative session.
May 29, 2025 - The state budget commits $200 million to thermal energy networks so we explore what these green projects are with Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
May 29, 2025 - We consider how the state budget may impact supportive housing and discuss a report examining the demographics of supportive housing users with Pascale Leone, executive director of Supportive Housing Network of New York, and Rachel Barth, the group's senior data analyst.
May 28, 2025 - A multi-billion dollar subsidy for upstate nuclear power facilities is set to expire in a few years, but a coalition of labor unions, the Business Council of New York and some environmentalists wants taxpayers to keep supporting the industry. We discuss the case for more subsidies with Gregory Lancette, president of the Central & Northern New York Building Trades.
May 28, 2025 - Mack Hueber, president of the Empire Cannabis Manufacturer's Alliance, makes the case for a state revolving loan fund to support cannabis businesses, opposes additional fees on marijuana companies to implement a product tracking system, and urges state regulators to allow more indoor growing of recreational marijuana
May 28, 2025 - Road salt helps keep traffic moving safely in the winter, but the status quo is harmful to the environment, so there is a push to update how crews deal with snow and icy conditions. We talk about steps that combine environmental health and traffic safety with Shannon Roback, science director for Riverkeeper.
May 28, 2025 - In response to efforts to police what books students can access, Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Manhattan Democrat, is pushing a bill empowering school librarians to keep age appropriate materials on the shelves.
May 27, 2025 - A DNA test can reveal important health information, but legislation in Albany would restrict insurers from using that genetic data to inform their coverage costs. We consider this restriction with Danielle Spadafora, managing director of advocacy for The ALS Association, and Ashley Crawley, whose father died from ALS in 2024.
May 27, 2025 - The constitutionality of a 2023 state law shifting the dates of municipal elections, traditionally held on odd years, to even years will be reviewed by the state's top court. We examine the arguments on both sides of this debate with Richard Rifkin, legal director for the Government Law Center at Albany Law School.
May 27, 2025 - Oded Oren, founder and executive director of Scrutinize, discusses his organization's new online database with information about more than 1,000 judges from across the state.
May 27, 2025 - We go over the voting trends in recent school board races and school district budget referendums with David Albert, chief communications and marketing officer for the New York State School Boards Association.
May 26, 2025 - The state budget included some money to begin overhauling the emergency response to New Yorkers suffering a behavioral crisis and it expanded the state's involuntary commitment powers. We touch on both proposals with Ruth Lowenkron, director of the Disability Justice Program at the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.
May 26, 2025 - We discuss legislation that would cap the cost of outpatient services provided by hospitals with Misha Sharp, assistant director of policy for the 32BJ Health Fund.
May 26, 2025 - National Grid is seeking approval by state regulators on a three-year rate increase for their residential customers in upstate New York. We explore what's driving their plan and how the proposal was reached with Phil Decicco, the company's general counsel for business in the Empire State.
May 23, 2025 - The state budget includes a controversial codification of a new standard for involuntary commitments in New York, which was championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and opposed by civil rights advocates. The New York Public News Network's J.T. Stone explores what this new language could mean, as he talks with state mental health officials, advocates and elected officials.
May 23, 2025 - We explore how the state budget affects New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their caregivers with Mike Alvaro, president and CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State. He also outlines his agenda for the remainder of the session.
May 222, 2025 - We explore how the state budget impacts health care facilities, like hospitals and nursing homes, with Bea Grause, president of the Healthcare Association of New York State. We also chat about the bills she wants to push and kill during the remainder of the legislative session.
May 23, 2025 - We explore how the state budget may transform access to mental health services in New York with Dr. Ann Sullivan, commissioner for the State Office of Mental Health. We also consider the possibility of federal cuts to Medicaid.
May 22, 2025 - We explore the topline state budget numbers, including what's driving New York's spending to record heights, with Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission.
May 22, 2025 - Assemblywoman Sarah Clark, a Rochester-area Democrat, makes the case for legislation requiring law enforcement use an enhanced risk-assessment tool when responding to domestic incidents to determine if things might escalate.
May 22, 2025 - NAACP New York State Conference President L. Joy Williams discusses her vision, advocacy work in the state budget, and agenda for the remainder of the legislative session in Albany.
May 21, 2025 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer explains how the state budget impacts the Adirondack Park and discusses her legislative agenda for the rest of the session.
May 21, 2025 - After a major overhaul in 2019, New York's laws governing evidence disclosure are getting tweaked again at the behest of county prosecutors. We discuss what the changes in the budget consist of and their impact with Kevin Stadelmaier, the first deputy defender for Erie County’s assigned counsel program’s criminal division.
May 21, 2025 - We explore agriculture loans, credits and grants in the state budget with Renée St. Jacques, acting director of public policy for the New York Farm Bureau, We also discuss what the group is hoping to pass and block during the remaining days of the session.
May 21, 2025 - In the aftermath of the state budget being adopted, we check in with the Siena College Research Institute's Steve Greenberg to discuss how New Yorkers feel about some of the more high profile items that were in this budget. We also get an update on the race to be the Republican nominee for governor.
May 20, 2025 - Stony Brook University Professor Robert Harrison, the interim executive director of the Empire AI, discusses the idea behind this consortium, explains the state funding going into the initiative, and highlights the ongoing research.
May 20, 2025 - Earthjustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran responds to what was (and wasn't) in the state budget that impacted the environment, including a new $1 billion initiative and a dearth of aggressive policies.
May 20, 2025 - Johanna Miller, director of the education policy center for the New York Civil Liberties Union, shares her concerns about the state's impending restrictions on smartphones in schools and makes the case for a more local approach.
May 19, 2025 - The state budget included an expansion of the child tax credit, money for child care vouchers, and a rebate check, but how will it impact child poverty? We consider these policies with Pete Nabozny, director of policy at The Children's Agenda, and Kate Breslin, president and CEO of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, who are both members of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council.
May 19, 2025 - Schenectady County Public Health Director Keith Brown explains why local health officials want timely access to unnatural death information, like autopsies, so they can steer public health decisions.
May 19, 2025 - Assembly Tourism, Arts, Parks and Sports Development Committee Chair Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, discusses a recent hearing on the live-event ticketing industry and how it might be regulated in the future.
May 19, 2025 - Younger voters make up a small portion of the electorate in New York, but legislation promoting civic engagement on college campuses hopes to change this dynamic. We explore this effort to rock the vote with Brendan Cushing, managing director for Generation Vote.
May 16, 2025 - New York should have enough power to get through the demands of a normal summer, according to a report by the New York Independent System Operator. We review their findings and consider what needs to happen to boost the state's energy capacity with Kevin Lanahan, the organization's vice president of external affairs and corporate communications.
May 16, 2025 - We examine an effort to give law enforcement more tools to go after drivers who are impaired by drugs. Our guest is Maureen McCormick, co-chair of the vehicular crime subcommittee for the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York.
May 16, 2025 - Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, makes the case for giving all New Yorkers the same rights and protections when considering whether to accept a severance package from their employer. We also discuss the ramifications of the state paying off its unemployment insurance debt.
May 15, 2025 - Common Sense Media Senior Counsel for Tech Policy Holly Grosshans and Counsel for Tech Policy Brenna Leasor discuss a package of bills designed to keep New Yorkers, especially kids, safe as they navigate social media and utilize artificial intelligence companions.
May 15, 2025 - Assemblymember Chuck Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, makes the case for a leadership shakeup at Nassau University Medical Center, the largest public safety net hospital on Long Island.
May 14, 2025 - Lev Ginsburg, executive director of the New York State Conference of Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, makes the case for legislation promoting hospital cost transparency and increasing prescription drug purchasing options.
May 14, 2025 - Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and New York State Power Authority President and CEO Justin Driscoll discuss their collaboration on the development of a solar farm at a closed landfill in the capital city.
May 14, 2025 - We consider what the recently adopted state budget means for New York's public colleges and universities with SUNY Chancellor John King, who talks about operating aid for campuses, free community college, and the Trump administration's attack on higher education.
May 13, 2025 - Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, discusses what his conference got into the state budget, weighs in on the possibility of reforming the budget process, and talks about the governor's authority to make mid-year spending changes.
May 13, 2025 - Mental Health Association in New York State CEO Glenn Liebman talks about state budget funding for organizations contracting with the state to provide mental health services and outlines some of his group's legislative priorities for the rest of session.
May 13, 2025 - Assemblyman Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for lifting the constitutional cap on state supreme court judges and describes legislation that would set the number of judges by a new formula.
May 13, 2025 - New York was granted flexibility to spend some of its federal Medicaid dollars, but the Trump administration has indicated the waiver could be short lived. We discuss the ramifications of this decision with Michael Kinnucan, health policy director at the Fiscal Policy Institute.
May 12, 2025 - Fountain House CEO Ken Zimmerman explains how clubhouses promote therapeutic social engagement for New Yorkers with serious mental illnesses and talks about their funding in the state budget.
May 12, 2025 - We discuss the state budget's effect on public schools with Brian Fessler, chief advocacy officer for the New York State School Boards Association. We break down funding for public education, relaxing a transition to zero-emission school buses, and implementing free school meals.
May 12, 2025 - Katie Schaefer, director of advocacy and organizing, at the Center for Community Alternatives, makes the case for eliminating fees in the criminal justice system, which she argues are predatory.
May 12, 2025 - We explore the state's investment in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library with Jenn O'Connor, director of partnerships in early childhood policy for Education Trust-New York, and Peter Gannon, president and CEO at the United Way of the Greater Capital Region. The guests also weigh in on other elements of the state budget affecting kids.
May 9, 2025 - Patrick Wildes, director of Albany Law School's Government Law Center, discusses language in the state budget making it easier for New Yorkers to be involuntarily committed and considers what the implementation will look like.
May 9, 2025 - Rockefeller Institute of Government President Bob Megna, a former state budget director, talks about the power governors have to unilaterally control spending and addresses Gov. Kathy Hochul's expanded authority over budget cuts.
May 9, 2025 - We check in on the state of New York's marijuana landscape, including special showcase events, language in the state budget, and a backlog of license applications, with Joe Belluck, chair of the state's Cannabis Advisory Board.
May 8, 2025 - Rose Duhan, president and CEO of the Community Healthcare Association of New York State, discusses how funding in the state budget and cuts to Americorps will impact the services provided by community healthcare centers. She also makes the case for expanding the scope of practice for health care professionals.
May 8, 2025 - Former Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy, now the president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, discusses changes to the selection process of future lieutenant governors that was included in the state budget at the behest of Gov. Kathy Hochul, who had a public break with her number two. The Rochester Democrat also talks about a healthy relationship between a lieutenant governor and the governor.
May 7, 2025 - State Sen. Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, and Ken Pokalsky, a vice president of The Business Council of New York State, express their objections to an evolving plan to fund the state's share of a $68 billion capital plan for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which would include cutting the payroll tax for small New York City area businesses and raising it for large employers.
May 7, 2025 - Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses some of her priorities in Albany, including getting harmful chemicals out of everyday products and limiting plastic packaging waste.
May 7, 2025 - Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses legislation designed to limit sports gambling advertising and restrict how much can be bet in one day.
May 6, 2025 - A quiet campaign by an organized labor and a prolonged advocacy effort by the business community appears to have been successful in convincing state policymakers to pay off New York's multi-billion dollar unemployment insurance debt to the federal government. We consider the ramifications of the deal that is taking shape, including what it means for unemployment benefits in the future, with Zach Williams, a Capitol reporter for Bloomberg Government.
May 6, 2025 - In order to foster climate-resilient communities, the state is promoting the planting of trees and shrubs along tributaries in New York. We explore what this effort looks like in the Hudson Valley with Beth Roessler, stream buffer coordinator for the Hudson River Estuary Program with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
May 5, 2025 - After years of objections from governors and state budget officials, Democratic state lawmakers and housing stakeholders appear to have advanced their campaign for a state housing voucher program. We consider the pilot program that could be included in the state budget with Christine Quinn, president and CEO of WIN.
May 5, 2025 - A new survey from the Siena College Research Institute examined how New Yorkers feel about the risk of climate change and some of the key environmental and energy questions being debated by the state policymakers. We break down the polling results with Travis Brodbeck, the organization's associate director of data management.
May 5, 2025 - Biosolids are billed as a cheap alternative that farmers can use instead of fertilizer, but environmentalists and public health officials are now warning that these treated materials could be dangerous. We discuss legislation pausing the use of biosolids in New York with Claire Walsh Winsler, director of food agriculture and land use policy for Environmental Advocates New York.
May 2, 2025 - The process of selecting a firm to manage the Long Island power grid took a dramatic twist this week, so we're unpacking the drama with Mark Harrington, a reporter with Newsday.
May 2, 2025 - The medical cannabis industry is leery of language they claim Gov. Kathy Hochul is advancing in the budget that would effectively limit the market for medical marijuana patients. We discuss the potential fallout from the governor's plan with Katie Neer, who is of counsel for Dickinson & Avella and represents the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association.
May 2, 2025 - Assembly Insurance Committee Chair David Weprin, a Queens Democrat, considers what can be done to restrain New York's constantly increasing car insurance costs.
May 2, 2025 - Three decades ago the Health Care Reform Act was adopted to create new efficiencies at hospitals, but it has evolved (or devolved?) into basically a multi-billion dollar tax that funds the status quo in health care. We consider removing this tax and changing how health care is funded with John O'Malley, of CWA Local 1180, and Richard Winston, a lobbyist with State & Broadway.
May 1, 2025 - Environmental Advocates NY Senior Director of Clean Water Rob Hayes explains why not all discharge to waste water treatment plants can be completely processed and calls for closer monitoring of industrial activities.
May 1, 2025 - State health officials have launched an online dashboard that makes it easy to track and analyze data on sexually transmitted diseases in New York. We explore this public facing tool with Wilson Miranda, surveillance director for the Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology at the State Department of Health, and John Lake, evaluation specialist for the Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology at the State Department of Health.
May 1, 2025 - Dr. Robert Zayas, executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, addresses the concerns about public and private schools competing in high school sports playoffs against each other.
April 30, 2025 - Frederick Kowal, president of United University Professions, argues that SUNY and CUNY leaders should be part of a vocal, coordinated rebuttal to President Donald Trump's effort to disrupt the status quo on college campuses, including stifling academic freedom.
April 30, 2025 - The state's paid medical leave benefit has been stagnant for more than three decades, which hinders the ability of cancer patients to access care, according to Michael Davoli, senior New York State government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and Stacy Betler, a cancer survivor.
April 30, 2025 - New York State Troopers PBA President Charles Murphy makes the case for a state law ensuing troopers have up to 30 days of paid leave to process their direct involvement with a use-of-force incident that leads the death or serious injury of another person.
April 30, 2025 - New York is poised to become the latest state to restrict access to smartphones during the school day, based on a state budget deal announced Monday. The Capitol Pressroom's J.T. Stone examined the policy scheduled to take effect for the 2025-2026 school year and talked with education stakeholders from around New York.
April 29, 2025 - On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a budget deal was reached with the Democratic majorities in the state legislature. And while the bills still need to be printed and final details agreed upon, we review the broad strokes of the agreement with Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter for the Times Union.
April 29, 2025 - Sen. Monica Martinez, a Long Island Democrat, talks about why she is pushing plastic packaging waste legislation that is an alternative to a proposal with waste reduction mandates that has been under consideration for years.
April 29, 2025 - New Yorkers are used to high insurance costs, for everything from property coverage to a foster care program, and now the cost of car insurance has prompted the ride sharing industry to push for change. We talked with Josh Gold, senior director of public policy and communications at Uber, about the ramifications of costly insurance coverage and how state policymakers could address the problem.
April 29, 2025 - Stephanie Miner, who served as mayor of Syracuse from 2010 until 2018, discusses her new memoir, including why her political relationship with then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo fizzled and what it was like working with the state legislature.
April 28, 2025 - Monica Billger, director of state government affairs at the American Diabetes Association, discusses legislation intended to make obesity treatments, including popular weight loss drugs, more accessible by mandating insurance coverage.
April 28, 2025 - We consider changes to the uncontested divorce process in New York with April Dalbec, co-chair of the matrimonial and family law practice group for Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP. We also consider potential changes to the legal separation laws and access to pro bono divorce attorneys.
April 28, 2025 - Chris Bowser, education coordinator for the state Department of Environmental Conservation‘s Hudson River Estuary Program, in partnership with the NYS Water Resource Institute talks about the eel population in New York and explains a program that engages New Yorkers to track the state’s eels.
April 25, 2025 - Luke Sikinyi, vice president of public policy at the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, highlights the long wait lists for state-funded mental health services in New York and argues against expanding the use of involuntary commitments.
April 25, 2025 - In a new excerpt from Dispatches from Planet Albany, we broke down the evolving field of GOP gubernatorial candidates with Republican communications consultant Chapin Fay.
April 25, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to give the state's prisons some breathing room by moving up the release date of hundreds of New Yorkers already scheduled to be let go. We discuss this policy with Laura Roan, vice president of in-prison services for The Osborne Association.
April 25, 2025 - New York Attorney General Letitia James could soon find herself under a federal criminal investigation, but is this a weaponization of the justice system? We explore the case against the Brooklyn Democrat and the response by the Trump administration with Dale Margolin Cecka, an assistant professor of law at Albany Law School.
April 23, 2025 - We break down the latest survey of voters by the Siena College Research Institute, which asked if New Yorkers care about a late budget, who they want to be the gubernatorial nominees next year, and their reactions to some Trump administration priorities. Our guest is Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
April 23, 2025 - Assemblymember Emérita Torres, a Bronx Democrat, explains her legislation regulating the use of price adjustments informed by consumer data.
April 23, 2025 - New York State Attorney General Letitia James is going after de facto payday lending operations that she claims are engaging in abusive and deceptive practices. Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Project, discusses the attorney general's lawsuit and makes the case for stricter regulations of online financial services.
April 23, 2025 - Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, a Brooklyn Democrat, talks about why kids in foster care need to be provided with luggage. The thousands of kids in the system without luggage, and how the problem could be addressed, was recently explored by The Imprint.
April 22, 2025 - New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang discusses a recent report on workers' compensation fraud investigations in 2024, which led to an increase in arrests and recovered payouts.
April 22, 2025 - New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario calls on state policymakers to stop siphoning off funds intended for New York's 9-1-1 system in order to pay for critical upgrades to the emergency network.
April 21, 2025 - We get an update on the Trump administration's decision to take control of the long-stalled overhaul of Penn Station, Our guest, Stephen Nessen, a transportation reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, explains what had been happening under the Metropolitan Transit Authority and identifies some of the big questions moving forward.
April 21, 2025 - State Senator Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, and Assembly Member Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, make the case for allowing a handful of municipalities to transition how they tax land in an attempt to promote growth and shift the local tax burden.
April 21, 2025 - Antony Gemmell, supervising attorney with the Prisoners' Rights Project at the Legal Aid Society, discusses a lawsuit against the Hochul Administration's pause on parts of a state law restricting the use of solitary confinement in New York prisons.
April 18, 2025 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe responds to the Trump administration hitting pause on the construction of an offshore wind project along Long Island that was expected to be in operation next year and power about 500,000 homes.
April 18, 2025 - In order to improve the processing of sex offense evidence, legislation has been introduced to ensure that rape kits processed at hospitals are part of a statewide tracking system and are addressed by law enforcement in a timely manner. Our guest is Ilse Knecht, director of policy and advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation.
April 18, 2025 - Gabrielle Lerner, president of the Student Government Association at Empire State University, makes the case for codifying a student bill of rights for SUNY and CUNY students.
April 18, 2025 - New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses an audit of more than $450 million of medical equipment purchased by the state in the early days of the pandemic and has gone almost completely unused. He also addresses why his office didn't conduct this review years earlier.
April 17, 2025 - Assemblymember Scott Gray, a North Country Republican, discusses his role in helping a family of constituents who were detained and brought to Texas by federal immigration officials.
April 17, 2025 - Assemblymember D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, discusses the prison landscape in New York and makes the case for hiring prison guards dismissed earlier this year. We also talk about the potential closing of additional facilities, the high-profile killings in central New York prisons, and much more.
April 16, 2025 - We get an update on the transition of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program from Katelyn Cordero, a health care reporter with Politico New York.
April 16, 2025 - Assemblymember Robert Smullen, a Mohawk Valley Republican, defends the Trump Administration's approach to tariffs and argues that increased tariffs could benefit American manufacturing and the federal government's coffers.
April 15, 2025 - Alexandra Fitz, head of the enterprise initiatives and partnership for the New York eHealth Collaborative, explains an effort to improve the flow of health care records among providers all over the state and public health officials.
April 15, 2025 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer discusses an amendment to the state constitution making its way through Albany that would ensure that upgrades to a Lake Placid-area sports complex are in line with the state constitution's Adirondack protections.
April 15, 2025 - Politico New York health care reporter Maya Kaufman shares her findings from a deep dive into the spending of 1199 SEIU. Her reporting exposes how the union's president, George Gresham, and his close associates have personally benefited from the organization.
April 15, 2025 - A handful of state agencies have room for improving their standards and practices governing artificial intelligence use, according to an audit by the state comptroller's office. We break down their findings and recommendations with Tina Kim, deputy comptroller in the division of state government accountability for the comptroller's office.
April 14, 2025 -Regional Food Bank President CEO Tom Nardacci talks about a newly opened training kitchen and explains how Republicans in Washington D.C. could exacerbate New York's food insecurity problems.
April 14, 2025 - Jihoon Kim, CEO of InUnity Alliance, makes the case for using additional federal dollars to support mental health and substance abuse services. He also talks about a cost of living raise for nonprofits and shares concerns about the Trump administration.
April 14, 2025 - State Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board Chair Debra Pantin discusses the flow of settlement funds, the board's future, and the impact of the Trump administration policies on overdose deaths.
April 11, 2025 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, discusses what he's hoping to get inserted into the final state budget to help working families.
April 11, 2025 - Emily Eisner, chief economist with the Fiscal Policy Institute, discusses the various ideas on how to tackle the extra billions of dollars that businesses have been asked to pay as a result of unprecedented unemployment benefits paid out five years ago.
April 11, 2025 - The state budget adopted in 2024 included a much needed rate increase for early intervention providers, but that support hasn't been realized and the Hochul administration has implemented cuts to reimbursements, according to Brigit Hurley, chief program officer for The Children's Agenda.
April 11, 2025 - Democrats in the state legislature claim they're relatively powerless in the budget process compared to the governor, but is that the case? We debunk some of the common misconceptions about making the budget with EJ McMahon, an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
April 10, 2025 - Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, a Capital Region Democrat and former public defender, argues against an effort by Gov. Kathy Hochul and prosecutors to amend the state's evidentiary disclosure laws, which underwent major changes in 2019.
April 10, 2025 - Assemblymember Steve Otis, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for creating a rebate that would incentivize the purchase of electric lawn care equipment.
April 10, 2025 - State environmental regulators are delaying enforcement of rules promoting the sale of electric trucks and state lawmakers also want to pause the system. We consider the future of this environmental proposal with Ryan Gallentine, a managing director with the trade association Advanced Energy United.
April 10, 2025 - Assemblymember Micah Lasher, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses his legislation establishing a framework for New York to withhold payments to the federal government if the Trump administration withholds state funds in violation of a court order.
April 9, 2025 - The Imprint senior reporter Michael Fitzgerald exposes the prescribing of psychotropic drugs to foster youth and explains how little information is publicly available in New York about these practices.
April 9, 2025 - We discuss legislation requiring schools craft plans for a cardiac event with Kaweeda Adams, former superintendent for Albany City School District, and Matt Hickling, medical director in the Lansingburgh Central School District.
April 9, 2025 - Some Democratic state lawmakers are looking to ban flavored nicotine pouches, so we consider the proposal with Dr. Brian Erkkila, director of regulatory science at Swedish Match, a subsidiary of Philip Morris International, which makes the ZYN brand pouches.
April 9, 2025 - Jacqueline Franchetti, founder of Kyra’s Champions, makes the case for Kyra's Law, which would impose new training standards for family court judges and promote child safety in custody cases.
April 8, 2025 - We explore why out-of-state marijuana products are ending up on the shelves of licensed retailers in New York and consider how state regulators should respond. Our guest is John Vavalo, president of the Association of New York Cannabis Processors.
April 8, 2025 - The Hochul Administration is now slow playing the release of rules intended to restrict emissions and charge the largest polluters in New York, so they're facing a lawsuit from environmentalists. We explore the case for a faster deployment of the "cap-and-invest" program with Hillary Aidun, a senior associate attorney in the Northeast Regional Office of Earthjustice, which brought the legal challenge.
April 8, 2025 - A bipartisan coalition is looking to rollback a 35-year-old state law that restricted the organ recipient lists that New Yorkers could be placed on. We explore the life-saving benefit of this legislative change with Aisha Tator, executive director of Donate Life New York State.
April 7, 2025 - Robin Chappelle Golston, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, which represents the Planned Parenthood affiliates in New York, shares her group's fiscal and policy agenda for Albany and talks about access to reproductive health care services.
April 7, 2025 - Community health centers are an important safety net for low-income New Yorkers without access to traditional health care providers, but they're struggling to stay afloat with state Medicaid rates based on two decades ago. We explore this funding problem and other challenges with Rose Duhan, president and CEO of the Community Health Care Association of New York State.
April 7, 2025 - American Farmland Trust New York Policy Manager Julian Mangano discusses how eligibility changes for a school meal reimbursement program could result in more locally purchased food for students.
April 4, 2025 - Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Brooklyn Democrats, explain their legislation that would impose technological restrictions on how fast egregious, repeat speeders could drive in the future.
April 4, 2025 - Assemblymember Steven Raga, a Queens Democrat, and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the Mitchell–Lama housing program and consider potential reforms to this historic affordable housing initiative.
April 4, 2025 - Assemblymember Brian Maher, a Hudson Valley Republican, discusses what the state could do to improve its human trafficking prevention efforts and to connect trafficking survivors with needed services.
April 3, 2025 - Assemblymember Alex Bores has proposed safeguards on the most cutting edge developments of artificial intelligence technology, but the tech industry is pushing back on this type of government regulations. We hear some of those concerns from Todd O'Boyle, vice president of technology policy at the Chamber of Progress.
April 4, 2025 - Assemblymember Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, talks about legislation allowing parents with medically fragile children to be paid for providing their children with home care if they obtain minimum training.
April 3, 2025 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, discusses legislation requiring employers to disclose more information to prospective employees about their potential compensation and benefits beyond the position's salary range.
April 3, 2025 - The existing power producers in New York don't want the state's utilities to get into the energy generation business, so they formed a coalition to oppose this authority. We explore this opposition with Gavin Donohue, president and chief executive officer of the Independent Power Producers of New York, and Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.
April 3, 2025 - Matthew Dunbar, chief strategy officer for the New York City and Westchester County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, explains legislation enabling rental properties to be transitioned to condominiums to facilitate affordable homeownership.
April 2, 2025 - Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisor Rachael Fauss makes the case for bills to improve access to public records, including comprehensive tracking of records requests to state agencies.
April 1, 2025 - State Sen. Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, wants to overhaul the state Public Service Commission and reform the way energy utility bills are set in order to control costs for ratepayers in New York.
April 1, 2025 - New York has ambitious green energy goals, but do policymakers need to smooth out the transition? We examine the future rule of fossil fuels in New York with Kris DeLair, executive director of the Empire State Energy Association, and Peter McHenry, director of terminal operations for Sprague Energy.
April 2, 2025 - In response to a campaign by construction unions and Democratic state lawmakers to lower the threshold for imposing lucrative wage and benefit requirements on projects receiving public funds, business interests are urging legislative leaders to preserve the status quo. We hear the argument against expanding prevailing wage from John Ravitz, executive vice president for the Business Council of Westchester.
April 1, 2025 - New York State Budget Director Blake Washington provides a status update on budget negotiations, including how to approach fiscal ambiguity, his role when discussions turn to policy, and the plan to keep families from losing access to child care.
April 2, 2025 - Internet for Growth Executive Director Brendan Thomas raises concerns about legislation imposing a tax on digital advertising in New York to fund a new unemployment system for workers excluded from the traditional unemployment safety net.
March 31, 2025 - President Donald Trump is trying to dismantle the federal Department of Education, but what does it mean for New York? We explore the department's traditional role and the future with Brian Cechnicki, executive director of the Association of School Business Officials of New York.
April 2, 2025 - The American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network's Michael Davoli and Roswell Park's Dr. Mary Reid advocate for legislation preventing insurers from charging out-of-pocket costs for recommended lung cancer screenings.
March 31, 2025 - Assemblymember Landon Dais, a Bronx Democrat, and Jeff Wice, of the New York Law School's Census and Redistricting Institute, discuss what state policymakers should be doing to prepare for the 2030 Census and reflect on what went wrong with the 2020 count in the Empire State.
March 31, 2025 - New York State Insurance Association President Cassandra Anderson makes the case for state to give car insurers more flexibility to retroactively cancel policies used as part of a fraud campaign.
March 31, 2025 - We consider the state's plans for certifying halfway houses with Van Smith, founder of the Recovery Houses of Rochester and president of New York State Alliance of Recovery Residences.
March 28, 2025 - A report from the Jack Kemp Foundation makes the case for changing the application of New York's sales taxes so they don't disproportionately hit low-income consumers. We discuss what the alternative could look like, including an increased sales tax on luxury purchases, with Ike Brannon, a senior fellow with the foundation.
March 25, 2025 - In an excerpt from this week's Dispatches from Planet Albany, we speak with Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, about his unsuccessful bid to lead the Democratic National Committee, his political ambition, and reforming his party in New York.
March 28, 2025 - New York State School Boards Association Chief Advocacy Officer Brian Fessler explains why a coalition of education stakeholders are backing a plan from the legislative leaders that would restrict access to smartphones in schools, but give local districts more flexibility for implementing these restrictions than what is being championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
March 27, 2025 - New York State Attorney General Letitia James is pushing legislation updating New York's laws governing unfair and deceptive practices. We explore what these consumer protections would do with Ariana Lindermayer, a senior staff attorney with Mobilization for Justice.
March 27, 2025 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for establishing a labor board responsible for recommending rules and regulations to create safer working conditions for prison guards.
March 26, 2025 - Small claims courts are supposed to be a forum to quickly and cheaply resolve legal matters, but in some of New York's most populated counties justice can be a lengthy wait. New York Public Interest Research Group staff attorney Kyle Giller explains why there are delays and how they could be addressed.
March 27, 2025 - State Senator Lea Webb, a Binghamton Democrat, discusses steps New York could take to address its poor maternal health outcomes. She also identifies some of her priorities for inclusion in the state budget.
March 26, 2025 - State environmental regulators could do more to oversee the conditions at thousands of dams in New York, according to an audit by the state comptroller's office. We discuss the findings with Tina Kim, deputy comptroller for the Division of State Government Accountability.
March 27, 2025 - State Senate Children & Families Committee Chair Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, calls for the state to step in and fund a popular child care voucher program that is in jeopardy of dropping thousands of enrolled families.
March 25, 2025 - The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is hoping that Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrats in the state legislature can reach a consensus in budget negotiations on billions in additional capital funding for the downstate transit system. Our guest is Jamie Torres-Springer, president of construction and development for the MTA.
March 25, 2025 - Fresh off a big victory at the state's top court, we check in with Sandy Berland, executive director of the State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. We discuss the court ruling and its aftermath, a request for additional state funds, and new data releases.
March 25, 2025 - A group of mobile home park residents in Western New York have taken their property manager to court arguing a 2023 rent increase violates the guidelines written into state law in 2019. Our guests are Maribeth Sheedy, a resident of Akron Mobile Home Park and lawsuit plaintiff, and Robert Friedman, the plaintiff attorney.
March 26, 2025 - Assemblymember Jon Rivera, a Buffalo Democrat, makes the case for the state to spend millions on refugee settlement services in light of the Trump administration's attempt to cut funding for nonprofits doing this work.
March 25, 2025 - Vito Grasso, executive vice president of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians, whose daughter suffers from a rare genetic disease, makes the case for the state to launch a rare disease advisory council.
March 24, 2025 - A pilot program in Buffalo is trying to address the underlying problems that lead young people to frequently flee their homes. We talk about the coordinated response with David Mann, who works in the Special Victims Unit of the Buffalo Police Department and is a board member with BestSelf Behavioral Health.
March 24, 2025 - The Alliance for a Hunger Free New York Executive Director Natasha Pernicka discusses the demand on food pantries, makes the case for spending more on state programs combatting hunger, and explains how Medicaid dollars might address food insecurity.
March 14, 2025 - Construction unions and their allies in the state legislature are hoping to rewrite the laws governing the application of prevailing wage, pushing language that would expand when it applies and eliminating an obscure review board. We discuss this legislative campaign with Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York.
March 21, 2025 - New York Focus Albany Bureau Chief Chris Bragg shares that political patronage is alive and well in the court system, despite a reform effort two decades ago to prevent connected New Yorkers from profiting off their relationships with judges.
March 20, 2025 - We break down the ruling from the state's top court that upheld the constitutionality of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government with Richard Rifkin, legal director for the Government Law Center at Albany Law School.
March 20, 2025 - New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli calls for more fiscally prudent budgeting from the state Legislature and addresses a campaign to divest the pension fund of its Tesla holdings.
March 19, 2025 - New York State Association for Affordable Housing President & CEO Jolie Milstein discusses efforts to promote the growth of affordable housing and calls for more government subsidies for developers.
March 19, 2025 - New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon explains the effort to place former federal workers into state government jobs. We also examine why the governor thinks it's necessary to study how to fund universal child care in New York.
March 19, 2025 - The administration transition of the state Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program is scheduled to be done at the end of March, but most stakeholders say the process won't be completed on time. We explore why and what that could mean with Ilana Berger, New York political director for Caring Majority Rising.
March 20, 2025 - Businesses paying credit card fees are hoping the state will prohibit tacking these costs on to sales taxes and gratuities. We explore these concerns with Ashley Ranslow, state director in New York for NFIB, and Mike Durant, president & CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York State.
March 20, 2025 - We examine the governor's proposals to target drugged driving and crackdown on fentanyl analogs with Toni Smith, state director in New York for the Drug Policy Alliance.
March 19, 2025 - New York Birth Control Access Project and Action Fund co-Executive Director Jenna Bimbi makes the case for legislation ensuring pharmacists can administer a birth control shot and get reimbursed by private insurance plans for doling out hormonal birth control.
March 18, 2025 - The state's commercial ambulance providers want a multi-million dollar investment in Medicaid rates to keep up with the growing costs of providing their life-saving services. We discuss this campaign with Bryan Brauner, CEO of Twin City Ambulance in Western New York and head of the legislative committee for the United New York Ambulance Network.
March 18, 2025 - The state's domestic violence services could be thrown into disarray by funding cuts at the federal level. We explore how the state should boost its services to survivors of domestic violence with Joan Gerhardt, director of public policy and advocacy for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
March 18, 2025 - Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates President Allegra Schorr discusses regulatory changes in New York to make medication assisted treatment more accessible and outlines the funding needs of her providers.
March 17, 2025 - Northern Rivers Family of Services Executive Director Bill Gettman discusses the rising insurance costs facing voluntary foster care agencies, which could hinder their ability to find homes and services for foster kids across the state.
March 14, 2025 - State Sen. Patricia Fahy, an Albany Democrat, explains why New Yorkers in powered wheelchairs need more options for getting their vehicles repaired and discusses the broader "right to repair" campaign.
March 14, 2025 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald talks about access to obesity medication and dental services, while also providing an update the transition of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program.
March 14, 2025 - New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy discusses her mandate to improve state government efficiency and promote innovation.
March 13, 2025 - New York Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball talks about the governor's budget and provides an update on eligibility for the state's farmworkers tax credit.
March 13, 2025 - Warmer weather means a possible encounter with a coyote, so we get some tips on how to avoid conflicts with these wild animals from Mandy Watson, a wildlife biologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
March 13, 2025 - We discuss the governor's spending plan and the possibility of unemployment insurance cost relief for businesses with Assemblymember Ed Ra, a Long Island Republican.
March 12, 2025 - The 2-1-1 hotline helps connect New Yorkers with services in their communities, but the network needs additional investment, according to Therese Daly, president and CEO of the United Way of New York State.
March 12, 2025 - We talk about the security needs of private, religious schools, state oversight of yeshivas, expanding the state's child tax credit, and overseeing vaccine records with Yeruchim Silber, director of New York government relations for Agudath Israel of America.
March 13, 2025 - New York State Committee on Open Government Executive Director Shoshanah Bewlay unpacks rulings from the state's top court that ensure the public has access to police disciplinary records from before 2020, including records about unsubstantiated complaints.
March 12, 2025 - Progressive tenant advocates and state lawmakers want to expand the pathways for municipalities to demonstrate a housing emergency that would let them participate in rent stabilization regulations. We hear concerns about this proposal from Richard Lanzarone, executive director of the Hudson Valley Property Owners Association.
March 12, 2025 - The largest public safety net hospital on Long Island, the Nassau University Medical Center, is warning that they might have to shut their doors without additional millions from the state. The center's CEO, Megan Ryan, joins the program to discuss the institution's financial conditions and the path forward.
March 10, 2025 - Members of the Graduate Student Employees Union have descended on the Capitol to make the case for a new contract with the State University of New York, arguing for better compensation, more flexibility, and other benefits.
March 10, 2025 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwen Craig highlights the stalled campaign to develop an official gateway to the Adirondacks, which has been slowed in part by state land title practices.
March 10, 2025 - State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, wants to codify an effort to reduce vehicle miles traveled in New York and is pushing legislation ensuring future capital funds for roads aren't tailored solely to passenger vehicles.
March 7, 2025 - State Commission on Judicial Conduct Administrator Robert Tembeckjian looks back at the commission's work in 2024 and discusses their ability to weigh in on certain complaints, like compliance with New York's pre-trial detention laws.
March 7, 2025 - What would Micron get? That's the question that Ken Girardin, research director at the Empire Center for Public Policy, thinks smalls businesses should ask when they're looking for incentives to grow, in light of the local and state sweeteners deployed to attract the high-tech manufacturing company to central New York.
March 7, 2025 - State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee Chair, Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, discusses the evolving world of gambling in New York, including expanding and restricting sports gambling bets, regulating betting markets on non-sports, and increasing aid for gambling addiction services.
March 6, 2025 - Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses the implementation of restrictions on the availability of gas appliances in most new homes starting in 2026.
March 6, 2025 - In an excerpt from this week's Dispatches from Planet Albany episode, Chris Gelardi, a reporter for New York Focus, discusses the ongoing correction officer strikes in New York.
March 6, 2025 - Ever wonder why New York's health care system is so expensive? Well we've got answers for you, courtesy of Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president of health initiatives for the Community Service Society of New York, which recently studied the issue.
March 6, 2025 - Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin discusses the local Bronx economy and weighs in on the governor's budget proposal, including what could help and what is missing.
March 5, 2025 - Assembly Banks Committee Chair Clyde Vanel, a Queens Democrat, discusses balancing competing interests in the financial sector, legislation allowing public banking, and the state regulatory approach to cryptocurrency.
March 5, 2025 - We discuss an effort to expand mental health outpatient services in New York with Alice Bufkin, associate executive director for policy and advocacy at the Citizens' Committee for Children of New York, and Brad Hansen, public policy director at Families Together in New York State.
March 5, 2025 - Environmental Advocates NY Director of Clean Water Rob Hayes highlights language in the governor's budget proposal to make capital funding available for private drinking water testing and remediation.
March 5, 2025 - Legislation advanced by Democratic state lawmakers would put new guardrails on the collection and use of New Yorkers' electronic health data. We explore this digital privacy issue with Allie Bohm, senior policy counsel for the New York Civil Liberties Union.
March 4, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul talks about the importance of child care, but her executive budget proposal doesn't address the industry's workforce, according to members of the state Child Care Availability Task Force. We discuss investments into child care providers with Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy Policy Director Dede Hill, and EdTrust-New York Director of Partnerships & Early Child Policy Jenn O'Connor.
March 4, 2025 - In light of federal actions negatively impacting the day-to-day lives of transgender New Yorkers, we explore how the potential substantive and rhetorical response from state policymakers with Kei Williams, interim director of the New Pride Agenda.
March 4, 2025 - We highlight efforts to expand access to financial services for marijuana businesses and ensuring New York-grown marijuana products are sold in the Empire State with James Rogers, director of the trade practices bureau at the State Office of Cannabis Management.
Feb. 28, 2025 - We talk with Alex Thompson and Blaise Bryant of the New York Association on Independent Living about the subminimum wage allowed for people with disabilities, funding in the budget to keep New Yorkers independent, and the controversial transition of a home care program.
Feb. 27, 2025 - We take the temperature of the manufacturing industry in New York with Randy Wolken, president and CEO of MACNY: The Manufacturers Association. We consider tax parity for small manufacturers, creating more pathways to a manufacturing job, and the impact of new tariffs.
FEB. 28, 2025 - American Farmland Trust New York Policy Director Julian Magnano calls on the state to increase its investment in farmland protection efforts in order to preserve land for agriculture and create more opportunities for farmers.
FEB. 28, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul's effort to increase involuntary commitments has generated a lot of rhetoric, but what will her proposal actually do? We try to predict the ramifications with Keith Brennan, a former state mental health official and now with the law firm Barclay Damon.
Feb. 27, 2025 - Empower Schools senior advisor Dia Bryant makes the case for investing state resources into early college high school programs that give students a free opportunity to earn college credits and accelerate their academic career.
Feb. 26, 2025 - Tax rebates, credits and cuts may have gotten the attention from the governor's budget proposal, but there are other tax policies in the spending plan, which we unpack with Liz Pascal, a partner with the law firm of Hodgson Russ.
Feb. 26, 2025 - Medicaid reimbursement rates are critical to funding nursing home services and operators of these long-term care facilities say the state's rates don't keep up with the cost of care. We discuss this issue and other staffing issues at nursing homes with Dr. Kimberly Townsend, president and CEO of Loretto, a health care provider in central New York.
Feb. 26, 2025 - Chef Christopher Galarza, co-founder of EcoChef, discusses how to make kitchens more sustainable, including transitioning to induction stovetops.
Feb. 27, 2025 - State Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses New York's prison system, including the thousands of guards on strike, the threats of violence in facilities, and whether the system is still in need of progressive reforms.
Feb. 25, 2025 - Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat, discusses the Trump administration's legal challenge to New York's 2019 law allowing undocumented New Yorkers to apply for a driver's license and put limits on how records would be shared with federal officials.
Feb. 25, 2025 - State education officials are threatening to use their authority to strip public funds from yeshivas that aren't meeting the basic, secular education needs of their students. We discuss this development with Adina Mermelstein Konikoff, executive director of Young Advocates For Fair Education, which is looking to bring transparency and minimum standards to private schools serving parts of the Hasidic community.
Feb. 26, 2025 - Municipalities across New York rely on aid from the state government to balance their budgets, but local government leaders argue they need more help from Albany. Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion makes the case for boosting aid and updating how its distributed.
Feb. 28, 2025 - New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham talks about standardizing care at halfway houses, funding for drug recovery and treatment in the governor's budget, and the impact of the prison strike on substance abuse treatment in correctional facilities.
Feb. 25, 2025 - Project Guardianship President & CEO Kimberly George discusses the difficulties in finding legal guardians for New Yorkers who lack the competency to make life decisions for themselves.
Feb. 25, 2025 - Affordability is in the eye of the beholder, but efforts to quantify what it takes to make it in New York are woefully inadequate, according to Jennifer Jones Austin, co-chair of the National True Cost of Living Coalition, which wants to create an updated, localized formula for calculating poverty.
Feb. 14, 2025 - The Hochul administration is hoping to improve the experience New Yorkers have when interacting with the state government, so we get an update on these efforts from Tonya Webster, the chief customer experience officer for New York. We talk about digitizing working papers, improving state websites, and much more.
Feb. 14, 2025 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado visited the studio for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on his push for New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign, his relationship with Gov. Kathy Hochul, his plans for 2026, and issues being discussed at the Capitol.
Feb. 14, 2025 - State Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, wants to require websites with pornography to verify that visitors to their site are least 18, which is the law in more than a dozen states.
Feb. 13, 2025 - An exam required to be a licensed master social worker is disproportionately keeping ethnic minorities from entering this critical field, according to proponents of repealing the exam requirement. We examine the positives and negatives of the status quo with Luis Lopez, executive director of the Latino Social Work Coalition & Scholarship Fund, and Jacqueline Mondros, interim executive director of Social Workers for Justice.
Feb. 13, 2025 - New York's groundbreaking law intended to make large polluters pay billions for climate resiliency projects is tied up in the courts, but we still wanted to consider what implementation could look like for the state. We considered the merits of the lawsuit and the next steps for environmental regulators with Lee Wasserman, director of the Rockeller Family Fund, which supported the adoption of the law.
Feb. 13, 2025 - Car repair shops say it is time for state policymakers to raise what they can charge for vehicle inspections in order to cover their labor expenses. We discuss increasing this annual cost and addressing the workforce shortage at car repair shops with Wayne Bombardiere, executive director of the New York State Association of Service Stations & Repair Shops.
Feb. 13, 2025 - New York Apartment Association CEO Kenny Burgos makes the case for more aggressive efforts to build up the state's housing supply and revisiting the laws governing rent regulation.
Feb. 12, 2025 - In the best of times, nonprofit organizations contracting with the state are facing an uphill battle, with long waits to execute contracts and rates that don't cover the full cost of programs. But 2025 is far from the best of times explains Megan Allen, CEO of the New York Council of Nonprofits, who outlines all the challenges facing nonprofits in New York.
Feb. 12, 2025 - The transit system serving the New York City area may get all of the attention, but transit operators around the state need some more love too, according to James Morrell, director of public transportation for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and president of the New York Public Transit Association.
Feb. 11, 2025 - New York is dramatically expanding who can use its free, direct file tax software this year, so we wanted to explore who is eligible and what the service is like. Our guest is Sara Carlson, director of community engagement for the State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Feb. 11, 2025 - New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Executive Director Emily Miles talks about the services that should be available to survivors of sexual assault, including specially trained medical personnel at hospitals.
Feb. 11, 2025 - New York's nascent system of using tax dollars to amplify local political contributions to state legislative candidates had a major impact on fundraising practices during the 2024 cycle, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center. We discuss their findings and the program's future with Marina Pino, a counsel with the center's elections and government program.
Feb. 11, 2025 - Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Bill Magnarelli, a Syracuse-area Democrat, weighs in on the governor's budget, including what it means for road upkeep and upstate transit systems.
Feb. 10, 2025 - The governor's budget proposal doesn't do enough to ensure New Yorkers with disabilities will have access to the staff they need, according to Mike Alvaro, head of the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State and president of New York Disability Advocates. We discuss a cost of living increase for staff and whether there should be stricter licensing rules.
Feb. 10, 2025 - Non-profit organizations looking to become land stewards in the Empire State have been slowed by the state policies governing title ownership We discuss a potential reform to this backlog with Erik Kulleseid, head of the Open Space Institute.
Feb. 10, 2025 - There has been a month of congestion pricing in Manhattan, so how is it going? We try to wrap our arms around this issue with Danny Pearlstein, director of policy and communications for Riders Alliance, which championed the toll that went into place in January.
Feb. 10, 2025 - We examine potential changes to the workers' compensation system designed to make it easier to access a medical provider and consider the impact of changes to short-term disability insurance benefits. We talk with Workers' Compensation Board Chair Clarissa Rodriguez, Executive Director Steven Scotti and Medical Director Dr. James Tacci.
Feb. 7, 2025 - Human Services Council Executive Director Michelle Jackson explains why the state government's proposed 2.1 percent cost of living adjustment for non-profits that contract with the state won't cover their growing expenses.
Feb. 7, 2025 - New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen discusses funding to cut down on waitlists for senior services and other programs impacting older New Yorkers.
Feb. 7, 2025 - The Home Energy Assistance Program makes federal dollars available to subsidize energy bills of low-income New Yorkers, but the program is facing an uncertain future this winter following a temporary halt to applications in January. We talk about this drama and what should come next with Laurie Wheelock, executive director of the Public Utility Law Project of New York.
Feb. 6, 2025 - Tom Clark, the Consul General of Canada in New York, discusses his recent visit to the Empire State's Capitol and the potential fallout of increased tariffs between the North American neighbors.
Feb. 6, 2025 - Open New York Executive Director Annemarie Gray says the state has taken some good first steps in promoting housing growth, but argues there are some basic proposals policymakers should embrace this year to increase the housing supply, such as making it easier for religious institutions to develop homes and superseding local zoning restrictions in certain situations.
Feb. 6, 2025 - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons discusses a proposed capital investment intended to get kids off their smartphones and into pools, playgrounds and community centers
Feb. 6, 2025 - We examine efforts to reduce the transmission of hepatitis C in New York with Sarah Cushman, senior manager for Hep C and community prevention services at Trillium Health, and Zaida Aguilar, a Hep C peer advocate at Housing Works.
Feb. 5, 2025 - A new survey of New Yorkers by the Siena College Research Institute examined the popularity of President Donald Trump and support for some of Gov. Kathy Hochul's priorities for 2025. We break down the results with Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
Feb. 5, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to overhaul the state's discovery laws, arguing they can be improved without jeopardizing access to a speedy trial, but defense attorneys say this isn't the case. Legal Aid Society Supervising Attorney Kalle Condliffe explains what the changes could mean and identifies updates to the discovery process that could improve the disclosure process.
Feb. 5, 2025 - Association of School Business Officials of New York Executive Director Brian Cechnicki talks about the governor's proposed allocation of state education aid and makes the case for school districts recouping money owed by the state.
Feb. 5, 2025 - New York State Committee on Open Government Executive Director Shoshanah Bewlay discusses transparency issues that arose in 2024 and identifies some of her group's 2025 priorities, included in their annual report.
Feb. 4, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, gives us an update on his legislation seeking to ban the use of face coverings with the intent to intimidate and harass.
Feb. 4, 2025 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed investments in higher education, including free community college for adults pursuing degrees from in-demand career paths.
Feb. 4, 2025 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses the transportation proposals in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, including money to cover rising capital costs, work zone cameras, and catching impaired drivers.
Feb. 4, 2024 - Supportive Housing Network of New York Executive Director Pascale Leone and New Destiny Housing CEO Nicole Branca make the case for more capital funds and operating dollars to support supportive housing services, especially for older programs that get less money than newer programs.
Feb. 3, 2025 - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris explains the status of New York's "cap-and-invest" program and the governor's proposed spending on clean energy. We also get an update on the state's development of new nuclear projects.
Feb. 3, 2025 - New York could do a better job reducing smoking levels, according to the American Lung Association. We break down the anti-smoking efforts in the state and identifying where policymakers are falling short with Michael Seilback, assistant vice president of nationwide advocacy of the ALA.
Feb. 3, 2025 - Scrutinize founder Oded Oren explains how judges have been undermining changes to pre-trial detention in New York, which were intended to make bail more affordable than tradition bondsmen services.
Feb. 3, 2025 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for building on the governor's proposals addressing child poverty and child care access.
Feb. 03, 2025 - Children's advocacy centers oversee a coordinated response for kids who have been abused and Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to double their state funding after years of stagnant support. We discuss this important work and impact of the budget with Theresa Roth, executive director of the New York State Children's Alliance.
Jan. 31, 2025 - New York Chief Information Officer Dru Rai, head of the state Office of Information Technology Services, discusses the governor's budget proposal and making the state's websites more user friendly.
Jan. 31, 2025 - New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray talks about a media literacy toolkit being deployed to schools, efforts to boost volunteer firefighter numbers, and reflects on her work as acting director of policy for the governor.
Jan. 30, 2025 - Jason Cone, chief public policy officer for the advocacy group Robin Hood, analyzes the governor's proposed anti-poverty initiatives and offers up some of his own ideas.
Jan. 30, 2025 - The state legislature may be on the cusp of implementing restrictions on single-use plastic packaging, but the industry is pushing back against mandates that could alter their business practices. We talked with Matt Seaholm, president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association.
Jan. 30, 2025 - Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, addresses a proposed expansion of involuntary commitments, makes the case for implementing Daniel's Law, and calls for an investment in the mental health sector workforce.
Jan. 30, 2025 - New York State Catholic Conference Director of Government Relations Kristen Curran voices opposition to increased state funding for reproductive health care, backs Gov. Kathy Hochul's expansion of the child tax credit, and weighs in on expanded access to emergency contraception.
Jan. 29, 2025 - We check in on the state's effort to craft a master plan on aging with Adam Herbst, a former top health official in the Hochul administration and now a partner at the firm Sheppard Mullin.
Jan. 29, 2025 - New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person discusses state funding for public schools, improving literacy teaching, and implementing restrictions on smartphone access for students during the school day.
Jan. 29, 2025 - New York State Office of Cannabis Management Director of Enforcement and Investigations Daniel Haughney provides an update on the state's effort to curb illicit marijuana sales, including changing regulations that expand enforcement efforts and the impact of ongoing legal challenges.
Jan. 28, 2025 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, unpacks the governor's efforts to protect New Yorkers from the unintended consequences of artificial intelligence technology. Bores also discusses his legislation creating the New York Artificial Intelligence Consumer Protection Act.
Jan. 28, 2025 - Sen. George Borrello, a Western New York Republican, shares some highlights of his conference's agenda for 2025, including making New York more affordable.
Jan. 28, 2025 - State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the environmental portion of the governor's budget proposal (including what's missing) and provides an update on his effort to reduce single-use plastic packaging waste.
Jan. 27, 2025 - By April, the state is scheduled to transition the administration of a popular home care program utilized by more than a quarter of a million New Yorkers. We get an update on the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program changes from New York Association on Independent Living Executive Director Lindsay Miller and AIM Independent Living Center CEO René Snyder.
Jan. 27, 2025- New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare discusses speed cameras in work zones, increased toll collection revenue in 2024, and the renovation of service plazas.
Jan. 27, 2025 - Dr. Ann Sullivan, commissioner for the New York State Office of Mental Health, talks about Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, including an effort to increase the involuntary commitment of New Yorkers and addressing parity with other forms of health care.
Jan 24, 2025 - New York State Budget Director Blake Washington discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, including the subsidies for film productions, the pace of spending on Medicaid, and the evolving education aid philosophy.
Jan. 24, 2025 - We unpack consumer protection measures being advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul, including overdraft fee regulations and subscription cancellation standards. Our guest is Chuck Bell, financial policy advocate for Consumer Reports.
Jan. 22, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has unveiled a $252 billion spending plan for the coming fiscal year, so we unpack the proposal with Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission. We explore what is driving costs, consider the impact of changes in the federal government, and much more.
Jan. 21, 2025 - The Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission has a new home, new mandate and new leader. We explored all these moving parts with Zeryai Hagos, the group's recently tapped executive director, who explained regulations for transmission siting that came out in December.
Jan. 21, 2025 - The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled for Italy in about a year, but sliding events could end up being held at facilities in Lake Placid if the Italian organizers can't get their bobsled track ready. Ashley Walden, president and CEO of the state's Olympic Regional Development Authority, discusses upstate New York's potential role in next year's games and Lake Placid's potential as a proper host site.
Jan. 21, 2025 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for the state to subsidize school meals in New York, including at the expense of more target anti-hunger initiatives.
Jan. 21, 2025 - State education officials want to increase educational opportunities for students around New York and promote operational efficiencies among school districts, so they're promoting deeper levels of regional partnerships among school districts. We discuss this effort and its rollout with Jeff Matteson, senior deputy commissioner for the State Education Department.
Jan. 17, 2024 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat and the chamber's new Codes Committee chair, discusses New York's discovery laws, including his proposal to overhaul how evidence is accessed by prosecutors and changes being pushed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Jan. 16, 2025 - In 2019, the state enacted a boating safety training requirement for operators of motorized watercraft, which took full effect this year. Lexi Howland, director of the marine services and recreational vehicles division for the State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, discusses the implementation of this law and boating safety more broadly.
Jan. 16, 2025 - Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins responds to the governor's State of the State address and considers what might happen as part of budget negotiations this year. Additionally, in light of the Westchester County Democrat becoming the longest serving Democratic majority leader in the chamber, we reflect on her legacy and future in the state Senate.
Jan. 15, 2025 - In more than three decades of conservation advocacy in the Adirondacks, Peter Bauer has seen the forest preserve grow, won battles at New York's top court, and shaped laws governing the Adirondack Park. In light of him stepping down as head of Protect the Adirondacks in 2024, he joined the show for an exit interview to reflect on his career, the challenges facing the Adirondacks, and the Hochul administration.
Jan. 15, 2024 - Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses the needs of kids with dyslexia and related disorders and how a new report addresses some of these challenges.
Jan, 14, 2024 - We get to know Bea Hanson, who took over as director of the state Office of Victim Services last spring, and discuss funding being made available to services for crime victims in New York.
Jan. 14, 2024 - Correctional Association of New York Executive Director Jennifer Scaife addresses prison administration changes proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and outlines reforms identified by her group.
Jan. 14, 2024 - We break down a report from the Daniel's Law Task Force with the help of Luke Sikinyi, director of public policy and public engagement at The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and Harvey Rosenthal, the group's CEO. We talk about standardizing the emergency response to New Yorkers suffering from mental health crisis and consider the shortcomings in responses now.
Jan, 14, 2024 - Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children's Agenda and a member of the state's Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, weighs in on Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed expansion of the state's child tax credit and new funding for child care facility construction.
Jan. 13, 2025 - New York Civil Liberties Union Senior Staff Attorney Beth Haroules responds to proposals that might make it easier to involuntarily commit mentally ill New Yorkers.
Jan. 13, 2025 - New York Homes & Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas explains the governor's proposal to keep hedge funds from buying up homes and shares an update on the implementation of pro-growth policies.
Jan. 13, 2025 - New regulations took effect in New York, dramatically expanding the state's map of protected wetlands. We explore the ramifications of the updated rules with Jessica Ottney Mahar, policy and strategy director in New York for The Nature Conservancy, and Roger Downs, conservation director of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter.
Jan. 13, 2025 - The minimum wage in New York increased 50 cents an hour in January and is scheduled to increase 50 cents an hour in 2026, before being tied to inflation in the future. We discuss the significance of this landscape with Ian Greer, director of the Ithaca co-lab at Cornell's School of Industrial & Labor Relations.
Jan. 10, 2025 - Efforts to fight child poverty in New York are getting attention right now, so we're checking in with Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn to discuss recommendations on lifting kids out of poverty and the governor's proposed child tax credit expansion.
Jan. 10, 2025 - Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs, a Harlem Democrat, makes the case for overhauling New York's prisons, including closing a central New York facility and reforming the oversight of strip searches.
Jan. 10, 2025 - In an effort to mitigate the public health risk of lead paint in homes across aging upstate cities, the state is implementing a process for inspecting properties and remedying the danger. We get an update on this effort, which is supposed to start before the end of 2025, from Gary Ginsberg, head of the state health department's Center for Environmental Health.
Jan. 10, 2025 - The Legal Aid Society's Ellen McCormick breaks down a new law intended to drastically expand the use of e-filing in New York's courts.
Jan. 9, 2025 - Solidarity Society Founding Director Ivy Valentine and Get Free Executive Director Nicole Carty talk about the work of a state commission on reparations studying the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination and making recommendations on remedies for black New Yorkers.
Jan. 9, 2025 - Are you reading the terms of service you get served up on your smartphone apps? Those agreements can include important updates on your rights, including whether you're agreeing to arbitration in the future, which was the subject of a case before the state's top court that we break down with Lily Kim and Jeremy Cohen, attorneys with BraunHagey & Borden.
Jan. 9, 2025 - Supermarkets have rekindled their legislative effort to update the state's alcohol laws so they can sell wine. We talk with Northeast Grocery's Mona Golub about this campaign and whether they would support liquor stores selling beer as part of a larger legislative reform.
Jan. 9, 2025 - Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance President John DiNuzzo explains a bipartisan effort to change the land classification for a battlefield in Lake George in order to preserve its historic nature for future generations.
Jan. 8, 2025 - We get to know Assemblyman Patrick Carroll, a Rockland County Democrat embarking on his first term in Planet Albany. We talk about some of his priorities and balancing life at the Capitol with four kids.
Jan. 8, 2025 - We are joined in the studio by Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association, who discusses the group's priorities for 2025, including increasing the right to counsel and Medical Aid in Dying. He also weighs in on the budget for the court system and increasing access to guardians.
Jan. 8, 2025 - New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon discusses the implementation of the state's paid, prenatal leave policy and provides an update on efforts to combat wage theft and upgrade their technological capacity at the department.
Jan. 8, 2025 - Firefighters Association of the State of New York Secretary John D'Alessandro makes the case for requiring one- and two-family homes to be built with fire suppression systems.
Jan. 7, 2025 - Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, discusses the potential of new nuclear projects, the merits of the NY HEAT Act, and her priorities in 2025.
Jan. 7, 2025 - Winter conditions create new risks in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks for explorers and the state first responders tasked with rescue missions. We explore this issue, including the precautions people should take, with State Forest Ranger Lt. Chris DiCintio and State Forest Ranger Rob Praczkajlo.
Jan. 7, 2025 - Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for codifying restrictions on how and when state and local law enforcement will comply with federal immigration officials.
Jan. 6, 2025 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer explains her opposition to the state's plan to chop down trees at viewpoints along a mountain in the Adirondacks, which she argues would violate the state constitution.
Jan. 6, 2025 - New York has laws governing interest rates for loans, but these regulations aren't capturing some of the latest evolutions of lending. We examine legislation looking to close these loopholes with the help of Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Project.
Jan. 6, 2025 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about recommendations from the New York State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council and how they might begin to get implemented in 2025.
Jan. 6, 2025 - An end of the year veto by Gov. Kathy Hochul of legislation addressing the financing of school-based health centers has put a renewed spotlight on these services, and how they're funded, heading into the 2025 legislative session. Sally Dreslin, executive director of the Step Two Policy Project, explains why these services are important and the competing funding ideas in Albany.
Jan. 3, 2025 - A recent audit from the state comptroller's office highlighted the waiting lists for pre-k special education services, so we decided to look at what's causing the delays and how schools are addressing the problem. Our guest is Clarkstown Central School District Superintendent Marc Baiocco, who discusses a program set up to provide specialized services and addresses the comptroller's audit.
Jan. 2, 2024 - After years of groundwork, New York is finally at the precipice of standing up state-facilitated retirement program for New Yorkers without an employer-sponsored option. We consider what is taking shape in the Empire State with the help of Angela Antonelli, executive director of the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.
Dec. 30, 2024 - The state's top court found that municipalities can be liable for unaddressed potholes that are reported through an online service. We explore what this means for local government, including in Albany, with Barbara Van Epps, executive director of the New York Conference of Mayors.
Dec. 30, 2024 - Buffalo News climate and environment reporter Mackenzie Shuman explains the holes in air pollution monitoring by state environmental regulators, who have let a majority of permits for major polluters lapse.
Dec 26, 2024 - After more than four decades in Planet Albany's orbit, LeadingAge New York President & CEO Jim Clyne is retiring. Jim discusses his time working in and around state government, including crafting bills in the Assembly and life during the pandemic.
Dec. 30, 2024 - Assemblymember Patrick Burke, a Buffalo-area Democrat, wants President Biden to use his clemency powers for a Western New York man serving a 25-year prison sentence for his role in an international marijuana trafficking network.
Dec. 27, 2024 - State policy makers are betting big on the life sciences industry, investing millions in subsidies to promote and grow these businesses. We discuss a state report on the industry and its future with Winthrop Thurlow, executive director of the trade organization Life Sciences NY.
Dec. 24, 2024 - Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat and chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian legislative Caucus, discusses her policy goals for the 2025 legislative session in New York and addresses whether her agenda is shaped by last year's election results.
Dec. 24, 2024 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald discusses the state's prenatal leave policy starting in 2025 and addresses other policies to improve maternal health outcomes.
Dec. 24, 2024 - Is it time to change the library system structure? We consider these regional entities with the help of Max Prime, director of government relations and advocacy for the New York Library Association, and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System.
Dec. 23, 2024 - Michael Kinnucan, a senior health policy advisor with the Fiscal Policy Institute, discusses his papers on the pace of home care enrollment growth in the state and the trajectory of Medicaid spending on long-term care.
Dec. 23, 2024 - Kristen McManus, senior associate state director for advocacy at AARP New York, discusses her group's agenda for the 2025 state legislative session, which focuses on affordability issues and quality of care for seniors.
Dec. 23, 2024 - Environmental Advocates NY Deputy Executive Director Katie McNamara makes the case for state regulations requiring a phase out of chemical commonly found in commercial and residential cooling technology, which is a major greenhouse gas emitter.
Dec. 19, 2024 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, previews the 2025 legislative session, including the likely fight over Medicaid funding, the implementation of CDPAP changes, and abortion access.
Dec. 19, 2024 - State Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her criminal justice priorities for the 2025 legislative session and addresses how politics could impact what's the possible in Albany.
Dec. 19, 2024 - This December, a state law took effect prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores, despite the industry trying to stop the implementation in court. We talk about the legal challenge and the industry's critique of this bill with Mike Bober, CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network.
Dec. 19, 2024 - Assemblymember Sarah Clark, a Rochester-area Democrat, responds to the governor's veto of her bill expanding child care assistance and talks about what should be done in 2025 to improve access to high-quality care.
Dec. 18, 2024 - New York City Campaign Finance Board Executive Director Paul Ryan compares the state's nascent public financing program to the long-established system in New York City and addresses a recent decision to deny matching funds to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Dec. 18, 2024 - New York Focus Senior Reporter Sam Mellins shares what he uncovered about the working conditions and compensation for Assembly staffers, which may be contributing to a brain drain at the institution.
Dec. 18, 2024 - State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri discusses an effort to ensure uninterrupted health insurance for kids, gives an update on the Medicaid "unwinding" effort, and addresses allegations of ineligible New Yorkers getting government health insurance.
Dec. 17, 2024 - Video conferencing provides an easy medium for connecting with people behind bars, but criminal justice advocates don't want it to replace in-person visits. We highlight legislation ensuring in-person visits continue with Tanya Krupat, vice president of policy and advocacy at The Osborne Association, and Jamila Small, a youth fellow with See Us, Support Us.
Dec. 17, 2024 - More than a dozen municipalities, including Albany, have taken advantage of a state law that allows local speed limits to be set at 25 miles per hour. We talk about this safety measure with NY SAFE Streets Coalition members Anne Savage and Rose Quinn.
Dec. 17, 2024 - Wildfires that hit the Hudson Valley this fall reached a scope that hasn't been seen in New York in more than a decade. We discuss the state's response to these fires, which claimed the life of one responder, with state Forest Ranger Major Bob Rogers and state Forest Ranger Bryan Gallagher.
Dec. 17, 2024 - John Olsen, co-chair of the emerging technologies and innovation practice for Statewide Public Affairs, discusses the artificial intelligence regulatory landscape in New York, including moving new bills through Albany in 2025.
Dec. 16, 2024 - We get to know the work of Peter Reuben, director of the state Office of Indian Nation Affairs with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, including the process of contacting different communities and working within the Hochul administration.
Dec. 16, 2024 - Environmental activists want to pay for billions of dollars of infrastructure upgrades - responding to the threats of climate change - by retroactively penalizing major past emitters of greenhouse gases. We hear the case against this legislative effort from Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, which represents fossil fuel businesses and organized labor.
Dec. 16, 2024 - State Senator Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, makes the case for imposing financial control board on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Dec. 16, 2024 - We talk with Paul Pettit, public health director Genesee and Orleans counties, about a new law lowering the professional standards for who serves on county boards of health so rural communities can fill these important positions.
Dec. 12, 2024 - Junior political analyst Isaac Olshan discusses the presidential election results, the political interests of his fellow zoomers, and where New York's political scene is moving.
Dec. 13, 2024 - Long Term Care Community Coalition Executive Director Richard Mollot discusses staffing levels at nursing homes in New York and considers what they mean for the quality of care being received.
Dec. 13, 2024 - Brian Fessler, of the New York State School Boards Association, and Bob Lowry, of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, think the Rockefeller Institute made some good first steps with their review of education funding distribution in New York and are waiting to see how policymakers use their state-commissioned report.
Dec. 12, 2024 - Medical marijuana companies hoping to open recreational dispensaries have taken the Hochul administration to court over proposed license fees. We discuss the industry's case withgiste Abebe, spokesperson for the state Medical Cannabis Industry Association, and Matthew Schweber, an attorney who filed the lawsuit.
Dec. 12, 2024 - Hunger persists as a major problem in New York, so a coalition has come together to push for a package of measures to address food insecurity in the budget. We discuss these solutions with state Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse-area Democrat, and Ryan Healy, advocacy manager for Feeding New York State.
Dec. 12, 2024 - The state senate held a hearing this fall to examine the efficacy of economic development subsidies included in the budget. We explore this fact finding effort and how it should inform future actions with state Sen. Sean Ryan, a Buffalo Democrat.
Dec. 11, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses an enrollment bump at the state's public colleges and universities, providing operating aid to upstate campuses, and transforming a teaching hospital in Brooklyn. state of the SUNY system, enrollment, and the opportunities for prospective students to receive financial aid.
Dec. 10, 2024 - The latest survey of New Yorkers by the Siena College Research Institute - conducted in early December - has some worrisome omens for Gov. Kathy Hochul, identifies the top priorities for voters heading into the 2025 legislative session, and gauges attitudes about the incoming Trump administration.
Dec. 10, 2024 - Increasing literacy in New York has become a major focus of state policymakers, and to that end there is a new plan on how to prepare future educators to teach reading and writing skills. We discuss how to prepare teachers with Ruth Genn, executive director of the Literacy Academy Collective.
Dec. 12, 2024 - New York Farm Bureau Senior Associate Director of Public Policy Renée St. Jacques talks about the fiber landscape in the Empire State and how this agricultural asset could be utilized in the future.
Dec. 10, 2024 - New York is doling out federal dollars to help low- and moderate-income families afford electrical upgrades in their homes and purchases environmentally friendly clothes dryers. We talk about this initiative with Chris Corcoran, assistant director of codes, products and standards for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Dec. 10, 2024 - Fiscal Policy Institute Director Nathan Gusdorf discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to send a rebate check worth a few hundred dollars to the vast majority of taxpayers and we evaluate whether this is the best way to spend a revenue surplus.
Dec. 12, 2024 - New York City officials are hoping that updating the local zoning rules will help them increase the local housing supply. We talk with Gothamist/WNYC housing reporter David Brand about what they're planning to do and how Gov. Kathy Hochul is supporting the effort.
Dec. 12, 2024 - 1199SEIU may be a vocal advocate for their union members, but the organization's leadership is not warmly welcoming a unionization effort by their own staff. We discuss this campaign, as well as the future leadership of the union, with Maya Kaufman, a health care reporter for Politico New York.
Dec. 3, 2024 - Building homes in New York could become much more expensive if an obscure building council follows through with plans to mandate fire suppression systems in one- and two-family residential construction projects. We hear opposition to this mandate from Mike Kelly, from the New York State Association of REALTORS, and Michael Barrett, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of New York State.
Dec. 3, 2024 - Upstate New York businessman and political outsider Anthony Constantino shot into the national spotlight this campaign season with his very public support for Donald Trump and is now looking to capitalize on his newfound celebrity with a bid to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is likely headed to the United Nations in 2025. We discuss the role of a congressman, areas where he has more to learn, and much more.
Dec. 2, 2024 - Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, a Hudson Valley Democrat, argues the Hochul administration could be more aggressive in its development of state-owned renewable energy projects and defends the costs associated with taking on more projects.
Dec. 2, 2024 - Assembly Member Anna Kelles, an Ithaca-area Democrat, makes the case for mandating a certain number of electric-vehicle charging stations for state-run parking lots and in off-street parking for new residential construction.
Dec. 2, 2024 - New York Law Journal litigation reporter Brian Lee talks about a unique case before the state's top court that questions the effective date of the Child Victims Act.
Dec. 2, 2024 - Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses new regulations addressing the relationship between pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers and explains what they could mean for consumers.
This spring, state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul - after a contentious battle over education funding in the state budget - directed the Rockefeller Institute of Government to examine how the state doles out the bulk of school funding and consider how to improve this process. We discuss the think tank's report with their president, Bob Megna, who explains the approach they took to this project and outlines some of the key recommendations.
Nov. 27, 2024 - A proposed update to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan that is supposed to provide greater access to New Yorkers with disabilities by expanding the use of motorized vehicles is getting pushback from environmentalists. We explore these concerns and the master plan more broadly with Protect the Adirondacks Deputy Director Claudia Braymer and Conservation Director & Counsel Chris Amato.
Nov. 27, 2024 - We explore what the state is doing and should be doing to provide health care services to rural New Yorkers with Alison Coates, president of the board of directors for the New York State Association for Rural Health.
Nov. 27, 2024 - This fall the state Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council has put together a list of recommendations intended to cut child poverty in half. We talk about the problem of child poverty and the path forward with Kate Breslin, president and CEO of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and a member of the council.
Nov. 27, 2024 - A state program intended to provide consistently lower energy bills for New Yorkers and small businesses hasn't always delivered on its promise. We discuss the implementation of the Community Choice Aggregation program and whether it can be improved with John Howard, former chair of the state Public Service Commission.
Nov. 26, 2024 - We explore what the second Trump administration could mean for environmental policies impacting New York, with the help of Judith Enck, a regional administrator for the EPA in the Obama administration and president of the advocacy group Beyond Plastics.
Nov. 26, 2024 - This campaign season was marked by competing visions of the anti-discrimination language voters were being asked to add to the state constitution. We explore how the new protections might be utilized in the future with Evan Davis, former counsel to Governor Mario Cuomo and a proponent of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Nov. 26, 2024 - An audit from the state comptroller's office suggests the Hochul administration could have done a better job tracking how more than $14 billion in Medicaid dollars spent on personal and home care services. We discuss the findings with Tina Kim, deputy comptroller for the office's Division of State Government Accountability.
Nov. 25, 2024 - State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government Executive Director Sandy Berland discusses the government watchdog's wish list for the 2025 legislative session and addresses initiatives championed by good government advocates.
Nov. 25, 2024 - New nuclear energy projects appear to be part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's agenda, as she is formally looking for input on developing "advanced" nuclear technologies in the Empire State. We discuss this process, including why the governor's plans are limited to upstate, with Doreen Harris, president & CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Nov. 22, 2024 - New York State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern talks about recruiting his team, protecting the power grid from digital threats, and responding to the hack of the state legislature in the spring.
Nov. 22, 2024 - New York State Higher Education Services Corporation President Guillermo Linares discusses efforts to promote FAFSA completion, the challenges of distributing tuition assistance, and the rate of engagement with the Excelsior Scholarship.
Nov. 21, 2024 - Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, shares his thoughts on the 2024 election results, including the partisan enthusiasm gap and ticket splitting in New York.
Nov. 21, 2024 - A judge in the Hudson Valley has declared New York's Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, but her arguments has left some legal scholars scratching their heads. We explore the decision with Richard Briffault, a professor of legislation at Columbia Law School.
Nov. 11, 2024 - Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo, a Southern Tier Democrat, discusses a recent hearing that explored the agriculture workforce, future opportunities for the hemp industry, and seafood processing.
Nov. 20, 2024 - We conduct an exit interview with Damian Fagon, the controversial outgoing chief equity officer for the state Office of Cannabis Management. We talk about efforts to promote equity in the marijuana marketplace, reflect on his tenure, and consider the challenges facing the marijuana industry in New York.
Nov. 20, 2024 - With the election of Donald Trump and Republicans taking control of Congress the future of undocumented New Yorkers has become a major question. We explore potential changes to immigration policy with Lauren DesRosiers, a visiting assistant professor and director of the Immigration Law Clinic at Albany Law School.
Nov. 11, 2024 - Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, a Western New York Republican, shares his takeaways from the 2024 elections in the Empire State.
Nov. 22, 2024 - There is a national reckoning about what to do with the aging highways leading into cities around the country and Albany is no different. We discuss possible alternatives to the stretch of highway dividing downtown Albany and the Hudson River with State Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and the department's planning and program manager for the Albany region, Greg Wichser.
Nov. 19, 2024 - New York State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs joins the show to discuss the mixed election results for his party in New York. He explains why he was surprised by President-elect Donald Trump’s strong performance, considers Governor Kathy Hochul’s role on the top of the ticket in 2026, and addresses whether congestion pricing will be an electoral drag on Democrats in the future.
Nov. 18, 2024 - The federal landscape is shifting, with Republicans taking control of Congress and the White House in 2025. We consider what one-party rule could mean for health care policies and funding in New York with the help of Paul Francis, chair of the Step Two Policy Project.
Nov. 18, 2024 - Conservationists have long eyed Whitney Park, a 36,000-acre property in the heart of the Adirondacks under private ownership, whose future is up in the air. We discuss moving it under the state's stewardship with John Sheehan, of the Adirondack Council, and Pete Nelson, of the Adirondack Wilderness Advocates.
Nov. 18, 2024 - The state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board is calling on the governor to declare a public health emergency and wants access to better data to inform their recommendations. We discuss their recommendations with Christine Khaikin, senior health policy attorney for the Legal Action Center.
Nov. 15, 2024 - Volunteer advocates around New York are responsible for overseeing the care at state-run facilities serving vulnerable New Yorkers, but is the Hochul administration doing enough to support these important watchdogs? We examine that question and learn about the state's boards of visitors with Patricia Wright, a representative of the Capital Region's board of visitors.
Nov. 15, 2024 - We explore why environmentalists have long coveted a tolling system for Manhattan's central business and whether Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan meets the state's environmental and transit needs with Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
Nov. 15, 2024 - The switch to cashless tolling has created opportunities for drivers to illegally avoid tolls, which has drawn the attention of state and local officials. We consider the effectiveness of this crackdown on "ghost vehicles" with Alfonso Castillo, transportation reporter for Newsday.
Nov. 15, 2024 - After initially blocking the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City this summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing a scaled back tolling system to take effect in early January. We discuss the potential legal and administrative hurdles to realizing this latest iteration of congestion pricing in Manhattan with Michael Gerrard, a Columbia Law School professor and proponent of congestion pricing.
Nov. 12, 2024 - Micron has fallen more than a year behind schedule with its construction projects in a Syracuse suburb. We explore what's happening and what the future could look like with Glenn Coin, a reporter with Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard.
Nov. 12, 2024 - Politico New York health care reporter Katelyn Cordero provides an update on the effort to revitalize SUNY Downstate, a teaching hospital in Brooklyn that is running massive deficits and has deteriorating facilities.
Nov. 12, 2024 - Siena College Research Institute Director Don Levy compares his election surveys to the actual voting results in 2024. We explore an outlier poll from a respected Iowa pollster, consider how the media should cover polls, and identify areas of improvement.
Nov. 8, 2024 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, discusses his recent hearing on the statewide central register for reporting child abuse and reflects on how this process can be improved.
The 2024 elections were a mixed bag for New York Democrats, who reversed the 2022 gains Republicans made in the state’s congressional delegation, but also saw their traditional electorate shrink. To make sense of the results, as well as the polls leading up to Election Day and where Democrats in the Empire State go from here, we're sharing an excerpt of our Dispatches from Planet Albany with Loren Amor, a senior vice president with BerlinRosen.
Nov. 8, 2024 - New York Attorney General Letitia James was dealt a setback this fall in her legal effort to hold Pepsi accountable for its alleged role in plastic pollution in Buffalo. We talk about this stalled lawsuit and where it could go from here with Eugene Welch, a partner with the law firm of Tully Rinckey.
Nov. 7, 2024 - Is it time for the 50-year-old Emergency Tenant Protection Act to get a major face lift? We examine an update to the rent control system with Cea Weaver, coalition director for Housing Justice For All.
Nov. 7, 2024 - New York's court system has until late 2027 to set up processes for implementing the Clean Slate Act, so we consider the road ahead with Laura Harshbarger, a labor and employment attorney with Bond, Schoeneck & King.
Nov. 6, 2024 - We consider the current and future impact of state environmental regulators authorizing permits for carbon-based power plants that fuel energy intensive cryptocurrency mining efforts. Our guests are Liz Moran, policy advocate with Earthjustice, and Deb Gondek, chair of the North Tonawanda Climate Smart Task Force.
Nov. 11, 2024 - In advance of regulations taking effect in 2025 that are intended to get more zero-emission trucks on the road in New York, Trucking Association of New York President Kendra Hems is warning of unintended consequences.
Nov. 6, 2024 - New York Focus reporter Chris Gelardi shares the brief and erratic experience of a commissioner on the state Board of Parole, who was fired by Gov. Kathy Hochul less than a year after she suddenly appointed him.
Nov. 6, 2024 - We break down the 2024 election results in New York and consider what they mean for the Empire State's future with the help of Jack O'Donnell, managing partner of O'Donnell & Associates.
Nov. 5, 2024 - We analyze the state's fiscal position with Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission, who helps us break down the mid-year financial update from the Hochul administration.
Nov. 5, 2024 - We shine a spotlight on the big and small initiatives underway in New York to spur innovation, including grants to startups and partnerships between businesses and higher education institutions. Our guest is Ben Verschueren, executive director of Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation
Nov. 5, 2024 - After years of requiring municipal bond auctions to be held by the mail, state lawmakers have finally begun letting these sales happen with online bidding. We discuss this evolution with Dave Lucas, of the New York State Association of Counties, and Aaron Kohler, a financial analyst for Onondaga County.
Nov. 4, 2024 - Riverkeeper staff attorney Victoria Leung explains the rationale behind legislation requiring state environmental officials to proactively disclose the results of background radiation monitoring they're conducting.
Nov. 1, 2024 - A new survey of former service members in New York is providing a fresh perspective on the challenges facing veterans and how to meet their needs. We discuss these findings and what should come next with Derek Coy, a senior program officer for the New York Health Foundation, which commissioned the study.
Nov. 1, 2024 - Chronic absenteeism spiked during the pandemic around the country and continues to be a problem, with nearly one in three kids meeting this distinction in the 2022-2023 school year in New York, according to a report from the state comptroller's office. We discuss the issue and how it can be addressed with Lynn Jennings, senior director of strategic initiatives and national partnerships at The Education Trust, and Jeff Smink, deputy director at EdTrust-New York.
Nov. 11, 2024 - In light of the severe and unique mental health needs of some veterans there is an effort to treat them with specially trained mental health providers. We discuss the idea behind a veterans mental health training initiative with Dr. Frank Dowling, an associate professor with Stony Brook University, and Aynisa Leonardo, a licensed clinical art therapist.
Oct. 31, 2024 - In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, more than 200 state and local government employees from New York were deployed to help communities across the South. We talk about this experience with Adam Picket, Nick Johnston, and Erin Hanczyk, who are part of the state's incident management team and were deployed to North Carolina.
Oct. 31, 2024 - SUNY is looking to build on the existing partnerships between local news outlets and students journalists with a summer internship program starting in 2025. We explore the potential benefits of these relationships with Todd Franko, project manager for the Center for Community News, which is working with SUNY on these initiatives.
Oct. 31, 2024 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, wants to get creative with federal and state resources by doling out an $1,800 cash payment for families on Medicaid who have a child.
Oct. 31, 2024 - To better prepare for future wildfires the State Department of Environmental Conservation is partnering with the early warning weather detection system at the University at Albany. We discuss the new partnership with June Wang, director of the New York State Mesonet at UAlbany, and Scott Jackson, a captain with the state forest rangers.
Oct. 30, 2024 - New York is not on track to hit its green energy and emission reduction goals for 2030, so the Citizens Budget Commission says it's time to reset our goals so our response to the climate crisis can be recalibrated. We examine this argument, including what it means for an effort to cap pollution, with Andrew Rein, the group's president.
Oct. 30, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses the effort to bring higher education into New York's prisons, ensure a smooth transition for transferring students, and a campaign to automatically accept qualifying students into select public institutions.
October 29, 2024 - Times Union data reporter Emilie Munson discusses her examination of how law enforcement in New York dispose of seized drugs and explains why some practices are dangerous and even illegal.
Oct. 29, 2024 - We discuss regulations governing the licensing and certifying of mental health care providers in New York with Keith Brennan, a former assistant counsel with the State Office of Mental Health and is now of counsel at the Barclay Damon law firm.
Oct. 29, 2024 - We talk with Alexi Ashe Meyers, the director of anti-trafficking policy at Sanctuary for Families, about the increased brothel activity in a Queens neighborhood and discuss why she thinks the response to situations like this is to decriminalize the role of prostitutes, while enforcing criminal penalties against people who patronize sex workers or profit off them.
Oct. 28, 2024 - Assembly Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, discusses a public hearing examining a state-funded program providing services to keep low-income seniors, who don't qualify for Medicaid, in their homes and out of institutional settings.
Oct. 28, 2024 - While some of New York's big green energy and emission reduction goals are out of reach, state policymakers were successful in deploying 6 GW of distributed solar projects before 2025. We explore the significance of this accomplishment and how it happened with Doreen Harris, president & CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Oct. 28, 2024 - New York Power Authority President & CEO Justin Driscoll gives an update on the state's effort to develop and operate new renewable energy projects and explains why the state's existing hydropower facilities need additional support.
Oct. 25, 2024 - Should New Yorkers face fees to access government benefits? Legislation pushed through by Democratic lawmakers would end the practice for electronic benefit cards, including debit cards for unemployment benefits. We discuss this proposal and financial fees more broadly with Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Project.
Oct. 25, 2024 - We explore the potential benefits of a state Parkinson's disease registry with Zach Hardy, state government relations manager for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Oct. 25, 2024 - The state's chief information officer, Dru Rai, is in the studio discussing the behind-the-scenes response to this summer's global computer outage, plans for the state Office of Information Technology's staff and budget, and the state government's use of artificial intelligence. We also get to know his personal technology habits.
Oct. 24, 2024 - State lawmakers unanimously support adding an insurance industry liaison to the state's Disaster Preparedness Commission, so we examine the intersection between disasters and insurance with the help of Cassandra Anderson, executive vice president for the New York Insurance Association.
October 24, 2024 - We explore the role mental health peers play in supporting New Yorkers struggling with mental illness. Our guests are Luke Sikinyi, director of public policy and public engagement at The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and Harvey Rosenthal, the group's CEO.
Oct. 24, 2024 - The construction and demolition industries are major contributors of waste and have a significant carbon footprint, which could be limited by promoting a more circular construction process. We explore potential changes to the building process with Felix Heisel, an assistant professor and the director of the Circular Construction Lab at Cornell University.
Oct. 23, 2024 - The Hochul administration has put the finishing touches on regulations intended to keep 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen, out of household products. We discuss the root of this precaution and how it's being implemented with Conor Shea, section supervisor for the pollution prevention unit of the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Oct. 22, 2024 - Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains why he wants the state to study a transition to renewable energy sources for New York's cell phone towers.
Oct. 22, 2024 - The acting head of the state Office of Cannabis Management, Felicia Reid, joins us in the studio for a status check on New York's marijuana landscape, including addressing a backlog of license applications, increasing access to medical marijuana, hiring state cannabis regulators, reviewing existing regulations, and reversing the effects of the war on drugs.
Oct. 22, 2024 - Assemblymember Grace Lee, a Manhattan Democrat, talks about her legislation increasing the security of transactions made over peer-to-peer payments services on smartphones
Oct. 21, 2024 - State lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul honed in on the backlog of early intervention needs in this year's budget, but not much progress has been made solving this critical problem. We discuss what the state is doing and could be doing to delivery more early intervention services with Brigit Hurley, chief program officer for The Children's Agenda.
Oct. 21, 2024 - The United States Environmental Protection Agency is mandating drinking water systems replace all their lead pipes by 2037, but how will it be accomplished? We explore the path forward, including the needs for funding, with Rob Hayes, senior director of clean water for Environmental Advocates NY.
Oct. 18, 2024 - New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is hoping the governor signs his bill shining a light on state contracts that have been adopted outside of his office's scrutiny.
Oct. 18, 2024 - Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, a Bronx Democrat, talks about her legislation intended to keep renters in New York aware of bed bug infestations in their buildings.
Oct. 17, 2024 - Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her legislation preventing debt collectors from using social media platforms to contact New Yorkers.
Oct. 17, 2024 - The 50th Senate District in Central New York is an open race this fall and is shaping up to be one of the most competitive state legislative elections. We talked with Republican candidate Nick Paro and Democratic hopeful Chris Ryan about their candidacies.
Oct. 16, 2024 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwen Craig discusses her reporting on bear euthanasia in the Adirondack Park and explains how human activity is prompting needless deaths.
Oct. 16, 2024 - New York State of Health Marketplace Executive Director Danielle Holahan talks about health insurance coverage available through the state's marketplace, including a plan from the Hochul administration intended to limit out-of-pocket costs for more than 100,000 low-income New Yorkers.
Oct. 16, 2024 - Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates President Allegra Schorr explains how an updated federal regulation will make it easier to treat New Yorkers for opioid abuse.
Oct. 15, 2024 - Democratic state lawmakers want to make all workers in New York eligible for stress-related workers' compensation benefits, expanding this perk beyond first responders. We discuss the rationale for this expansion and how much it might cost with Joe Canovas, special counsel for the New York State AFL-CIO.
Oct. 11, 2024 - Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner talks about a campaign to deploy non-partisan poll watchers to help voters cast their ballots. She also reflects on changes to this year's election administration and the future use of drop boxes for voting.
Oct. 10, 2024 - The gambling landscape in New York has changed dramatically over the last two decades, which underscores the archaic nature of the state's regional off-track betting organizations, which were set up more than 50 years ago to handle bets on horse racing. We talk with Bennett Liebman, a former top racing and wagering official in the Cuomo administration, about the role of OTBs and whether they should continue to exist.
Oct. 10, 2024 - New York businesses operate under a lot of regulations, so state policymakers have put in place a law directing state regulators to promote compliance education over civil penalties in certain situations. We discuss the benefits and limitations of this effort with Frank Kerbein, director of the Center for Human Resources at the Business Council of New York State.
Oct. 9, 2024 - We get an update on changes to the administration of a popular state home care program, including the potential unionization of the workforce, from Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy.
Oct. 9, 2024 - Lara Kassel, coalition coordinator for Medicaid Matters NY, talks about a state program being developed to help New Yorkers with disabilities and their families navigate the supports and services available to them.
Oct. 9, 2024 - Parent advocate Mansie Meikle and EdTrust-New York Director of Partnerships & Early Childhood Policy Jenn O'Connor discuss barriers to accessing family assistance programs and how it could be easier to utilize these critical benefits.
Oct. 9, 2024 - We highlight an effort to lower the retirement threshold for more than 1,000 state police officers, which has led to a public spat between Gov. Kathy Hochul and the officers' union. Our guest is PBA of New York State Executive Director and Counsel Kurt Nolan.
Oct. 7, 2024 - Every inch of New York's 750-mile Empire State Trail isn't always open for business, so state policymakers want to make sure there are relevant detours when the path is off limits. We talk about this idea and the potential of the trail system with Dylan Carey, director of policy and planning at Parks & Trails New York.
Oct. 7, 2024 - New York State Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan discusses the rollout of the 9-8-8 hotline, which is intended to help New Yorkers dealing with a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
Oct. 4, 2024 - New York State Budget Director Blake Washington swung by The Capitol Pressroom studio to talk about the current fiscal year, including potential revenues from a Medicaid managed care tax, and the upcoming budget process, including potential revenue from fees to polluters, savings from the administration of home care, and controlling agency spending.
Oct. 4, 2024 - New York Farm Bureau CEO Deanna Fox and New York State Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball discuss the implementation of the governor's directive for state agencies to procure at least 30 percent of their food purchases from New York producers by 2027.
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa and one of her top deputies join the show to discuss the statewide results from standardized tests administered in the spring, which found that about half of kids grades three through eight were proficient in English and math.
Oct. 4, 2024 - In order to reduce the trauma a child can experience when their parents or guardian is arrested, state lawmakers want to direct law enforcement to implement child-sensitive procedures. We discuss what those steps could look like and why they're important with Tanya Krupat, vice president of policy and advocacy for the Osborne Association.
October 3, 2024 - The state has reported a decline in shootings with injuries in communities participating in the state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative, so we discuss the state of firearm use with Joseph Popcun executive deputy commissioner at the State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
October 3, 2024 - Is it time to lower the threshold for keeping jurors anonymous from criminal defendants? Not according to Kevin Stadelmaier, chair of the legislative committee for the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, who says legislation advancing this effort is overly broad and unnecessary.
October 3, 2024 - New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball discusses the roll out of a refundable tax credit designed to help farmers cover some of their 2024 overtime costs. The state began accepting applications for advance payments this summer, but most farmers are waiting to apply for reimbursement next year.
October 3, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, talks about his bill calling for a study of fees changed by landlords to tenants living in regulated apartments.
Oct. 2, 2024 - After nearly three decades at the Capitol, state Sen. Neil Breslin, a Capitol Region Democrat, has decided not to run for re-election. He stops by the studio to discuss his retirement and his time in public service.
October 2, 2024 - The presidential candidates have shined a spotlight on taxes on tips, prompting a GOP state lawmaker to propose ending state taxes on tips. In light of this attention, we consider whether this is the best way to help low-income workers with the help of Nathan Gusdorf, director of the Fiscal Policy Institute.
October 2, 2024 - A larger insurer and the Archdiocese of New York are at odds over who should pay to settle sex abuse cases stemming misconduct and coverups by church officials. We consider who will have to pay and the role of state financial regulators with Maria Vullo, the former head of state Department of Financial Services.In the aftermath of recording this interview, the insurer Chubb sent over the following statement: “The Archdiocese of New York tolerated, concealed, and covered up rampant child sexual abuse for decades, and despite having substantial financial resources, they still refuse to compensate their victims.” The company also accuses the Archdiocese of refusing to hand over relevant information and obfuscating its true wealth.
Sept. 30, 2024 - LeadingAge New York President & CEO Jim Clyne discusses legislation creating statewide quality metrics for assisted living residences to help consumers choose the facility that is right for them.
Sept. 30, 2024 - We look at the work of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, which oversees the care provided to some of the state's most vulnerable New Yorkers. The group's acting executive director, Maria Lisi-Murray, discusses its 2023 report and new training for first responders.
October 1, 2024 - Albany Common Council Member Gabriella Romero discusses her journey to the state Assembly, including why she decided to run for political office, her plans for the Capitol, and how she'll approach the dirty reality of governing.
October 1, 2024 - Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, is calling for a wide array of action to address gun violence, including expanding the state's definition of a mass shooting, boosting efforts to solve gun crimes, and tracking certain firearm sale trends.
October 1, 2024 - A political memorabilia show is coming to the Capital Region on October 5 at the Albany Airport Inn, so we explore this corner of nerd culture with Albany politico and campaign tchotchke collector Brian Fessler.
Sept. 27, 2024 - We breakdown the corruption charges facing New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Brooklyn Democrat, and the potential fallout with the help of Ben Max, executive editor of the Center for New York City and State Law at New York Law School.
Sept. 27, 2024 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, and Betsy Kramer, director of public policy and special litigation at Lawyers For Children, explain how subsidies to support kids adopted from foster care aren't ending up in the right place and share their legislative solution.
Sept. 26, 2024 - The reason for the outmigration from New York is a charged political issue at the Capitol, with popular narratives circulating on both sides of the aisle. Newsday Capitol reporter Mike Gormley is trying to cut through the rhetoric with his recent reporting on why New Yorkers are leaving and where they're going.
Sept. 26, 2024 - Times Union state investigative reporter Raga Justin discusses her deep dive into a Capital Region nursing home and what it tells us about the quality of care around the state and oversight of the industry.
Sept. 26, 2024 - It's been more than five years since state policymakers put in place a major gun storage law and now they want to make sure gun owners know about it. We talk about this awareness campaign and the role of gun storage requirements with Tanya Schardt, senior director of state and federal policy for the advocacy group Brady.
Sept. 25, 2024 - New tenant protections were included in the state budget, but what effect are they having in New York City and beyond? We try to answer that question with the help of Chris Janaro, a housing reporter with City Limits.
Sept. 24, 2024 - New York State Court of Appeals Judge Shirley Troutman, who serves as co-chair of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, discusses the importance of juror diversity and steps that could address the composition of juries.
Sept. 24, 2024 - Assemblymember Josh Jensen, a Rochester-area Republican, shares concerns with a nursing home rating transparency effort and discusses how the quality of care at nursing homes can be improved.
Sept. 24, 2024 - In light of the beleaguered rollout of a program by the state attorney general's office to monitor racial discrimination in the real estate industry, we examine what else is happening in New York to combat this problem. Our guest is Maura McDermott, an investigative reporter with Newsday, which thrust this problem into the light in 2019.
Sept. 23, 2024 - We recap former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's testimony on the state's pandemic response before a congressional subcommittee with the help of Brendan Lyons, a managing editor at the Times Union.
Sept. 23, 2024 - Cannabis Farmers Alliance President Joseph Calderone provides an update on the state's "seed-to-sale" tracking system and reflects on the experience of marijuana farmers in New York.
Sept. 23, 2024 - The state's teachers' union is throwing its weight behind Democrats in purple congressional districts in New York in order to make Hakeem Jeffries the next speaker of the house. We talk about this political decision with Melinda Person, president of New York State United Teachers.
Sept. 23, 2024 - We discuss efforts to ensure the long-term viability of emergency medical services, including a recently adopted bill dealing with Medicaid rates, with Ryan Gregoire, legislative director for the New York State Association of Counties, and Steve Kroll, chair of the legislative committee for the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association.
Sept. 19, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses a pilot program at 25 public colleges and universities to provide low-income students with additional counseling services and financial resources to ensure on-time graduation.
Sept. 19, 2024 - David Carmel, co-founder of New Yorkers to Cure Paralysis, makes the case for lifting an $8.5 million cap on the revenue from a traffic violation surcharge that the state invests each year in spinal cord injury research projects.
Sept. 19, 2024 - What does a constitutional guarantee to clean air, clean water, and a healthful environment mean? We're starting to get answers to that question from the court system and we explore one of the latest rulings with Dan Spitzer, a partner with the law firm of Hodgson Russ.
Sept. 18, 2024 - Karin Carreau-Spencer, a lobbyist in Albany and founder of the advocacy group HORSEPOWER, explains the state laws designed to ensure horses in New York don't end up being slaughtered elsewhere.
Sept. 18, 2024 - Two New York City groups representing landlords merged this summer to form the New York Apartment Association and wooed Kenny Burgos away from the Assembly to be their first leader. We talked with the Bronx Democrat about his career change and the work ahead.
Sept. 18, 2024 - The off-track betting organization representing Western New York, which has come under fire for years, is poised to have Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown as its next leader. We discuss why the change is happening and the gambling operator's future with J Dale Shoemaker, a reporter with Investigative Post.
Sept. 17, 2024 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwendolyn Craig discusses the staffing levels of the New York State Forest Rangers, which are leading to high levels of overtime.
Sept. 17, 2024 - The New York City transit system has tens of billions of dollars in capital project needs over the next few years and its funding plan is in limbo, according to a recent report from the state comptroller's office. Deputy State Comptroller Rahul Jain discusses the findings, including the challenges Gov. Kathy Hochul might face in replacing the MTA's congestion pricing plan.
Sept. 17, 2024 - We explore the role of New York's special act school districts, which serve kids who struggle in traditional school settings, including students with severe emotional disabilities. Our guests are Stephen Beovich, superintendent of the Mt. Pleasant Blythedale Union Free School District at Blythedale Children's Hospital, and Dr. Harold J. Dean, Superintendent of the Little Flower Union Free School District, who also explain recent efforts to make these schools more financially viable.
Sept. 18, 2024 - We discuss the first round of data released from a statewide, localized air monitoring effort with Rachel Spector, a senior attorney at Earthjustice.
Sept. 13, 2024 - In light of new drug overdose death data for New York, we examine the state of this public health crisis with Jasmine Budnella, director of drug policy for VOCAL-NY.
Sept. 13, 2024 - Safety net hospitals are a lifeline for low-income New Yorkers, but these facilities are perpetually in financial jeopardy and have come to rely on increasing government support. In order to promote their long-term viability, the state is looking to promote new partnerships with these critical institutions explains Paul Francis, chair of the Step Two Policy Project.
Sept. 13, 2024 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, is prescribing more transparency at the pharmacy, as he pushes a bill intended to expose the true cost drivers of medications.
Sept. 13, 2024 - State Senate Children & Families Committee Chair Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for expanding when parents, who work flexible or part-time hours, are eligible to receive child care assistance.
Sept. 12, 2024 - NYSERDA President & CEO Doreen Harris discusses the state's effort to update the state's energy plan, explaining how it would be used and why new nuclear projects may be part of New York's future.
Sept. 12, 2024 - Around one million New Yorkers who get their health insurance through the state's marketplaces are facing a rate increase in 2025. We explore these increased costs, including how they may not be enough to cover the expenses of health insurers, with Eric Linzer, president and CEO of the New York Health Plan Association.
Sept. 12, 2024 - The cost of cleaning up brownfields in New York could be going up, as state lawmakers want to impose new wage standards for remediation efforts. We discuss the potential consequences of a prevailing wage mandate with Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat.
Sept. 11, 2024 - New York's sports gambling taxes have brought in a lot of money for the state's coffers, but the tax rate prompted one operator to consider imposing a new fee on its users. We talk about this aborted surcharge and the potential changes to the industry with Adam Candee, editor-in-chief of Legal Sports Report.
Sept. 11, 2024 - Automobile brokers are pushing back against a legislative effort to impose new regulations, which they claim will sink their industry. We discuss these concerns with Sloan Schickler, an attorney representing the New York Automobile Leasing Brokers Association.
Sept. 11, 2024 - The state's wastewater surveillance system, set up in 2021 to respond to the pandemic, has been recognized by the CDC as a "Center of Excellence." We explore how wastewater monitoring is promoting the public health with Dan Lang, deputy director at the Center for Environmental Health at the State Department of Health, and Kirsten St. George, director of virology for the state's Wadsworth Center.
Sept. 10, 2024 - The Children’s Agenda Director of Policy Pete Nabozny discusses a recent survey of Monroe County parents who receive social services and considers how the administration of these programs can be improved across New York.
Sept. 10, 2024 - Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capital Region Democrat and practicing pharmacist, discusses an effort spearheaded by state regulators to create standardized, all-encompassing oversight of an evolving trend in pharmacies.
Sept. 9, 2024 - Politico New York’s Marie French explains what we learned about the state's future energy generation plans from a summit convened in Syracuse by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who appears poised to embrace new nuclear power projects.
Sept. 6, 2024 - After holding a hearing in 2023 on the oversight and administration of social adult day care programs, Assembly Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, has advanced legislation designed to root out bad actors in this industry that caters to older New Yorkers.
Sept. 6, 2024 - It's been five years since New York's Red Flag law took effect, so we look back on the implementation of this gun safety measure, examine how it has evolved, and consider what it should look like in the future. Our guests are Lisa Geller and Spencer Cantrell, scholars with the regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, who work for the John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.
Sept. 5, 2024 - For a decade, New York has steadily improved its organ donor registration numbers by increasing opportunities to register. Aisha Tator, executive director of Donate Life New York State, explains the latest legislation to boost enrollment, which would create an opportunity when accessing electronic health records.
Sept. 5, 2024 - WNYC/Gothamist Capitol reporter Jon Campbell discusses an indictment against a former staffer in the Cuomo and Hochul administrations, who is alleged to have steered state actions on behalf of the Chinese government in exchange for personal financial benefit.
Sept. 5, 2024 - Local industrial development agencies can have a significant impact on school tax revenues, so schools want a guaranteed seat at the table of the economic development entities. We discuss legislation overhauling the makeup of IDA boards with Brian Fessler, director of governmental relations for the New York State School Boards Association.
Sept. 4, 2024 - New York's effort to curb the illicit marijuana market has resulted in an illegal crackdown of retailers licensed to sell hemp products, according to Josh Bauchner, an attorney with Mandelbaum Barrett, who represents licensed hemp retailers.
Sept. 4, 2024 - New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez discusses the state's decisions to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into the revitalization and expansion of upstate airports.
Sept. 4, 2024 - Former state Budget Director Bob Megna is back in the center of Planet Albany, as he is leading the Rockefeller Institute of Government's examination of how New York doles out the bulk of its education aid and tasked with recommending a new distribution model. We talk about the process and what the future could look like.
Sept. 3, 2024 - Assemblymember Gina Sillitti, a Long Island Democrat, discusses her legislation intended to make it easier for New Yorkers with food sensitivities to dine out at a restaurant.
Sept. 3, 2024 - Iroquois Healthcare Association Executive Vice President Kevin Kerwin explains how the Hochul administration is steering about $650 million to boost the healthcare workforce in New York, with a focus on serving Medicaid patients.
Sept. 3, 2024 - With opportunities to gamble in New York seemingly growing every year, we check in with Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner of the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports, to learn what the Hochul administration is doing to address problem gambling.
Sept. 3, 2024 - State lawmakers want to commemorate the work of abolitionist Sojourner Truth with an annual day of celebration in November. We discuss her remarkable life with Lynn Spangler, a former professor at SUNY New Paltz, who did a documentary on the former Hudson Valley resident.
Aug. 30, 2024 - Assembly Local Governments Committee Chair Fred Thiele, a Long Island Democrat, discusses legislation that would put down guardrails on the interest rates that municipalities can charge delinquent property taxpayers.
Aug. 29, 2024 - We discuss proposed changes to New York's contracting laws that are designed to prevent tropical forest deforestation. We consider the impact of the proposal with Francis Palasieski, director of government affairs for the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, and Louise Eddy, owner of Saratoga Quality Hardware.
Aug. 30, 2024 - The state Department of Health has brought in a former Biden administration official, Dr. David Holtgrave, to help steer New York's response to the opioid epidemic.
Aug. 30, 2024 - New York Power Authority Robotics Program Manager Peter Kalaitzidis provides an update on the usage of drones to monitor the state's energy infrastructure.
Aug. 30, 2024 - A dearth of state and local rules governing septic system oversight and operations could be creating environmental problems in New York, according to Claudia Braymer, deputy director of Protect the Adirondacks, who also discusses legislation designed to give property owners information about property septic upkeep.
Aug. 29, 2024 - Richard Berkley, who leads the Office of Consumer Services in the State Department of Public Services, discusses a pilot program capping the energy bills of low-income New Yorkers who electrify their homes.
Aug. 29, 2024 - State Sen. Leroy Comrie, a Queens Democrat, wants to impose new guardrails and teeth to the state law governing how and when utilities respond to consumer complaints. He also wants energy consumers to have more information before a rate hike is enacted.
Aug. 28, 2024 - Assemblymember Landon Dais, a Bronx Democrat, discusses the state attorney general's expanded powers to penalize the perpetrators of "deed theft" and considers what can be done to stop illegal deed transfers from happening at all.
Aug. 28, 2024 - David Levin, a senior consultant for End of Life Choices New York, explains an update to the state's laws governing health care proxies and makes the case for end of life planning.
Aug. 28, 2024 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald talks about the state's ongoing effort to make the RSV vaccine more accessible for pregnant women and senior citizens.
Aug. 28, 2024 - State lawmakers approved legislation creating a registry of short-term rental units in New York and imposing certain standards for operating the type of property that may appear on VRBO or Airbnb. We discuss the proposal with Nathan Rotman, the Northeast policy lead for Airbnb.
Aug. 27, 2024 - State lawmakers passed a bill this past session restricting the construction of new school buildings near highways. We discuss the bill and school construction more broadly with Brian Cechnicki, executive director for the Association of School Business Office of New York.
Aug. 22, 2024 - The safety and efficacy of an abortion reversal pill is at the center of multiple lawsuits involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and anti-abortion groups, according to Don Chesworth, a partner in the Rochester officer of the Tully Rinckey law firm.
Aug. 22, 2024 - State agriculture regulators are beefing up precautions to prevent New York dairy cows from contracting highly pathogenic avian influenza. We discuss the precautionary measures and cow health more broadly with Dr. Carie Telgen, a veterinary consultant.
Aug. 21, 2024 - This spring, former Brooklyn Assemblyman Walter Mosley took over as New York's 69th Secretary of State. He visited the studio to discuss the Department of State's variety of responsibilities and explain his interest in joining the Hochul administration.
Aug. 21, 2024 - For nearly five decades, the Organization of NYS Management Confidential Employees has been a voice in Albany for public sector workers in a managerial role that are excluded from union representation.
Aug. 8, 2024 - Traditional business interruption insurance wasn't worth much to businesses during the pandemic, but a new form of interruption coverage being pushed by the Hocuhl administration may be more useful during a government shutdown of activities, according to Brad Lachut, director of government affairs for the Professional Insurance Agents of New York
Aug. 20, 2024 - The Hochul administration appears to be slow playing the development of a "cap-and-invest" program and limiting its potential scope, compared to what environment advocates want. New York League of Conservation Voters Policy Director Pat McClellan makes the case for a robust effort to limit emissions from large polluters, including in the energy sector.
Aug. 20, 2024 - In light of state policymakers wanting to study the economic impact of kitchen incubators, we learn how these shared facilities are used with the help of Olga Padilla-Zakour, a professor of food processing at Cornell University.
Aug. 20. 2024 - Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses her legislative campaign to ensure the safe storage of embryos intended for in vitro fertilization.
Aug. 19, 2024 - After a disappointing congressional performance in 2022 for New York's Democrats, a group of community and labor organizations have come together to ensure battleground seats in the Empire State go blue. We discuss this effort with Battleground New York's Gabby Seay.
Aug. 19, 2024 - Lake George Park Commission Executive Director Dave Wick discusses the deployment of a herbicide to fight an invasive plant and how it might be used in the future in the Queen of American Lakes.
Aug. 19, 2024 - Before skedaddling out of Albany in June, state lawmakers approved an extension of a tax break for commercial and industrial properties, which needs additional scrutiny, according to Sean Campion, director of housing and economic development studies for the Citizens Budget Commission.
August 16, 2024 - New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn talks about a $350 million effort to combat child poverty by sending checks this summer to low-income families. She also provides an update on the work of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council.
Aug. 16, 2024 - Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo, a Southern Tier Democrat, discusses the administration of the Nourish New York program.
Aug. 16, 2024 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses how state agencies could utilize more cloud technology for data storage and management in the future, including developing its own cloud infrastructure.
Aug. 16, 2024 - In light of state lawmakers looking to revive New York's task force on sea level rise, we examine the threat of rising sea levels and how to mitigate the danger with the help of Amy Chester, managing director at Rebuild by Design.
Aug. 15, 2024 - Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains legislation designed to provide more consumer protections, including fee transparency, when purchasing or leasing a car with the help of an automobile broker.
Aug. 15, 2024 - Assemblymember Sarah Clark, a Rochester Democrat, discusses efforts to expand access to child care subsidies, including changing minimum wage thresholds and allowing for presumptive eligibility.
August 8, 2024 - The Hochul administration's implementation of a 2021 state law reforming the use of solitary confinement in prisons was the subject of a multi-year review by New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, who joins the show to discuss her findings and recommendations.
August 14, 2024 - What can we learn about the collection and utilization of health care data during the pandemic? We explore those questions and more with Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living.
August 13, 2024 - The beleaguered East Ramapo Central School District is in desperate financial straits and stat Sen. Bill Weber says the solution rests with state funding, which he wants to dramatically increase. The Hudson Valley Republican is also opposed to forcing the community to pay higher school taxes, which they've basically balked at doing for a decade.
August 13, 2024 - Artificial intelligence is likely to play a larger and larger role in society, so how should it be regulated? We explore that question with Cornell Tech Vice Provost and Dean Greg Morrisett, who also discusses a report from the state attorney general's office on balancing the risks and rewards of this burgeoning technology.
August 12, 2024 - The process and timeline for awarding three downstate casino licenses are taking shape and we discuss the details with Vicki Been, chair of the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, which is calling the shots
August 12, 2024 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair, Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, is urging the governor to craft a plan to meet the capital needs of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which is in jeopardy of losing out on billions of dollars from the "pause" of planned congestion pricing.
August 12, 2024 - Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for expanding the companies and institutions covered by New York's Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law.
August 9, 2024 - The state Public Service Commission issued an order this summer to expedite the utility pole attachment process in New York. We discuss the order with Matthew Tuchman, a counsel with the law firm of Davis, Wright, Tremaine.
August 8, 2024 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg breakdowns a recent survey of likely New York voters about their presidential preferences, smartphones in schools, and the governor's job performance.
August 8, 2024 - Mental Health Association of New York State CEO Glenn Liebman talks about legislation addressing drug-induced movement disorders, which can be caused by older medications used to treat severe mental health conditions.
August 8, 2024 - Ruth Whittaker, director of civic innovation policy at Chamber of Progress, makes the case for New York policymakers to allow autonomous vehicles on the road across the Empire State.
August 7, 2024 - Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito discusses legislation imposing broad restrictions on the harvesting of horseshoe crabs, which are a threatened species, but useful for biomedical development.
August 7, 2024 - Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses an effort to prevent the displacement of call center workers when there is a change in government contracts.
August 7, 2024 - Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon, a Mohawk Valley Democrat, and Vince Scalise, a combat veteran and executive director of the Utica Center for Development, make the case for expanding a tuition assistance program for combat veterans to all veterans.
August 6, 2024 - Dr. Andrew Talal, a professor at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo and a member of the state's Hepatitis C Elimination Task Force, discusses the ongoing efforts to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat in New York by 2030.
August 6, 2024 - State energy officials are exploring how to develop and manage their own new renewable energy projects, but advocates for publicly controlled green energy generation think they could do more. We discuss the New York Power Authority increasing transparency and moving faster with Lindsay Griffin, regulatory director of the Northeast for Vote Solar.
August 6, 2024 - State transportation officials are in the process of implementing a $33 billion, five-year capital plan, but observers worry inflationary pressures may prevent the Hochul administration to completing its planned projects. We discuss this issue with NY Construction Materials Association President & CEO Ron Epstein and Associated General Contractors of New York State President & CEO Mike Elmendorf.
August 6, 2024 - Assemblymember Monica Wallace, a Buffalo-area Democrat, wants to update New York's banking laws to prevent future disputes that arise from a lack of clarity with the establishment of jointly controlled bank accounts.
August 5, 2024 - The state's program subsidizing the replacement of manufactured homes for low-income New Yorkers could be getting codified and boosting the available grants for recipients, so we examine this initiative with Neil Bendel, owner and manager of Interstate Homes in the Southern Tier.
August 8, 2024 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, discusses a bill designed to more accurately collect data about New Yorkers of Middle Eastern and North African descent, who are currently lumped in with "white" people for demographic purposes by the state.
August 2, 2024 - State lawmakers are looking to make it cheaper for energy utilities to pay for storm recovery costs, but the state's former top utility regulator, John Howard, has some words of warning about the idea.
August 2, 2024 - Debra Pantin, chair of the state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, provides an update on the panel's work, including how they're preparing for diminishing resources to commit to the opioid epidemic.
August 2, 2024 - State Board of Elections spokesperson Kathleen McGrath provides an update on the state's public campaign finance program, including changes to the system based on the experience with the primaries
August 1, 2024 - Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, discusses retail worker safety, including tougher criminal penalties and workplace training to avoid violence.
August 1, 2024 - We discuss the governor's plan to close two upstate prisons, and potentially more this year, with Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat.
July 31, 2024 - For decades public school districts have been required to transport students at private schools, but a recent court ruling imposes some new limits on when they're required, according to Jay Worona, deputy executive director and general counsel for the New York State School Boards Association.
July 31, 2024 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe thinks the Hochul administration needs a Climate Czar to oversee the state's effort to realize the statutory goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York.
August 1, 2024 - Dror Ladin, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, explains why a 2019 law intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a recent update to the state constitution are at the root of his organization's lawsuit against the Hochul administration's indefinite pause on congestion pricing in Manhattan, which was supposed to take effect on June 30.
July 30, 2024 - Without generous federal subsidies, flood insurance can be cost prohibitive for New Yorkers, so the state legislature wants to explore the cost of this coverage and how the state government could support an expanded flood insurance market. We discuss the possible future of flood insurance with Brad Lachut, director of government affairs for the Professional Insurance Agents of New York.
July 30, 2024 - Starting this fall, certain election jurisdictions in New York that want to amend their election laws will need to get their changes pre-approved by the state attorney general's office or a state court. Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and adjunct professor with the New York Law School’s Census and Redistricting Institute, explains why this process was written into a 2022 state law and discusses how it could impact local elections.
July 30, 2024 - In light of former state Sen. Jim Seward's recent death, we are replaying an excerpt of our 2020 interview with the central New York Republican, when we discussed his career at the Capitol.
July 29, 2024 - We get to know Julie LaFave, who was named director of The Great New York State Fair this summer. We discuss her relationship with the state fair, the balance of updating offerings, and much more.
July 29, 2024 - Marijuana dispensaries may soon be freed from strict marketing and advertising rules that hindered their ability to reach customers and build brand loyalty. Damien Cornwell, operator of the Just Breathe marijuana dispensary and president of the Cannabis Association of New York, talks about what the changes being considered by state regulators could mean for the industry.
July 29, 2024 - Times Union Capitol reporter Dan Clark explains a legal challenge to New York's restrictions on who can purchase body armor, which may violate the 2nd Amendment.
July 29, 2024 - A group of progressive criminal justice advocates and Democratic state lawmakers are hoping to reform the state Commission of Correction so that it has more members and more diverse backgrounds. Yonah Zeitz, director of advocacy with the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, discusses how new personnel at the oversight agency could impact the work of state and local correctional facilities.
July 7, 2024 - We learn about the workings of the state's Brownfield Cleanup Program and highlight a completed brownfield remediation effort in Syracuse with the help of Patrick Foster, the deputy commissioner for environmental remediation and materials management at the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
July 26, 2024 - Rory Christian, chair and CEO of the state Public Service Commission, explains how the state's energy utility regulator is helping advance New York's green energy goals and responds to an audit by the state comptroller's office that was critical of the PSC's planning practices.
July 7, 2024 - State Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for adding an "Equal Rights Amendment" to the state constitution and discusses how the proposal should appear on this year's ballot.
July 25, 2024 - Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, and Grace Evans, who previously served as a student representative on her local board of education, discuss legislation requiring school boards of education to have at least one non-voting student representative.
July 25, 2024 - Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses how having a son with autism changed his life and informs much of his advocacy work.
July 25, 2024 - The recently departed head of the New York State Museum, Mark Schaming, discusses his career, including why he's leaving, developing an early 9/11 exhibit, repatriating Native American objects, and the challenges of major renovations.
July 24, 2024 - After two years of work, the Hochul administration released a plan this summer for mitigating the health effects of extreme heat in New York. We discuss the interagency report with Leo Bachinger and Mark Lowery, the program manager and assistant director, respectively, of the state DEC's climate change office.
July 24, 2024 - State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, explains why he wants to give government procurement officers more flexibility when purchasing office products and shares his reservations with the unique manufacturing business in the state's prison system.
July 24, 2024 - We get an update on the state's process of strengthening protections for New York's freshwater wetlands with Erin McGrath, policy director for Audubon New York, and Roger Downs, conservation director of the Sierra Club's Atlantic Chapter.
July 22, 2024 - We highlight an effort to restore the oyster population in New York Harbor and potentially improve the conditions of this polluted water. Our guests are Pete Malinowski, executive director of the Billion Oyster Project, and Luis Melendez, a boat captain with Riverkeeper.
July 22, 2024 - We discuss the pro-charter school agenda in Albany and how these interests are trying to influence legislative races, including the June primaries, with Crystal McQueen-Taylor, executive director of StudentsFirstNY.
July 22, 2024 - For decades, nonprofit organizations contracting with the state have had to deal with the slow authorization of contracts and delayed payments for services. Megan Allen, CEO of The New York Council of Nonprofits, explains the ramifications of this dynamic and highlights legislation that might speed up this timeline.
July 19, 2024 - In order to mitigate the risk of wildfires and promote specific habitats and vegetation, state environmental officials carefully utilize prescribed fires, explains Scott Jackson, a captain with the state forest rangers.
July 19, 2024 - State lawmakers are hoping to entice more maple product producers into using state land by expanding the length of leases that are available. We discuss this proposal and the industry more broadly with Nate Williams, president of Dutch Hill Maple.
July 17, 2024 - Paramedics have the tools to revive someone from an opioid overdose, but they are limited in what additional treatments they're able to provide. Dr. Michael Dailey, chief of pre-hospital medicine at Albany Medical Center, explains why emergency medical responders should also be authorized to administer buprenorphine.
July 17, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, discusses his attempt to revive New York's statutory ban on face coverings at political protests, which have been allowed since the arrival of COVID-19.
July 17, 2024 - New Yorkers with disabilities have a limited ability to access specialized public transit upstate, so there is an effort to expand the geographic area of these services, explains Denise DiNoto, the executive director of the New York State Independent Living Council and Todd Vaarwerk, chief policy officer of Western New York Independent Living.
July 16, 2024 - We discuss access to emergency shelter for single, adult survivors of domestic violence and consider the ramifications of a SCOTUS ruling on gun rights of domestic abusers with Joan Gerhardt, director of policy and advocacy for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
July 7, 2024 - Politico New York Capitol reporter Bill Mahoney talks about a court ruling on outside income restrictions for state lawmakers and highlights how some members earn money on the side.
July 16, 2024 - We explore the time it takes to resolve lawsuits in New York and highlight a procedural maneuver in state law that can speed things up with Matt Smith and Brian Rich, attorneys with Barclay Damon.
July 12, 2024 - Ron Richter, CEO of JCCA, one of the largest foster care and family service agencies in New York, weighs in on the infrastructure needed to meet the mental health needs of young New Yorkers.
July 12, 2024 - The state's utility regulator has updated its plans for obtaining six gigawatts of energy storage in New York by 2030, so we explore the road ahead with David Solimeno and Ari Goldberg, attorneys with Barclay Damon.
July 11, 2024 - In an excerpt from this week's Dispatches From Planet Albany, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, discusses her first term in office, including working with her colleagues at the Capitol, pushing bills to the finish line, and living out of a suitcase.
July 11, 2024 - We discuss the lengthy tax appeals process in New York, including the work of a three-person tribunal, with Andrew Wright and Craig Reilly, partners at the law firm Hodgson Russ.
July 10, 2024 - State Sen. Joe Griffo, a central New York Republican, explains how the state's alcohol laws had to be updated this year after statutory change adopted in 2023 would have prevented a time honored tradition after the Utica Boilermaker.
July 10, 2024 - We get an update on the work of the state's Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force from Rebecca Hughes, executive deputy director of canals at the New York Power Authority, and Ken Kemp, the authority's director of resilience.
July 10, 2024 - We get to know Felicia Reid, the new executive deputy director and acting executive director of the embattled state Office of Cannabis Management. We discuss her new responsibilities, the potential for future lawsuits, updating cannabis regulations, and whether she's interested in being the office's permanent leader.
July 9, 2024 - The Hochul administration has formally acknowledged New York isn't on track to hit its renewable energy goals for 2030, so what should happen next? We try to answer that question and consider how we got to this point with the help of Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.
July 8, 2024 - We get an update on the state's effort to turn underutilized sites, like former industrial properties and brownfields, into the future home of green energy projects. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority Build-Ready Program Director Gillian Black explains what it takes to make sites hospitable for private developers and highlights two of the latest projects.
July 8, 2024 - New York Center for Health Workforce Studies Director Dr. Jean Moore and Senior Program Manager Dr. Robert Martiniano discuss the healthcare workforce landscape, including where personnel are increasing, what jobs are hard to fill, and how to address the state's recruitment needs.
July 3, 2024 - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is expanding its footprint in New York, which is good news for early childhood literacy efforts, according to Education Trust New York's Jenn O'Connor and United Way of the Greater Capital Region's Peter Gannon.
July 3, 2024 - Nick Hoefly, co-owner of Astor Apiaries and a member of state's Apiary Industry Advisory Committee, discusses beekeeping in New York City and how the state solicits input on policing affecting beekeepers.
July 3, 2024 - An order from the state's health commissioner should make doula services more accessible to New Yorkers on Medicaid. We cover why this move matters for maternal health with Johanne Morne, executive deputy commissioner of New York State Department of Health,
July 3, 2024 - Investigative Post reporter J. Dale Shoemaker explains how state regulatory officials are being pressured to advance a controversial industrial park in western New York that has major economic development potential.
July 2, 2024 - Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State President & CEO Mike Alvaro discusses the state's effort to use assistive technology to meet basic health care needs of New Yorkers with disabilities in order to avoid emergency care.
July 2, 2024 - Rewiring America New York Policy Director Michael Hernandez explains the steps that state regulators are taking to ensure that future buildings in the Empire State only use electric appliances.
July 2, 2024 - We discuss the recommendations of an interagency task force examining the state's response to the opioid epidemic with Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner at the State Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
July 2, 2024 - The Hochul administration should have recouped more than $40 million from the federal government for unemployment payouts during the pandemic, according to Tina Kim, deputy comptroller for the division of state government accountability in the state Comptroller's Office, which conducted an audit of the state Department of Labor.
July 1, 2024 - Former Assemblymember Dick Gottfried, a long-time leader on health care issues, discusses the Hochul administration's commissioned report on New York's pandemic response and makes the case for an additional review of this critical time period.
July 1, 2024 - We say hello to Liz Urbanski-Farrell, who was recently selected to be the first employed executive director of the New York State Association for Rural Health, which represents a range of upstate health care providers.
July 1, 2024 - Empire Justice Center Managing Attorney Susan Antos highlights the long delays for low-income families trying to access public benefits, including how the pace of state hearings are contributing to the problem and are the subject of a new lawsuit.
June 28, 2024 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, shares behind-the-scenes details on the legislative effort to reduce plastic packaging waste in New York.
June 28, 2024 - An effort to increase access to primary care by expanding opportunities for physician assistants is facing opposition from the New York Academy of Family Physicians. We talk with the group's president, Dr. Rachelle Brilliant, about their concerns for low-income New Yorkers.
June 28, 2024 - In light of state policymakers considering restrictions on smartphones in schools, we speak with Melinda Person, president of the New York State United Teachers, about potential bans and why they make sense.
June 27, 2024 - We explore legislation designed to keep New York's students out of extreme heat with Greg Berck, of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.
June 25, 2024 - Dr. Michael Daly, chief of pre-hospital medicine at Albany Medical Center, discusses legislation paving the way for ambulance providers to provide blood transfusions at the site of trauma scenes in New York.
June 25, 2024 - National Grid, like other utility companies in New York in recent years, is proposing a significant rate hike for their electric and gas customers. We explore their proposal for state regulators with Phil Decicco, the company's general counsel for business in the Empire State.
June 24, 2024 - The first stretch of the thruway system opened up on this date 70 years, so we're discussing this anniversary with Frank Hoare, executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority.
June 21, 2024 - We get an update on the state government's effort to hire more New Yorkers with disabilities from Kimberly Hill-Ridley, New York's chief disability officer.
June 21, 2024 - New York Racing Association President & CEO David O’Rourke discusses a special weekend at the Saratoga Race Course, talks about the updates to Belmont Park, and reflects on the future of the industry in New York.
June 21, 2024 - New York Independent System Operator President & CEO Rich Dewey discusses the state's energy generation capacity and demand for this summer and for future summers (and winters).
June 20, 2024 - In light of the Hochul administration reconvening the state's Suicide Prevention Task Force, we discuss some of the areas they could address with Renee Rider, a task force member and director of the school mental health resources and training center for the Mental Health Association of New York State.
June 20, 2024 - The New York Power Authority has been tasked with developing and operating its own renewable energy projects, so we get an update on this mission from Vennela Yadhati, the organization's vice president for renewable project development.
June 18, 2024 - New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Deputy Commissioner Lisa Koumjian explains how New Yorkers can get a new digital ID on their smartphone and what it will allow them to do.
June 18, 2024 - We conduct an overdue onboarding interview of Dru Rai, chief information officer for New York and director of the state Office of Information Technology Services. We discuss what drew him to public service, the infrastructure needs of New York, and define the upstate border.
June 18, 2024 - Progressive criminal justice activists are hoping to clarify the limitations on what criminal records employers and schools can access. We discuss this effort with KB White, an equal justice works fellow at the Legal Action Center, and Johari Frasier, an equal justice works fellow with The Bronx Defenders.
June 17, 2024 - New York policymakers are betting big on renewable energy, but should we be expanding our nuclear capacity too? We hear the case for more nuclear energy from Jeff Navin, a co-founder of Boundary Stone Partners.
June 17, 2024 - We talk with New York Power Authority Chief Innovation Officer Daniella Piper about a new lab in Albany where changes to the electric grid and its connected systems can be tested before being implemented in the real world.
June 14, 2024 - We explore a proposed merger of health insurers in New York with Mark Ustin, a healthcare regulatory lawyer and lobbyist with Farrell Fritz.
June 14, 2024 - Denise Seidelman, an attorney specializing in adoption and reproductive law, explains proposed tweaks to the state's 2020 gestational surrogacy law.
June 14, 2024 - New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association President Mark Dorr warns about the pitfalls of towns and cities imposing their own occupancy taxes on hotels and motels.
June 14, 2024 - This is an excerpt of our Dispatches from Planet Albany episode with Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who discussed the legislative journey of his bill regulating social media consumption by minors.
June 13, 2024 - League of Women Voters of New York State Executive Director Laura Ladd Biermann and Deputy Director Erica Smitka call for the inclusion of a ballot referendum that would add anti-discrimination language to New York's constitution.
June 13, 2024 - State Education Department officials Angelique Johnson-Dingle and Jason Harmon discuss an effort to overhaul New York's high school graduation requirements, including ending a Regents exam requirement.
June 13, 2024 - Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, makes the case for implementing congestion pricing (on time) in Manhattan.
June 12, 2024 - Kerri Neifeld, the outgoing head of the State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, explains her decision to leave the Hochul administration, reflects on her time as commissioner, and outlines the qualities necessary for her successor.
June 11, 2024 - Lake George Park Commission Executive Director Dave Wick explains the planned deployment of a herbicide in the "Queen of American Lakes" and addresses the ongoing opposition from the Lake George Association.
June 7, 2024 - More than five dozen state agencies have released updated plans to promote transparency. Unfortunately, most of these proposals are underwhelming, according to Rachael Fauss, a senior policy advisor for Reinvent Albany.
June 7, 2024 - Steven Yoder, a freelance reporter for The Imprint, provides a status update on New York's effort to promote kinship caregivers in the foster care system, as opposed to relying on strangers and congregate settings for housing.
June 6, 2024 - New York Civil Liberties Union senior staff attorney Daniel Lambright explains a case challenging state restrictions on the movements of sex offenders.
June 6, 2024 - A state fund designed to limit malpractice insurance costs for hospitals is headed toward financial insolvency, according to Maya Kaufman, health care reporter for Politico New York.
June 5, 2024 - Bloomberg Government reporter Zachary Williams outlines a deal at the state Capitol requiring minors get parental consent before accessing the most addictive features of social media.
June 4, 2024 - Riverkeeper Government Affairs Senior Manager Jeremy Cherson makes the case for updating state definitions to ensure sewer authorities have the authority to use fees they charge to promote flood diversion strategies and build better stormwater infrastructure.
June 4, 2024 - New York State Insurance Fund Executive Director and CEO Gaurav Vasisht explains an effort to use discounted insurance premiums to incentivize hospitals to reduce their carbon footprint.
June 4, 2024 - We highlight dairy industry issues, including expanding the eligibility of an overtime tax credit, with Allyson Jones-Brimmer, vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs for the Northeast Dairy Producer Association, and Keith Kimble, the association's chair.
June 4, 2024 - One in six residents of assisted living facilities in New York have experienced physical or verbal aggression from a fellow resident, according to a study from Dr. Karl Pillemer, professor of gerontology in medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.
June 3, 2023 - Maria Vullo, the state's former top financial regulator, discusses a ruling from New York's top court that upholds an abortion insurance requirement that she implemented back in 2017.
June 3, 2024 - We consider the need to reduce single-use plastic packaging waste and the legislative response being debated at the Capitol with Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and a former regional administrator for the EPA.
June 3, 2024 - New York State Office of Addiction Services & Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham talks about overdose death rates, funding distributed by her office, and access to opioid reversal agents.
May 31, 2024 - Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for a prohibition on the production and sale of adhesive-based traps for rodents.
May 31, 2024 - After recently being confirmed as commissioner for the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Barbara Guinn swung by the studio to discuss her leadership priorities, combating child poverty, distributing public assistance and overseeing counties.
May 31, 2024 - Seneca County Director of Community Services Margaret Morse and Franklin County Director of Community Services Suzanne Lavigne discuss best practices when it comes to harm reduction efforts in New York
May 30, 2024 - We host a debate on the Medical Aid in Dying Act, legislation that would enable a mentally competent, terminally ill New Yorker commit suicide with the help of a doctor. Our guests are Corinne Carey, senior campaign director for Compassion & Choices in New York and New Jersey, and Blaise Bryant, communications specialist with the New York Association on Independent Living.
May 30, 2024 - Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland County Democrat, and State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa makes the case for imposing a financial control board on a lower Hudson Valley school district that is potentially months away from becoming insolvent.
May 30, 2024 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses the merits of allowing municipal banks and highlights a pilot program establishing a Rochester bank.
May 29, 2024 - New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli explains how he tries to use the state's retirement fund - valued at over $250 billion at the end of 2023 - to influence business practices.
May 29. 2024 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for a recently convened state commission designed to coordinate and promote the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Revolutionary War.
May 29, 2024 - The Hochul administration is being sued for allegedly violating a 2021 law by putting incarcerated New Yorkers with disabilities into solitary confinement. We discuss the case with Stefen Short, who is of counsel for the Prisoners' Rights Project at The Legal Aid Society, which is a party in the case.
May 28, 2023 - After mixed success in raising wages for human services sector workers in the budget, Human Services Council Executive Director Michelle Jackson is pushing a wage board to get this critical workforce the compensation they deserve.
May 28, 2024 - A Siena College Research Institute survey examines key environmental issues being debated at the Capitol. We review those questions, and more, with Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
May 28, 2024 - Ever wonder how the classic wood signs end up in New York's parks? We talked with George Bailey, the man in charge of NYS DEC sign shop in Fulton County.
May 23, 2024 - State education officials are proposing gender-neutral rules for school sports, which could lead to an increase in co-ed sports team. We consider the merits of this idea and potential implementation challenges with Dr. Robert Zayas, executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
May 22, 2024 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Peter Bauer and Deputy Director Claudia Braymer explain why New York should build wildlife crossings on certain roadways.
May 22, 2024 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses his legislation designed to curb the practice of unauthorized selling of dinner reservations at popular restaurants.
May 21, 2024 - In response to mounting evidence about the negative health effects of gas stoves, environmental and health activists are pushing to curtail these popular kitchen appliances in New York. In the interim, though, there is a campaign to spread awareness about the air contamination from gas stoves, explains Tim Guinee, New York legislative-action director for The Climate Reality Project New York State Chapter Coalition.
May 21, 2024 - Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, explains the overhaul of New York's teacher evaluation law that is awaiting the governor's signature.
May 21, 2024 - We highlight an effort to prevent New Yorkers from being sent out of state for electro-shock therapy with Rhoda Gibson and Gina Barbara, members of national ADAPT.
May 20, 2024 - Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan discusses what the state budget does - and doesn't do - to combat hunger in the Empire State.
May 20, 2024 - New York State Economic Development Council Executive Director Ryan Silva explains the work of the state's Public Subsidies Board and how it impacts construction projects around the Empire State.
May 20, 2024 - We talk with John Howard about his decades of public service in Planet Albany, including time in the Assembly, a leadership role in the administration of Andrew Cuomo, and five years at New York's utility regulator.
May 17, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses the impact of funding in the state budget on SUNY campuses and aspiring college students.
May 17, 2024 - Model Alliance Executive Director Sara Ziff urges state lawmakers to adopt new regulations for the fashion industry that she says will protect vulnerable workers.
May 17, 2024 - We analyze a multi-state lawsuit against the NCAA for restrictions on incoming college athletes with the help of David Meluni, an associate teaching professor at the Syracuse University Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
May 17, 2024 - New York Coalition for Open Government President, Paul Wolf and Project Coordinator Annmarie Reeb make the case for state entities to track the records requests they receive to document their compliance with FOIL.
May 16, 2024 - ProPublica reporters Jodi Cohen and Jennifer Smith Richards discuss their deep dive into a for-profit school for people with Autism in Westchester County that is going largely unregulated by the state, despite reports of unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
May 16, 2024 - In light of the college protests that have popped up around the country since October, we discuss free speech rights and implementing the principles of free speech with Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and Justin Harrison, a Senior Policy Counsel with the organization.
May 16, 2024 - We highlight Medicaid dollars that flow through health insurance companies to address health disparities through community partnerships. To talk about the Quality Incentive Program we're joined by Eric Linzer, president and CEO of the New York Health Plan Association, and Diane Mbombo Tite, a former asylum seeker who benefited from this spending.
May 16, 2024 - Dr. Oxiris Barbot, president and CEO of the United Hospital Fund, talks about the scope of adolescent mental health needs and makes the case for more preventative care to avoid serious ramifications.
May 15, 2024 - After initially being tasked to investigate COVID-19 vaccine fraud, state health officials have begun looking at the issue more broadly. We talk about efforts to detect and prevent the falsification of immunization records with Joe Giovannetti, director of investigations for the State Department of Health.
May 15, 2024 - New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy explains why Gov. Kathy Hochul directed her to review the recent work of the state Office of Cannabis Management and shares some of her findings.
May 14, 2024 - We talked with the new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Rochester Democrat Jeremy Cooney, about his vision for the committee, including regulating autonomous vehicles and rethinking highways in upstate cities.
May 14, 2024 - The transmission of syphilis is on the rise in the last two decades after being nearly eradicated in New York. We talk about the landscape and efforts to reduce transmission with Dr. Brianna Norton, deputy medical director for the Office of the Medical Director at the AIDS Institute, and Dr. Wilson Miranda, surveillance director for the Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology at the AIDS Institute.
May 5, 2024 - Are regional high schools the future in New York? We explore the benefits of these settings with David Little, executive director of the Rural Schools Association of New York State.
May 13, 2024 - Chris O'Malley, the outgoing executive director of the New York State Interest On Lawyer Account Fund, and Christine Fecko, the organization's incoming executive director, make the case for limiting the state's ability to dip its hands into a special fund for civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers.
May 13, 2024 - Expanding the state's bottle redemption laws would impact manufacturers, retailers, and consumers, but it would also have ramifications for thousands of "canners" in New York City. We learn about these New Yorkers with Jenna Harvey, an urban analyst with WIEGO, and Ryan Castalia, Executive Director of Sure We Can.
May 13, 2024 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, and Sherry Leiwant, co-founder and co-president of A Better Balance, explain the different paid medical leave proposals kicking around the Capitol and make the case for a more lucrative benefit.
May 10, 2024 - New York is slowly expanding the number of providers offering integrated mental health and substance abuse care. We examine this effort with Jihoon Kim, CEO of InUnity Alliance, and Debbie Fletcher-Blake, president and CEO of VIP Community Services,
May 10, 2024 - The Times Union's Dan Clark explains appellate rulings impacting the future of New York's ethics watchdog and an expansion of mail voting.
May 10, 2024 - The ongoing legislative effort to protect minors from addictive features of social media is facing stiff opposition from the impacted platforms. We hear about the reservations from Chris MacKenzie, a spokesman for Chamber of Progress, which represents big tech companies.
May 10, 2024 - We talked with cannabis attorney Lauren Rudick about the criticisms levied at the manager of the state's social equity fund, which is supposed to be uplifting aspiring marijuana retailers.
May 9, 2024 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, talks about a $25 million state commitment to expand access to abortion services, including for women from outside New York.
May 9, 2024 - The state budget includes overhauling the transmission siting process in New York, but what will it really do? We try to answer that question with John Howard, former chair of the state's Public Service Commission.
May 9, 2024 - Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny explains a new state effort to centralize election data and outlines bills to improve local election administration.
May 8, 2024 - New York State School Boards Association Director of Governmental Relations Brian Fessler responds to the adopted state budget, including funding for schools, a study on the distribution of foundation aid, and efforts to smooth the transition to zero-emission school buses.
May 8, 2024 - Kelly Young, director of agricultural development for the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, explains why the state is promoting the development of urban and community gardens.
May 8, 2024 - New York Immigration Coalition President & CEO Murad Awawdeh talks about the state's $2.4 billion commitment to asylum seekers and discusses other funding impacting immigrants that did (and didn't) make it into the state budget.
May 8, 2024 - Iroquois Healthcare Association Executive Vice President Kevin Kerwin and President and CEO Gary J. Fitzgerald provide an upstate perspective on the state budget's impact on health care facilities, including the increased Medicaid rates.
May 7, 2024 - New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation President & CEO Michael Seereiter discusses proposed changes to the administration of personalized care for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.
May 7, 2024 - Defense attorney Peter Pullano, a managing partner at Tully Rinckey's Rochester Office, explains why the state's top court struck down the 2020 rape conviction of Harvey Weinstein and how the ruling impacts a future retrial.
May 7, 2024 - We break down the housing creation and tenant protections in the state budget with State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, who chairs the chamber's housing committee.
May 6, 2024 - Adam Ruder, director of NYSERDA's clean transportation group, provides an update on New York's effort to promote zero-emission school buses.
May 6, 2024 - Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisory Rachael Fauss provides a government watchdog perspective on how the state budget came together and what's inside it.
May 6, 2024 - Long Term Care Community Coalition Executive Director Richard Mollot talks about federal staffing regulations for nursing homes and responds to the adopted state budget.
May 6, 2024 - A state-commissioned report found that New York's film tax credit isn't worth its $700 million price tag, but communities that host productions love the subsidy. Albany County Film Commissioner Debby Goedeke discusses what the credit means for the Capital Region and why she wants it to continue.
May 3, 2024 - Assembly Children & Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, discusses what did (and didn't) make it into the final budget that will impact families and explains why he's unhappy with Governor Kathy Hochul's child care rhetoric.
May 3, 2024 - We examine the state's latest attempt to make the electric grid greener with Jessica Waldorf, chief of staff for the New York State Department of Public Service.
May 3, 2024 - Politico New York education reporters Katelyn Cordero and Madina Touré discuss the continuation of mayoral control of New York City schools that was approved in the budget.
May 3, 2024 - We highlight New York's ongoing failure to provide adequate access to early intervention services for toddlers with Brigit Hurley, chief program officer for The Children's Agenda.
May 2, 2024 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the environmental proposals that did (and didn't) make it into the final budget and outlines some priorities for the remainder of the session.
May 2, 2024 - New York Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan talks about the mental health portion of the state budget, including what it means for the non-profit workforce and mental health needs of kids.
May 2, 2024 - New York State Budget Director Blake Washington discusses the recently adopted state budget, including the MCO tax, financial transparency, and education aid.
May 1, 2024 - State Senator John Liu, a Queens Democrat, talks about language in the state budget designed to protect property owners against so-called squatters.
May 1, 2024 - Assembly Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, discusses the funding for elder services, oversight of nursing homes, and other budget issues impacting seniors.
May 1, 2024 - Assembly Banks Committee Chair Pamela Hunter, a Syracuse Democrat, makes the case for regulating the evolving "buy now, pay later" industry and discusses financial legislative goals for 2024.
April 30, 2024 - We consider changes to New York's alcohol laws in the state budget and unfinished business with Scott Wexler, executive director of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association.
April 30, 2024 - The development of New York's offshore wind portfolio was dealt a setback in April, as three projects were scrapped as the result of supply chain issues. We break down these developments, including the state's solicitation of new offshore projects, with Fred Zalcman, director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance.
April 29, 2024 - We highlight a rural community outside the Capital Region that is competing for funds to expand local internet access. Schoharie County Administrator Korsah Akumfi discusses the steps being taken to realize 100 percent connectivity.
April 29, 2024 - Community Service Society of New York Vice President of Health Initiatives Elisabeth Benjamin breaks down language in the state budget designed to curtail medical debt and expand access to financial assistance from hospitals.
April 25, 2024 - Is New York going to be the next leader in artificial intelligence research? State policymakers hope so. Bloomberg Government Albany reporter Zach Williams explains the state's expensive bet on "Empire AI."
April 25, 2024 - NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas discusses the state budget, including language designed to promote new home construction and increase tenant protections.
April 25, 2024 - As part of an effort to address chronic conditions with healthy foods, Democratic lawmakers are pushing for Medicaid coverage of medically tailored meals. We explore the merits of this idea with Karen Pearl, chair of the Food is Medicine Coalition and special advisor to God's Love We Deliver.
April 24, 2024 - As the general counsel for the Berger Commission, Mark Ustin, a healthcare regulatory lawyer and lobbyist with Farrell Fritz, has firsthand knowledge about efforts to close and merge hospitals in New York, so we have him weigh in on efforts by Democratic state lawmakers to make it more difficult to shutter facilities.
April 24, 2024 - New York State Association of Cemeteries Legislative Director David Fleming talks about the challenge of maintaining the state's non-profit cemeteries and highlights a statewide cleanup effort.
April 24, 2024 - Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Patricia Fahy, an Albany-area Democrat, discusses the recently adopted state budget, including tuition assistance for students and aid for public colleges and universities.
April 24, 2024 - The state's Public Service Commission has a very important role, but do New Yorker understand what's going on? We explore how to make the work of the state regulator more accessible and comprehensible with Laurie Wheelock, executive director of the Public Utility Law Project of New York.
April 23, 2024 - Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf weighs in on the topline spending figures in the new state budget and argues that New York could have spent more given inflation.
April 23, 2024 - With the Biden administration adopting new drinking water regulations for PFAS, Kate Donovan, northeast director of environmental health for the Natural Resources Defense Council, wants state policymakers to do more to limit PFAS in everyday products.
April 23, 2024 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg talks about a new survey of New York voters, which examined the asylum seeker crisis, illegal marijuana sales, and congestion pricing.
April 23, 2024 - Albany Law professor and New York Court Watcher blog author Vin Bonventre discusses how New York Chief Judge Rowan Wilson has steered the state's top court.
April 22, 2024 - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation interim Commissioner Sean Mahar talks about his new leadership role and the short-term challenges he faces.
April 22, 2024 - We discuss parking in the Adirondack Park, as the state plans another year of reservation parking for the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. We speak with DEC Deputy Commissioner of Natural Resources Katie Petronis and interim Commissioner Sean Mahar.
April 19, 2024 - New York's pay frequency law requires manual workers get paid weekly, but the implementation of this requirement is the subject of various legal challenges, according to Jared Cook, a senior counsel for Tully Rinckey's Rochester office.
April 18, 2024 - Assembly Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses his legislation to expand the types of opioid reversal agents that are widely deployed in New York.
April 18, 2024 - We consider legislation requiring informed consent to screen pregnant and postpartum mothers for drugs and alcohol with the help of Jenna Lauter, policy council for the New York Civil Liberties Union, and Desseray Wright, a family defense practice policy advocate with The Bronx Defenders.
April 18, 2024 - We talk about the importance of preserving New York's native plants with Ed Toth, director of the Mid-Atlantic Seed Bank, and Janice Wiles, co-founder of a native seeds and plant nursery in the Finger Lakes.
April 18, 2024 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, and Maya Benattar, a licensed creative arts therapist, make the case for legislation expanding access to creative arts therapy
April 17, 2024 - Senate Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee Chair Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, talks about the gambling landscape in New York, including the effort to issue new casino licenses, expanding sports gambling options and authorizing online casino games.
April 17, 2024 - Rewiring America New York Policy Director Michael Hernandez explains the lack of regulatory action to implement New York's transition to all-electric buildings.
April 17, 2024 - New York Council of School Superintendents Deputy Director Bob Lowry weighs in on the preliminary details that are emerging about state education in the budget.
April 16, 2024 - New York marijuana farmers are operating at a loss and the industry is at risk of collapsing if the state doesn't offer financial relief, according to Joseph Calderone, co-founder and president of the Cannabis Farmers Alliance.
April 16, 2024 - We get an update on the legal maneuvering in the corruption case against former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin from Jon Campbell, the reporter at the Capitol for Gothamist & WNYC.
April 15, 2024 - Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the illegality of adultery in New York and why he's trying to repeal this section of the state's penal code.
April 15, 2024 - Attorney Fatima Afia, of the Rudick Law Group, talks about legislation addressing illegal marijuana retailers and explains multiple legal challenges to New York's retail marijuana regulations.
April 12, 2024 - With ticks beginning to emerge after the winter, we consider how to prevent and address tick-borne illnesses with Royale Scuderi, executive director of the Central New York Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance.
April 12, 2024 - Democratic state lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations and more awareness of additives put into food, which are generally overlooked by federal officials. We learn about this public health initiative from Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports.
April 12, 2024 - Across the political spectrum there are concerns about the implementation of Raise the Age, so we examine how it can be improved. Our guests are Alison Lake, executive director of the Westchester Children's Association, and Julia Davis, director of youth justice and child welfare for the Children's Defense Fund-New York.
April 11, 2024 - Business Council of New York State Executive Vice President Paul Zuber makes the case the for the state to replicate a federal tax credit designed to encourage employers to hire people who usually struggle to find employment.
April 11, 2024 - Is this the year of a grand bargain on tenant protections and housing creation? We consider what should be in a deal with Jay Martin, executive director of the Community Housing Improvement Program.
April 11, 2024 - The state's consumer directed personal assistance program is one of the fastest growing Medicaid costs, but controlling costs and retaining the integrity of the initiative requires a nuanced approach, according to Lindsay Miller, executive director of the New York Association on Independent Living, and Doug Hovey, CEO of Independent Living, Inc.
March 10, 2024 - After a wolf was detected in central New York, environmentalists have been calling on the state to gather more information about this endangered population. We discuss this issue with Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Peter Bauer and Protect the Adirondacks Deputy Director Claudia Braymer.
April 8, 2024 - The push for environmental issues at the Capitol is getting new energy from young activists, such as Keanu Arpels-Josiah, a high school senior and policy co-lead of Fridays for Future NYC.
March 8, 2024 - Despite New York banning the sale of flavored vaping products in 2020, Democratic lawmakers and health officials worry that more needs to be done. We talk about additional enforcement tools with Kevin O'Flaherty, director of advocacy for the northeast region of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and Max Ferris, director of environmental health for the Albany County Health Department.
March 8, 2024 - The proliferation of artificially generated political content is prompting calls for greater disclosure requirements. We consider how those new rules should be applied with Daniel Weiner, director of the elections and government program at the Brennan Center.
April 5, 2024 - Brian Sampson, president of the Empire State Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors, explains why he is against an effort to mandate project labor agreements on SUNY construction projects worth at least $3 million.
April 5, 2024 - New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has some concerns about the borrowing habits being embraced by the governor, which we explore with Maria Doulis, deputy state comptroller for budget and policy analysis.
April 5, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for legislation addressing sexual consent after becoming voluntarily intoxicated.
April 4, 2024 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, wants to focus the state Office of the Medicaid Inspector General away from what health care providers call clerical errors.
April 4, 2024 - New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association President Mark Dorr discusses how the incoming solar eclipse could bring a million people into the parts of New York along the path of totality.
April 4, 2024 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for a constitutional amendment that would pave the way to increasing the number of state supreme court judges in the New York City area.
April 3, 2023 - After more than four decades of imposing 9 percent interest on money judgements, Empire Center for Public Policy adjunct fellow Cam Macdonald says its time to make the rates more flexible.
April 2, 2024 - Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland County Democrat, explains why Democratic state lawmakers took steps to nullify past resolutions calling for a national constitutional convention.
April 2, 2024 - High school graduation rates in New York didn't change much from 2022 to 2023, which is raising some red flags for Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, executive director of Education Trust-New York.
April 2, 2024 - New York State Division of Criminal Justice Commissioner Rossana Rosado talks about the state's first youth justice conference at the Capitol and the positive outcomes she hopes it can promote.
April 2, 2024 - We discuss the update to the state's Mover Over Law to cover non-emergency vehicles with Lauren Paterno, senior government affairs adviser for AAA Northeast.
April 1, 2024 - Scrutinize founder Oded Oren discusses a report his organization co-authored on excessive sentences from trial judges and how more transparency in the judiciary is needed.
April 1, 2024 - Temporary housing needs to be more than just a place for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to lay their heads, it also needs to offer internet connectivity, according to Adolfo Abreu, housing campaigns director for VOCAL-NY.
April 1, 2024 - The debate at the Capitol over a cost of living increase for human services workers is omitting some of the non-profit staff serving vulnerable New Yorkers, according to Association on Aging in New York Executive Director Becky Preve and Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley Executive Director Denise Figueroa.
March 29, 2024 - Assemblymember Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, highlights incentives to open food retail stores in underserved communities and outlines some outstanding budget priorities.
March 29, 2024 - New York Focus Capitol Bureau Chief Chris Bragg discusses his exclusive story on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie's secret relationship with a lobbyist. We talk about the steps the speaker has (and hasn't taken) to avoid a conflict of interest and learn about the fallout from Bragg's reporting.
March 29, 2024 - Despite New York prisons being mandated to provide medication treatment for substance use disorder, the correction system has a mixed record of serving incarcerated New Yorkers, according to Spencer Norris, a reporter at New York Focus.
March 27, 2024 - New York City Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer visited the Capitol this week to urge state policymakers to promote home creation in the five boroughs and swung by the studio to discuss what's on the table.
March 28, 2024 - New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person makes the case for public employees hired over the last decade and a half to enjoy the more lucrative pension benefits that their colleagues hired earlier are provided.
March 28, 2024 - Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses the gun violence problem in Rochester and highlights state actions that could curb the problem around New York.
March 28, 2024 - Sen. Michelle Hinchey, a Hudson Valley Democrat, explains why the state should create a registry of short-term rental units and make it easier for taxes to be collected on these vacation stays.
March 28, 2024 - Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, talks about her legislation ending mandatory surcharges imposed on certain criminal matters and for traffic infractions.
March 27, 2024 - Governor Kathy Hochul is looking to boost swimming opportunities in New York, so we discuss how that can be achieved with YMCA of Greater New York President & CEO Sharon Greenberger and Senior Vice President for Public Affairs Sharon Levy.
March 27, 2024 - The state's guardianship laws are supposed to serve as a safety net for some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, but Jake Pearson reports for ProPublica that the system has inadequate oversight and can lead to substandard care.
March 29, 2024 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, is hoping to inject new life into Coverage for All, a progressive proposal to expand state health insurance to undocumented adults.
March 26, 2024 - New York Council of School Superintendents Deputy Director Bob Lowry shares his concerns with the state's teacher evaluation laws and discusses proposed changes being championed by NYSUT.
March 26, 2024 - State Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse-area Democrat, explains why she thinks municipal internet is important to the future of connectivity in the Empire State and warns against state actions limiting future developments.
March 26, 2024 - State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for imposing restrictions on how minors interact with social media apps and responds to his big tech critics.
March 25, 2024 - Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Toby Ann Stavisky, a Queens Democrat, discusses funding for colleges and aid to college students in the state budget.
March 25, 2024 - Politico New York's Marie French talks about personnel changes at the state Public Service Commission and explains why the shakeup could matter.
March 25, 2024 - Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Queens Democrat, wants the state to invest an additional $90 million into New York City bus services in advance of congestion pricing taking effect in Manhattan.
March 25, 2024 - PBA of New York State President Jim McCartney and Vice President Matthew Krug make the case for their members to get full retirement benefits after 20 years of service, which is the same threshold for the state police.
March 22, 2024 - The labels "Sanctuary State" and "Sanctuary City" are used a lot in New York, but what do the terms actually mean? To discuss the legal significance, we talked with Lauren DesRosiers, a senior staff attorney with the Edward P. Swyer Justice Center at Albany Law School.
March 22, 2024 - For New Yorkers leaving prison, there is an uphill battle to successfully integrate back into society. To make that transition a little easier, Center for Employment Opportunities CEO Sam Schaeffer wants the state to provide meaningful reentry funds to formerly incarcerated New Yorkers.
March 21, 2024 - New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos sits down for his exit interview and discusses responding to environmental disasters, implementing the CLCPA and why's he leaving the Hochul administration.
March 21, 2024 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for the state to fund direct cash payments to new mothers living in poverty.
March 21, 2024 - Teach Coalition CEO Maury Litwack calls for the state to double its investment in security grants for private, religious schools around New York.
March 20, 2024 - Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins discusses the budget process, including her chamber's emphasis on increasing taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and settling housing negotiations outside the budget.
March 20, 2024 - Senate Housing, Construction & Community Development Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, outlines the housing creation and tenant protection priorities of Senate Democrats in budget negotiations
March 20, 2024 - New York Civil Liberties Union attorney Beth Haroules and organizer Shay Herbert call for changes to the emergency response protocols for a person in a mental health crisis and discuss the 2020 death of Daniel Prude.
March 19, 2024 - New York is embarking on an expensive green transition without a comprehensive accounting of how much it's going to cost, according to Ken Girardin, research director at the Empire Center for Public Policy.
March 19, 2024 - Assemblyman Ed Ra, a Long Island Republican, discusses the budget priorities being championed by the Assembly Minority Conference and explains why fiscal discipline should be valued.
March 19, 2024 - Democrats in the state legislature are looking to get creative in how they raise federal Medicaid dollars, but the proposal may not fly with the Biden administration and could cause problems in the future, according to Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission.
March 19, 2024 - The Wesley Community CEO Brian Nealon makes the case for dramatically increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for care at long-term facilities and discusses efforts to reduce temporary staffing at nursing homes.
March 18, 2024 - Earthjustice Policy Advocate Liz Moran discusses what green policies may (or should) make it into a final budget deal, including a version of the NY HEAT Act, a climate change superfund, investments in clean water, and support for zero-emission school buses.
March 15, 2024 - We break down the 2024 annual report from the state Commission on Judicial Conduct and consider statutory changes to their oversight with Robert Tembeckjian, the organization's administrator.
March 15, 2024 - State Senate Children & Families Committee Chair Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, talks about budget proposals to strengthen the child care workforce, increase the state's revenues, and combat child poverty.
March 15, 2024 - Before the sun sets on Sunshine Week in Planet Albany, we're checking in with Shoshanah Bewlay, executive director of the New York State Committee on Open Government. We discuss the committee's ideas for improving the Freedom of Information Law and consider the future of remote participation in public meetings.
March 14, 2023 - As part of Sunshine Week, we talk with Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisor Rachael Fauss about reforms to the state's Freedom of Information Law that would bring more transparency into government in New York.
March 14, 2024 - After three decades at the Capitol, Assemblymember Fred Thiele, a Long Island Democrat, has decided to retire. For our exit interview, we talk about his proudest accomplishments, the evolution of his party identification, and what he would change in the Assembly.
March 14, 2024 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queen’s Democrat, discusses tax credits targeting child poverty in the budget, including a new working families tax credit.
March 13, 2024 - Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny urges the state to invest more in the administration of elections this year and highlights legislation that could make local boards of elections run more efficiently.
March 13, 2024 - We discuss the legislative agenda of a coalition of social work students in New York, including reforming interactions with child protective services.
March 13, 2024 - Senate Internet & Technology Committee Chair Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, talks about her effort to regulate automated decision-making in state government, including disclosing when it's utilized.
March 12, 2024 - New York Working Families Party co-Director Jasmine Gripper discusses the June Democratic primaries for the state legislature, including where the third party is playing offense and why these races are significant for their Albany agenda.
March 12, 2024 - We get the business community's perspective on the dearth of affordable child care and how to solve the problem from Crystal Griffith, director of workforce development at The Business Council of New York State.
March 12, 2024 - University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez gives an update on the absorption of students from the College of Saint Rose, describes their role in a proposed artificial intelligence consortium and much more.
March 12, 2024 - The Homeowner Protection Program, which provides legal and counseling services to New Yorkers at risk of losing their homes, is regularly funded in the state budget, but every year its future is subject to negotiations between the governor and state lawmakers. Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York Executive Director Nic Rangel explains the benefits of the program and why the Planet Albany budget games hurt homeowners.
March 11, 2024 - Assemblymember Karen McMahon, a Buffalo Democrat, and Anne McCaffrey, president and CEO of People Inc, makes the case for boosting the pay of direct care workers serving New Yorkers with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
March 8, 2024 - A proposal in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget would make it more costly for New Yorkers to get hooked up to natural gas infrastructure, as the state looks to transition homes to green energy. Building Decarbonization Coalition New York Director Lisa Dix joins the show to talk about the environmental benefits of this proposal and address the costs to homeowners.
March 8, 2024 - Media outlets covering local news in New York are shrinking or just disappearing, which is bad news for communities around the state. We consider how to reverse these trends with Zachary Richner, director of Richner Communications and a founding member of the Empire State Local News Coalition.
March 7, 2024 - A report by the Empire Center for Public Policy raises questions about Medicaid dollars that benefited 1199 SEIU, so we talked with the union's interim political director, Helen Schaub, about the money designed for training nursing home staff. We also explore 1199's push for more hospital funding in the budget.
March 7, 2024 - New York Focus Capitol Bureau Chief Chris Bragg explains how the Greater New York Hospital Association wields power in Albany and how they became so well financed. He also raises a red flag about the work of a former state budget director.
March 7, 2024 - Capital Region Chamber President & CEO Mark Eagan and Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, want to make it easier for judges to hold accused shoplifters behind bars before trial in order to address retail theft in New York.
March 6, 2024 - State Police acting Superintendent Steven James explains why he came out of retirement earlier this year to run the state police. We talk about the use of police-worn body cameras, the disclosure of personnel records, and recruiting a diverse roster of troopers.
March 6, 2024 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, highlights a package of bills designed to address a shortage of oral health workers, including creating a new dental career pathway.
March 6, 2024 - We consider the 2024 priorities of the New York Farm Bureau, with the group's president, David Fisher, and director of policy, Jeff Williams. We talk about efforts to reduce packaging waste, build new housing for farmworkers, and the impact of a lower overtime threshold.
March 5, 2024 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, talks about environmental funding in the state budget and the effort to reduce packaging waste.
March 5, 2024 - State funding for rape crisis programs and the "Enough is Enough" program has been stagnant for years, but a coalition is hoping to secure additional investments. We talk about these anti-sexual violence initiatives with Will Rivera, interim executive director for the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Emily Miles, executive director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault.
March 5, 2024 - Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, discusses how the finalized congressional maps were crafted for the fall elections and considers what the redistricting process should look like in the future.
March 4, 2023 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses his new role, as chair of the chamber's Committee on Labor.
March 4, 2024 - Two wind projects planned for Long Island - that were in jeopardy of being scrapped - are getting new life thanks to a larger investment from the state. NYSERDA President & CEO Doreen Harris explains the latest offshore wind solicitation and why it's an important cost for ratepayers to shoulder.
March 4, 2024 - The Hochul administration has adopted a revised solid waste management plan, which includes policy ideas for the state Legislature, including putting a price on garbage. We discuss the long-term proposal with David Vitale, director of the division of materials management at the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Mar. 1, 2024 - New York policymakers have imposed a green transition on certain forms of transportation, but new legislation would begin to address additional areas, including boats, trains and planes, according to Wayne Arden, Vice Chair of the Sierra Club's New York City group.
Mar. 1, 2024 - Supportive Housing Network of New York Executive Director Pascale Leone highlights the lack of funding for longstanding supportive housing programs that are in jeopardy of folding if they don't get funding parity with new programs.
Mar. 1, 2024 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to dramatically overhaul a state-run teaching hospital in Brooklyn that is deep in the red, but staff and members of the community are pushing back, according to Katelyn Cordero, an education reporter at the capitol for Politico in New York
Feb. 29, 2024 - Interrogations by police can be critical to a criminal defendant's fate in court, so transparency advocates and criminal defense attorneys are pushing legislation to make sure these interviews are always recorded and limit law enforcement's ability to use deceptive practices. We discuss these criminal justice reforms with Kevin Stadelmaier, chair of the legislative committee for the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Feb. 29, 2024 - Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA Executive Director Lisa Daglian makes the case for removing restrictions on discounted public transit rides for seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities and discusses possible reforms to the makeup of the MTA board.
Feb. 29, 2024 - We highlight the Black History Month display at the State Museum, which includes a preliminary copy of President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. We consider the significance of the exhibit and how it came together with State Library Principal Librarian Liza Duncan and New York State Librarian Lauren Moore.
March 1, 2024 - Assemblyman Keith Brown, a Long Island Republican, wants to address the annual learning loss experienced by most students when they return to school in the fall by shrinking summer vacation. He has proposed legislation extending the school year in New York to at least 200 days.
Feb. 28, 2024 - The state has completed a study on the efficacy of doubling the standard dose of naloxone when responding to an opioid overdose. We break down the results, including how they should steer state policy, with the state Department of Health's Emily Payne and Dr. Sharon Stancliff.
Feb. 28, 2024 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli shares his analysis of the governor's budget, including what it means for outyear budget gaps, and pontificates about the impact of congressional redistricting on Long Island.
Feb. 28, 2024 - The state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is chronically underfunded by the state, which is resulting in lax oversight of facilities caring for the elderly, according to Bill Ferris, a state legislative representative with AARP New York.
Feb. 28, 2024 - State Senate Cannabis Subcommittee Chair Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester Democrat, wants to repeal an excise tax on medical marijuana to boost participation in the program.
Feb. 27, 2024 - Assemblymember Joseph Giglio, a Southern Tier Republican, discusses his nearly 20 years at the Capitol and explains why he decided not to seek another term in office.
Feb. 27, 2024 - We discuss what the governor's budget proposal means for the state's effort to combat poverty, with Barbara Guinn, acting commissioner for the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. We talk about targeted anti-poverty initiatives, the outdated shelter allowance formula, direct cash transfers, and caring for asylum seekers.
Feb. 27, 2024 - We talk about the governor's proposed changes to the embattled Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, with Blaise Bryant, communications specialist with the New York Association on Independent Living, and Bryan O'Malley, executive director of the Consumer Directed Action of New York.
Feb. 26, 2024 - In the wake of multiple fires at battery energy storage systems around New York, the state launched an inter-agency fire safety working group to inspect these operations and make recommendations on improving oversight. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris, who served on the working group, discusses their proposals and the future of battery energy storage in the Empire State.
Feb. 26, 2024 - Assemblymember Pat Fahy, an Albany-area Democrat, discusses legislation designed to inject new funding into the New York State Museum and inject new ideas into the operation of the Albany landmark.
Feb. 26, 2024 - The Nature Conservancy Chief Conservation and External Affairs Officer Stu Gruskin talks about the stewardship plan for more than 14,000 acres of wetlands, forest, and watershed in the Adirondack Park.
Feb. 23, 2024 - NYS Network for Youth Success CEO Kelly McMahon makes the case for additional state investment in afterschool care in order to address lengthy wait lists that have proliferated around the state.
Feb. 23, 2024 - Times Union Capitol reporter Josh Solomon shares insights and analysis based on the latest pre-trial detention data published for New York.
Feb. 23, 2024 - Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman, who serves as president of the New York State Association of County Health Officials, explains how the governor's budget proposal fails to give local health departments the resources they need to complete state mandated functions.
Feb. 22, 2024 - New York Public Transit Association President James Morrell explains why upstate transit systems need a 15 percent increase in annual state funding and a boost to their capital budgets in order to meet the needs of their riders.
Feb. 22, 2024 - Firefighters Association of the State of New York Secretary John D’Alessandro discusses steps the state could implement to boost the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters around New York.
Feb. 22, 2024 - New York State Office of Faith and Non-Profit Development Services Director Caura Washington talks about the mandate of her new office and the intersection of religion and government.
Feb. 22, 2024 - Two Democratic state lawmakers from Queens are proposing the creation of a statewide housing court system, so we talked with Legal Aid Society staff attorney Ellen Davidson about the merits of the idea and improving the existing housing court options.
Feb. 21, 2024 - Retired Public Employees Association Executive Director Ed Farrell discusses efforts by municipal governments to diminish the health insurance benefits of public sector retirees and advocates for a legislative response in Albany.
Feb. 21, 2024 - Education Trust New York's Jeff Smink and Jenn O'Connor make the case for overhauling New York's literacy teaching efforts and address the governor's "back to basics" campaign for reading comprehension.
Feb. 20, 2024 - New York State Board of Elections spokesperson Kathleen McGrath explains the state's public campaign finance program and provides an update on the implementation of the nascent program.
Feb. 20, 2024 - Association on Aging in New York Executive Director Becky Preve argues that the governor's budget proposal is a major setback for seniors and could have costly implications for the state.
Feb. 15, 2024 - State Sen. Iwen Chu, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her package of bills designed to make sure that e-bikes are used safely and can be stored safely.
Feb. 15, 2024 - Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, shares her concerns with the governor's effort to overhaul the siting of transmission lines in New York.
Feb. 15, 2024 - After more than a decade in the state legislature, state Sen. James Skoufis has been able to pass the first bill he introduced as a member of the state Assembly in 2013. The Orange County Democrat visited the studio to discuss his long-running campaign to impose time requirements for insurance companies that receive residential claims following a natural disaster.
Feb. 15, 2024 - Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for requiring clinics that treat opioid addiction with controlled substances to seek the input of the local community before getting licensed to operate by the state.
Feb. 14, 2024 - Legislation kicking around the Capitol would create a new pathway for licensing midwives in New York, following in the footsteps of about three dozen states. Hilary Schlinger, a legislative advisor to the New York Certified Professional Midwives, explains how a new license for midwives would benefit maternal health outcomes.
Feb. 14, 2024 - New York Immigration Coalition Executive Director Murad Awawdeh makes the case for expanding the languages that government forms and services are available in.
Feb. 14, 2024 - After nearly two decades in the state Assembly, Rockland County Democrat Ken Zebrowski is not running for re-election this fall. He swung by the studio to talk about his decision to leave the chamber and reflected on his career at the Capitol.
Feb. 13, 2024 - State Sen. Sean Ryan, a Buffalo-area Democrat, highlights a package of bills designed to increase affordable housing in his community and addresses the governor's effort to promote "pro-housing" municipalities.
Feb. 13, 2024 - Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, a Buffalo Democrat, talks about the recreational marijuana landscape in New York, which was the subject of recent harsh criticism from the governor.
Feb. 13, 2024 - Finger Lakes Land Trust Executive Director Andy Zepp talks about regional preservation efforts and how the state can better support the work of land trusts as policymakers look to conserve 30 percent of state land by 2030.
Feb. 12, 2024 - We dive into the problem of human trafficking in New York, including the forms it takes, how state policymakers respond to the issue and the status of an interagency task force. We're joined in the studio by Julina Guo, director of human trafficking prevention at the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, and Estelle Davis, assistant director and coordinator of the response to human trafficking program at the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Feb. 12, 2024 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for requiring county coroners in New York to have some medical experience.
Feb. 12, 2024 - New Yorkers filing their state taxes have an opportunity to make contributions to charitable organizations and state programs, but are those donations being spent? Maria Doulis, deputy state comptroller for budget and policy analysis, explains what a recent audit discovered about the utilization of these funds.
Feb. 12, 2024 - Human Services Council Executive Director Michelle Jackson discusses the proposed 1.5% cost of living adjustment the governor has proposed for human services workers at non-profit organizations that contract with the state.
Feb. 9, 2024 - New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas discusses the governor's campaign to incentivize the creation of "pro-housing" communities and addresses the importance of funding minor home upgrades to ensure people can remain independent.
Feb. 9, 2024 - American Farmland Trust New York Policy Manager Mikaela Perry makes the case for increasing farmland protection funding in the budget and calls for eligibility changes to a program incentivizing locally grown food in schools.
Feb. 9, 2024 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, joins the show to discuss the definition of mass shootings, developing affordable housing, the implementation of a new election law, and more!
Feb. 08, 2024 - As the result of differing definitions between insurance carriers, a homeowner's cost to rebuild after a hurricane can vary greatly from their neighbor's experience. Brad Lachut, director of government affairs for the Professional Insurance Agents of New York, highlights legislation that would standardize coverages by creating a standard definition of a windstorm.
Feb. 7, 2024 - New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy talks about work at the Capitol, including a renovated central courtyard and long overdue safety improvements to the building's majestic Eastern Approach.
Feb. 7, 2024 - New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person discusses the governor's education aid proposal and makes the case for revamping the teacher evaluation process in New York.
Feb. 7, 2024 - Child advocacy centers, which serve kids who are victims of abuse and neglect, have seen relatively flat funding for years, despite increased demand for services. Michael Polenberg, vice president of government affairs for Safe Horizon, explains what could be accomplished by doubling the governor's proposed investment.
Feb. 7, 2024 - The American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network's Michael Davoli talks about increasing state funding for anti-smoking initiatives and cancer screenings for low-income New Yorkers.
Feb. 6, 2024 - Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for expanding the state's definition of developmental disabilities to include spina bifida.
Feb. 6, 2024 - Consumer Reports Programs Director Chuck Bell explains two consumer protection initiatives being advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul, including new regulations for "buy now, pay later" offerings and unfair business practices.
Feb. 5, 2024 - Northern Rivers Family of Services Executive Director Bill Gettman warns about a potential cut in the governor's budget to state directed services for kids with special needs, including mental health conditions and developmental disabilities.
Feb. 5, 2024 - Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka talks about the state attorney general's lawsuit against Pepsi and discusses efforts to curtail packaging waste, including adopting an extender producer responsibility requirement.
Feb. 2, 2024 - The families of potentially thousands of essential workers who caught COVID-19 during the pandemic and died, have missed their window to apply for workers compensation benefits, but Sen. Steve Rhoads, a Long Island Republican, is pushing a bill to create a window for filing outdated claims.
Feb. 2, 2024 - Creatives Rebuild New York Executive Director Sarah Calderon discusses a proposal from the governor to advance local arts projects and makes the case for funding a guaranteed income for artists and a new arts employment program.
Feb. 01, 2024 - Gov. Kathy Hochul wants New York to plant 25 million trees over the next decade. Ok, but how do you do that? We get answers from Nneka Sobers, assistant director of product development for the Urban Tech Hub at Cornell Tech's Jacob's Institute.
Feb. 01, 2024 - At the end of 2023, the Hochul Administration began spending some of the $4.2 billion environmental bond act approved by voters in 2022. We get an update on these spending efforts and discuss environmental spending in the governor's budget proposal with NYS DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos and bond act Czar Suzanna Randall.
Feb. 01, 2024 - Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Bill Magnarelli, a Syracuse-area Democrat, discusses proposed seat belt requirements on chartered buses and responds to the governor's proposed funding for roads and bridges upkeep.
Jan. 31, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeff Aubry, a Queens Democrat, is not running for office after more than three decades in the chamber. He reflects on his career at the Capitol, including running the dais and leading on criminal justice issues.
Jan. 31, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses the financial shape of New York's public colleges and universities and outlines the steps needed to maintain a strong SUNY system. He also weighs in on the creation of Empire AI at the University at Buffalo and talked about the future plans for the University Hospital at SUNY Downstate.
Jan. 30, 2024 - By 2032, the state is supposed to have cut child poverty in half, so we examine what the governor's budget proposal does (or doesn't do) to get to that point. Our guest is Jason Cone, chief public policy officer for Robin Hood, which works to combat poverty in New York City.
Jan. 30, 2024 - Adirondack Council spokesman John Sheehan explains what the governor's budget proposal, including a reduction in clean water infrastructure funds, could mean for the Adirondack Park.
Jan. 30, 2024 - After more than a year of negotiations, federal officials in January approved a state waiver designed to give the Hochul administration more flexibility to spend $7.5 billion in Medicaid money. To explain the significance of the waiver and why New York needs permission to administer its Medicaid program, we spoke with Lisa Wickens-Alteri, founder and president of Capital Health Consulting.
Jan. 29, 2024 - We discuss Gov. Kathy Hochul's December announcement of a public-private partnership at the Albany NanoTech site, where the state is investing $1 billion on research and development equipment that will be used by Micron, IBM and other high-tech players. Our guests are David Anderson, president of NY CREATES, and Kevin Younis, chief operating officer and executive deputy commissioner of Empire State Development.
Jan. 27, 2024 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald talks about the governor's budget proposal, including the state of tobacco control funding, a rate increase for early intervention services, and expanding access to doulas.
Jan. 26, 2024 - State Department of Agriculture and Markets Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Trodden discusses updates to the state's food product recall guidance book.
Jan. 25, 2024 - Rural Schools Association of New York State Executive Director David Little warns that the governor's budget proposal is bad news for more than 300 school districts because of changes to inflation calculations and cuts to a "hold harmless" fund.
Jan. 25, 2024 - For many young lawyers with student loan debt, a long-term career in civil legal services or a public defenders office isn't financially viable, so there is a push in Albany to increase the state's loan support program for working in the public interest. Jane Fox, chapter chair for the Legal Aid Society's union, explains why this investment is good for New York.
Jan. 25, 2024 - Gov. Kathy Hochul likes to trumpet her administration's commitment to child care, but what does it all add up to? Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy Policy Director Dede Hill discusses the current child care landscape and calls for additional investments in the industry's workforce.
Jan, 24, 2024 - We learn about LJUNGSTRÖM, a western New York manufacturer that has begun producing steel components for offshore wind projects. We talk with the company's business development manager, Jude Auman, who explains their transition away from serving the fossil fuel industry.
Jan. 24, 2024 - New York Health Foundation Veterans Senior Program Officer Derek Coy explains what the state could be doing to help more than half a million veterans in the Empire State, including funding peer mentoring services and investing in homeless prevention efforts.
Jan. 23, 2024 - Associated General Contractors of New York State President & CEO Mike Elmendorf discusses the condition of the state's roads and bridges and makes the case for additional investments in driving conditions.
Jan. 24, 2024 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado discusses a proposed state Office of Service and Civic Engagement, reflects on Republicans serving in purple congressional districts, and provides an update on New York's Hate and Bias Prevention Unit.
Jan. 23, 2024 - United New York Ambulance Network Chair Tim Egan explains what the governor's budget, including a mandate for municipalities to coordinate local ambulance services, could mean for emergency medical services around the state.
Jan. 22, 2024 - We get an update on the most mature legal test of New York's constitutional guarantee to clean air, clean water and a healthful environment. Suzanne Novak, a senior attorney at Earthjustice's Northeast office in New York, discusses the issues before a mid-level appeals court.
Jan. 22, 2024 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe discusses what's in (and not in) Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, including a transition away from natural gas in homes and a decrease in funding for clean water.
Jan. 17, 2024 - Danny Harris, executive director for Transportation Alternatives, highlights the plight of transit deserts in the New York City area and discusses how to get commuters out of their cars.
Jan. 17, 2024 - New York Power Authority acting President & CEO Justin Driscoll provides an update on the effort to build and operate new renewable energy and battery storage projects, including a request for information on partnerships with private developers.
Jan. 17, 2024 - Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Conservation Director Roger Downs and Audubon New York Senior Policy Manager Erin McGrath explain New York's effort to dramatically expand the wetlands under state protection.
Jan. 16, 2024 - The state's top court recently issued two rulings that could impact the rights of criminal defendants in the future, so we explore the backstories of the two cases and what they could mean in the future, with Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog and a litigation partner with Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna.
Jan. 16, 2024 - Jim Davenport, a Hudson Valley dairy farmer, discusses a compromise deal on the future use of a controversial pesticide.
Jan. 16, 2024 - State Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, discusses a new law that encourages nursing homes to move away from the utilization of contract nurses, but could undermine a 2021 law that established staffing ratios at nursing homes.
Jan. 16, 2024 - The state wants you to be a volunteer campground ambassador this summer. We discuss the recruitment effort with Jessica McBride, campground program supervisor for the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Jan. 12, 2024 - Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, weighs in on the state's effort to conduct background checks on New Yorkers purchasing ammunition for firearms.
Jan. 12, 2024 - Erie County District Attorney John Flynn discusses legislation, vetoed in 2023 and opposed by the state's prosecutors, which would have created new legal pathways for incarcerated New Yorkers to prove their innocence.
Jan. 11, 2024 - We highlight Gov. Kathy Hochul's effort to increase the state's medical and disability benefit, which has been stagnant for more than three decades. We talk with Sherry Leiwant, co-founder and co-president of A Better Balance, and Rebecca Hanna, assistant vice president of product management for ShelterPoint.
Jan. 11, 2024 - New York Health Plan Association President & CEO Eric Linzer discusses the governor's plan to eliminate co-payments on insulin for some New Yorkers and talks about other health insurance proposals.
Jan. 11, 2024 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for codifying the broader authority given to physician assistants during the pandemic.
Jan. 10, 2024 - Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses a new law ensuring state and local government officials gain information about LLC owners, but stops short of ensuring a public database of information.
Jan. 10, 2024 - Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera, a Buffalo-area Democrat, discusses the evolving need for regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence, including new disclosure requirements for books.
Jan. 10, 2023 - We share an excerpt of New York Now's State of the State analysis, featuring Shontell Smith, head of the New York practice for Tusk Strategies, and Morgan Hook, managing Director for SKDK.
Jan. 10, 2024 - New York City Mayor Eric Adams discusses the Governor Kathy Hochul's State of the State address, including her housing creation plan, opposition to new taxes, and a dearth of details on responding to the influx of asylum seekers.
Jan. 9, 2024 - The Alliance for a Hunger Free NY Executive Director Natasha Pernicka explains how the budget can be used to address food insecurity, including investments in nutritional assistance programs and Nourish NY.
Jan. 9, 2024 - Assemblymember David Weprin, a Queens Democrat, discusses his legislation updating the licensing process for bail bond agents in New York.
Jan. 9, 2024 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for dedicating additional funds for personnel at the state Department of Labor to ensure they're adequately enforcing worker protections and benefits.
Jan. 8, 2024 - New York Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos and NYSERDA President & CEO Doreen Harris swing by the studio to discuss the Hochul administration's effort to create a cap-and-invest plan.
Jan. 8, 2024 - It's been nearly four years since the state overhauled its siting process for large renewable energy projects and Gov. Kathy Hochul appears interested in rethinking the siting rules for transmission projects. To reflect on the work of the state's Office of Renewable Energy Siting and consider the future siting of new transmission lines, we talked with Brenda Colella and Ekin Senlet, the co-chairs of the regulatory practice area at Barclay Damon.
Jan. 5, 2024 - New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon talked about the new minimum wage and farmworker overtime threshold that took effect in 2024 and highlighted a campaign to curb child labor violations.
Jan. 5, 2024 - We got an update on the effort to utilize a new trust to fund upgrades to thousands of New York City Housing Authority apartments from Iziah Thompson, a senior policy analyst at the Community Service Society of New York.
Jan. 5, 2024 - Dispatches from Planet Albany, WCNY's podcast for political insiders, is back for its second season with the start of a new session at the Capitol, so we're bringing you an excerpt of the latest show.We look back and ahead with BerlinRosen Vice President Loren Amor and Citizen Action of New York Deputy Executive Director Rebecca Garrard.If you enjoy this discussion, subscribe to the Dispatches from Planet Albany feed wherever you get your podcasts.
Jan. 4, 2024 - Outgoing State Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin visits the studio for her exit interview, which reflects on the evolution of her agency, the aftermath of the 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo, and the challenges created by a drop in federal funding.
Jan. 4, 2024 - Education Trust-New York interim Executive Director Jeff Smink shares his concerns about the long-awaited results from last year's state assessments for kids grade three through eight, including questions about the meaningfulness of new proficiency standards.
Jan. 4, 2024 - Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisor Rachael Fauss explains how a state of emergency in New York isn't always an emergency and makes the case for broader oversight and controls on the powers utilized by governors following an emergency declaration.
January 3, 2024 - Earthjustice Policy Advocate Liz Moran makes the case for mandating municipal transit systems replace their aging buses with zero-emission vehicles in 2029 and calls for a $100 million state investment to smooth the transition.
January 3, 2024 - Assemblymember Al Taylor, a Manhattan Democrat and local church leader, explains his conversion on the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives with the help of a medical professional.
January 3, 2024 - Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman is looking for an additional $1.5 million from the state to ensure their premier events are as accessible to as many New Yorkers as possible.
Dec. 29 - Cori Gambini, registered nurse and president of CWA Local 1168, shares her union's concerns about staffing levels at hospitals around New York and argues that intervention is needed by state health care regulators.
Dec. 29 - A coalition of Democratic state lawmakers, home care workers, and health care providers are hoping to minimize the role of private insurers in the delivery of home care services to New Yorkers on Medicaid. Helen Schaub, New York State Policy and Legislative Director for 1199SEIU, explains a possible alternative to the Managed Long-Term Care plans.
Dec. 29 - Politico New York reporter Bill Mahoney discusses a shakeup at the state Board of Elections, where the long-serving top Democratic official has quietly ousted by his party's legislative leaders.
December 28, 2023 - Extreme weather events are impacting the cost of property and casualty insurance products in New York, according to Brad Lachut, director of government affairs for the Professional Insurance Agents of New York.
December 28, 2023 - We talked with the state Department of Transportation's Rob Fitch and Pat Barnes about keeping roads safe for drivers in the winter, while also trying to utilize environmentally friendly measures.
December 28, 2023 - New York's Weather Risk Communication Center, located at the University at Albany, was officially launched in December to give state policymakers the best tools to combat extreme weather. We talked about this new initiative with Dr. Nick Bassill, the center's director.
December 27, 2023 - A coalition of religious leaders and Democratic lawmakers are looking to make it easier for faith-based organizations to develop affordable housing. Rev. Peter Cook, executive director of the New York State Council of Churches, explains how new legislation could remove local barriers to new uses of church property and facilities.
December 27, 2023 - We get an update on the latest attempt to draw new congressional lines in New York, following a ruling from the state's top court that called the bipartisan redistricting commission back into action. Jeff Wice, of the New York Law School’s Census & Redistricting Institute, explains what comes next in this (seemingly) never-ending saga.
December 22, 2023 - We discuss the role of employee-owned businesses and how the state can foster their growth with Tori Kuper, a board member of Cooperation Buffalo, and Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Project.
December 21, 2023 - We talk with top state education officials about the budget proposal from the Board of Regents, which is looking to smooth the flaws in the Foundation Aid formula and increase the capacity of the State Education Department.
December 21, 2023 - New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang discusses a report on the misuse of defective contraband testing tools in state prisons, which resulted in more than 2,000 incarcerated New Yorkers being disciplined.
December 21, 2023 - United University Professions President Fred Kowal talks about the structural deficits facing more than a dozen upstate SUNY campuses and calls on the state to fill the gaps.
December 21, 2023 - Labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan explains the significance of two major settlements the state reached with ridesharing companies, including an end to a major wage theft complaint.
December 20, 2023 - Daniel Lambright, senior counsel for criminal justice litigation at the New York Civil Liberties Union, explains a ruling from the state's top court impacting the right of bicyclists to be protected from unreasonable searches by law enforcement.
December 20, 2023 - New York State Energy Research & Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris discusses the state's effort to quickly identify another round of green energy projects, including from developers looking to scrap their original proposals.
December 20, 2023 - We learn about "merit shop" construction contractors and consider the competitive burdens New York policymakers place on non-union construction players, with the help of Brian Sampson, president of the Empire State Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors.
December 19, 2020 - Nearly a decade after environmentalists successfully got high-volume hydraulic fracturing banned in New York, they're bracing for a new effort to extract methane from the Southern Tier. Food & Water Northeast Region Director Alex Beauchamp shares concerns about using carbon dioxide to extract methane and urges state policymakers to ban new "fracking" efforts.
December 19, 2023 - The majority of New York's organic waste - like food scraps and manure - is simply going to waste and emitting methane into the atmosphere. To reduce the state's carbon footprint, Joanna Underwood, founder of Energy Vision, is calling on New York to embrace polices that promote anaerobic digesters.
December 19, 2023 - Historical Society of the New York Courts President Emeritus Albert Rosenblatt, a retired judge from the state's top court, discusses the ongoing effort to preserve the history of the judiciary branch in the Empire State.
December 12, 2023 - Hot summer days can be an annoyance, but - without proper mitigation efforts - those conditions can be a health risk in prisons and jails. Sharon Griest Ballen, chair of the Prison Relations Advisory Committee for the town of Bedford, discusses the steps that should be taken to help incarcerated New Yorkers and corrections staff stay healthy in the heat.
December 12, 2023 - Mental Health Association of New York State CEO Glenn Liebman talks about boosting the mental health care workforce by creating new career and credentialing opportunities.
December 12, 2023 - If state policymakers want to adopt broad benefit enhancements for public employees, the Citizens Budget Commission asks that they do it in the context of the state budget. We discuss this concern with Patrick Orecki, the director of state studies for the business-backed, fiscal watchdog.
December 12, 2023 - The Biden administration wants to phase out the country's lead water pipes, so we explore what that could mean for New York, with Dan Lang, deputy director for the New York State Department of Health's Center of Environmental Health.
December 12, 2023 - After more than a year, the New York Cannabis Advisory Board has exercised little influence in the state's marijuana rules and regulations. The group's chair, Joe Belluck, explains how the status quo is changing, as the board gets new resources and prepares to dole out marijuana tax revenue.
December 11, 2023 - New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Direct of Public Policy and Advocacy Joan Gerhardt explains a new law making the contents of an order of protection available in a wallet-size card that domestic violence survivors can conveniently carry.
December 11, 2023 - We check in with Colin Ahern, chief cyber officer for New York, to discuss new state regulations requiring hospitals to beef up their digital protections and develop plans for responding to cyber attacks.
December 11, 2023 - POLITICO New York health care reporter Maya Kaufman explains how a western New York hospital system is facing a fine from the Hochul administration for failing to adequately respond to the governor's directive to restore inpatient psychiatric beds.
December 8, 2023 - Sen. George Borrello, a western New York Republican, discusses the significance of the state government's gambling compact with the Seneca Nation, which is looking to send less of its casino revenue into the state's coffers as part of a new compact.
December 8, 2023 - VOCAL-NY Director of Drug Policy Jasmine Budnella makes the case for a state law that would pave the way to more programs checking illicit drugs for unexpected substances, like fentanyl.
December 8, 2023 - POLITICO New York reporters Katelyn Cordero and Janaki Chadha discuss the arduous and time consuming process asylum seekers go through in order to obtain federal work permits so they can be legally employed
December 5, 2023 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses a new law - mimicking a New York City measure - designed to ensure freelance workers get fairly compensated in a timely manner.
December 7, 2023 - For older New Yorkers on Medicaid, managed long-term care plans can play a critical role in the health care services they provide. We examine the industry's place in the health care landscape, including the delivery of home care, with Joe Twardy, president of Nascentia Health's health plans.
December 7, 2023 - New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen discusses a public-private partnership intended to connect family caregivers with the supports and services they need to avoid burnout.
December 6, 2023 - Patrick Kenneally, a food service director for the Capital Region BOCES, provides an update on the state's investment in school lunches this year.
December 6, 2023 - Assemblymember Pat Fahy, an Albany Democrat, discusses bills designed to promote safe bicycling, including updating the rules of the road for bikers and expanding how state aid to municipalities can be used.
December 6, 2023 - Queens Community House Executive Director Ben Thomases makes the case for a state-owned property in Queens to be transformed into affordable housing.
December 6, 2023 - Schenectady ARC Executive Director Kirk Lewis discusses his recent appointment to the state's Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council and identifies key issues for the panel to consider in 2024.
December 5, 2023 - New York State Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps discusses some of the group's funding priorities for 2024, including increased aid to municipalities and funding for water infrastructure.
December 5, 2023 - Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, talks about recently vetoed legislation designed to increase immigrations services provided to foreign-born veterans and their families.
December 5, 2023 - About nine years after the Cuomo administration officially blocked efforts to extract methane from the Southern Tier using fracking, a new group of prospectors have a plan to get at the gas with an extraction method they claim is environmentally friendly. Southern Tier Solutions President Bryce Phillips explains his vision for the region and how methane-produced electricity doesn't have to be dirty energy.
December 4, 2023 - New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare discusses the organizations budget plan for 2024, which plans to invest new revenue from a toll hike that takes effect in January, talks about the overhaul of service plazas, and considers road safety this winter.
December 4, 2023 - Scrutinize founder Oded Oren talks about the lack of published decisions from criminal court cases and explains why more transparency would benefit New Yorkers.
December 4, 2023 - We discuss the impact of the Adult Survivors Act and consider whether the time for bringing old lawsuits from sexual abuse allegations should be extended, with Michael Polenberg, vice president of government affairs for Safe Horizon.
December 1, 2023 - State oversight of adult protective services have improved in recent years, according to Tina Kim, deputy comptroller for the Division of State Government Accountability at the Office of the State Comptroller.
December 1, 2023 - Assemblymember Fred Thiele, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the ongoing effort to have the Montaukett Nation recognized by the state.
December 1, 2023 - We discuss the state's approach to regulating the crypto industry, including new guidelines released this fall, with John Olsen, co-chair of the Emerging Technologies and Innovation Practice for Statewide Public Affairs.
November 11, 30 - Common Cause New York Deputy Director Sarah Goff talks about the state's 3.1 million voters who aren't registered with a political party and makes the case for opening up New York's primaries to better engage these independent voters.
November 30, 2023 - As the state Comptroller's Office continues to examine preparedness during the pandemic, the government watchdog turns its attention to addiction services provided from 2019 to 2022. We discuss the audit, with Tina Kim, deputy comptroller for the Division of State Government Accountability at the Office of the State Comptroller.
November 30, 2023 - The state's independent grid operator had decided to keep fossil fuel power plants on line past their retirement date to ensure uninterrupted power in New York City. We discuss this decision and energy reliability concerns more broadly, with Kevin Lanahan, vice president of external affairs and corporate communications for the New York Independent System Operator.
November 29, 2023 - The Citizens Budget Commission has some suggestions for the Hochul administration on how to craft a plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the state. We discuss the CBC's ideas with Ana Champeny, vice president of research for the business-backed fiscal watchdog.
November 29, 2023 - A legal log jam blocking the rollout of hundreds of marijuana dispensaries from opening in New York appears to have been resolved by state cannabis regulators. We discuss what comes next for the adult-use marijuana marketplace with Kaelan Castetter, managing director and founder of Castetter Cannabis Group.
November 29, 2023 - Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford, a Rochester-area Democrat, explains how outdated reimbursement rates are keeping kids from accessing high-quality early intervention services in a timely fashion.
November 28, 2023 - Assemblymember Anna Kelles, an Ithaca-area Democrat, makes the case for legislation designed to standardize and improve the quality and scope of pre-trial services provided around the state.
November 22, 2023 - A blue-ribbon commission is recommending new pathways to achieving a high school diploma, with less of an emphasis on Regents exams and more course flexibility along the way. We discuss the commission's report and what comes next with Angelique Johnson-Dingle, deputy commissioner for instructional support at the State Education Department.
November 21, 2023 - Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for creating a new layer of government bureaucracy to oversee prisons and jails in New York.
November 21, 2023 - Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for updating the rules and regulations governing commercial gestational surrogacy in New York.
November 20, 2023 - Public Utility Law Project of New York Executive Director Laurie Wheelock makes the case for legislation designed to ensure eligible New Yorkers get heating assistance, including in emergencies.
November 20, 2023 - Sen. Dan Stec, a North Country Republican, explains a new law he sponsored that empowers towns to combat invasive animals in their community.
November 16, 2023 - New Pride Agenda Executive Director Elisa Crespo discusses what the state government is doing - and could be doing - to support transgender New Yorkers.
November 16, 2023 - Environmental Defense Fund director and senior attorney Adam Peltz provides an update on New York's utilization of $25 million in federal funds to secure abandoned gas and oil wells.
November 16, 2023 - David Work, vice president of customer project delivery for the New York Power Authority, explains how the state is hoping to leverage the purchasing power of the New York City Housing Authority to spur induction stove innovation.
November 16, 2023 - The state has convened a commission to make recommendations that would improve the delivery of accessible, high-quality health care in New York. We talk with the commission's chair, professor Sherry Glied, about the mandate of the group and how they'll try to tackle their ambitious work.
November 15, 2023 - Ben Kuebrich, a public advocate for Alliance for a Green Economy, explains how major New York energy utilities are required to develop long-term plans for shrinking their carbon footprint and highlights how the first plan submitted to state regulators falls short of the Empire State's ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals.
November 15, 2023 - Victor Kovner, a member of the New York State Special Commission on Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Compensation, makes the case for giving about 1,300 judges in the Empire State a pay raise for the first time since 2019 and addresses the merits of a geographical pay differentiation.
November 15, 2023 - We check in with Jasmine Gripper, a new co-executive director of the New York Working Families Party, and talk about her plans for 2024 and beyond.
November 15, 2023 - New York policymakers have set a goal of conserving 30 percent of the state's land and water by 2030, so a new report from Protect the Adirondacks adds up how much property has been conserved so far and what should come next. We discuss the report with Peter Bauer, executive director of Protect the Adirondacks.
November 14, 2023 - Assemblyman Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, shares insights from a recent hearing on state economic development initiatives and explains a shifting focus to workforce development.
November 14, 2023 - Could 16- and 17-year-old caregivers help alleviate the demand for home care workers? We consider that idea and other workforce solutions with Bryan O'Malley, executive director of Consumer Directed Action of New York.
November 14, 2023 - Ashley Livingston, co-chair of the Friends of Recovery Warren & Washington, discusses some of the latest recommendations from the State Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, including studying the effect of sanctioned drug use at overdose prevention centers.
November 13, 2023 - State Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, highlights her legislation designed to preserve and promote a robust, diverse population of pollinators in New York.
Novembers 13, 2023 - State Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses improvements to New York's family court system, which was the subject a recent legislative hearing in New York City.
November 13, 2023 - A change in state contracting for certain home health services could jeopardize smaller coordinators of care, according to reporting by Amanda D'Ambrosio, a health care reporter for Crain's New York.
November 13, 2023 - Sheng Guo, the head of a new, permanent modernization for the state court system, talks about his mandate and how he plans on tackling this ambitious mission.
November 9, 2023 - We review the implementation of New York's food donation and recycling law and learn about venison donation efforts for hungry New Yorkers, with the help of Sally Rowland and Jeremy Hurst, of the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
November 9, 2023 - We get an update on New York's effort to sign up organ donors, with Aisha Tator, executive director for Donate Life New York State
November 9, 2023 - The recently appointed chief customer experience officer for New York's state government, Tonya Webster, swings by the studio to discuss her broad mandate to make it easier for New Yorkers to access state services and benefits.
November 9, 2023 - New York's top court has given the thumbs up the use of familial DNA searches by law enforcement, as prescribed by state rules and regulations. We discuss the decision and its potential ramifications, with Beth Haroules, an attorney with the New York Civil Liberties Union.
November 8, 2023 - Assembly Libraries and Education Technology Committee Chair Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses the capital needs of libraries around New York, which was the subject of a recent hearing.
November 9, 2023 - Many pandemic policies have been retired, but a paid sick leave requirement for COVID-19 infections remains on the books. We discuss the ramifications of this public health policy with Frank Kerbein, director of the Center for Human Resources at the Business Council of New York State.
November 9, 2023 - As part of the state's effort to combat sexual violence, the Hochul administration recruited former professional football player Don McPherson to promote healthy masculinity to young men and boys. McPherson and New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens swing by the studio to discuss the initiative
November 8, 2023 - The state's ethics watchdog is looking for feedback on their 2024 legislative agenda, so we asked Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisory Rachael Fauss about strengthening ethics and lobbying rules in New York.
November 7, 2023 - New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang stops by the studio to talk about data transparency, keeping an eye on gambling regulators and businesses, and ramifications from a report on workers compensation practices by prison guards.
November 7, 2023 - This fall, the State Education Department issued a broad restriction on facial recognition technology in schools. The department's chief privacy officer, Louise DeCandia, explains the rationale for the prohibition and how biometric tools can be used in certain situations.
November 7, 2023 - New York is in the process of crafting its master plan on aging and wants older New Yorkers to share their priorities. We talked about the status of the plan, including a preliminary report, with Adam Herbst, deputy commissioner for aging and long term care at the State Department of Health.
November 7, 2023 - In advance of changes to how New Yorkers on Medicaid get re-certified for home care services they receive, Rebecca Antar Novick, health law unit direct for the Legal Aid Society, is urging the Hochul administration to slow down and rethink their plans.
November 6, 2023 - We talk about the medical debt collection process and a proposed pilot program for medical debt, with Scott Purcell, CEO of ACA International, the leading trade association for debt collection agencies.
November 6, 2023 - State Budget Director Blake Washington visits the studio to discuss the mid-year financial plan update, including what it says about future budget deficits, spending on Medicaid costs, and future decreases in federal aid.
November 3, 2023 - The Adirondack Council is out with their annual State of the Park report, which includes an assessment of the legislative and regulatory actions in Albany. The group's spokesman, John Sheehan, joins the show to discuss what went right over the last year, what went wrong, and what is left to be done.
November 3, 2023 - Ted Potrikus, who spent decades with the Retail Council of New York State, talks about his new book, which highlights some of his lobbying experience and serves as a navigation guide for Planet Albany.
November 3, 2023 - Dr. John DiPreta, a past president of the Society of Orthopedic Surgeons, makes the case for an exemption in "prior authorization" requirements from health insurers in order to ensure speedy, uninterrupted delivery of care.
November 2, 2023 - We discuss the affordability issues facing mobile home owners and highlight new housing protections for these New Yorkers, with Mike Borges, executive director of the Rural Housing Coalition of New York.
November 2, 2023 - Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick, a Manhattan Democrat, talks about a recent hearing on updating New York's bottle deposit laws and consider what future legislative action could look like.
November 1, 2023 - Dan Shapley, senior director of advocacy, policy, and planning for Riverkeeper, explains how strong state sewage regulations could make waterways in Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island safe for swimming again.
November 1, 2023 - Michael Bonse and Johanna Sullivan, of the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, make the case for law enforcement to update their training for domestic violence responses using a new model policy from the state.
November 1, 2023 - New York Civil Liberties Union staff attorney JP Perry provides an update on her organization's legal fight with the state to ensure low-income criminal defendants are provided legal defense attorneys.
November 1, 2023 - For New Yorkers with disabilities it can be a challenge to get annual vaccinations, which is why Courtney Skivington-Wolf, the COO at Partners Health Plan, has outlined best practices for the medical community to implement for an easier process.
October 31, 2023 - New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Executive Director Emily Miles reviews the implementation of New York's "Enough is Enough" law and makes the case for increased financing and oversight of the measure.
October 31, 2023 - In the aftermath of a tragedy at a child care center in the Bronx, Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, is calling for inspectors of child care facilities and programs to be specifically trained to detect illegal drugs.
Oct. 31, 2023 - SUNY Chancellor John King talks about the financial viability of New York's public colleges and universities, in light of a North Country campus making cuts to fix an operational deficit. We discuss specialized institutions, revenue opportunities, and future increases in state aid.
October 30, 2023 - Dr. Sanjay Sethi and Dr. Jennifer Abeles, co-directors of Western New York's first long COVID center - part of UBMD Physicians’ Group with support from the University at Buffalo - talk about the services they provide to people with lingering symptoms from the virus and how they hope their work informs best practices elsewhere.
October 27, 2023 - In recent years, the state's high-tech business development has been fostered, in part, by NY-CREATES, a consortium with a focus on the semiconductor industry. The group's president, Dave Anderson, stopped by the studio to explain the organization's unique role and how they look to capitalize on federal investments.
October 27, 2023 - Governor Kathy Hochul and Democratic state lawmakers are looking to impose statutory guardrails on social media use by minors, but Julie Samuels, founder and president of Tech:NYC, argues this is a misguided and ineffective response to concerns about utilization of apps like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
October 27, 2023 - The Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy is hoping state policymakers will make strides next year in combating child poverty, boosting the child care workforce, and expanding housing opportunities for young people leaving foster care. The group's policy director, Dede Hill, dives into the details.
October 26, 2023 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, shares insights from a recent hearing on legislation designed to reduce waste from packaging.
October 26, 2023 - Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr., a Bronx Democrat , talks about his legislation imposing new rules for e-scooter riders, including liability protection.
October 26, 2023 - New York State Energy Research & Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris discusses a new round of renewable energy projects the state is funding and reflects on the green energy landscape.
October 26, 2023 - Some New Yorkers will be able to file their state and federal income taxes next year directly through a government website, according to Gabriel Zucker, associate policy director for tax benefits at Code for America.
October 25, 2023 - New York Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri discusses how a change in billing for prescription drugs through Medicaid is impacting health care facilities, pharmacists and New Yorkers on Medicaid.
October 25, 2023 - We chat with pollster Steve Greenberg about the latest survey of New Yorkers by the Siena College Research Institute, which asked about control of Congress, President Joe Biden re-election bid, and Gov. Kathy Hochul's response to the migrant crisis.
October 25, 2023 - We get an update on the state's effort to collect mercury thermostats with Katie Kidalowski, the product stewardship and extended producer responsibility supervisor for the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
October 25, 2023 - Assemblymember Anna Kelles, an Ithaca-area Democrat, makes the case for establishing municipal broadband programs and highlights a new law ensuring local governments have access to infrastructure financing.
Oct. 24, 2023 - State environmental officials have proposed a new process for evaluating projects potentially impacting communities disproportionately hurt by pollution in the past. We talk about the effectiveness of this draft policy with Sonal Jessel, director of policy for WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
Oct. 24, 2023 - In response to new opportunities to purchase over-the-counter hearing aids in recent years, the state issued guidance this fall to help New Yorkers with mild or moderate hearing loss navigate their options. We explore this brave new frontier with David Mossberg, a supervising attorney with the state Department of State, which published the consumer tips.
October 24, 2023 - NY Renews Executive Director Stephan Edel discusses some of his coalition's priorities for the 2024 state budget process, including investing at least $1 billion in shovel-ready projects through New York's new Climate Action Fund.
Oct. 23, 2023 - New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander discusses the latest round of licenses for marijuana growers, processors, and retailers.
Oct. 23, 2023 - New York Civil Liberties Union Legal Director Christopher Dunn highlights the danger of police pursuits in metropolitan areas and makes the case for stronger state regulations governing high-speed chases by law enforcement.
October 20, 2023 - New York State Conference of Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans Executive Director Lev Ginsburg argues against directly paying out-of-network ambulance providers, arguing it will lead to increased costs.
October 20, 2023 - In September. the state's chief judge convened a hearing on the lack of access to lawyers in civil court proceedings. We consider what this justice gap means for low-income New Yorkers and how it can be addressed with Adriene Holder, chief attorney of the civil practice for The Legal Aid Society.
October 20, 2023 - We break down the ramifications of the state's record investments in mental health services for kids, with Sarah Kuriakose, associate commissioner for the Division of Integrated Community Services for Children and Families at the state Office of Mental Health.
October 19, 2023 - While many aspects of life have returned to normal since 2020, the problem of food insecurity has continued relatively unabated, according to Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, who talks about the Nourish New York initiative and serving asylum seekers
October 19, 2023 - Jeremy Cherson, Senior Manager of Government Affairs for Riverkeeper, discusses a new law encouraging state environmental officials to use nature-oriented solutions when preserving shoreline integrity in New York.
October 18, 2023 - The New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Compensation has reconvened this fall and is scheduled to make recommendations on judicial salaries before the end of the year. We discuss this process with former state Court of Appeals Judge Eugene M. Fahey, who serves as chair of the commission.The other commission members are Helene E. Blank, Theresa L. Egan, Nadine Fontaine, Victor Kovner, Robert L. Megna, and Jeremy S. Weinstein.
October 18, 2023 - New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy discusses the state's embrace of so-called "clean concrete" for state-funded building construction and transportation projects.
October 18, 2023 - New York Public Service Commission Chair & CEO Rory Christian explains the rationale behind the state's decision to reject a request for increased funds from renewable energy developers, who claim their ongoing proposals are no longer financially viable as originally pitched.
October 17, 2023 - Onondaga County Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny makes the case for removing a financial disincentive that discouraged New Yorkers, especially seniors, from serving as poll workers.
October 17, 2023 - The Hochul administration is beginning the process of updating the state's energy code to ensure that new buildings are constructed with cost-efficient, energy-efficient design requirements. Chris Corcoran, assistant director for codes standards and products at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, explains how the construction energy code has been used in the past and how it will be updated.
October 16, 2023 - Long before she was making news as the commissioner for the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports, Dr. Chinazo Cunningham was generating buzz in the sports pages, as a dominant softball player in the world of high-level college athletics. On the latest Poozer Pop Culture segment, we learn about the commissioner's path to Northwestern University, revisit her days on the diamond, and consider how sports can produce high-functioning adults.
October 16, 2023 - Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capitol Region Democrat, makes the case for raising the borrowing limit on small city school districts, so their ability to fund capital projects is on par with rural and suburban districts.
October 12, 2023 - New York health and environmental regulators are dropping the ball when it comes to preventing and mitigating harmful algal blooms in the state's freshwater, according to Walter Hang, president of Toxics Targeting.
October 11, 2023 - Jennifer Scaife, executive director of the Correctional Association of New York, shares concerns with the internal grievance process used by incarcerated New Yorkers.
October 11, 2023 - Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat, makes the case for establishing a commission that would consider potential reparations for New York's history of slavery and its aftermath.
October 11, 2023 - New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon outlines the state's ongoing effort to connect asylum seekers with job openings and addresses the possibility of state-issued work permits.
October 11, 2023 - Officials with the New York State Museum in Albany stop by the studio to talk about their new exhibit, highlighting the first American military recognition and Benedict Arnold's treachery during the Revolutionary War.
October 10, 2023 - New York Health Foundation President & CEO David Sandman discusses the lingering presence of COVID-19 for people with "long COVID" and highlights some of the encouraging responses from the medical community.
October 6, 2023 - Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Anne Reynolds makes the case for taxpayers to pony up additional funds for renewable energy projects in the works that claim their costs have gone up more than expected and can't be completed without additional money.
October 6, 2023 - The state Office of the Medicaid Inspector General reported saving taxpayers more than $3.4 billion last year as the result of preventing waste and recouping overpayments. We review the agency's 2022 performance and how they do their work with Frank Walsh, the acting Medicaid Inspector General.
October 5, 2023 - We get an update on the state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, including their emphasis on workforce investments, with Debra Pantin, president and CEO of Outreach, who serves as the board's chair.
October 5, 2023 - For nearly 30 years, the state Commission on Forensic Science has been responsible for setting minimum standards for public laboratories used to analyze evidence in criminal cases, but are those standards meaningful? We answer that question and peel back the work of the commission with Jessica Goldthwaite, staff attorney with the DNA Unit of the Legal Aid Society, who serves on the commission.
October 5, 2023 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queen’s Democrat, shares insights from a recent hearing on how to stop a disproportionate number of children of color ending up in the child welfare system.
October 4, 2023 - Ken Jenkins, a Democratic appointee to the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, explains why he and his fellow Democrats are soliciting public input for new congressional lines, as they wait for a court ruling to decide whether the boundaries need to be redrawn for 2024.
October 4, 2023 - Efforts to close a birth center in the Capital Region has prompted a local backlash, as questions are raised about a dearth of alternative options and whether the closure is financially necessary. We talk about the fate of the facility with Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capital Region Democrat, and Jessica Hayek, a doula working to save the center.
October 4, 2023 - The Times Union investigative reporter Raga Justin shares her reporting on a custody battle in the North Country and talks about the government regulatory and oversight shortcomings the story exposes.
October 3, 2023 - State lawmakers unanimously backed the creation of a program to test out maternal infant care centers to improve treatments provided to babies demonstrating withdrawal symptoms. We talk about the latest approaches to this problem with Miriam Mack, of The Bronx Defenders, and Dr. Matt Holm, a pediatrician in the Bronx.
October 3, 2023 - Dr. Michael Tisbe, president of the American Physical Therapy Association New York, and Dr. Marcia Spoto, chair of association's public policy committee in New York, discus ways to make physical therapy more accessible in the Empire State, including capping out-of-pocket costs and relaxing referral requirements.
October 3, 2023 - Sen. Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, wants to create a $500 million annual investment in wastewater infrastructure, which he believes could get funding from a state system that puts a price on future greenhouse gas emissions.
October 3, 2023 - New York Association for Training and Employment Professionals Deputy Director Therese Daly makes the case for a task force addressing benefits cliffs, which force low-income New Yorkers to choose between public assistance and career advancement.
October 2, 2023 - Zachary Warner, assistant commissioner for the Office of State Assessment at the State Education Department, explains the origin of the state assessments for English Language Arts and mathematics administered in the spring for grades three through eight and discusses the updated expectations that officials set to evaluate test results.
Sept. 29, 2023 - Assembly Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, shares what he learned at his hearing into the oversight of adult day care programs, which are being accused - in some cases - of taking advantage of seniors and taxpayers.
Sept. 29, 2023 - New York Public Service Commission Chair & CEO Rory Christian talks about the potential of thermal energy networks and discusses the criteria for pilot programs that could inform the use of this green technology.
Sept. 29, 2023 - In response to the over reliance of prescription drugs in nursing homes, the United Hospital Fund partnered with six facilities to begin cutting back on unnecessary medications. We learn how this deprescribing effort went and how it could be expanded with Joan Guzik, director of quality and efficiency for the UHF's Quality Institute.
Sept. 29, 2023 - New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder explains new regulations designed to get dangerous drivers off the road and make it harder for them to regain their driving privileges.
September 28, 2023 - New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association President Mark Dorr talks about a record setting year of tourism in New York and identifies a way for the state to increase tax revenues from overnight stays at short-term rentals.
Sept. 28, 2023 - Most employers in New York need to begin disclosing salary ranges for jobs they're looking to fill, so we examine the implementation of this new requirement with Frank Kerbein, director of the center for human resources at the Business Council of New York State.
Sept. 28, 2023 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is being urged to invest state resources into community development financial institutions, which cater to New Yorkers disproportionately overlooked by traditionally banking. We consider what this investment could look like with Jorge Vasquez Jr., chairman of the Lower East Side People's Federal Credit Union, and Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Project.
Sept. 28, 2023 - Association of School Business Officials of New York Executive Director Brian Cechnicki discusses the transition to zero-emission school buses, which districts need to complete by 2035.
Sept. 26, 2023 - Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat, discusses the long way asylum seekers face for work authorization from the federal government and makes the case for the state to issue work permits.
Sept. 26, 2023 - Southern Tier Independence Center Advocacy Director Sue Ruff discusses the state's subminimum wages paid to New Yorkers with disabilities and calls for the elimination of this loophole.
Sept. 26, 2023 - Open Space Institute Chief Conservation Officer Kathy Moser explains the state's process of updating its open space plans and how it could shape efforts to conserve land in New York and spend a multi-billion dollar bond act.
Sept. 22, 2023 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald discusses the risk of COVID-19 in New York and makes the case for eligible New Yorkers to get the latest immunization for the virus.
Sept. 22, 2023 - New York State Office of Cannabis Management Director of Policy John Kagia explains the state's vetting process for marijuana products sold as part of the adult-use market, including testing for contaminants and potency.
September 21, 2023 - We highlight the state's effort to end nuisance calls from telemarketers and explain the challenge of stopping calls from scammers, with Paula O'Brien-Soler, director of the Division of Consumer Protection at the New York Department of State.
September 21, 2023 - Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, talks about the state of food insecurity in New York and outlines policies the state government could embrace to reduce hunger.
September 21, 2023 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwendolyn Craig reveals how state environmental officials have fallen woefully behind in their responsibility to maintain updated management plans across the Adirondacks.
September 20, 2023 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses his new state law ensuring New Yorkers retain the rights to any ideas they develop outside of work.
September 19, 2023 - Pollster Steve Greenberg explains a new survey of voters by the Siena College Research Institute that considered the top legislative priorities of New Yorkers, attitudes about quality of life, and problems facing the state.
September 19, 2023 - Assembly Government Operations Committee Chair John McDonald, a Capitol Region Democrat, makes the case for his legislation creating a task force to identify solutions for the problem of organized retail theft in the Empire State.
September 19, 2023 - New York Health Foundation's Derek Coy, who saw combat with the Marines, discusses issues facing veterans in New York, including access to specialized courts and peer-mentoring services.
Sept. 18, 2023 - As part of New York's fashion week celebration, the state launched a consortium to oversee the creation of more sustainable, locally produced fashion opportunities in the Empire State. We talk about this development with Eric De Feo and Sergio Guadarrama, co-founders of Made X Hudson, which will be partner in this fashion initiative.
Sept. 18, 2024 - Recent polling on concerns stemming from the influx of migrants into New York could present electoral challenges for Democrats in 2024 if not handled the right way, according to political communications consultant Alyssa Cass, a partner with Slingshot Strategies.
September 15, 2023 - Democratic state lawmakers pushed through a bill in the spring that will prohibit organized competitions that award prizes for hunting small game, like coyotes or squirrels. We consider the merits of this ban with Brian Shapiro, state director of New York for the Humane Society of the United States.
September 15, 2023 - National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals President & CEO Joe Macbeth discusses a new credentialing program provided by SUNY community colleges for students who want to work directly with New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.
September 15, 2023 - USA Today Network political reporter Chris McKenna explains how voters around the state have been contacted with questions by a group that believes the 2020 and 2022 election results in New York are invalid.
September 15, 2023 - Senate Housing, Construction & Community Development Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, weighs in on the governor's unilateral efforts to boost housing production and considers what might get done in 2024 to increase the number of homes in New York.
September 14, 2023 - Dr. Melur Ramasubramanian, the recently appointed executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost of the state university system and president of the SUNY Research Foundation, explains his role in spearheading research growth at the state's public colleges and universities.
September 14, 2023 - We discuss the state's long awaited report on how to reduce the use of road salt in the Adirondacks with Joe Martens, former state environmental conservation commissioner and member of the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force.
September 14, 2023 - Ruth Lowenkron, director of the Disability Justice Program at the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, discusses a state panel tasked with reconsidering the proper responses to an emergency with a person suffering a mental health crisis.
September 13, 2023 - New York Center for Health Workforce Studies Director Jean Moore talks about creating a dental therapist position in the oral health industry and explains how it could increase access to dental services.
September 13, 2023 - For some libraries, getting a budget before local voters can be a herculean task, which prevents the adoptions of annual spending plans. We consider a lower threshold for libraries to access the ballot with Max Prime director of government relations and advocacy for the New York Library Association, and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System.
September 13, 2023 - Lobbying expert David Grandeau discusses a court ruling that jeopardizes the future of the state's ethics oversight commission and looks ahead at how to compose a future government watchdog.
September 3, 2023 - Attorney Michael Barasch explains a new state law designed to ensure New Yorkers who worked in lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn after the 9/11 terrorist attacks are aware of medical benefits they may be eligible to receive.
September 12, 2023 - Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, a Queens Democrat and supporter of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, discusses the influx of migrants in New York and highlights her legislative responses, including state work permits for asylum seekers and better state coordination of services.
September 12, 2023 - Catskill Mountainkeeper Senior Research Director Kathy Nolan explains the recently finalized process state environmental officials have laid out for evaluating the future of projects in the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserves.
September 11, 2023 - New York students appear to have regressed following the state's use of remote and hybrid learning during the pandemic, prompting the National Parents Union - a parental choice organization that bills itself as a countervailing force to teachers unions - to call for new accountability measures, increased access to high-impact tutoring, and a more comprehensive approach to teaching math and reading. We spoke with Ashara Baker, New York state director for the organization.
September 11, 2023 - This summer, a state law quietly took effect that could radically change the elections boundaries used for municipalities and school districts all over New York. We discuss the law with David Imamura, former head of the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, who is a lawyer for a group of downstate Hispanic voters trying to use the measure to have their town's legislative maps redrawn.
Sept. 2, 2023 - The state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government released its report on 2022, which includes a tally of all the lobbying spending and ethics inquiries initiated over the year. We break down the report and look to the future with Sandy Berland, the ethics watchdog's executive director.
Sept. 8, 2023 - Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for letting students who owe the state money, from attending a public college or university, challenge any debt proceedings in their home county.
Sept. 8, 2023 - Assemblymember Pat Fahy, an Albany Democrat, explains her effort to bring speed cameras to school buildings in the city of Albany, including when fines will be levied and why the program needs state authorization
Sept. 8, 2023 - We're joined by New York State Fair Director Sean Hennessey to recap this year's recently completed state fair and consider what the future looks like for this central New York institution.
September 7, 2023 - State budget officials are anticipating future budget gaps in excess of $13 billion, but how reliable are projections two or three years into the future. Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf discusses the challenge of long-term forecasting and how budget officials lean conservative when drawing their pictures of the future.
September 7, 2023 - State funding to make homes more accessible for seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities is in high demand every year, but little is known about where the limited pool of funding ends up, so advocates for this program are looking to increase transparency. We talked about the campaign for annual reporting from the Access to Home program with Alex Thompson, director of advocacy for the New York Association on Independent Living, and Aaron Baier, director of administration for the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley.
September 6, 2023 - State Sen. Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to push federal officials to more strictly regulate immigration and wants the state to invest in resources into adjudicating the asylum claims of the influx of migrants. He is also joining the minority conferences in both houses of the state legislature in urging state lawmakers to reconvene for a special session.
September 6, 2023 - State labor officials are on track to recover more than $20 million in stolen wages this calendar year, but reporting by Max Parrott for New York Focus suggests that big number isn't that impressive and questions whether the Hochul administration could do more to address wage theft in the Empire State.
September 9, 2023 - Dandelion Energy Policy & Regulatory Affairs Director Heather Deese makes the case for updating rules governing boreholes in New York to ease regulatory burdens that could hamper the adoption of geothermal heat pumps in New York.
September 5, 2023 - The state government has launched a public relations campaign to increase awareness about services available to crime victims, particularly from groups of New Yorkers disproportionately impacted by criminal activity. State Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin discusses the implementation of the outreach and also addresses barriers to accessing services.
September 1, 2023 - Freeman Klopott, a veteran of many budgets and now a vice president for the public relations firm Marino, sheds lights on the budget process and how state agencies will be tasked with helping close a projected budget deficit for next year.
September 1, 2023 - The state's largest landfill is looking to grow, but activists in the Fingers Lakes are pushing back against the planned expansion. Seneca Lake Guardian Vice President Yvonne Taylor argues against increasing the landfill's capacity and calls for steps to reduce the waste New Yorkers are producing.
Aug. 31, 2023 - Bridget Walsh, a senior policy analyst for the Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy, discusses the challenges to accessing preventative dental care in New York.
August 31, 2023 - This summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul made the first visit by a sitting governor to the Onondaga Nation in more than half a decade. We discuss the visit with Tadodaho Sid Hill, spiritual leader of the Onondaga Nation, and Joe Heath, the nation's general counsel
August 31, 2023 - New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness Director Ron Deutsch makes the case for legislation that would limit the ability of private creditors in New York to extract dramatic concessions from foreign countries that are defaulting on their debt.
August 31, 2023 - We do an exit interview with the outgoing Capitol architect, Bevin Collins, who talked about her career trajectory, creating a bust of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the prospects of repairing a grand exterior staircase, and why she loves the historic building.
August 30, 2023 - We sit down with the co-chairs of the state's interagency task force on opioid overdoses, Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner for the State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and Dr. Jim McDonald, commissioner for the state Department of Health.
August 30, 2023 - The New York Civil Liberties Union has created databases and reports documenting two decades of disciplinary measures and uses of force from the state police, which is fighting efforts to turn over more detailed records. We talk with NYCLU legal fellow Ify Chikezie and supervising attorney Bobby Hodgson about the information they've collected so far about trooper, how the public should utilize their online resources, and what law enforcement records they're still trying to obtain.
August 30, 2023 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has rejected the idea that a right to shelter mandate applies in New York outside of the five boroughs, but advocates for migrants descending on the state maintain the protection applies in all municipalities. We discuss the history of the mandate and what its implementation should like today, with Joshua Goldfein, a supervising attorney at The Legal Aid Society.
August 29, 2023 - We examine the hospice landscape in New York, including the availability of end-of-life care and for-profit services, with Corinne Carey, senior state director for Compassion & Choices in New York and New Jersey.
August 29, 2023 - It's been 20 years since the state updated the shelter allowance it offers to low-income New Yorkers and a new report from the Empire Justice Center calls for dramatically expanding the benefit, in terms of eligibility and value. We dive into the issue with two of the report's authors, Haley Kulakowski, a public benefits attorney at the Center's Rochester location, and Jessica Radbord, a senior benefits attorney at the Center's Albany office.
August 29, 2023 - State health officials began recommending this summer that New Yorkers begin getting the HPV vaccine after their ninth birthday in order to increase the immunization's effectiveness against cancer. We talk about this policy decision with Dr. Heather Dacus, director of the Bureau of Cancer Prevention and Control at the state Department of Health.
August 28, 2023 - Gothamist & WNYC Capitol reporter Jon Campbell provides an update on the civil legal battles being waged against former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has cast a wide array of subpoenas in an attempt to discredit the narrative that he sexually harassed women in the workplace.
August 28, 2023 - Sen. Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, discusses the importance of care by doulas for women and calls for the Hochul administration to set Medicaid rates that are reflective of what doula services cost.
August 25, 2023 - Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, a Buffalo Democrat, calls for increasing awareness of advanced-level classes in order to bridge the gap in students enrolled in more challenging courses.
August 25, 2023 - Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York Courts Chair Hank Greenberg talks about increasing access to attorneys in the civil court system, increasing the role of technology in the court room and addressing the lack of jury trials in criminal cases.
August 25, 2023 - Representatives from the American Institute of Architects New York State make the case for legislation ensuring that future school capital projects utilize designs that incorporate the principles of a healthy, secure and safe learning environment.
August 24, 2023 - Plans for land that was either undesirable or inaccessible in Syracuse before the planned demolition of an elevated highway are raising concerns about access to affordable housing and retaining the local community makeup, according to Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, director of the racial justice center for the New York Civil Liberties Union.
August 24, 2023 - New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang discusses her office's oversight of the state prison system, including a recent audit on the use of workers' compensation by prison guards.
August 24, 2023 - New York Times investigative reporter Jay Root explains the recent history of the embattled DocGo, a medical services firm that transitioned to providing services to migrants and has come under fire for its administration of a no-bid, $432 million contract with New York City that is now the subject of a state investigation.
August 23, 2023 - After nearly a decade apart, the University at Albany is reuniting with the nanocollege that was created there nearly two decades ago. We discuss the future under this merger with UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez and UAlbany Vice President of Research & Economic Development Thenkurussi Kesavadas.
Aug. 22, 2023 - Environmental Advocates NY Climate Policy Director Conor Bambrick discusses the evolving electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs of the state and highlights legislation designed to ensure we're meeting future charging reliability demands.
Aug. 22, 2023 - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid discusses the founding of the state park system nearly 100 years ago and explains how New York plans on celebrating this 100th anniversary in 2024.
Aug. 22, 2023 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg discusses a new survey of New York voters, who weigh in on the issues of the day, including the government response to an influx of asylum seekers.
August 21, 2023 - New York State Restaurant Association President & CEO Melissa Fleischut makes the case for updated state regulations that would save the restaurant industry money when buying liquor and wine from wholesalers. We also discuss the work of a state commission eying reforms to New York's alcohol laws.
August 21, 2023 - New York needs to carve out a pathway for increasing the availability of specialized care for people with dementia, according to Bill Gustafson, director of government affairs for the Alzheimer's Association in New York.
August 21, 2023 - New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen highlights a pilot program attempting to combat loneliness among seniors by connecting them with an artificial intelligent voice assistant
August 18, 2023 - New York State Department of Finance Services Deputy Superintendent for Pharmacy Benefits Eamon Rock explains the latest effort to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, controversial middlemen in the health care system.
August 18, 2023 - After three years of having government health insurance programs, like Medicaid, automatically renewed for millions of New Yorkers, the state is now required by federal officials to recertify eligible enrollees. We discuss the "unwinding" process with Danielle Holahan, executive director of New York State of Health, and Amir Bassiri, director of the state's Medicaid program.
August 17, 2023 - The state's four upstate casinos have failed to deliver on the local tax revenue they initially pledged, reports Maria Doulis, deputy state comptroller for budget and policy analysis.
August 17, 2023 - A freight train derailment in the Capital Region this summer is rekindling concerns that environmentalists have about potential hazardous waste spills on rail transportation. Riverkeeper's Dan Shapley makes the case for legislation requiring transporters of dangerous chemicals have the capacity to pay for any future cleanups.
August 17, 2023 - New Yorkers pay - on average - some of the highest health care premiums in the country, so we explore the root of those costs and how they can be addressed, with Eric Linzer, president and CEO of the New York Health Plan Association.
August 17, 2023 - In order to hasten the transition away from fossil fuels, New York's Clean Heat program is subsidizing investments into heat pumps for thousands of families every year, according to Susanne DesRoches, vice president for clean and resilient buildings at the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority.
August 16, 2023 - Cannabis Association of New York Cultivation Committee Chair Joann Kudrewicz talks about the launch of open-air marijuana retail opportunities, which are being pushed by the state to help address unsold cannabis crops from 2022.
August 16, 2023 - Mohonasen Central School District Superintendent Shannon Shine discusses the challenge of educating about 70 students from families seeking asylum in America.
August 16, 2023 - United New York Ambulance Network Chair Jeff Call makes the case for legislation that would ensure health insurers directly pay ambulance providers and would give emergency responders more authority to set rates.
August 15, 2023 - With the process for awarding three downstate casino licenses finally taking shape, we consider the players vying to be big winners and how they're trying to influence the system, with Nick Garber, political reporter at Crain's New York Business.
August 15, 2023 - We get an update on the state's effort to capture localized air quality results across the Empire State, with Adriana Espinoza, deputy commissioner for equity and justice at the State Department of Environmental Conservation and Margaret LaFarr, assistant director for the Division of Air Resources at the Department of Environmental Conservation.
August 15, 2023 - Assemblymember Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, discusses a long-awaited report on combatting recurring upstate flooding concerns.
August 11, 2023 - New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Trodden explains the work of New York's food inspectors, including their mandate and how they actually inspect thousands of operations.
August 11, 2023 - Public Utility Law Project of New York Executive Director Laurie Wheelock talks about steps to increase transparency and accountability with residential energy bills
August 10, 2023 - New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario explains how local taxing decisions get tied up in the politics and personalities at the Capitol in Albany.
August 10, 2023 - University at Albany Associate Professor Lucy Sorensen examines the effectiveness of school resource officers in preventing gun violence and highlights some of the unintended consequences of their presence in schools.
August 10, 2023 - New York Council of School Superintendents Deputy Director Bob Lowry discusses legislation intended to increase the diversity of teachers in New York.
August 10, 2023 - New York has recently converted 500,000 street lights to LED fixtures, so we talk about the milestone and what comes next, with Maribel Cruz-Brown, the interim head of commercial operations for the New York Power Authority, which has been leading this lighting transition.
August 9, 2023 - New York State Energy Research & Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris provides an update on the state's transition to green energy, including the third solicitation of offshore wind projects and the rising costs facing projects in the state's renewable energy pipeline.
Aug. 8, 2023 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado talks about his role on the state's Hate and Bias Prevention Unit and addresses steps to proactively stop incidents rooted in intolerance.
Aug. 8, 2023 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado reflects on 50 years of hip hop, which was born in the Bronx. He discusses his personal relationship with hip hop, how his rap career became a political wedge issue in 2018 and the hip hop music he enjoys today.
August 8, 2023 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, and Charlotte McKeon, a recent high school graduate, talk about forming an agriculture technology competition for New York students.
Aug. 7, 2023 - The New York Power Authority is investing in drone technology to increase their capacity to review energy assets, including thousands of miles of transmission lines. NYPA Robotics Program Manager Peter Kalaitzidis explains how unmanned aerial technology will allow for more proactive and safer inspections.
August 3, 2023 - Politico New Jersey reporter Ry Rivard explains why more than 20 attorneys general from around the country, including New York Attorney General Tish James, are urging a federal judge to reject a settlement deal with a company accused of polluting drinking water.
August 3, 2023 - Business Council of New York Executive Vice President Paul Zuber explains why employers around the state are pushing back against legislation championed by Democrats in Albany that would ban non-compete agreements in the workplace.
August 3, 2023 - Legislation approved this year would ensure New Yorkers have more information about flooding risk when purchasing a property, according to Joel Scata, an attorney working on water issues for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
August 3, 2023 - New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Legislative Committee Chair Kevin Stadelmaier makes the case for legislation that would ensure New Yorkers who accept a guilty plea don't limit their ability to challenge certain elements of their case in the future.
August 2, 2023 - We talk about the future use of telehealth in the state with Dr. Paul Pipia, president of the Medical Society of the State of New York.
August 1, 2023 - We break down the latest news and future outcomes in New York's never-ending redistricting drama, with Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and adjunct professor with the New York Law School's Census & Redistricting Institute.
August 1, 2023 - After years of warning that the state was narrowing the gap between available electricity and electricity demands, the New York Independent System Operator is projecting an electricity deficit for New York City in the summer of 2025. NYISO President & CEO Rich Dewey explains the root of the latest forecast and how state policymakers should respond.
August 1, 2023 - New York is investing $6 million in federal funds to operate mobile medication units to expand access to drug addiction services around the state. We discuss the initiative with Debbian Fletcher-Blake, president & CEO of VIP Community Services, which began operating a mobile unit this summer in New York City.
July 28, 2023 - Politico New York's campaign finance guru, Bill Mahoney, considers what the latest fundraising figures from state politicians tells us about the emphasis on collecting small, local campaign contributions.
July 28, 2023 - New York Wine Policy Institute Executive Director Steve Bate discusses the wine landscape in the Empire State and two pending bills at the Capitol that could dramatically impact wineries.
July 27, 2023 – New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kerri Neifeld discusses a campaign to combat misconceptions about people with disabilities and talks about the state of care for New Yorkers with special needs in the 50 years after the Willowbrook School exposé.
July 27, 2023 - New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kerri Neifeld discusses a campaign to combat misconceptions about people with disabilities and talks about the state of care for New Yorkers with special needs in the 50 years after the Willowbrook School exposé.
July 27, 2023 - Politico New York reporter Marie French provides a roundup of renewable energy news, including the impact of increasing costs for green energy projects planned for the state.
July 26, 2023 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, and Lara Skinner, executive director of the Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University's ILR School, share what they learned about creating good-paying jobs in the renewable energy sector during a visit to Denmark this summer
July 16, 2023 - Education Trust-NY Executive Director Dia Bryant discusses a new report examining the different rate of schools retaining white teachers compared to teachers of color over a four-year period.
July 26, 2023 - A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court is shaking up how county governments in New York typically use proceeds from the sale of foreclosed properties that owe taxes. We talk about this evolving landscape with Dave Lucas, director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs for the New York State Association of Counties, and Drew Jarosh, treasurer for Saratoga County.
July 26, 2023 - An effort by Democratic state lawmakers to ensure a neutral arbitrator weighs in on disciplinary measures of public employees outside of New York City, isn't all it's cracked up to be, according to Ken Girardin, a fellow with the Empire Center for Public Policy.
July 25, 2023 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses his office's analysis of the state's updated financial plan, which is projecting growing deficits for New York's budgets.
July 25, 2023 - New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas explains steps Gov. Kathy Hochul is taking to increase the pace of new home construction, including targeting discretionary grants to incentivize pro-growth policies in localities.
July 25, 2023 - In 2022, state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul pushed through changes to the state's pre-trial detention laws designed to keep repeat shoplifting offenders behind bars before trials, but the measure hasn't had much effect, according to Josh Solomon, a Capitol reporter for the Times Union.
July 25, 2023 - New York's state and local economic development subsidies came to nearly $11 billion in 2022 and are likely to keep growing in the immediate future, according to Sean Campion, director of housing & economic development studies for the Citizens Budget Commission.
July 24, 2023 - Environmental Advocates NY Clean Water Director Rob Hayes responds to proposed state regulations updating when utilities need to notify customers about possibly toxic chemicals in their drinking water.
July 21, 2023 - Education stakeholders and state officials are in the process of proposing new pathways to achieving a high school diploma, and we break down what that could look like with Angelique Johnson-Dingle, deputy commissioner of instructional support for the state Education Department.
July 21, 2023 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for legislation designed to create a more meaningful mechanism for incarcerated New Yorkers to try to reverse convictions and guilty pleas.
July 20, 2023 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the New York Health Act legislation, including an update to quell some of the opposition from elements of organized labor.
A 2012 report examining the state's care for people with special needs offered a holistic series of recommendations on how to improve the quality of supervision and supports for vulnerable New Yorkers, but the reaction from state policymakers at the time - and since - has largely ignored the broader conversation about the human services system.
On the third installment of the “Justice for All” series, we focus primarily on the workforce providing care to more than 1 million New Yorkers with special needs. We also examine the independence of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs and consider how abuse and neglect is reported.
July 18, 2023 - Sen. Sean Ryan, a Buffalo-area Democrat, wants to empower municipalities around the state to collect additional real estate taxes that they could invest in affordable housing initiatives.
July 18, 2023 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for reforming the college admissions process, including discouraging special treatment for "legacies" and responding to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action.
July 14, 2023 - Raul "Rocci" Aguirre talks about taking on the responsibility of leading the Adirondack Council, including his goals for the advocacy organization and his leadership style.
July 14, 2023 - In the wake of a report highlighting the lack of proactive efforts to help incarcerated New Yorkers vote, the League of Women Voters of New York State is urging county jail officials to make it easier for eligible voters to exercise their franchise from behind bars.
July 14, 2023 - Assemblymember D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, provides an update on negotiations over disputed land between the state, Franklin County and St. Regis Mohawk tribe.
July 13, 2023 - New York Cannabis Insider Editor Brad Racino provides an update on the state's long-awaited, $150 million private investment to help facilitate the first wave of marijuana retail dispensaries across the Empire State.
This summer marks the 10th anniversary of the Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs, the state entity created in response to a 2011 exposé on the inadequate system of care for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.
On the second installment of the “Justice for All” series, we highlight the work undertaken by the Justice Center over the last decade, including their approach to investigations, role in bringing prosecutions and preventing future abuse.
July 12, 2023 - For his exit interview, New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel Tietz talks about housing asylum seekers, identifies policies to cut child poverty in half and reflects on his time in the Hochul administration.
July 12, 2023 - In light of the impact Canadian wildfires have had on air quality in New York, we checked in with atmospheric chemistry researcher Jim Schwab to learn how fires from hundreds of miles away can pollute the air in the Empire State, decipher the air quality index, and identify policies to improve air quality.
July 10, 2023 - We highlight the future plans for Belleayre Mountain and how that vision was crafted with Emma Lamy, sustainability and environmental compliance coordinator for the Olympic Regional Development Authority, and Bruce Transue, general manager for Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
July 10, 2023 - Joe Schafer, co-lead of cannabis practice team at Lippes Mathias, discusses a lawsuit challenging state regulations governing medical marijuana and recreational marijuana labeling.
July 7, 2023 - Politico New York reporter Maya Kaufman explains the investments made by the state – and not made by the state – into abortion services for non-New Yorkers.
July 7, 2023 - An effort to overhaul the funding model for school-based health centers could jeopardize access to medical services for children from low-income families, according to Sarah Murphy, Executive Director for the New York School-Based Health Alliance
July 6, 2023 - Rob Praczkajlo, a state forest ranger who spent about two weeks in Québec responding to Canada's widespread fires, discusses his experience north of the border and whether New York needs to be concerned about similar fires.
Nearly 40 years before reporting in 2011 by the New York Times prompted a re-examination of the care foe people with special needs, the state underwent a similar phase of introspection and reform.
On the first installment of the "Justice for All" series, we highlight this four decades of history, including New York's response to the failings at the Willowbrook school, the creation of an advocate, and a report intended to transform care for the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
July 3, 2023 - With more and more data indicating that certain forms of child neglect are linked to poverty, the state is embarking on a pilot program to study what happens when families are given a monthly infusion of $500. We talk about the experiment and how it could impact state policies with Suzanne Miles-Gustave, acting commissioner of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
July 3, 2023 - Four vacant seats on the state's Parole Board were filled in June by Gov. Kathy Hochul, with the consent of the Senate. We discuss the new personnel and the need parole board process with Jose Saldana, director of the Release Aging People in Prison campaign.
July 5, 2023 - State Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan discusses a new, $1 billion investment in the mental health sector, including capital for housing and expanded access to services.
June 30, 2023 - State Senate Housing, Construction & Community Development Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses two measures designed to control the growth of rent.
June 30, 2023 - Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for amending the state constitution to prohibit coercing or forcing incarcerated New Yorkers to do work behind bars.
June 29, 2023 - We break down the latest survey of New Yorkers on the Clean Slate Act, changing the date of municipal elections and more, with Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg.
June 29, 2023 - We explore the legal questions raised by the effort to house asylum seekers outside of New York City with Don Chesworth, a partner in the Rochester law office of Tully Rinckey.
June 29, 2023 - Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo, a Southern Tier Democrat, discusses the economic challenges facing marijuana farmers and proposals to help them sell unsold cannabis from 2022
June 28, 2023 - This summer marks 10 years since the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs took over as the state entity responsible for the safety of around 1 million vulnerable New Yorkers, who receive care from state-run or state-overseen facilities and programs.
In light of this milestone, The Capitol Pressroom is examining the work of the Justice Center and its record of addressing abuse and neglect over the last decade. Along this journey, we’ll hear from key policymakers and lawmakers, invested stakeholders, and the journalist whose reporting shaped this slice of history in the Empire State.
Our investigation into justice for New Yorkers with special needs will debut on July 5th and new episodes will be released every Wednesday. The series will be available wherever you download, stream or tune into WCNY’s The Capitol Pressroom.
June 28, 2023 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe explains legislation advanced by Democratic lawmakers designed to ensure an offshore wind project is able to get power to the consumers who need it.
June 28, 2023 - At the Capitol, the debate over bottle deposits mostly revolves around the fee charged consumers and the types of drinks covered by a deposit, with little attention paid to the fate of the redemption centers that process many of the empty bottles and drinks. Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, and Jade Eddy, owner of MT Returnables, discuss the precarious financial situation of redemption centers and highlight legislation that could help their operations.
June 27, 2023 - In the fall of 2022, Micron Technology officially announced a multi-billion dollar commitment for the Syracuse-area that had been shepherded along partially by Kevin Younis, the chief operating officer for the Empire State Development. He joined the Capitol Pressroom to discuss the process of securing the high-tech investment, maximizing Micron's commitment to the region and creating future economic development opportunities.
June 27, 2023 - Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for legislation designed to ensure employees can avoid religious and political speech from their employers that isn't connected to work duties.
June 27, 2023 - In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation restricting minors from purchasing over-the-counter diet pills and supplements. The measure has made its way through the state legislature again and has been tweaked in response to the governor's concerns, according to Sen. Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat .
June 23, 2023 - Adirondack Council's Kevin Chlad makes the case for legislation that would require New Yorkers be at least 14 if they're going to ride an all-terrain vehicle without adult supervision.
June 23, 2023 - The rate of infant mortality in New York declined by 12 percent from 2016 to 2019, but there were dramatic disparities in outcomes based on race, according to a new state report. Dr. Marilyn Kacica, the medical director for the division of family health at the state Health Department, discusses the report's findings and the policies making a difference in infant mortality.
June 22, 2023 - Assembly Local Government Committee Chair Fred Thiele, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the process of creating new villages in New York and makes the case for his legislation creating a higher threshold for future incorporations.
June 6, 2023 - State education officials recently reminded educators and school districts of their legal responsibilities to creative a supportive and inclusive learning environment for transgender and gender-diverse students. Kathleen de Cataldo, assistant commissioner of student support services for the state Education Department, describes the accommodations that must be made and the process for ensuring compliance.
June 22, 2023 - After voters rejected a broad expansion of mail voting proposed by a 2021 state referendum, Democratic state lawmakers in Albany are getting creative with New York's early voting system to create new chances to vote without heading to the polls, according to Jarret Berg, an election lawyer and co-founder of Vote Early New York.
June 16, 2023 - State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for reducing the number of mandated lockdown drills for schools and creating a more standardized approach for administering these potentially traumatizing drills.
June 16, 2023 - It's been nearly 40 years since the state set up its system of community housing for New Yorkers with mental illness and it's time to update the approach to serving this vulnerable population, according to Sebrina Barrett, executive director of the Association for Community Living, and John Paduano, chief operating officer of Rehabilitation Support Services.
June 16, 2023 - In order to better protect regulated sharks off the coast of New York, the state is proposing new fishing rules for recreational anglers. The changes include restrictions on the use of drones, chum and certain heavy gear, according to Chris Scott, a supervising biologist at the Division of Marine Resources for the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
June 15, 2023 - The latest analysis of the state's finances by the Hochul administration points to lower than anticipated tax revenues and higher than previously projected budget deficits, according to Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission.
June 15, 2023 - After years of debate in the Capitol, Democratic lawmakers have signed off on "Clean Slate" legislation, so we consider what the criminal justice measure would actually do, with the help of Katie Schaffer, director of advocacy and organizing at Center for Community Alternatives.
June 15, 2023 - The Port of Coeymans could soon be playing an important role in constructing parts for offshore wind projects, but local homeowners and environmentalists have concerns about the footprint of the port. Barbara Heinzen, a member of the Clean Air Coalition of Greater Ravena-Coeymans, discusses the recent activity at the port and makes the case for scaling back its future plans.
June 14, 2023 - In the wake of reporting by Chris Gelardi, an investigative reporter for New York Focus, the Hochul administration has scraped a recent update to its policies regarding what incarcerated writers and artists can publish. As state officials look to rewrite the proposal, we talk with Gelardi about the aborted changes and the backlash.
June 14, 2023 - In the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on environmental regulations, Democratic lawmakers are again pushing for increased state protections for certain waterways in New York. Riverkeeper's Jeremy Cherson explains the proposal, including changes to this version of the bill from earlier efforts that were vetoed.
June 13, 2023 - The Public Service Commission 's longest serving commissioner, Diane Burman, discusses her role as a utility regulator, including how she considers the state's environmental goals when making decisions and what it's like being a dissenting voice on some major issues.
June 12, 2023 - Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Empire State will require a phase out of fossil fuel generated power and increased reliance on renewable energy, but the current trajectory could produce an unreliable of electric grid, according to Rich Dewey, president & CEO of the New York Independent System Operator.
June 9, 2023 - The embattled state Liquor Authority is getting a change in leadership after eight years, with divisive Chairman Vince Bradley on his way out and commissioner Lilly Fan getting elevated. We explore the ramifications of this change and the structure of the authority with Scott Wexler, who has decades of dealing with state alcohol regulators as executive director of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association.
June 12, 2023 - Legislation approved by both house at the Capitol could make it easier for New Yorkers, especially those without legal representation, to file affidavits in civil court, according to Judith Goldiner, attorney in charge for the civil law reform unit at the Legal Aid Society.
June 9, 2023 - It's been more than a decade since the state conducted a systemwide hurricane evaluation study of the potential risks and vulnerable communities from intense tropical storms. New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray discusses the process of updating its hurricane disaster planning and how a future study would be utilized.
June 9, 2023 - New York's system of publicly financed election campaigns could become more difficult to access and amplify big contributions based on proposed changes in Albany, according to Joanna Zdanys, senior counsel in the Brennan Center's elections and government program.
June 9, 2023 - Tax receipts for New York were below expectations in April, so we turned to the Fiscal Policy Institute's Nathan Gusdorf and Andrew Perry for insights into this financial indicator.
June 9, 2023 - It's been more than a decade since the state conducted a systemwide hurricane evaluation study of the potential risks and vulnerable communities from intense tropical storms. New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray discusses the process of updating its hurricane disaster planning and how a future study would be utilized.
June 9, 2023 - Rob Kent, former general counsel at the state's Office of Addiction Services and Supports, weighs in on what the state budget does - and doesn't do - to combat the opioid epidemic.
June 9, 2023 - New York's system of publicly financed election campaigns could become more difficult to access and amplify big contributions based on proposed changes in Albany, according to Joanna Zdanys, senior counsel in the Brennan Center's elections and government program.
June 8, 2023 -Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Queens Democrat, discusses legislation designed to stop state tax-deductible donations from being used by charities that support Israeli settlement operations in Palestine and responds to the public debate over his proposal.
June 7, 2023 - Healthcare Association of New York State President Bea Grause discusses the ramification of expiring pandemic rules and regulations, including a state COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.
June 7, 2023 - Fresh off a big win in the state budget, which included a $455 million loan to finance an overhaul of Belmont Park, we checked in with David O'Rourke, president & CEO of the New York Racing Association. He discusses the future of Belmont Park, changes at the Saratoga Race Course this summer and the importance of fans attending horse racing events for the long-term viability of the sport.
June 6, 2023 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for legislation that is designed to ensure New Yorkers with a DWI conviction are using court-ordered ignition interlock devices.
June 6, 2023 - New York Green Bank President Andrew Kessler discusses the state's investments in green initiatives that are being overlooked or underutilized by the private capital.
June 6, 2023 - Assembly Banks Committee Chair Pamela Hunter, a Syracuse Democrat, discusses what she learned in recent hearings covering banking for the cannabis industry and regulations over cryptocurrencies.
June 5, 2023 - New York State Bar Association President Richard Lewis discusses the role of the state's chief administrative judge and shares his thoughts on the job's new occupant, Joseph Zayas, a former appellate judge.
June 5, 2023 - New York State Conference of Mayors Executive Director Peter Baynes addresses the impact of tax-exempt properties on municipalities and calls for a comprehensive funding response from state policymakers.
June 5, 2023 - Despite legal deadlines for processing food stamp applications, counties across New York are making low-income families wait months before getting access to help purchasing groceries, according to Jessica Radbord, a senior attorney at the Empire Justice Center.
June 5, 2023 - The Children's Agenda Director of Policy Pete Nabozny comments on the state's plan to invest $500 million in federal child care money on workforce bonuses and identifies long-term investments needed to rebuild the industry's capacity.
June 2, 2023 - New York State Energy & Research Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris and New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos provide an update on the state's effort to create a cap-and-invest program.
June 1, 2023 - Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Director of Government Affairs Andrew Binovi makes the case for legislation designed to ensure doctors have current, comprehensive information about nutrition.
June 1, 2023 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has requested guidance from federal health officials on how billions of dollars in unspent health care funding from Washington D.C. could be spent on health insurance for undocumented New Yorkers. We consider how this would work with Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president of health initiatives for the Community Service Society of New York, and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat
June 1, 2023 - New Yorkers aspiring to enter the state's marijuana marketplace are urging policymakers to make startup funding more accessible. We talk about potential improvements to the rollout of the retail licenses and development of retail shops with Britni Tantalo, president of Flower City Dispensary in Rochester.
May 31, 2023 - Companies operating in the medical marijuana business in New York are poised to enter the recreational market in the Empire State later this year. We explore what this could look like and the ongoing challenges in the medical marijuana marketplace with Jeremy Unruh, senior vice president of public and regulatory affairs for PharmaCann.
May 31, 2023 - National Grid Clean Energy Development Vice President Bart Franey discusses the company's plans for hydrogen power, its potential interest in developing renewable energy projects, the need for additional transmission capacity and potential caps on low-income utility bills.
May 30, 2023 - State Sen. Rachael May, a Syracuse Democrat, is proposing to narrow the scope of the state's environmental quality review process for evaluating new housing in certain situations to ensure it is only judging the environmental ramifications of a project.
May 30, 2023 - In response to a proliferation of warehouse jobs around New York, advocates for warehouse workers are looking to build on legislative successes in 2022 with new labor protections. Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union Public Policy Director Josh Kellerman makes the case for incorporating ergonomics into job duties and limiting exposure to extreme temperatures at work.
May 29, 2023 - Northeast Dairy Producers Association Executive Director Tonya Van Slyke discusses whole milk in schools, a new dairy processing plant and the utilization of lower carbon bridge fuels.
May 26, 2023 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reacts to the recently adopted state budget, including what it means for future budgets, how it could impact the use of overtime by state agencies and the ramifications for his oversight powers.
May 26, 2023 - New York Immigration Coalition Executive Director Murad Awawdeh provides context about the influx of asylum seekers to New York and offers a roadmap for how elected officials should respond.
May 26, 2023 - New York State Thruway Authority interim-Executive Director Frank Hoare defends toll increases planned for 2024 and 2027 and discusses the rocky rollout of new service plazas along the thruway.
May 25, 2023 - In order to continue to address the disproportionate fallout from the past criminalization of marijuana in New York, state cannabis regulators are implementing a social and economic equity plan. New York State Office of Cannabis Management Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon explains some of the recommendations in the plan, including how to make capital available and promote a level playing field for stakeholders.
May 25, 2023 - In the wake of the fight over Gov. Kathy Hochul's failed bid to have the Hon. Hector LaSalle serve as the state's chief judge, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, is pushing legislation designed to increase transparency in lobbying on gubernatorial nominations requiring senate confirmation.
May 25, 2023 - Dr. Pedro Mateu-Gelabert, an associate professor at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, discusses the state's progress in combating Hepatitis C and identifies steps the state should implement to eliminate the virus by 2030.
May 24, 2023 - Onondaga County Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny makes the case for minimum staffing levels at local boards of elections, creating voting centers on Election Day and ensuring all elections commissioners are full-time roles.
May 24, 2023 - Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her legislation designed to shine a spotlight on LLCs so their direct beneficiaries can be identified by government regulators and certain members of the public.
May 24, 2023 - Brian Bird, chair of the New York chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, responds to the 10 percent increase in harvested deer during the 2022 hunting season in the Empire State.
May 24, 2023 - The state Department of Environmental Conservation has adopted a new green plan for the agency's operations, including reducing their carbon footprint, decreasing waste and much more. Brendan Woodruff, sustainability director for DEC, explains the 70 steps they plan on taking.
May 23, 2023 - Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, a Bronx Democrat, talks about ways to increase opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to participate in government contracting in the Empire State.
May 23, 2023 - In the wake of a less than perfect creation of a recreational marijuana marketplace in New York, a broad effort to improve the transition has been rolled out by Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester Democrat and chair of the chamber's subcommittee on cannabis.
May 23, 2023 - Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses the creation of a climate fund and provides an update on negotiations to craft packaging waste legislation.
May 23, 2023 - Professional wrestling may look as real as a mixed martial arts bout or boxing match, but advocates for the sport argue that its choreographed (and fake) nature should lead to unique rules and regulations from the state.
May 22, 2023 - New York Public Service Commission Chair & CEO Rory Christian discusses emergency response plans for electric utility companies in the state.
May 19, 2023 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses new operating funds in the state budget for public higher education, touts a matching endowment program for the SUNY universities, and highlights a nursing simulation program.
May 19, 2023 - New York State School Boards Association's David Albert explains how the late state budget impacted the budget process for school districts and provides an overview of the results in the recent school budget and school board voting.
May 19, 2023 - The 121st New York State Legislative Correspondents Association Show is coming to Planet Albany on May 23rd, so we preview the upcoming event and take a trip down memory lane with Kyle Hughes, who covers state government and politics for NYSNYS News and is a veteran of many LCA shows.
May 18, 2023 - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid discusses an historic business registry and the importance of tax credits to preserve historic buildings for future use.
May 18, 2023 - WE ACT for Environmental Justice Director of Policy Sonal Jessel highlights a program included in the state budget designed to identify apartments with possible lead exposure and talks about pending legislation to identify lead paint in older homes and help remediate lead paint safely.
May 18, 2023 - New York Power Authority acting President & CEO Justin Driscoll explains how his agency will implement its mandate in the budget to create and operate new renewable energy projects.
May 17, 2023 - A group of New Yorkers challenged the constitutionality of the state's plan to invest in a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills, but a mid-level appeals court has given the plan a thumbs up, according to Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog.
May 17, 2023 - State Sen. Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains the working of the Rent Guidelines Board in New York City, which recently held a rowdy meeting addressing preliminary rent increases.
May 17, 2023 - Martin Cahill, legislative chair for the New York chapter of the American Council for the Blind, discusses the group's legislative agenda and the state's chief disability officer.
May 16, 2023 - The Siena College Research Institute surveyed voters about Gov. Kathy Hochul and the recently adopted state budget, including measures raising the minimum wage, imposing new restrictions on building constructions and expanding the use of cash bail.
May 16, 2023 - After a three-decade career in public health, including time with the Navy and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Dr. Leonard Peruski has been tapped to be the director of the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center. He joins the show to talk about his interest in the leadership role, his vision for the center and the ramifications of a $1.7 billion upgrade.
May 16, 2023 - Community Service Society of New York Vice President of Health Initiatives Elisabeth Benjamin discusses language in the state budget to improve access to financial assistance for health care costs and highlights outstanding initiatives to combat medical debt.
May 16, 2023 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, talks about the campaign to produce a comprehensive approach to reducing waste and increasing recycling.
May 15, 2023 - Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner advocates for a new process for writing ballot referendum language, expanding absentee ballot excuses and making it easier to participate in early voting.
May 15, 2023 - We break down what the state budget means for upstate transit systems with Carm Basile, head of the Capital District Transportation Authority and legislative chair of the New York Public Transit Association.
May 15, 2023 - Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Development Chair Sean Ryan, a Buffalo Democrat, and American Economic Liberties Project's Pat Garofalo discuss the use of non-compete agreements and why they want to ban them in New York.
May 15, 2023 - New York Farm Bureau Director of Public Policy Jeff Williams makes sense of the increasing minimum wage, a new tax credit for farmers and agriculture grants in the state budget
May 12, 2023 - Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisory Rachael Fauss breaks down the state investments into the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in order to solve its fiscal crisis and improve services.
May 12, 2023 - New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Legislative Committee Chair Kevin Stadelmaier explains how assigned defense attorneys are getting a raise and the state is investing improving the evidentiary discovery process.
May 12, 2023 - Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger highlights environmental policies that the New York State Association of Counties is urging state policymakers to adopt.
May 12, 2023 - In order to increase access to victim compensation funding, the state needs to expand how victims apply for support, according to Alice Hamblett a senior policy manager at Common Justice.
May 11, 2023 - Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the recently adopted state budget and looks ahead at what lawmakers might accomplish before the end of the legislative session.
May 11, 2023 - Assemblymember Kenny Burgos, a Bronx Democrat, and United Auto Workers Local 259 President Brian Schneck talk about legislation that would mandate vehicle manufacturers pay the full price of vehicle technician labor for work covered by a warranty.
May 10, 2023 - State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, responds to a new report from a state commission tasked with evaluating New York's blue laws and discusses his new legislation overhauling alcohol regulations.
May 10, 2023 - State Senate Children & Families Committee Chair Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, breaks down some of the portions of the budget dealing with low-income families, including the expansion of a child tax credit and access to child care.
May 10, 2023 - We get to know the new president of the New York State United Teachers, Melinda Person, and learn about her plans to address the use of standardized tests, state education dollars and increase union membership.
May 9, 2023 - In response to a federal lawsuit, the Hochul administration has agreed to expand the dental services available to New Yorkers on Medicaid. Belkys Garcia, a staff attorney for The Legal Aid Society, explains the origin of the legal challenge and how the oral health of 5 million New Yorkers could benefit.
May 9, 2023 - Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses language in the state budget designed to get the state Power Authority into the business of developing, owning and running new renewable energy projects.
May 9, 2023 - Sen. George Borrello, a western New York Republican, responds to a change in the governance structure at the embattled Western New York OTB, which was quietly included in the state budget after years of alleged mismanagement by the gambling operator.
May 9, 2023 - The proliferation of illicit marijuana retail shops in New York has prompted the state to beef up its enforcement powers. New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander explains why additional authority was needed and how it will be utilized.
May 8, 2023 - The departing head of the New York Working Families Party, Sochie Nnaemeka, reflects on her time leading the liberal third party, including the accomplishments since 2019, how the pandemic impacted politics and why she's leaving.
May 5, 2023 - School libraries are one of the fronts in the culture war over what's appropriate for kids to learn about, so we consider what constitutes age-appropriate library materials with Arlene LaVerde, a school library media specialist and president of the New York Library Association, and Max Prime, the organization's director of government relations and advocacy.
May 5, 2023 - New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Executive Director Emily Miles discusses the persistence of sexual violence on college campuses at New York colleges and evaluates the implementation of the 2015 "Enough is Enough" law.
May 5, 2023 - We get a status update on New York's campaign to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030 from Colleen Flanigan, director of the Bureau of Hepatitis Health Care and Epidemiology at the AIDS Institute for the state Department of Health.
May 4, 2023 - In pursuit of New York's goal of a carbon-free electricity system by 2040, state regulators are leaning heavily on the potential of offshore wind power, including projects from Ørsted, a Danish energy company. Jennifer Garvey, head of New York market strategy for Ørsted, discusses their ongoing work off the coast of Long Island and their future development plans.
May 5, 2023 - Politico New York reporter Bill Mahoney explains how the fate of the state's ethics watchdog is up in the air, as former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is challenging the constitutionality of the nascent entity, as it attempts to wrest away the money he got paid writing his pandemic memoir.
May 4, 2023 - No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella highlights policies the state should implement to address the hunger problem in the Empire State, which includes nearly two in five adult New Yorkers experienced some form of food insecurity over the last year, according to a new survey.
May 3, 2023 - A coalition of advocates for visually impaired New Yorkers and members of the military serving out of state are pushing for the creation of a system of online voting in the Empire State. Martin Cahill, legislative chair for the New York chapter of the American Council for the Blind, and Rebecca Nowatchik, director of external partnerships at Secure Families Initiative, explain how the process would work.
May 3, 2023 - University at Albany professor Kajal Lahiri analyzes the state's plan to increase the minimum wage, which will be raised about two dollars the next three years and then tied to the consumer price index.
May 3, 2023 - Bryan Erwin discusses his new role as chair of the state Council on Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, which is tasked with making recommendations on how to run the state parks.
May 2, 2023 - Assemblymember Dana Levenberg, a Westchester County Democrat, shares her concerns about the environmental impact of the decommissioning of the Indian Point nuclear power plan.
May 5, 2023 - New York Times political reporter Nick Fandos shares the story of an influential adviser to Gov. Kathy Hochul, who was largely unknown to the citizens of Planet Albany until he was highlighted in the Gray Lady.
May 2, 2023 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains his proposal to give New Yorkers legal standing to bring lawsuits against major polluters in the Empire State in order to win monetary judgements and secure injunctive relief.
May 1, 2023 - Assemblymember Grace Lee, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses the Asian Lunar New Year holiday and makes the case for memorializing it as an official state holiday in the Empire State.
May 1, 2023 - As the Hochul administration prepares to spend a $4.2 billion environmental bond approved last year by voters, we checked in with Nature Conservancy New York Director of Policy & Strategy Jessica Ottney Mahar on how state officials should identify environmental investments.
April 29, 2023 - It's been more than two years since the state's legalized commercial gestational surrogacy took effect, so we check up on the utilization of the law with Denise Seidelman, an attorney who helped craft the measure.
May 1, 2023 - In the wake of reporting on the use of corporal punishment in New York Schools, state education officials are updating their regulations governing restraints and seclusion. We discuss the rationale for the updated policies with Angelique Johnson-Dingle, deputy commissioner of instructional support for the state Education Department.
April 28, 2023 - State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham makes the case for a new state subsidy designed to cover the cost of medication combatting substance abuse disorder for New Yorkers without adequate health insurance.
April 28, 2023 - While nonprofit organizations play a vital role in providing state services, the state government has been notoriously slow to approve contracts and authorize payments for services. Empire Justice Center President & CEO Kristin Brown explains how this dynamic threatens nonprofits and makes the case for codifying new contracting requirements.
April 28, 2023 - Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force member Phil Sexton talks about how to reduce road salt usage, highlights the importance of good data and argues for a coordinated approach to keeping roads and bridges safe in the winter.
April 27, 2023 - The warmer weather in New York means ticks are coming out, so we assess the threat they pose this spring and how to mitigate the dangers, with Jennifer White, director of the vector borne illness unit at the state Department of Health.
April 27, 2023 - Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, wants the state government to update the Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care services so they're more reflective of what the benefits actually costs to provide.
April 27, 2023 - Sen. Luis Sepulveda, a Bronx Democrat, is pushing legislation to expand the opportunities to offer marijuana smoking lounges and also discusses the evolving cannabis landscape in New York.
April 27, 2023 - State Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin highlights a recently opened storage facility in the Capital Region designed to store thousands of untested sexual assault kits, so they can be safely preserved for up to 20 years.
April 26, 2023 - Recommendations from a state task force examining upstate cellular coverage are back in the news after a fatal shooting in a rural corner of the Capital Region. Times Union Capitol reporter Josh Solomon discusses how poor cell coverage entered into this tragedy and highlights a lack of action on improving upstate cellular service since 2021.
April 26, 2023 - State lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul have signed off on slightly modified boundaries for Assembly candidates to run on in 2024, after the courts ordered the state's bipartisan redistricting commission to revise the 2022 lines created by the state Legislature. Commission Chair Ken Jenkins, a Democratic appointee, explains how the final lines were produced and how the bipartisan group would approach drawing congressional lines in the future.
April 24, 2023 - Assemblymember Monica Wallace, a Buffalo-area Democrat, discusses SUNY ending its requirement that aspiring students take the SAT and ACT exams and shares her proposal to remake the SUNY board of trustees.
April 24, 2023 - While New York taxpayers typically send more to Washington D.C. than the federal government spends on the Empire State, this relationship has been turned on its head during the pandemic, according to Maria Doulis, deputy state comptroller for budget and policy analysis.
April 21, 2023 - Environmentalists are urging state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul to include a fleshed out cap-and-invest program in New York's budget, but the details may get left on the chopping block. Catskill Mountainkeeper Deputy Director Katherine Nadeau explains why legislative action is needed now, including to create a rebate program designed to make the green transition more affordable for low-income New Yorkers.
April 20, 2023 - A 70-year-old, bi-state commission tasked with policing the waterfront shared by New Jersey and New York is going to be retired following a decision by he U.S. Supreme Court, Politico New Jersey reporter Ry Rivard explains why New Jersey wanted out of the arrangement and explains what oversight for the ports could look like moving forward.
April 20, 2023 - The idea of shifting the onus of recycling on to manufacturers has been a hot topic at the Capitol in recent years, with debates over new mandates on packaging production and the adoption of a law governing carpet recycling. Now lawmakers are considering a program to mandate recycling of mattresses, which will cut down on a major source of trash, according to Scott Cassel, CEO and founder of the Product Stewardship Institute.
April 19, 2023 - New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government Chairman Fred Davie and Executive Director Sandy Berland talk about the future of the nascent watchdog and how it plans on striking the right oversight balance in Planet Albany.
April 19, 2023 - We get an update on the state Authorities Budget Office's oversight of hundreds of local, non-profit and quasi-governmental authorities in New York. ABO Director Jeff Pearlman explains why he returned to the watchdog after a brief departure, highlights local entities violating compliance laws and discusses open meetings requirements.
April 19, 2023 - In the wake of recent and conflicting federal court rulings about the availability of abortion medication, we get to know more about this aspect of reproductive health with Dr. Kathleen Morrell, an OBGYN practicing in Brooklyn.
April 18, 2023 - Syracuse Post Standard and Syracuse.com government reporter Tim Knauss shares a story about a state economic development deal in Syracuse that never materialized, cost the state millions and has been shrouded in secrecy.
April 18, 2023 - Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses his legislation banning companies with ties to America's foreign adversaries, like China, from owning farm land in New York, which he views as a risk to food security in the Empire State.
April 18, 2023 - Changes to bail aren't the only proposed amendments to New York's pre-trial detention laws that have been considered during budget negotiations in April, as there has also been talk about evidentiary discovery requirements. Legal Aid Society's Kalle Condliffe responds to proposed changes endorsed by district attorneys and discusses the implementation of 2019 reforms to the state's discovery laws.
April 13, 2023 - Just when you thought New York's congressional boundaries were set until the 2030 census, a legal challenge could result in the Democratic majorities in the state Legislature getting a second crack at drawing the lines. We examine the issue with Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and adjunct professor with the New York Law School’s Census and Redistricting Institute.
April 13, 2023 - New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon discusses the state's updated sexual harassment model policy, which includes guidance on protections for remote workers and transgender New Yorkers.
April 14, 2023 - Replacing two dozen service plazas along the state Thruway was initially billed as a project that wouldn't cost taxpayers a dime, but as contractors are experiencing unexpected expenses they're asking the state to pony up more than $200 million, according to reporting by Buffalo News Albany Bureau Chief Chris Bragg.
April 13, 2023 - Just when you thought New York's congressional boundaries were set until the 2030 census, a legal challenge could result in the Democratic majorities in the state Legislature getting a second crack at drawing the lines. We examine the issue with Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and adjunct professor with the New York Law School’s Census and Redistricting Institute.
April 13, 2023 - New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon discusses the state's updated sexual harassment model policy, which includes guidance on protections for remote workers and transgender New Yorkers.
April 12, 2023 - Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, and Dawn Rowe, founder of Girl Vow, discuss the "silent epidemic" of missing and murdered women of color in New York and around the country
April 12, 2023 - With the budget process going into extra innings, we've got extra time to discuss some of the mental health issues for the budget with Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State, and Matthew Shapiro, senior director of government affairs for the New York Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
April 11, 2023 - As part of New York's environmental justice movement, the state's Climate Justice Working Group has come with criteria to identify disadvantaged communities that will be prioritized as part of the green revolution in the Empire State. Sonal Jessel, director of policy for WE ACT for Environmental Justice and a member of the working group, explains the definition of disadvantaged communities and discusses the potential investments as the state tries to realize the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
April 11, 2023 - The future investment of state revenues from marijuana sales will be determined by New York's Cannabis Advisory Board, which is tasked with crafting a process to get money into communities impacted by the war on drugs. We spoke with Joseph Belluck, the board's chair, about investing marijuana revenues and advising state cannabis regulators.
April 7, 2023 - The New York Civil Liberties Union's Antony Gemmell and Prisoners' Legal Services of New York's Hallie Mitnick break down a new class action lawsuit against the Hochul administration on behalf of incarcerated New Yorkers who allegedly experienced illegal solitary confinement conditions.
April 6, 2023 - Albany Law professor and New York Court Watcher blog author Vin Bonventre discusses the likely contenders to be the state's next chief judge and warns an effort to tweak the selection process to the state's top court could be unconstitutional.
April 5, 2023 - Assemblymember Anna Kelles, an Ithaca-area Democrat, talks about her legislation changing insurance requirements in New York in order to help car sharing operations.
April 5, 2023 - State Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for requiring broadcasts of court proceedings, calls for additional disclosures by the judiciary and explains why the owners of Madison Square Garden should pay property taxes.
April 5, 2023 - EarthJustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran breaks down Gov. Kathy Hochul's effort to change how the state calculates greenhouse gas emissions, which would allow for more interim pollution as New York pursues long-range emissions reductions.
April 5, 2023 - State Education Department Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy Jim Baldwin provides an update on the campaign to stop school districts from using Native American names and images for their mascots and nicknames.
April 4, 2023 - 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich makes the case for adding language to Gov. Kathy Hochul's housing creation plan that would mandate the use of prevailing wage requirements on new home construction covered under her new state approval process.
April 4, 2023 - SUNY Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf discusses her school's unique mission to educate working adults and its role in the public higher education system.
April 4, 2023 - A long awaited, $14 million dollar renovation of the state museum in Albany is poised to get underway this fall. Museum Director Mark Schaming explains what's envisioned with the overhaul, which will cover about 40,000 square feet.
April 4, 2023 - New York State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri explains why the state has overhauled how prescription drugs are purchased for Medicaid patients and responds to concerns raised by health care providers.
April, 3, 2023 - Legal Aid Society Health Law Unit Director Rebecca Antar Novick explains how a change in federal rules will require New Yorkers on public health insurance programs, like Medicaid, to begin reapplying for coverage for the first time since the arrival of COVID-19.
April 3, 2023 - Buffalo News Albany Bureau Chief Chris Bragg dives into the world of political housekeeping accounts, an obscure corner of campaign finance that can easily be misused without serious repercussions.
April 3, 2023 - Assembly Housing Committee Chair Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for the state to invest nearly $400 million into rental assistance for New Yorkers living in government subsidized housing who were were shut out of previous emergency rent support.
March 31, 2023 - New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas makes the case for Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to mandate housing creation goals around the state and to create a process for superseding local zoning rules in community's that don't hit their targets.
March 31, 2023 - Times Union Capitol reporter Josh Solomon explains how drug courts are an important diversion program in the criminal justice system, but they've seen a sharp decline in utilization since New York reformed it's pre-trial bail and discovery laws.
March 30, 2023 - Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh, a Capital Region Republican, wants New York to change how it determines what minors arrested for serious crimes go to family court and which ones stay in the criminal court, where they will face stiffer penalties.
March 30, 2023 - As public safety continues to be one of major issues of debate at the Capitol, we're reassessing the landscape for this conversation by highlighting the latest criminal justice data from New York with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services' Leigh Bates and Joseph Popcun.
March 30, 2023 - Record state investments in child care in 2022 haven't necessarily translated into more New Yorkers accessing care, as providers don't have the workforce to adequately expand their capacity. We learn about the situation and assess solutions from Amie Bloom, the nursery school director at Temple Israel in Albany, and Katie Albitz, a policy and communications specialist at the Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy.
March 30, 2023 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg shares how New York voters feel about key issues being debated in budget negotiations, including higher income taxes on multi-millionaires, proposals to spur housing growth and the governor's proposed expansion of the use of bail.
March 29, 2023 - Ed Cox is back at the helm of the New York Republican Party after effectively getting pushed aside following the 2018 elections. He is bringing with him the team that successfully torpedoed the Democratic gerrymandering effort in 2022 and is hoping to build on the GOP successes in last year's elections.
March 29, 2023 - New York State Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez talks about a state commission he is leading that is responsible for highlighting the historical contributions of African Americans over the last 400 years.
March 29, 2023 - Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Pat Fahy, an Albany Democrat, provides an update on the debate over a potential tuition increase at SUNY campuses, expanding eligibility for tuition assistance at colleges and creating an endowment fund for SUNY colleges and universities.
March 28, 2023 - Lake George Association President Eric Siy urges New York policymakers to invest resources into the Lake George Park Commission and highlights the failure to keep the commission fully appointed.
March 27, 2023 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, shares his vision for a more effective state Democratic Party and makes the case for ousting Jay Jacobs as head of the New York Democrats.
March 27, 2023 - New York State Workers' Compensation Board Chair Clarissa Rodriguez and New York State Department of Financial Services Special Counsel Max Dubin talk about engagement with the state's paid family leave program, including who is utilizing it and why.
March 27, 2023 - NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris discusses the state's effort to turn industrial sites into the future home of renewable energy projects, including two former landfills that are being evaluated for solar energy developments
March 24, 2023 - Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Queens Democrat, compares the governor's plan to address the fiscal solvency of the New York City transit system with a proposal from the Assembly Democrats, which excludes a fare increase and rolls out a system of free bus rides.
March 24, 2023 - If New York is serious about increasing its reliance on solar power and maintaining land for farming, some sort of new living arrangement needs to be struck. How agriculture and solar energy generation can co-exist is the topic of a recent study, which we consider with the New York Power Authority's Guy Sliker and EPRI senior sustainability analyst Arin Kaye
March 24, 2023 - We get an update on the implementation of a state law promoting food donation and recycling from Sally Rowland, chief of the organics, reduction and recycling section at the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
March 24, 2023 - State Senate Cities 2 Committee Chair Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, explains her new committee leadership role and highlights priorities for cities outside the five boroughs.
March 23, 2023 - State Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, explains her legislation that would direct state regulators to follow New York's green goals when imposing rules and regulations on energy companies.
March 23, 2023 - We get an update on the state's progress of building publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations with Rory Christian, chair and CEO of the New York State Public Service Commission, which is calling for additional state investment in this infrastructure.
March 22, 2023 - Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, explains her legislation requiring public universities and colleges make emergency contraception available in vending machines on their campuses.
March 23, 2023 - FWD.us New York Director Alana Sivin, a former public defender, responds to Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal that would ensure more criminal defendants are held behind bars awaiting trial and she discusses the implementation of pre-trial detention reforms since 2019.
March 22, 2023 - With time running out on budget negotiations, we're joined by Politico New York reporter Marie J. French to consider the major environmental initiatives that could be included in a final deal between the legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
March 21, 2023 - Investigative Post Executive Director & Editor Jim Heaney sheds light(or as much as possible)on the details behind New York's agreement to subsidize a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills.
March 21, 2023 - With the state looking to prepare New Yorkers for job openings and careers of the future, New York Association for Training and Employment Professionals Deputy Director Therese Daly outlines steps to promote workforce development in the Empire State.
March 21, 2023 - AARP New York Legislative Representative Bill Ferris outlines policies to add to the final budget to help seniors, including better oversight of nursing homes and more transparency in drug prices.
March 20, 2023 - Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission, a business-backed watchdog, makes sense of the taxing and spending priorities formally adopted by the majorities in the Assembly and Senate.
March 20, 2023 - Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, shares his reservations about language in the Senate's budget resolution that backs "Good Cause" legislation, which is designed to protect tenants from onerous rent increases.
March 20, 2023 - Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses delivering an on-time budget, funding the Senate's priorities and whether some major policies could be tackled later in the session.
March 17, 2023 - After making major investments in New York City's public higher education institutions in 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal in 2023 leaves the CUNY system underfunded and unprepared to serve its students, according to James Davis, president of the Professional Staff Congress, which represents CUNY faculty and staff.
March 17, 2023 - Will a marketing rule change from state regulators promote uninformed gambling or will it make it harder for burgeoning players in the lottery business to compete? We try to answer that question with Brianne Doura-Schawohl, a gambling policy consultant and the former legislative director for the National Council on Problem Gambling.
March 17, 2023 - Reinvent Albany Executive Director John Kaehny reviews the history of New York's subsidies for film and television productions and explains a planned expansion of the program that would commit more state funds.
March 17, 2023 - State Senate Housing, Construction & Community Development Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses the housing initiatives being championed by the Senate Democrats in the budget process, including the spirit of "Good Cause" legislation and proposed hundreds of millions of dollars for emergency rent relief and housing vouchers
March 16, 2023 - In 2022, New York policymakers set a goal of cutting child poverty in half over the next decade, but their budget priorities in 2023 could make that benchmark difficult to achieve, according to Jason Cone, chief public policy officer for Robin Hood, which works to combat poverty in New York City.
March 16, 2023 - Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland County Democrat, discusses New York's high number of fatal building fires and outlines policies that could potentially address the recurring problem.
March 16, 2023 - Senate Internet & Technology Committee Chair Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, talks about protecting the state's digital presence from attacks and explains why she wanted to lead a committee focused on high-tech issues.
March 16, 2023 -Assemblymember Clyde Vanel, a Queens Democrat, discusses his legislation designed to prevent New Yorkers from being victimized by scams from people they connect with on dating apps.
March 15, 2023 - New York State Athletic Trainers Association Governmental Affairs Co-Chair Aimee Brunelle, an athletic trainer with the Colonie High School, talks about an ongoing campaign to boost standards for athletic trainers with a licensing process.
March 15, 2023 - Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Michelle Hinchey, a Hudson Valley Democrat, responds to the governor's budget proposal and makes the case for increased investment in farming research and preservation.
March 15, 2023 - Senate Banks Committee Chair James Sanders, a Queens Democrat, responds to the state takeover of a New York-charter bank, considers how this intervention could have been prevented and discusses the possibility of public banks for municipalities.
March 15, 2023 - The population of New Yorkers on Medicaid has been growing annually, adding to the fiscal strain of health care providers, who get less money to serve patients on Medicaid than patients with Medicare or commercial insurance. Bill Hammond, of the Empire Center for Public Policy, makes the case for policies that transition New Yorkers off of Medicaid and on to commercial insurance, potentially saving the state billions.
March 14, 2023 - New York Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli makes the case for overhauling how money is borrowed in the state budget and explains the latest effort by Gov. Kathy Hochul to remove spending from his oversight authority.
March 14, 2023 - Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, a Buffalo Democrat, discusses her legislation changing how marijuana destined for retail markets would be taxed and calls for curbing the sale of unregulated marijuana products.
March 14, 2023 - State Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, explains his legislation that responds to concerns raised by health care providers about the state's plans to change how prescription drugs are purchased for Medicaid patients.
March 14, 2023 - The state has packaged a treasure trove of useful migration data about New York's millionaires into easily digestible formats, which has been analyzed by Gothamist & WNYC Capitol reporter Jon Campbell, who explains how it could shape future policy debates.
March 13, 2023 - State Sen. Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, recently spearheaded a hearing on access to doulas in New York and shares what she learned from the public outreach.
March 13, 2023 - Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses some of her consumer protection bills, including measures addressing credit card fees, membership renewal notifications and the sale of stole bicycles.
March 3, 2023 - Assembly Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, talks about legislation limiting the potency of cannabis and prohibiting the sale of marijuana "edibles."
The Capitol Pressroom has launched a new podcast, Dispatches from Planet Albany, which is a weekly discussion about power and politics at the Capitol. The following is an excerpt from the first episode, featuring Shontell Smith, co-head of the New York practice for Tusk Strategies, and Rebecca Garrard, legislative director for Citizen Action of New York.We’ll talk about a possible hangover from the fight over the chief judge nomination, putting together a final budget and the progressive priorities up for consideration in Albany.
March 9, 2023 - Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, shares her perspective on the governor's proposed budget, including a proposed cost of living raise for workers in the mental health field.
March 9, 2023 - As New York policymakers debate changes to New York's building code that would require all-electric buildings in the future, we consider how this would be implemented with Matt Whitbeck, co-owner of Whitbeck Construction.
March 9, 2023 - Highway Superintendents David Miller, from the town of Lockport, and Kevin Rooney, from Wayne County, make the case for increased state investment in New York's local roads and bridges.
March 9, 2023 - Senate Racing, Wagering & Gaming Committee Chair Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, discusses his legislation authorizing internet casino games, including how it would be taxed.
March 8, 2023 - New York Public Transit Association President Bill Carpenter calls on state lawmakers to inject additional resources into public transportation north of the New York City suburbs to fund operating and capital needs.
March 8, 2023 - Reinvent Albany Policy Analyst Tom Speaker makes the case for state policymakers to disconnect New York's tax code from a controversial federal tax incentive intended to foster investments in low-income neighborhoods.
March 8, 2023 - If New York policymakers want to reverse opioid overdose trends, they need to authorize overdose prevention centers and invest in the workforce providing medication assisted treatment, according to Allegra Schorr, president of the Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates of New York State.
March 8, 2023 - New York Cannabis Insider Editor and Publisher Brad Racino provides an update on the recreational marijuana landscape, including the factors slowing the launch of more recreational dispensaries.
March 7, 2023 - During the summer of 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed off on legislation paving the way for a new funding mechanism to facilitate improvements at thousands of housing units under the purview of the New York City Housing Authority. We get an update on this effort from Iziah Thompson, a senior policy analyst at the Community Service Society of New York.
March 7, 2023 - New supportive housing projects may be fun to announce and fund, but Patrick Boyle, assistant vice president of public policy at Volunteers of America-Greater New York, is warning state policymakers not to ignore the needs of the state's aging supportive housing infrastructure.
March 7, 2023 - The Legal Aid Society of NYC Juvenile Rights Practice Chief Attorney Dawne Mitchell makes the case for increasing wages for attorneys representing kids in the family court system so their compensation is on par with other lawyers in the system.
March 7, 2023 - Assembly Government Operations Committee Chair John McDonald, a Capitol Region Democrat, recently co-chaired a hearing on the utilization of videoconferencing by the state Legislature and shares what the future could hold.
March 6, 2023 - New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy discusses the procurement process, including how rules are crafted and the wide range of goods and services that are needed.
March 6, 2023 - Proponents of free school meals for all New York kids are hoping the state will invest more than $100 million into universal access. Patrick Kenneally, a food service director for the Capital Region BOCES, makes the case for the investment and discusses the challenge of implementing proposed federal nutritional standards.
March 6, 2023 - Students journalists descended on the Capitol in February to make the case for legislation restricting the ability of educators to block what can be published in school media outlets. We hear about the proposal from Townsend-Harris High School senior Janna Habibulla, editor in chief of the school's paper, and Mike Simons, journalism advisor at Corning-Painted Post High School
March 6, 2023 - Environmentalists are looking for the state to dramatically curtail the use of a pesticide they argue is polluting the environment and killing off wildlife, including bees. Dan Raichel, acting director of the pollinator initiative at the Natural Resources Defense Council, discusses the legislation campaign and addresses concerns from farmers.
March 3, 2023 - Associated General Contractors of New York State President Mike Elmendorf analyzes the infrastructure proposals in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget and discusses a proposes toll hike for the state thruway system.
March 3, 2023 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg shares the results from a new survey of New Yorkers who were asked about proposals in the governor's budget.
March 3, 2023 - State regulators have given the greenlight to upstate utilities to embark on 62 local transmission projects that will cost New Yorkers more than $4 billion. Anne Reynolds, executive director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York, which represents private renewable energy developers, makes the case for increasing transmission capacity in the Empire State and provides a status update on the development of New York's green energy transition.
March 2, 2023 - American Farmland Trust New York Policy Manager Mikaela Perry highlights initiatives in the governor's budget proposal designed to promote the state's agriculture industry and weighs in on the promise of land utilized for farming and solar energy projects.
March 2, 2023 - Catskill Mountainkeeper Executive Director Ramsay Adams and Hudson Valley business owner Arif Kahn make the case that against a planned highway expansion in the Catskills, which they argue is an outdated response to traffic congestions concerns.
March 2, 2023 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, has unveiled comprehensive waste reduction legislation that would make businesses more responsible for their environmental footprint.
March 2, 2023 - Association of School Business Officials of New York Executive Director Brian Cechnicki discusses state funding owed to school districts, a mandate to provide "high-impact tutoring" and the campaign to electrify all school buses in the Empire State.
March 1, 2023 - NY Birth Control Access Project Executive Director Jenna Bimbi explains how a proposal in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget would begin to put a dent in the state's birth control deserts.
March 1, 2023 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, and Aaron Bartley, a Buffalo business owner, make the case for raising the minimum wage and argue that Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal doesn't go far enough.
March 1, 2023 - With teen dating violence taking new forms and impacting more young New Yorkers, we turn to New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens to talk about prevention efforts and services for victims.
March 1, 2023 - Assemblymember Chuck Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's plans to increase the state's housing supply, including increasing density near transit hubs and superseding local zoning rules.
Feb. 28, 2023 - Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Bill Magnarelli, a Syracuse Democrat, breaks down what the governor's spending plan means for New York roads and bridges.
Feb. 28, 2023 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed investments in higher education, makes the case for modest tuition increases at SUNY campuses and explains a new graduation requirement.
Feb. 28, 2023 - Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, talks about funding for public schools, expresses concerns about new charter schools in New York City and shares her legislative agenda for after the budget passes.
Feb. 27, 2023 - The state is recruiting New Yorkers for its Public Health Corps to fill the ranks of public health positions around the Empire State. Laura Trolio, fellowship program director for the New York State Public Health Corps, discusses the initiatives mission and who is filling the ranks.
Feb. 27, 2023 - New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon discusses the gradual rollout of a lower mandatory farmworker overtime threshold, which is scheduled to reach 40 hours per week in 2032.
Feb. 27, 2023 - New York's power generation is expected to radically transform over the next few decades, so what will that mean for the reliability of electricity. Kevin Lanahan, vice president of external affairs for the New York Independent System Operator, which oversees the electricity grid, discusses the challenges of maintaining a reliable grid as the state moves toward its renewable energy goals.
Feb. 24, 2023 - Association on Aging in New York Executive Director Becky Preve shares her concerns about the lack of investments in the governor's proposed budget for services targeting seniors, including home care.
Feb. 24, 2023 - New York's drinking water infrastructure is in need of billions of dollars worth of upgrades, which is why Environmental Advocates NY Clean Water Director Rob Hayes says the governor should double the clean water investment in this year's executive budget proposal.
Feb. 23, 2023 - Gov. Kathy Hochul's failed bid to install Judge Hector LaSalle as the state's chief judge has unearthed a legal battle over the judicial confirmation process and the autonomy of the state Senate. Times Union Capitol reporter Josh Solomon provides an update on the legal process and shares what he learned from a recent trip to the legislative library.
Feb. 24, 2023 - An effort by the Lake George Park Commission to deploy a chemical herbicide against an invasive species in the Queen of American Lakes is being debated in the courts. Eric Siy, president of the Lake George Association, which is one of the group's trying to block the application, shares concerns about using the chemical treatment and highlights alternative options.
Feb. 23, 2023 - Environmental activists were hoping an obscure regulatory council would follow the direction of the state Climate Action Council and impose restrictions on fossil fuel hookups on future constructions, but they're waiting for legislative action. Rewiring America New York Policy Director Michael Hernandez makes the case for immediate regulatory action and discusses the green housing legislation kicking around the Capitol.
Feb. 23, 2023 - New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel Tietz discusses the governor's budget, including its investment in migrant settlement and child poverty, and explains why he welcomed a disruption of his budget testimony to the legislature
Feb. 23, 2023 - Sen. Tom O'Mara, a Southern Tier Republican, talks about his legislation that would pave the way for increased speed limits on state highways where drivers are supposed to be capped at 65 miles per hour.
Feb. 22, 2023 - Politico New York health care reporter Maya Kaufman discusses state regulations imposing minimum staffing levels in intensive care and critical care units at hospitals and provides a broader update on the ongoing campaign to mandate staffing levels at health care facilities.
Feb. 22, 2023 - State Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, discusses a "mixed bag" of health proposals in Gov. Kathy Hochul's $227 billion proposed budget.
Feb. 22, 2023 - New York State acting Budget Director Sandra Beattie shares how the budget sausage is made and talks about the unique skills and experience she brings to the top job at the Division of Budget. We talk about her role in the budget process, determining the state's capacity to raise revenue and how she plans on celebrating when the final budget deal is struck.
Feb. 21, 2023 - Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan explains what Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed budget does - and doesn't do - to combat hunger in New York and makes the case for the state to make up a drop in federal food subsidies.
Feb. 20, 2023 - Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York Executive Director Tom Stebbins makes the case for the governor's recent veto of the "Grieving Families Act" and talks about changes to state's wrongful death statutes.
Feb. 20, 2023 - One of the major economic development initiatives in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal is a $455 million overhaul of Belmont Park on Long Island, which would be facilitated by state-secured loans to the New York Racing Association. NYRA Vice President for Government Affairs Jeff Cannizzo joins the show to explain what the project would entail and why the state has an interest in fostering major changes to the downstate racing scene.
Feb. 17, 2023 - Business Council of New York Executive Vice President Paul Zuber talks about raising the minimum wage, a proposed tax hike on businesses in the New York City area, unemployment insurance costs and "Clean Slate" legislation.
Feb. 17, 2023 - Empire Justice Center Senior Staff Attorney Kirsten Keefe discusses the Homeowners Protection Program, an initiative designed to help New Yorkers avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes, which was not funded at all in the governor's budget proposal.
Feb. 17, 2023 - The City senior reporter Katie Honan breaks down the governor's proposed state aid to deal with the influx of migrants in the five boroughs and explains what New York City Mayor Eric Adams is asking Albany to do in response to the crisis.
Feb. 17, 2023 - Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget invests money in housing services for veterans and connecting them with benefits advisers, but it doesn't include funding for a beloved mentoring program. New York Health Foundation Senior Programs Officer Derek Coy, a former Marine, explains what the executive budget proposal would mean for those New Yorkers who served.
Feb. 13, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul promises from 2021 to overhaul the clemency process in New York have yet to be fully adopted, so legislation is being advanced to write reforms into state law. Clemency Coalition of New York co-Coordinators Socheatta Meng and Fanta Fofana make the case for increasing transparency in the process and granting more clemencies.
Feb. 13, 2023 - New York State Insurance Fund Executive Director and CEO Gaurav Vasisht highlights an analysis of long COVID occurrences by New Yorkers who filed workers compensation claims and considers how the collected data could inform future state policies.
Feb. 13, 2023 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses what should be taught to New Yorkers about black history and makes the case for a package of state initiatives to improve the lives of black people.
Feb. 13, 2023 - Seneca Nation President Rick Armstrong makes the case for legislation - vetoed at the end of 2022 by the governor - that would have created a process to follow in New York when an unmarked burial site is uncovered.
Feb. 10, 2023 - Wastewater surveillance grabbed the public's attention during the pandemic, as this public health measure was utilized to detect COVID-19, but it's a technique that dates decades. In January, the state Department of Health announced plans to expand where it conducts wastewater testing and what it's testing for.
Feb. 10, 2023 - In an attempt to address persistent staffing shortages for volunteer fire departments, Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing two different stipends for training and responding to emergencies. New York State Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force member Bill Streicher explains how the compensation could address recruitment and retention.
Feb. 10, 2023 - More than a year after the state created a commission on prosecutorial conduct, the oversight body has yet to convene a meeting or hire staff. Former Monroe County Legislator Bill Bastuk explains why the commission is needed and provides a status update on its operations.
Feb. 10, 2023 - A long-awaited raise for attorneys representing New Yorkers who can't afford a criminal defense was included in the executive budget proposal, but it falls short of what was hoped for outside of the New York City area and doesn't come with state funding, according to Kevin Stadelmaier, legislative committee chair for the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Feb. 09, 2023 - Real Estate Board of New York Government Affairs Senior Vice President Reggie Thomas responds to the governor's housing proposals and considers what type of tax credit for the creation of affordable housing in New York City might make its way through the Capitol.
Feb. 09, 2023 - Medical schools across New York are pushing for a $25 million investment from the state budget in growing the Empire State's medical academic research capacity. Associated Medical Schools of New York President & CEO Jonathan Teyan explains the potential economic development benefit from this commitment.
Feb. 09, 2023 - The 11 schools serving New York kids who are blind, deaf or severely physically disabled were hoping for a modest funding increase in the governor's budget proposal, but instead they are facing a cut. 4201 School Association Board Chair Dr. Bernadette Kappen makes the case for an increase in state aid and additional funds to address their workforce shortage.
Feb. 09, 2023 - A new study from Citizens Union looks at the ramifications to voter turnout if New York City's municipal elections, which are held in odd years, were shifted to even years, when turnout is traditionally much higher. Citizens Union Director of Public Policy Ben Weinberg explains why New York should be interested in changing the calendar for municipal elections.
Feb. 08, 2023 - Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente weighs in on what the governor's budget proposal will mean for counties, including diverting federal health care dollars.
Feb. 08, 2023 - In 2024, New Yorkers will get a chance to vote on adding an equal rights amendment to the state constitution. New York Civil Liberties Executive Director Donna Lieberman and Policy Director Lee Rowland explain the ramifications of the anti-discrimination measure, including what it means for abortion rights.
Feb. 08, 2023 - State Senate Commerce, Economic Development & Small Business Committee Chair Sean Ryan, a Buffalo Democrat, talks about changing the state's approach to economic development and makes the case for restricting how tourism tax breaks are used.
Feb. 08, 2023 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses the problem of homeowners getting defrauded out of their properties and highlights policy solutions identified at a 2022 hearing into deed theft.
Feb. 07, 2023 - New York State Network for Youth Success CEO Kelly McMahon makes the case for a major state investment in afterschool care programs in order to increase the industry's capacity and make care more accessible.
Feb. 7, 2023 - We get to know freshman state Sen. Lea Webb, a Binghamton Democrat, who talks about her decision to run, representing a diverse constituency and the flagship distinction for New York's public universities.
Feb. 07, 2023 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing a 5 percent Medicaid reimbursement rate increase to help nursing homes, but the industry needs a 20 percent hike to adequately serve vulnerable New Yorkers, according to James W. Clyne, Jr., president of LeadingAge NY
Feb. 07, 2023 - We break down the top-line spending figures from Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget, consider how her fiscal approach compares to her predecessor and discuss future budget gaps with Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission, a business-backed fiscal watchdog.
Feb. 6, 2023 - Friends of Recovery Executive Director Dr. Angelia Smith-Wilson previews the organization's advocacy day in Albany and highlights their legislative agenda for the Capitol.
Feb. 6, 2023 - State Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her priorities for the legislative session, including overhauling the parole system, and responds to public safety provisions in the governor's budget proposal.
Feb. 6, 2023 - New York Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Blair Horner discusses the governor's proposals to increase taxes on cigarette packs and ban all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.
Feb. 03, 2023 - State Senate Children & Families Committee Chair Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat , who recently held a hearing on the child care industry, responds to the child care proposals in the governor's executive budget and makes the case for an investment in universal child care.
Feb. 03, 2023 - Candidates running for the state Assembly and state Senate in 2024 will have access to public financing, which consists of government dollars that amplify small, in-district contributions. The Brennan Center's Ian Vandewalker explains how the program will work and unpacks a report examining political contributions in the 2022 state elections.
Feb. 03, 2023 - For more than three decades, museums around the country have been required - under a federal law - to return items in their collections taken from Native American burial sites. Mark Schaming, director of the state museum in Albany, provides an update on this effort in New York and discusses the time-consuming challenge of returning these artifacts
Feb. 02, 2023 - American Economic Liberties Project Director of Research Matt Stoller explains a multi-state lawsuit against the high-tech giant Google, which is accused of operating a monopoly in the digital ad marketplace.
Feb. 02, 2023 - Streetsblog NYC Editor-in-Chief Gersh Kuntzman makes the case for a budget proposal increasing fines for obstructing license plates, a problem that has become a statewide issue as the result of his viral social media campaign.
Feb. 02, 2023 - New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas shares details on how Gov. Kathy Hochul plans on doubling the rate of new home construction.
Feb. 1, 2023 - Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses a recently vetoed bill that would have ensure that New Yorkers facing court-ordered treatment programs know they can choose from non-religious options.
Feb. 1, 2023 - Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland County Democrat, shares his reservations with Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to have the state intercede in local housing decisions if home creation fails to hit future goals.
Feb. 1, 2023 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat, discusses a package of bills responding to limousine safety and makes the case for extending the life of a task force examining stretch limousine safety.
Feb. 1, 2023 - We get to know the state's top financial regulator, Adrienne Harris, superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services. The Obama administration veteran discusses why she joined the Hochul administration, how her private sector work informs he state duties and the snacks she covets after a long day.
Jan. 31, 2023 - Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, a western New York Republican, discusses points of agreement and disagreement with the vision laid out for the Empire State in Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address.
Jan. 30, 2023 - For the latest edition of Poozer Pop Culture, we find the beat with State Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, who talks about his love of drumming and assembles his dream band of state lawmakers.
Jan. 30, 2023 - For two years, a small group of low-income households in Hudson have been receiving monthly checks of $500 as part of a five-year pilot program testing the idea of a universal basic income. Leah Hamilton, an associate professor of social work at Appalachian State University and the principal investigator of HudsonUP, which is overseeing the experiment, provides an update on the project and makes the case for monthly support payments.
Jan. 30, 2023 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, discusses the state constitution's age restrictions for state judges and makes the case for legislation that would make it easier to stay on the bench past the age of 70.
Jan. 26, 2023 - Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy President & CEO Kate Breslin provides an update on the state panel tasked with finding a path to reducing child poverty in half over the next decade.
Jan. 26, 2023 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses her plans for the 2023 legislative session and how she'll take over the mantle from her long-serving predecessor.
Jan. 25, 2023 - Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for phasing out fossil fuel hookups in new construction as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emission in New York.
Jan. 25, 2023 - Could modular home construction be a key part of the governor's plan to dramatically increase housing construction in New York? Modular Building Institute Government Affairs Director Jon Hannah-Spacagna explains how modular construction is done quickly and discusses vetoed legislation that could have hindered the industry in New York City.
Jan. 25, 2023 - Has the Public Service Commission deviated from its core mission of watching out for ratepayers? Ken Girardin, a policy analyst for the conservative Empire Center for Public Policy, argues that the powerful regulator has been led astray by labor organizations.
Jan. 25, 2023 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe outlines a goal of zero waste by 2040 in New York and discusses how a proposal from Gov. Kathy Hochul could help realize that future.
Jan. 24, 2023 - Environmental Advocates NY Climate Policy Director Conor Bambrick talks about reducing greenhouse gas emissions in New York and a new state report calculating emissions in the Empire State between 1990 and 2020.
Jan. 24, 2023 - Assemblymember Pat Fahy, an Albany Democrat, discusses her new role leading the chamber's higher education committee and weighs in on Gov. Kathy Hochul's plans to let SUNY campuses increase tuition.
Jan 24, 2023 - Northeast Dairy Producers Association Executive Director Tonya Van Slyke and board member Kendra Lamb provide an update on a state panel tasked with removing obstacles to the agriculture industry and share their priorities for the legislative session.
Jan 24, 2023 - Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, responds to the mental health proposals in the governor's State of the State address and makes the case for having medical professionals respond to New Yorkers experiencing a mental health crisis.
Jan. 23, 2023 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg breaks down a new survey of voters, including how they feel about some of Gov. Kathy Hochul's priorities for 2023.
Jan. 23, 2023 - New York is heading toward the creation of a cap-and-invest program that charges businesses for their emissions, caps what they can pollute and invests in green initiatives. New York State Energy & Research Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris and state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos discuss what shape the program might take and why it's essential to hitting the state's emission reduction goals.
Jan. 23, 2023 - The new head of the Assembly Housing Committee, Manhattan Democrat Linda Rosenthal, talks about her goals for the year and weighs in on Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal to double the rate of new housing growth
Jan. 20, 2023 - Kingston has become ground zero for a major battle over rent control between landlords and tenants. Hudson Valley Property Owners Executive Director Rich Lanzarone shares his concerns about a vacancy study conducted in the Hudson Valley community and argues against capping rent growth.
Jan. 20, 2023 - A major component of hitting New York's green energy goals, is Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan of having 6,000 Megawatts of energy storage by 2030. NY-BEST Executive Director Dr. Bill Acker explains how the state plans to hit its energy storage goals and what it will cost New Yorkers.
Jan. 20, 2023 - In order to qualify for the ballot in New York, candidates for elected office need to collect nominating signature, but state Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, is proposing a digital option for state and local campaigns.
Jan 19, 2023 - New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses a Congressional inquiry into New York unemployment fraud, highlights changes to his spending oversight powers and weighs in on some of the political intrigue on Planet Albany.
Jan. 19, 2023 - New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Bob Schneider assesses Gov. Kathy Hochul’s education proposals in her State of the State address and shares his group’s priorities for 2023.
Jan. 19, 2023 - New York Immigration Coalition Executive Director Murad Awawdeh assesses Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address and shares his group’s priorities for 2023, including funding for immigration lawyers.
Jan. 19, 2023 - The state Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Wednesday against confirming Judge Hector LaSalle to fill the chief judge vacancy at the state’s top court. Times Union Capitol reporter Josh Solomon recaps some of the drama during LaSalle’s confirmation hearing and explains what could happen next as Gov. Kathy Hochul tries to fill the top job at the state Court of Appeals.
Jan. 18, 2023 - Assemblymember Deborah Glick, a Manhattan Democrat and the newly minted chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, discusses why she wanted to lead the coveted committee and what her goals for the upcoming year.
Jan. 18, 2023 - A coalition of upstate performing arts venues have come together to request a recurring $20 million state fund for their operating expenses. Proctors Collaborative CEO Philip Morris explains how the money would be used and why these downtown landmarks are worthy of additional state dollars.
Jan. 18, 2023 - New York Disability Advocates President Mike Alvaro discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address and outlines funding investments for industry staff, including money for an hourly wage increase and a cost-of-living adjustment.
Jan. 18, 2023 - As New York's population continues to age, there is even more stress being placed on an already overburdened system of guardians to help make day-to-day and major life decisions. Project Guardianship President & CEO Kimberly George discusses how to beef up the number of guardians in New York and makes the case for a dedicated state agency.
Jan. 17, 2023 - Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, discusses his health care priorities for 2023 and responds to Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State policies
Jan. 17, 2023 - A more transparent budget process, with independent oversight and less wiggle room with spending are just some of the reforms to crafting and adopting a state budget in New York that the Citizens Budget Commission recommends. Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the group, discusses these changes in advance of the governor unveiling her executive budget.
Jan. 17, 2023 - Catskill Center for Conservation and Development Executive Director Jeff Senterman and Catskill Mountainkeeper Katherine Nadeau discuss new recommendations designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Catskill Park.
Jan 17, 2023 - A quirk of the health coverage for more than 200,000 retired public employees in New York limits their access to skilled nursing once they sign up for Medicare, so the Retired Public Employees Association is trying to have this benefit restored during the budget process. The group's executive director, Ed Farrell, talks about the history have this gap in coverage and make the case for increasing the cost of living adjustment to public employee pensions.
Jan. 16, 2023 - After two-and-a-half decades with the state Board of Elections, including 15 years as co-executive director, Republican Todd Valentine retired recently. He spoke with The Capitol Pressroom about retiring the lever voting machines, utilizing the internet, the bipartisan nature of boards of elections and his future.
Jan. 16, 2023 - More than 7,000 nurses at two New York City-area hospitals went on strike last week, ending their work stoppage after three days when they secured commitments for higher wages and increased staffing levels. Politico New York health care reporter Maya Kaufman explains what led to this showdown, how hospitals coped during the strike and the concessions labor secured.
Jan. 16, 2023 - The Legal Aid Society's Heidi Bramson discusses a new state law designed to ensure that homeless and runaway youth in New York are able to consent to medical care in non-emergency situations.
Jan. 13, 2023 - The future of Gov. Kathy Hochul's planned overhaul of Penn Station has been thrust into jeopardy by precarious economic conditions and critics of her vision for the transit hub hope this is an opportunity to craft a new plan. State Sen. Leroy Comrie, a Queens Democrat, talks about the future of this project and how it could be paid for.
Jan. 13, 2023 - Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the likelihood of a minimum wage hike being approved this year, considers reforming the process of nominating judges to the state's top court and comments on her working relationship with Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Jan. 13, 2023 - New York has failed to develop an adequate indigent legal defense system in the wake of a 2014 legal settlement, according to a new lawsuit filed by civil rights advocates. New York Civil Liberties Union staff attorney JP Perry discusses the state of public defense in the Empire State and how it could be improved.
Jan. 12, 2023 - Environmental Advocates NY Deputy Director Kate Kurera discusses a new law designed to ensure that carpets in New York have a second life and don't end up as waste. She also discusses the broader campaign to put the onus of recycling on producers, which is part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's recently proposed Waste Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.
Jan. 12, 2023 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has identified affordability and job creation as two major priorities for 2023, but her State of the State address won't do much on either front for New Yorkers, according to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United, a coalition that advocates for lower taxes across upstate New York. Wilcox discusses the governor's minimum wage proposal and lays out his organization's wish list for the year.
Jan. 11, 2023 - State Senate Housing, Construction & Community Development Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, responds to the new housing plan laid out in Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address and discusses some of his priorities.
Jan. 11, 2023 - New York State Association of Cemeteries Legislative Director David Fleming explain a new law that will provide New Yorkers with a new option for disposing of their bodies after they died.
Jan. 11, 2023 - Times Union Capitol reporter Josh Solomon talks about public safety proposals from Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address, including more changes to pre-trial detention, funding for additional law enforcement and prosecutors, and investments in alternatives to incarceration and reentry programs.
Jan. 11, 2023 - Before 2022 ran out, Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation that would have prohibited the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements to minors. Harvard Chan School of Public Health professor Dr. Bryn Austin explains the safety concerns with non-prescription diet offerings and discusses how the proposed restrictions would protect young people.
Jan. 10, 2023 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Peter Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses his new environmental leadership role, including how he will build consensus and his priorities for 2023.
Jan. 10, 2023 - Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisory Rachael Fauss makes recommendations for new rules and regulations to govern the practices of the state Legislature to improve transparency at the Capitol and better outcomes.
Jan. 10, 2023 - New York State Association of Health Care Providers President & CEO Kathy Febraio and Vice President of Public Policy Laura Ehrich provide an update on the implementation of the minimum wage hike for home care workers, highlight the challenge of qualifying for home care through Medicaid and express concerns about sealing criminal records.
Jan. 9, 2023 - Public Utility Law Project of New York Executive Director Laurie Wheelock makes the case for a recently vetoed measure designed to to reimburse nonprofits for advocacy work they do on behalf of New Yorkers and small businesses before the state Public Service Commission.
Jan. 9, 2023 - In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down New York's longstanding pistol permitting process in 2022, state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul created a new system and broad restrictions on where guns can be brought. WNYC/Gothamist public safety reporter Samantha Max highlights the landscape of legal challenges to the young gun control law.
Jan. 9, 2023 - New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs reflects on the 2022 elections in the Empire State, considers the enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans and discusses possible changes to the Democratic Party's infrastructure.
Jan. 6, 2023 - Many of the upstate prison facilities that have closed in recent years have not had much luck finding a second act, but a coalition of business, civic and environmental leaders are hoping an unhappy ending won't be in store for Moriah Shock Incarceration Facility in the Adirondacks. Adirondack Council Deputy Director Raul "Rocci" Aguirre explains how the shuttered minimum-security facility could get another chance at usefulness.
Jan. 5, 2023 - New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander discusses the launch of retail marijuana sales in New York City, reflects on the challenges of creating a legal marketplace and talks about the evolving cannabis landscape.
Jan. 5, 2023 - Gov. Kathy Hochul used her clemency powers in the final days of 2022 to give a second chance to 13 individuals, but has so far failed to deliver on her 2021 pledge to dramatically increase the scope and frequency of when she issues clemencies. Legal Aid Society's Ted Hausman discusses the latest round of pardons and commutations and makes the case for more executive action.
Jan. 4, 2023 - Freelancers Union Executive Director Rafael Espinal discusses two bills vetoed by Gov. Kathy Hochul designed to increase protections for freelance workers and looks ahead at 2023 priorities in Albany for independent contractors.
Jan. 4, 2023 - After more than a year of accepting applications and distributing about $2 billion, the state is scheduled to close its portal for accessing emergency rent relief. Legal Aid Society housing attorney Ellen Davidson explains why the time is right to stop accepting applications and considers the impact of this controversial program.
Jan, 4, 2023 - Assemblymember Didi Barrett, a Columbia County Democrat, and Scenic Hudson's Audrey Friedrichsen call for the creation of a mapping tool to select the optimal locations for renewable energy projects and try to avoid local opposition to the construction.
Jan. 03, 2023 - A recent survey hospitals around New York paints a bleak picture, with facilities facing staffing shortages and financial difficulties. Healthcare Association of New York State President Bea Grause explains the results and discusses what should be done to support hospital operations in 2023.
Dec. 30, 2022 - Sandy Berland, the former executive director of the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics, discusses his new role as top staffer at the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. He talks about his objectives, the structure of the new oversight entity and reflects on his time at JCOPE.
Dec. 30, 2022 - American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network's Michael Davoli makes the case for increased state investment in cancer screening access and advocates for legislation designed to ensure more reliable cancer treatments.
Dec. 30, 2022 - State Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses his legislation designed to beef up the enforcement capacity of the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. He also weighs in on Gov. Kathy Hochul's nomination of Judge Hector LaSalle to serve as the state's next chief judge.
Dec. 29, 2022 - New York Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Blair Horner weighs in on the end of year decision by state lawmakers to give themselves a $32,000 raise and impose modest outside income restrictions.
Dec. 29, 2022 - State Sen. Mike Martucci, a Hudson Valley Republican, discusses his decision not to run for re-election, considers what could come next and reflects on life in the minority.
Dec. 29, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has convened a new state task force of government officials and farmers to identify policies that could help the agriculture industry group in the Empire State. Task force member Kama Doucoure, operator of Big Dreams Farm in the Hudson Valley, discusses the challenge of accessing financing, addressing cultural barriers and New York's overtime threshold.
Dec. 27, 2022 - With Planet Albany completing another revolution around the Sun, we go over some of the biggest state government headlines of 2022 with Times Union Editor Casey Seiler.
Dec. 28, 2022 - A December decision by a federal judge to dismiss a handful of corruption charges against former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin is the latest example of the narrow interpretation of federal law hindering the ability of prosecutors. Tully Rinckey PLLC Managing Partner Peter Pullano, who practices criminal defense, explains what happens in the Benjamin case and the state of the federal corruption prosecution landscape.
Dec. 27, 2022 - The 2023 budget negotiations could feature a battle between Gov. Kathy Hochul and progressive state lawmakers over raising new revenues with higher taxes on wealthy New Yorkers. Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf makes the case for increasing taxes on the richest people in the state and explains how the additional revenue could be used.
Dec. 27, 2022 - LeadingAge New York President Jim Clyne discusses new infectious disease regulations governing nursing homes, state oversight of facilities and the implementation of minimum staffing requirements.
Dec. 26, 2022 - Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Queens Democrat, lays out a package of bills designed to improve transit service in New York City and ensure adequate state investments in the system's operating needs.
Dec. 22, 2022 - The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian legislative caucus at the Capitol has come out with their priorities for the upcoming budget process. Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat and chair of the caucus, discusses their push to increase taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, invest in working communities and implement progressive criminal justice chances.
Dec. 23, 2022 - Assemblymember Pat Fahy joins the show to discuss her son, Brendan Fahy Bequette, who died this past spring at the age of 25 and has had some of his photographs compiled into a book that preserves his memory and is a fundraiser for Capital Region arts initiatives. The Albany Democrat explains how the book came together and talks about her grieving process.
Dec. 23, 2022 - The pandemic work experience of incarcerated New Yorkers has renewed conversation at the Capitol about addressing workplace safety and compensation rates for those living behind bars. Legal Aid Society Employment Law Unit case handler Jacalyn Goldzweig discusses legislative reforms that would prohibit forced prison labor and better regulate working conditions for incarcerated New Yorkers.
Dec. 23, 2022 - Climate Action Council member and Cornell University professor Robert Howarth helps unpack the state's new blueprint for addressing greenhouse gas emissions.
Dec. 22, 2022 - New York Civil Liberties Union Voting Rights Project Director Perry Grossman discusses a lawsuit challenging the state's restrictions on serving on a jury if you have a felony conviction, which disproportionately impacts black men.
Dec. 22, 2022 - After more than two years of work, the state Climate Action Council has completed its roadmap for New York to follow to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris and New York DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos, the co-chairs for the council, explain what the plan means for putting a price on carbon, building electrification and the cost of a green transition.
Dec. 22, 2022 - New York Department of Health First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eugene Heslin discusses the winter transmission of respiratory illnesses, considers the merits of a mask mandate and highlights the benefit of proactive COVID-19 testing.
Dec. 21, 2022 - Citizens Budget Commission Director of Housing & Economic Development Studies Sean Campion shares his findings from a review of past tax incentives to convert unused office space in Manhattan into housing and considers what it will take now to create new affordable housing from underutilized offices in the five boroughs.
Dec. 21, 2022 - New York Civil Liberties Union Policy Counsel Jared Trujillo discusses the controversial implementation of a 2021 state law designed to decrease the use of solitary confinement in New York's prisons and jails
Dec. 20, 2022 - Don Andrews discusses his plans for entering the marijuana retail business, which took one giant leap forward in November when he received one of four licenses to sell marijuana authorized for the Capital Region. The Schenectady business owner discusses the road to this point, the ambiguity in the process now and his expectations for the future.
Dec. 20, 2022 - Assemblymember Steve Englebright, a Long Island Democrat, reflects on his three decades of service in the state legislature, which is coming to an end after his election campaign got swept up in a red wave on Long Island. We discuss his environmental legacy, life in the state Assembly and much more.
Dec. 20, 2022 - Assemblymember Fred Thiele, a Long Island Democrat, provides an update on the legislative commission tasked with overhauling the administration of power to Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Dec. 19, 2022 - State Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, a Rockland County Democrat, joins The Capitol Pressroom for his exit interview, following his narrow election loss in November. The former staffer turned lawmaker reflects on his campaign, successes in his two years as a senator and considers his unfinished business from elected office
Dec. 16, 2022 - Long Island Republican Jack Martins is returning to the state Senate in 2023, having previously served from 2011 to 2016 and ousting a Democratic incumbent in November. He discusses his role as an advocate for Long Island in Albany, reaching across the aisle and combatting the opioid epidemic.
Dec. 16, 2022 - Tooth decay is considered a hidden epidemic among children living in poverty, but the problem is largely preventable with the right policies. Schuyler Center Senior Policy Analyst Bridget Walsh explains the preventative measures that could ensure bright smiles for New York kids.
Dec. 15, 2022 - New York State Bar Association LGBTQ Law Section Chair Christopher Riano explains what's potentially at stake for New York as the result of a website designer's challenge to a public accommodation law in Colorado that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
Dec. 15, 2022 - Former Assemblymember Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, talks about his impending return to state service - this time as a state senator - and reflects on how his view of government has evolved since his Tea Party days.
Dec. 15, 2022 - Incoming SUNY Chancellor John King discusses his return to the Empire State, including lessons learned from his time as education commissioner, the future of online college courses, and much more.
Dec. 13, 2022 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg shares the results of the latest statewide political survey and analyzes the responses from registered voters.
Dec. 13, 2022 - New York State Academy of Family Physicians Vaccine Committee Chair Dr. Phil Kaplan discusses a legislative push to expand the number of New Yorkers in a statewide vaccine registry for adults.
Dec. 13, 2022 - Citizen Action of New York's Tyler Vanderhaag and Rebecca Garrard discuss how the Hudson Valley city of Kingston took advantage of a 2019 state law to create a state board responsible for evaluating rents in certain apartments and determining what tenants should be paying. They also respond to the legal challenge facing the board's work and consider if these boards should be replicated in upstate New York.
Dec. 12, 2022 - Tech:NYC founder Julie Samuels explains the broad new restrictions on cryptocurrency mining operations in New York and warns of a possible chilling effect on digital currency innovation in the Empire State.
Dec, 12, 2022 - In her only debate this election cycle, Gov. Kathy Hochul vocalized her support for lifting the cap on the number of charter schools operating in the five boroughs. New York City Charter School Center CEO James Merriman discusses what this could mean for students moving forward and addresses concerns raised by opponents of charter schools.
Dec. 9, 2022 - Sexual Harassment Working Group member Erica Vladimer comments on the state Attorney General's Office's internal handling of a sexual misconduct allegation against a top staffer and long-time aide of New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Dec. 09, 2022 - New York State Inspector General's Office Chie of Staff Ryan Hayward shares findings from a recent review of state prisons that documented racial and ethnic disparities in how discipline has been doled out in the corrections system.
Dec. 12, 2022 - New York Cannabis Insider Editor and Publisher Brad Racino peels back the curtain on the firm chosen to run the state's $200 million social equity fund for marijuana business opportunities and highlights the rocky rollout of this financial campaign.
Dec. 8, 2022 - New York State Office of Children & Family Services Commissioner Sheila Poole sits down in the Capitol Pressroom to studio in advance of her exit from the Hochul administration to discuss her time in state service, reforming the child welfare system and overhauling access to child care.
Dec. 8, 2022 - New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Matt Driscoll joins the show in advance of his departure from state service, which has lasted more than a decade, covered three governor and spanned three agencies. He talks about the secret to his longevity, his time running different agencies and the challenge of raising tolls.
Dec. 7, 2022 - Ruth Lowenkron, director of the Disability Justice Program for New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, respond to an aggressive new campaign from New York City Mayor Eric Adams to force more New Yorkers into temporary psychiatric evaluations.
Dec. 7, 2022 - Buffalo News watchdog reporter Matthew Spina talks highlights the challenge of obtaining personnel records from the state police and discusses trends that emerged from files for western New York troopers.
Dec. 7, 2022 - A new report on pathways to a high school diploma outside of New York is being used by state education officials to shape the future use of Regents exams for students. WestEd Senior Director of State Education Services Sarah Barzee, who oversaw the creation of the state commissioned report, talks about alternatives to Regents exams and the information education stakeholders believe is important to receive before graduating.
Dec. 6, 2022 - Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for restoring the authority members of the state Public Authorities Control Board used to be able to exercise over the fate of economic development projects.
Dec. 6, 2022 - Sen. John Brooks, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the surprise victory that launched him to the Capitol, reflects on his career in the state Senate and talks about the conditions that contributed to his electoral defeat.
Dec. 6, 2022 - Sen. Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, explains why he's pushing legislation directing state regulators to exercise more control over potential predatory business practices by mobile sports wagering operators.
Dec. 5, 2022 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat, discuss the effect of New York's seven-month gas tax holiday and whether the state should continue to discount vehicle fuel in 2023.
Dec. 5, 2022 - Winter is coming, so New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez makes the case for interested New Yorkers to consider filling hundreds of vacant positions responsible for plowing snow.
Dec. 5, 2022 - The New York Community Equity Agenda is pushing a package of reforms in 2023 that they hope will change the state's approach to economic development and uplift ordinary New Yorkers. New Economy Project founder and CEO Sarah Ludwig and For The Many's Brahvan Ranga outline the coalition's agenda for the new year.
Dec. 2, 2022 - New York Council of School Superintendents Deputy Director Bob Lowry discusses the education landscape from the perspective of school superintendents around the state and identifies their priorities for the 2023 legislative session.
Dec. 2, 2022 - In light of the proliferation of drone registrations by police departments across the state, the New York Civil Liberties Union is pushing for legislation to regulate the use of this new technology. NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman and NYCLU Senior Technology & Privacy Strategist Daniel Schwartz shares their concerns about the possibility of an unregulated surveillance state.
Dec. 2, 2022 - The state's bipartisan redistricting commission got back to work this month, unveiling a new set of boundaries for Assembly candidates to run on in 2024. The commission's vice chair, Charlie Nesbitt, discusses the process for crafting the latest draft and share his optimism for the process moving forward, which will include public hearings in January.
Dec. 2, 2022 - Legal Aid Society Health Law Unit Director Rebecca Antar Novick explains why a coalition of consumer advocates and managed care plans have concerns about the state's new process of vetting Medicaid patients for home care services.
Nov. 1, 2022 - The hunt for a new chief judge at the state Court of Appeals has been narrowed to seven contenders and we analyze the list before Gov. Kathy Hochul with the help of Vin Bonventre, Albany Law distinguished professor and author of the New York Court Watcher blog.
Nov. 30, 2022 - Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner of the State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, discusses the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board's recommendations on spending about $128 million. (Originally aired on CONNECT NY)
Nov. 30, 2022 - Sen. Kevin Parker, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses his new law ensuring college athletes can receive compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness without jeopardizing their financial aid.
Nov. 30, 2022 - In the wake of underwhelming performances by Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in New York, a group of Hudson Valley Democratic leaders are calling on the state committee to make a handful of institution reforms. Dutchess County Democratic Committee emeritus Chair Julie Shiroishi talks about the need to build up the party's infrastructure for the future.
Nov. 29, 2022 - New Pride Agenda Executive Director Elisa Crespo discusses the veto of a bill creating a state LGBTQ+ advisory board and the introduction of a new measure to make New York a safe haven for transgender youth seeking medical care.
Nov. 29, 2022 - Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan discusses the state funding requests from the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, including a $100 million investment in implementing evidentiary disclosure reforms.
Nov. 29, 2022 - Lake George Waterkeeper Chris Navitsky explains regulations from state environmental regulators that would require regular inspections of septic systems near Lake George in order to stop contaminants from reaching the Queen of American Lakes.
Nov. 28, 2022 - State Sen. Andrew Gounardes is well known for his ties to the Greek community, but did you know he once considered becoming a priest in the Greek Orthodox Church? On the latest edition of Poozer Pop Culture we explore this road not taken and the Brooklyn Democrat's Greek credentials.
Nov. 28, 2022 - It's been six years since state lawmakers approved a minimum wage hike in law and the issue is resurfacing again in Albany, but NFIB state Director Ashley Ranslow is urging Democratic policymakers not to advance a proposal increasing the hourly minimum wage to $21.25 an hour for New York City in 2024.
Nov. 25, 2022 - Default registries are a useful tool to keep municipalities abreast of problematic properties, but Western New York Law Center staff attorney Samantha Axberg says the process needs additional protections for homeowners. (Originally aired Sept. 29)
Nov. 23, 2022 - The New York Farm Bureau's Steve Ammerman discusses the rising price of a Thanksgiving meal in New York this year, which spiked more than in recent years, and explains what is driving prices in the northeast.
Nov. 23, 2022 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses New York's process of paying out unemployment claims during the pandemic, which was the subject of a recent audit by his office that found billions of improper payments were made by the state Department of Labor.
Nov. 23, 2022 - As New York plots a green energy future, with drastically reduced greenhouse gas emissions, Radiant Value Management energy analyst Isuru Senevirante makes the case for an increased utilization of nuclear power.
Nov. 11, 2022 - Siena College Research Institute Director Dr. Don Levy discusses his organization's election forecasts compared to what voters actually did this year in New York and around the country.
Nov. 22, 2022 - Metropolitan Transportation Authority is facing a fiscal cliff as ridership levels continue below pre-pandemic levels and might not bound back for years. Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisor Rachael Fauss explains the looming hole in the transit budget and how it should be filled in the future.
Nov. 22, 2022 - Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright, a Long Island Democrat, discusses his bill designed to jump start the solar panel recycling industry in New York.
Nov. 18, 2022 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, highlights the need for more state primary prevention programs to prevent New York children from being victims of abuse and neglect.
Nov. 18, 2022 - New York Office of Mental Health Director of Crisis Services Denise Balzer discusses the statewide rollout of the 9-8-8 hotline for New Yorkers in a mental health crisis to get connected with local support and services.
Nov. 15 2022 - A temporary injunction in November from a federal judge could throw a wrench in the state's plan to award conditional licenses to operate marijuana dispensaries before the end of the year. Joe Schafer, an associate with the cannabis practice team at Lippes Mathias, explains the legal challenge to New York's licensing plan.
Nov. 15, 2022 - Great Lakes Research Consortium Director Greg Boyer discusses the state's long-range planning for the Great Lakes region, which includes balancing the needs of New Yorkers, the environment and economy.
Nov. 15, 2022 - In the wake of the State Division of Budget releasing a mid-year financial plan update, we'll examine New York's fiscal condition and projected deficits with Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission.
Nov. 11, 2022 - Times Union business reporter Larry Rulison walks us through the state Inspector General's report on decisions by state employees that made possible the stretch limousine crash of 2018 in Schoharie County that killed 20 people.
Nov. 11, 2022 - We look at the administration of the recent elections in New York with Kristen Zebrowski Stavisky, a co-executive director of the state Board of Elections.
Nov. 10, 2022 - Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, discusses the battle for control of the state Senate this year and considers what Democrats will do with their very large majority in the chamber in 2023.
Nov. 11, 2022 - Keesha Gaskins-Nathan, a Democratic appointee to the state's Public Campaign Finance Board, makes the case for matching small-dollar donations with state funds and provides an update on New York's effort to implement this system starting in the 2024 state legislative races.
Nov. 9, 2022 - Democratic political operative Bradley Honan, CEO of the Honan Strategy Group, discusses election results from up and down the ballot in New York.
Nov. 8, 2022 - Despite COVID-19 retreating into the background of everyday life, hospitals in western New York are still struggling with capacity issues that are as bad as any point during the pandemic. Michael Stapleton, president and CEO of University of Rochester Medicine Thompson Health, explains how a lack of health care staff and nursing home beds are contributing the crunch at hospitals.
Nov. 8 2022 - New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang joins the show to discuss a new online tool designed to help the public access data on the complaints received by the state Inspector General's Office. She also addresses the timing of a report analyzing the state's role into a fatal limousine crash in 2018.
Nov. 11, 2022 - In October, the state reached an agreement with the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo to resolve a two-year-old lawsuit stemming from the failure of local church leaders to adequately respond to accusations of child abuse. Kevin Koscielniak, a member of the Buffalo Survivors Group, discusses the settlement and his frustration with the Catholic church.
Nov. 7, 2022 - Politico New York Capitol reporter Bill Mahoney breaks down races for state Senate and state Assembly and explains whether control of the state Legislature is up for grabs on Election Day.
Nov. 7, 2022 - We speak with Wildlife Officer of the Year Award recipient Josh Crain, an investigator with the State Environmental Conservation Police. He talks about his lifelong passion for his work, an effort to pass down hunting and fishing skills to younger generations and what he would serve DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos for dinner.
Nov. 7, 2022 - Senate Aging Committee Chair Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, provides an update on the implementation of a minimum wage increase for home care workers this fall and the flow of a budget investment to pay for the salary bump.
Nov. 7, 2022 - State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Sheila Poole discusses the work of local social service districts and how state policy could improve these municipal operations, including their role in distributing child care subsidies.
Nov. 4, 2022 - For more than three decades the Franklin H Williams Judicial Commission has been tasked with advising the state court system on issues affecting people of color, including litigants and legal professionals. Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster, executive director of the commission, explains the disparate experience in the court system, the impact of having a chief judge of color and why representation on the bench matters.
Nov. 4, 2022 - Dr. Phil Kaplan, chair of the vaccine committee for the New York State Academy of Family Physicians, discusses the merits of making a COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for school attendance in the future.
Nov. 4, 2022 - Youth correspondent and junior political prognosticator Isaac Olshan analyzes the race for governor of New York, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's re-election bid and two congressional seats in the Hudson Valley. He also provides some reporting from the schoolyard.
Nov. 4, 2022 - New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa and Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy Jim Baldwin join the show to discuss the results of students grade three through eight in last year's math and English Language Arts assessments and what the data means.
Nov. 3, 2022 - Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland County Democrat, discuses the building code enforcement landscape in New York and how it can be improved, which was the subject of a recent hearing that he led.
Nov. 3, 2022 - New York State Climate Action Council co-Chairs Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and Basil Seggos, commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, give a status update on crafting a roadmap to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and identify the unfinished business as their due date approaches.
Nov. 3, 2022 - Times Union Managing Editor Brendan Lyons shares his reporting on the leadership changes at the New York State Police and the union representing rank-and-file troopers.
Nov. 2, 2022 - New York Tobacconist Association President Mike Glynn makes the case for lowering state taxes on premium cigars so retailers can compete with online shops in other states and describes a process for letting cigar lounges serve alcohol.
Nov. 2, 2022 - New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans, a registered nurse, discusses a package of bills awaiting the governor's signature designed to give nurses more control over their schedules by restricting the use of mandatory overtime in hospitals, nursing homes and homes.
Nov. 2, 2022 - The state Court of Appeals is going to weigh in on the constitutionality of pay raises to state lawmakers and members of the governor's cabinet that were authorized by a special commission. Government Justice Center Executive Director Cam Macdonald, who argued before the state's top court on behalf of the plaintiffs, helps recap this long running legal drama.
Oct. 28, 2022 - New York Civil Liberties Union attorneys Terry Ding and Daniel Lambright explain why they’re trying to secure undisclosed memos issued to judges in New York from the state Office of Court Administration.
Oct. 27, 2022 - Language added to the state Constitution guaranteeing a right to clean air, clean water and a healthful environment is being tested in New York City, where it's the basis to a legal challenge against new construction. Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund Legal Director Bethany Li discusses this potentially groundbreaking case.
Oct. 27, 2022 - In response to an arduous and burdensome regulatory process for developers seeking to construct renewable energy projects, the state overhauled the approval process in New York, but not all upstate communities are happy about the change. USA Today Network reporter Tom Zambito explains how the siting landscape has changed and highlights a legal challenge to the new state office overseeing these projects.
Oct. 27, 2022 - Housing Justice For All Campaign Coordinator Cea Weaver discusses a fact-finding mission to Vienna to learn about housing policies that could potentially be implemented in New York.
Oct. 26, 2022 - In Tuesday's gubernatorial debate did Republican hopeful Lee Zeldin build on his recent momentum? Did Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul cement her victory? We answer those questions and more, with Democratic strategist Neal Kwatra, founder and CEO of Metropolitan Public Strategies.
Oct. 26, 2022 - The Nature Conservancy New York Director for Policy and Strategy Jessica Ottney Mahar makes the case for the state's $4.2 billion environmental bond act and highlights the campaign to convince New Yorkers to turn over their ballots and vote "yes" on Proposition #1.
Oct. 26, 2022 - Gothamist/WNYC capitol reporter Jon Campbell explains the legal challenge to New York's absentee voting system, including the excuses that can be used to vote by mail and when these votes are opened up.
Oct. 26, 2022 - A change in Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement practices by the state could dramatically alter the services available to low-income New Yorkers, according to Mike Lee, COO of Evergreen Health.
Oct. 25, 2022 - With public polls in the race for governor tightening, we hear from GOP operative Chapin Fay on the roadmap that Republican gubernatorial hopeful Lee Zeldin could follow for an upset victory in November.
Oct. 15, 2022 - This summer marked the 20th anniversary of the gaming compact struck between the Seneca Nation and New York, so we're looking back at the deal with Matthew Pagels, president of the nation, and considering what the Native American tribe is looking for in a future deal.
Oct. 25, 2022 - New York Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife biologist Carl Herzog explains the bat landscape in the Empire State and explains why New Yorkers should avoid disturbing the winged mammals when they're hibernating this fall and winter.
Oct. 24, 2022 - In the wake of a new report on the thousands of suspensions used by New York educators, The Children's Agenda Education Policy Director Eamonn Scanlon makes the case for alternative disciplinary measures.
Oct. 24, 2022 - The crops are in, but New York's marijuana farmers still face an uncertain future, according to Sarah Stenuf, CEO of Ananda Farms, who discusses her first year growing marijuana, hopes for the industry going forward, and the financial challenges of the industry.
Oct. 24, 2022 - The state Department of Health proposed new regulations to improve drinking water safety, but Environmental Advocates NY Director of Clean Water Rob Hayes says they don't go far enough and contain a dangerous loophole.
Oct. 21, 2022 - Assemblymember Michael Reilly, a Staten Island Republican, discusses the Assembly Republican's new task force on school security that is soliciting input around the state on how to keep educators and students safe.
Oct. 10, 2022 - This November, the Working Families Party is urging its supporters in New York to vote for Gov. Kathy Hochul on its ballot line in order to retain the party's automatic spot on the ballot . Sochie Nnaemeka, head of the state's liberal third party, explains the appeal they're making to voters.
Oct. 21, 2022 - Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, highlights her legislation designed to give all students in New York access to free breakfast and lunch at their school.
Oct. 21, 2022 - State Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin talks about an overdue increase to the state's reimbursement rates for victims of crimes who have had essential property lost or stolen.
Oct. 20, 2022 - Derek Coy, a Marine who served in Iraq and a programs officer for the New York Health Foundation, joins the show to discuss the suicide trends among veterans and how state policies can combat the problem.
Oct. 20, 2022 - Senate Disabilities Committee Chair John Mannion, a Syracuse-area Democrat, discusses two new laws designed to improve employment opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities.
Oct. 20, 2022 - Lee Ziesche, of the Sane Energy Project, which backs the use of renewable energy sources, weighs in on high home energy heating costs that are expected for this winter.
Oct. 20, 2022 - New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel Tietz discusses the work of the state's Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, including its role in evaluating state policies and why New Yorkers should have faith in its work
Oct. 18, 2022 - Bill Streicher, a member of the state's Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force, highlights the personnel challenges being experience by volunteer departments across New York and discusses ways to address staffing needs.
Oct. 19, 2022 - Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan highlights a state investment in equipment for food banks and outlines the need for monetary and food donations as nonprofits grapple with bare shelves.
Oct. 19, 2022 - Reporter Tim Knauss explains the financial subsidies, physical infrastructure and more that went into securing a multi-billion investment in high-tech manufacturing for central New York that is expected to create thousands of jobs.
Oct. 18, 2022 - New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos discusses his relief mission to Ukraine, including how he convinced his family to let him leave, why he had to go, and how his experience compared to his expectations.
Oct. 18, 2022 - The race for governor is tightening in the latest poll from the Siena College Research Institute, but Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul still has a lead outside the margin of error against Republican challenger Lee Zeldin. Pollster Steve Greenberg helps us make sense of this race and how the environmental bond act on the back of the ballot might do in November.
Oct. 17, 2022 - State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, a Westchester County Democrat, joins the show for her exit interview, discussing lessons learned during her four years in Albany, the realities of governing compared to campaigning and what's next after the legislature.
Oct. 17, 2022 - Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Bill Magnarelli, a Syracuse-are Democrat, discusses the implementation of New York's 2011 Complete Streets law and how future roadwork should consider the needs of not-motorists.
Oct. 14, 2022 - Elizabeth Benjamin, vice president of health initiatives for the Community Service Society of New York, makes the case for legislation restricting "facility fees" and changing the way that hospitals pursue the medical debt amassed by their patients.
Oct. 14, 2022 - Margarita Larios, executive director of the newly created state Office of Language Access, discusses her responsibility to ensure government documents are accessible to non-English speakers and explains why this mission matters to her.
Oct. 14, 2022 - Assemblymember Kenny Burgos, a Bronx Democrat, discusses his recent visit to Rikers Island and considers the state's role in regulating New York's prisons and jails.
Oct. 14, 2022 - Senate Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses a funding inequity facing organizations that serve New Yorkers with substance abuse problems.
Oct. 13, 2022 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado discuses the cost of living in New York, threats to our democracy, public safety and his stamp on the Hochul administration during his first five months on the job.
Oct. 13, 2022 - State Sen. Sean Ryan, a Buffalo-area Democrat, shares his concerns about state regulations that he believes could undermine the effectiveness of a 2021 state law designed to increase staffing levels at nursing homes.
Oct. 13, 2022 - Recently released state data on the rearrests of New Yorkers awaiting disposition of a criminal trial sheds new light on the ramifications of New York's curtailed use of cash bail starting in 2020. We dive into these numbers, including the rate of defendants appearing in court, with the Division of Criminal Justice Services' Leigh Bates and Joseph Popcun.
Oct. 12, 2022 - Following a lawsuit, the state board of elections has rolled out a new vote by mail system for this fall's elections designed to give visually impaired New Yorkers the ability to vote independently. Disability Rights New York Programs Director Christina Asbee discusses how the new process works and highlights other voting concerns for New Yorkers with disabilities
Oct. 12, 2022 - Times Union reporters Emilie Munson and Josh Solomon explain their deep dive into the use of corporal punishment at New York schools, including how often it's occurring and potential policy reactions from state lawmakers.
Oct. 12, 2022 - Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy Policy Director Dede Hill makes the case for investing in new child care workforce initiatives, expanding subsidies to undocumented children and covering young children with the state's child tax credit.
Oct. 12, 2022 - New York Gaming Commission Chair Brian O'Dwyer provides an update on the process of awarding three casino licenses, including appointments to a casino siting board and the timeline for soliciting casino proposals.
Oct. 10, 2022 - Life has largely retuned to normal since the arrival of COVID-19, but New York's economy is a different story. We explore the state's slow road back to employment normalcy with Jerry Marschke, an associate professor of economics at the University of Albany and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Oct. 10, 2022 - Despite a statewide ban on the sale of flavored vaping cartridges, reporter Marnie Eisenstaedt has found that counties aren't actively enforcing the restriction and joins the show to discuss the illegal market that exists in central New York.
Oct. 7, 2022 - The leaking of a donor list for a conservative advocacy organization is being blamed on the state attorney general's office, which maintains these types of records. Empire Center for Public Policy President & CEO Tim Hoefer explains why his think tank is trying to find out how the state protects this type of information for charities it oversees.
Oct. 7, 2022 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Dick Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses the planned pay raise for home care workers this fall that may not end up in the pocket of these front line caregivers as the result of ambiguity in state budget language.
Oct. 7, 2022 - Medical Society of the State of New York President Dr. Parag Mehta discusses his reservations with expanding the scope of practice for non-physicians and lays out a plan for boosting the number of doctors in New York.
Oct. 7, 2022 - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris discusses the state's energy storage capacity and highlights two recent investments in new technologies, including "pink hydrogen."
Oct. 6, 2022 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, joins the show to discuss how changes in the way gun purchases made with credit cards or debit cards are processed could help prevent future gun violence.
Oct. 6, 2022 - Primary care physicians might start screening adult patients for anxiety, so we talked with New York State Psychological Association President Barbara Kapetanakes about how this could detect more mental health disorders and why it would likely exacerbate the state's lack of mental health providers.
Oct. 6, 2022 - The state's Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force is out with new recommendations so we talk with task force member and retired state commercial motor vehicle inspector Ron Barton about their findings and the shortcomings of the panel's process.
Oct. 5, 2022 - In his new memoir, "Inside the Green Lobby: The Fight to Save the Adirondack Park," Bernard Melewski brings readers into his multi-decade career lobbying on behalf of the environmental movement in Albany and Washington D.C. He joins the program to discuss his work for the Adirondack Council, the challenges of being a voice for the environment and his proudest accomplishment on the job.
Oct. 5, 2022 - Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat, discusses her legislation investing $300 million into legal defense services for immigrants appearing in federal immigration courts and discusses why state-funded representation shouldn't be reserved just for documented New Yorkers.
Oct. 4, 2022 - This month, medical marijuana patients and their caregivers will be able to legally grow their own plants. In light of this development, we checked in with medical marijuana patient and advocate Timothy Mitchell about the status of the state's medical program, including the home grow regulations, accessibility of products and impact of future recreational sales.
Oct. 4, 2022 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses his legislation designed to protect the footprint of minors when they go online and create direct pathways for reporting emergencies to internet companies
Oct. 3, 2022 - The patchwork of fire districts that respond to the needs of New Yorkers is costly and ripe for reorganization, according to a new report from Dr. Lisa Parshall, a fellow at the Rockefeller Institute.
Oct. 3, 2022 - New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder provides a status update on the government's campaign to boost the number of New Yorkers with a commercial driver license.
Oct. 3, 2022 - Education Trust-New York Deputy Director Jeff Smink highlights his organizations new online tool for analyzing how school districts invest their resources.
Oct. 3, 2022 - New York Times Senior Writer William Rashbaum breaks down the state's lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, his eldest children and their family business, which is accused drastically over inflating the value of their assets to secure tax and insurance benefits.
Sept. 30, 2022 - New York Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Blair Horner identifies a wish list for the state's new ethics oversight body to implement in order to be more effective than its predecessor and secure the public's trust.
Sept. 30, 2022 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe breaks down her organization's environmental scorecard for state legislators for 2022 and reflects on the progress made during the recent legislative session.
Sept. 30, 2022 - Central New York is getting a new player into the marijuana business, with the Oneida Indian Nation announcing plans for a "seed to sale" model that is expected to be fully up and running by late 2023. Joel Barkin, vice president of communications for the Oneidas, explains their investment in a processing facility and how the burgeoning industry will be regulated.
Sept. 30, 2022 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Peter Bauer discusses the ramifications of a recent DNA test that confirmed an animal killed last winter in upstate New York was a wolf and reflects on the state's reluctance to accept this identification.
Sept. 29, 2022 - Deputy State Comptroller for Budget & Policy Analysis Maria Doulis explains how the average amount borrowed by New York households stacks up with the rest of the country and why financial literacy is an important tool in managing debt.
Sept. 29, 2022 - In the wake of movement from federal environmental regulators, Environmental Advocates NY Clean Water Director Rob Hayes is pushing for state health officials to take additional steps to promote safe drinking water.
Sept. 29, 2022 - Default registries are a useful tool to keep municipalities abreast of problematic properties, but Western New York Law Center staff attorney Samantha Axberg says the process needs additional protections for homeowners.
Sept. 29, 2022 - Democratic candidates running for statewide office in New York continue to maintain comfortable leads over their Republican challengers, according to the latest survey of likely voters by the Siena College Research Institute, which also examined the top issues for November.
Sept. 28, 2022 - The state's use of aircraft for traffic enforcement has been nonexistent for years, but the road signs warning of cops in the skies aren't going away anytime soon, according to WGRZ reporter Nate Benson.
Sept. 28, 2022 - Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, joins the show to discuss the state's $1.2 billion investment in bonuses for health care workers, including how it could impact retention of critical front-line workers.
Sept. 28, 2022 - Crain's New York healthcare reporter Maya Kaufman discusses her deep dive into the services provided to homeless New Yorkers who are mentally ill and highlight the gaps in this critical safety net.
Sept. 28, 2022 - The state is investing $4 million into a pilot program designed to improve screening and treatment for New Yorkers over the age of 50 with diagnosed HIV, as they represent the fastest growing age group with the virus. The state Health Department's John Hartigan explains the goals of this initiative and offers a status update on New York's campaign to eliminate the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Sept. 27, 2022 - A surge of demand for New York City's homeless shelters has shined a spotlight on the state's right-to-shelter guarantee and how municipalities respond to this responsibility. Coalition for the Homeless Deputy Executive Director for Policy Shelly Nortz explains the origin of the shelter protection, how it's been implemented over the last four decades and what policymakers should do now to care for vulnerable New Yorkers.
Sept. 27, 2022 - Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny explains how tensions have escalated in recent years at polling sites and advocates for legislation imposing tougher penalties for threatening election workers.
Sept. 27, 2022 - Rising costs and labor shortages have forced some upstate hospitals into the red and are jeopardizing future services, according to Gary Fitzgerald, CEO and president of the Iroquois Healthcare Alliance.
Sept. 26, 2022 - Association for Community Living Associate Executive Director Doug Cooper details the state's latest proposed investment in permanent, supportive housing for vulnerable New Yorkers, including those with psychiatric disabilities.
Sept. 26, 2022 - The opioid epidemic continues to rage in central New York, as Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. tries to aggressively attack this public health crisis, while still drawing the line against a controversial harm reduction strategy.
Sept. 26, 2022 - Attorney Derrick Hogan explains how former Gov. Andrew is going on the legal offensive against state Attorney General Letitia James, while also needing to playing defense, as he and top former staffers are being sued in federal court by a low-level staffer who accused him of sexual harassment.
Sept. 23, 2022 - The Bronx Defender's Eli Northrup discusses efforts to help New Yorkers navigate the process of applying for a license to operate one of the first marijuana retail dispensaries in New York.
Sept. 23, 2022 - Whether as the result of a directive from the governor or legislation awaiting her signature, New York is poised to begin the long process of converting its fleet of state vehicles into zero-emission forms of transportation by 2040. Earthjustice Senior Research and Policy Analyst Alok Disa explains why the transition matters and the challenges in achieving this future.
Sept. 23, 2022 - New York's framework for mobile sports wagering broke new ground when it launched earlier this year and came with big expectations - more than $500 million in annual revenue once fully mature. Legal Sports Report Managing Editor Adam Candee reviews the success of the state's big bet and how the internet sports gambling landscape might change.
Sept. 22, 2022 - In the wake of a proposal this summer to test cannons in the Adirondacks, Adirondack Council Director of Communications John Sheehan explains why regulators for the park need to carefully scrutinize the proposal and makes the case for a broad ban in the region on private weapons testing.
Sept. 22, 2022 - In an attempt to boost the state's nonprofit workforce, Mental Health Association in New York State CEO Glenn Liebman is pushing for a study of the costs of creating a retirement system, akin to what public employees have access to, that would be accessible to workers at nonprofits.
Sept. 22, 2022 - Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Deborah Glick, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses what New York is doing to help people afford higher education costs and navigate their student debt obligations.
Sept. 22, 2022 - With energy providers predicting dramatic heating cost increases this winter, we talked with Public Utility Law Project of New York Executive Director Laurie Wheelock about what programs are available to help low-income New Yorkers pay their energy bills.
Sept. 21, 2022 - Congressman Lee Zeldin's gubernatorial campaign is getting reinforcements from a political action committee that is reaching out to voters on behalf of the Long Island Republican's longshot bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul. New York City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli explains the work of the Save our State NY PAC and how they hope to influence the race.
Sept. 21, 2022 - New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez discusses a pilot program the state is launching to get new Americans more involved in civic life, including engaging with local government and becoming community leaders.
Sept. 21, 2022 - One Fair Wage President Saru Jayaraman calls for an end to New York's use of the tipped minimum wage in the hospitality sector and explains how the different pay structure has disproportionately hurt women of color.
Sept. 20 - Albany Law distinguished professor and author of the New York Court Watcher blog Vin Bonventre explains how corruption convictions connected to the "Buffalo Billion" might get dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court and describes the interim leadership at New York's top court.
Sept. 20 - We examine the ongoing legal complications with the state's redistricting results, including who will get to redraw the Assembly maps for the future, with Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and adjunct professor with the New York Law School’s Census and Redistricting Institute.
Sept. 20, 2022 - Model Alliance founder and Executive Director Sara Ziff makes the case for increasing labor protections for workers in the fashion industry and discusses the state of sexual harassment in the industry.
Sept. 19, 2022 - New York is poised to distribute half a billion dollars in checks to low-income New Yorkers this fall, so we check in with New York University School of Law professor Daniel Hemel to consider the ramifications of this initiative and how else the state tax code could be used to address poverty in the Empire State.
Sept. 19, 2022 - After winning a Democratic primary this summer for a new state Senate seat in New York City, Kristen Gonzalez is poised to join the growing ranks of Democratic Socialists at the Capitol. In advance of taking office in January, we talked with the Queens activist about her decision to run, where upstate begins and much more.
Sept. 19, 2022 - State Senate Education Committee Chair, Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses new regulations from the state Board of Regents designed to ensure nonpublic schools, especially Hasidic yeshivas, are providing a basic education to the students they serve.
Sept. 16, 2022 - Politico New York reporter Marie French highlights the vision for two Capital Region ports as part of the supply chain for offshore wind projects on Long Island and explains the challenges in realizing that future.
Sept. 16, 2022 - Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for updating New York's permitting process for landfills and discusses state regulation of industrial sites.
Sept. 16, 2022 - Bobby Hodgson, a supervising attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union, provides an update on the implementation of the 2020 statutory change designed to make police personnel records accessible to the public
Sept. 15, 2022 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, is pushing for changes to the state's workers compensation system, including a revamped definition of a complete disability and ensuring access to the court system for injured New Yorkers.
Sept. 15, 2022 - Assembly Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, discusses the status of New York's effort to grow and attract semiconductor manufacturing in the wake of state and federal subsidies approved this summer for the industry.
Sept. 15, 2022 - Sen. Phil Boyle, a Long Island Republican, joins the show for his mandatory exit interview, as he won't be seeking re-election this year after more than two decades in the state legislature.
Sept. 14, 2022 - New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Matt Driscoll provides an update on the $300 million renovations of the service plazas along the thruway system and the implementation of cashless tolling.
Sept. 14, 2022 - New York State Pupil Transportation Association Executive Director David Christopher discusses the shortage of school bus drivers in New York and weighs in on initiatives designed to improve school transportation across the state.
Sept. 14, 2022 - September is suicide prevention month, so we spoke to Dr. Jay Carruthers, director of the Suicide Prevention Center in state Office of Mental Health, to learn about the scope of the problem in the Empire State and how New York is responding.
Sept. 14, 2022 - A new office of aging and long-term care has been launched as part of the internal restructuring by the state Department of Health. We check in with the head of the new entity, Adam Herbst, to learn what this backroom shakeup means for seniors and New Yorkers with disabilities.
Sept. 13, 2022 - New York Department of Labor Acting Deputy Commissioner for Worker Protection Jeanette Lazelle explains how state regulators investigate wage theft and ensure New Yorkers receive the compensation they're owed.
Sept. 13, 2022 - New York Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife biologist Dan Rosenblatt discusses the history of wolves in New York, considers whether they've returned to the Empire State and explains why it matters.
Sept. 13, 2022 - Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses legislation creating a rebate program to incentivize the purchase of electric bicycles in New York.
Sept. 13, 2022 - Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queen's Democrat, discusses the implementation of the NY HERO Act and legislation strengthening the protections for workers. We also touch on this summer's elections and races in November.
Sept. 13, 2022 - Environmental Defense Fund director and senior attorney Adam Peltz outlines the landscape of abandoned oil and gas wells in New York, explains why they pose environmental and health risks, and identifies the appropriate mitigation work in New York.
Sept. 12, 2022 - With New York rolling out a new booster for the Omicron variant of COVID-19, we check in with the state Health Department's Loretta Santilli to learn who is eligible for the latest shot, where it can be obtained and why it makes sense to get immunized for the dominant strains of this virus.
Sept. 13, 2022 - Assemblymember D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, highlights the ambiguity and confusion created in upstate New York by the implementation of the latest state gun control measures adopted this summer.
Sept. 12, 2022 - Before voters head to the polls in November to decide on a $4.2 billion environmental bond act, they should listen to Adirondack Explorer Capitol reporter Gwen Craig share what she learned about New York's experience with the last environmental bond act.
Sept. 9, 2022 - New York State Division of Human Rights Commissioner Maria Imperial discusses the history of her office and how its work has evolved in recent years, including awarding millions of dollars to victims of sex discrimination.
Sept. 9, 2022 - Urban blight is creating headaches for municipalities around the state, but legislation approved by state lawmakers could give local governments increased ability to address abandoned commercial and industrial properties, according to New York Conference of Mayors General Counsel Wade Beltramo.
Sept. 9, 2022 - We take a trip around the Planet Albany headlines with Times Union state investigative reporter Chris Bragg, who has some of the week's biggest stories, including highlighting a lucrative contract for a big Hochul donor and the review process for nominees to the state's new ethics watchdog.
Sept. 9, 2022 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, discusses legislation boosting regulatory oversight of middlemen in the energy supply chain, who are accused of using deceptive marketing and fees.
Sept. 8, 2022- Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, a Queens Democrat, talks about her bill creating the New York Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission and reflects on her experience as part of a growing number of Asian-American state lawmakers.
Sept. 8, 2022 - The state’s Farm Laborers Wage Board recommended gradually lowering the overtime threshold for farmworkers from 60 hours a week to 40 hours a week in 2031. We consider both sides of this issue with New York Civil Liberties Union’s Lisa Zucker and New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher, who served on the board.
Sept. 8, 2022 - Assemblymember Pat Burke, a Buffalo area Democrat, discusses his appointment to lead the Assembly's the Great Lakes Watershed Task Force and why New York needs to do more to protect and promote its "blue economy".
Sept. 7, 2022 - New York Civil Liberties Union senior staff attorney Daniel Lambright discusses the practice of government social media accounts blocking users and why this practice is unconstitutional.
Sept. 7, 2022 - Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog, explains the legal vulnerabilities of the state's new Concealed Carry Improvement Act, which was adopted this summer after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated New York's existing pistol permitting process.
Sept. 6, 2022 - Assembly members Sarah Clark and Jen Lunsford, Rochester-area Democrats, reflect on a recent roundtable they convened with the head of the state office for people with developmental disabilities and discuss ideas for improving long-term services to New Yorkers with disabilities.
Sept. 6, 2022 - Crain's New York health care reporter Maya Kaufman provides an update on the implementation of a 2021 law designed to set minimum staffing levels at nursing homes, which is the subject of multiple lawsuits and got new regulations this summer from the state health department.
Sept. 2, 2022 - The state is looking to craft a visitor management and monitoring program for highly trafficked regions in the Adirondacks and Catskills, including the High Peaks, which means potential limits on visitors. Adirondack state coordinator Josh Clague explains what's envisioned with the analysis and why it's long overdue.
Sept. 2, 2022 - New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs discusses the party's big special election victory in the Hudson Valley, what it will take for Gov. Kathy Hochul to win in November and his plans to stay on as leader of the Democrats in the Empire State.
Sept. 2, 2022 - Chalkbeat New York reporter Reema Amin highlights the disconnect between New York's unmatched level of spending on public education and our middle-of-the-pack performance on national tests.
Sept. 1, 2022 - Sen. Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, cuts through the confusion surrounding a 2021 state law designed to restrict the sale of nitrous oxide cartridges and has led some retailers in New York to prohibit anyone under 21 from buying whipped cream.
Sept. 1, 2022 - A coalition of business interests, labor organizations and existing power producers in New York is urging state policymakers to keep grid reliability and cost in mind when leading a green transition in New York. Independent Power Producers of New York President & CEO Gavin Donohue has the details on the group's arguments.
Sept. 1, 2022 - We get an update on the implementation of the state's food donation and recycling law, including the expansion of covered food waste generators, with Sally Rowland, chief of the organics, reduction and recycling section for the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Sept. 1, 2022 - We dive into the latest meeting of the state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, which focused on the treatment deserts in New York, with Ashley Livingston, co-chair of Friends of Recovery Warren & Washington and a member of the advisory board.
Aug. 31, 2022 - It's been more than half a year since New York law was updated to allow survivors of sex or labor trafficking to have their criminal records wiped of all offenses that occurred while they were victims of human trafficking. We explore the implementation of the statute change with Leigh Latimer, supervising attorney for the Legal Aid Society's Exploitation Intervention Project.
Aug. 30, 2022 - New York Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy's congressional primary victory in August means the GOP will soon be looking for a new leader in the Empire State, so we turned to Lighthouse Public Affairs founder Chapin Fay for insights on the direction of the party.
Aug. 30, 2022 - During the height of the pandemic, New York borrowed nearly $10 billion from the federal government to pay out record amounts of unemployment claims. National Federation of Independent Business state director Ashley Ranslow explains how policymakers in New York are responding now that the state's unemployment debt is coming due.
Aug. 29, 2022 - With the start of a new school year upon us, we're checking in with State Council of School Superintendents Deputy Director Bob Lowry about the personnel shortage facing public schools, the return of accountability measures for districts and the implementation of state aid increases.
Aug. 29, 2022 - New York State Forest Ranger Lt. Nancy Ganswindt joins the show, in her capacity as director of the Forest Ranger Lieutenants for the PBA of New York State, to discuss the effort to boost recruitment and retention of state environmental conservation officers, park police and forest rangers with a geographic pay bump.
Aug. 25, 2022 - New York Racing Association President & CEO David O'Rourke discusses the summer meet in Saratoga Springs, a big bet on mobile wagering technology and Gov. Kathy Hochul's effect on horse racing.
Aug. 25, 2022 - We consider, with the help of Tully Rinckey partner Leslie Silva, the first amendment ramifications, if any, from the state Senate's official Twitter account blocking users and hiding comments.
Aug. 25, 2022 - The environmental coalition NY Renews is rethinking its approach to advocacy in advance of the 2023 legislation session, as the group looks to fund a green revolution in New York.
Aug. 24, 2022 - With New York investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the child care industry, we decided to check in with central New York provider Jeff Landers to learn about his interactions with the regulators, the services his family operation provides and efforts by state officials to make care more accessible.
Aug. 24, 2022 - Times Union Capitol reporter Josh Solomon discusses the different approaches in New York to the supervised release of criminal defendants awaiting trial and explains the outcomes that have been tracked in recent years.
Aug. 23, 2022 - Senate Investigations & Government Operations Committee Chair James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, weighs in on a commission tasked with identifying reforms to New York's alcoholic beverage control laws.
Aug. 23, 2022 - The mood is bleak in New York's manufacturing industry, according to an August survey of firms by the Federal Reserve. Manufacturers Association of Central New York President Randy Wolken discusses the landscape and what might be in store for the future.
Aug. 23, 2022 - Times Union state investigative reporter Chris Bragg discusses the controversy surrounding GOP gubernatorial hopeful Lee Zeldin's unsuccessful bid to create an independent ballot line for the fall.
Aug. 23, 2022 - Politico New York reporter Bill Mahoney provides an update on the legal battle over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's compensation package for writing a pandemic memoir.
Aug. 22, 2022 - Our youth political correspondent, 15-year-old Isaac Olshan, explains how a special election for Congress could foreshadow results in November's elections and discusses the ramifications of abortion being on the mind of voters.
Aug. 22, 2022 - With New Yorkers able to apply for retail marijuana shop licenses this week, we're checking in with state Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander about the applications process and the rollout of dispensaries in New York.
Aug. 22, 2022 - Central New York hunter John Rybinski makes the case for ending the "holiday hunting" period of deer in upstate New York and pushes for a law that would give counties the ability to prohibit deer hunting between Christmas and New Years Day.
Aug. 19, 2022 - State Sen. Samra Brouk. a Rochester Democrat, discusses the state's poor maternal health outcomes, especially for women of color, highlights policy solutions and reflects on her recent pregnancy.
Aug, 19, 2022 - What does climate change mean for New York's agriculture industry and what will farmers be expected to do as part of the state's effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Those answers and more from Benjamin Houlton, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.
Aug. 19, 2022 - New York Drought Management Task Force member Corey Lehman talks about the drought watch conditions across much of upstate and the role of the drought task force.
Aug. 18, 2022 - Months of negotiations between management at New York hospitals and nurses over future staffing plans have led to few meaningful compromises, according to Maya Kaufman, a health care reporter for Crain's New York.
Aug. 18, 2022 - Manhattan inched a little closer this summer to implementing congestion pricing, according to Politico New York's Danielle Muoio Dunn, who provides an update on this evolving situation.
Aug. 18, 2022 - USA Today Network health care reporter David Robinson details the emergence of polio in New York, explaining where it was detected, the public health response and how vaccinations will protect people from this debilitating virus.
Aug. 17, 2022 - State Sen. Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the ongoing effort to reconsider the use of property tax exemptions, which is the focus of a state panel that may get a new lease on life.
Aug. 16, 2022 - Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses legislation designed to educate New Yorkers with epilepsy about the acute risk of death from the condition and identify ways to prevent this tragic outcome.
Aug. 16, 2022 - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris explains the latest chapter in New York's campaign to harness wind power off the coast of Long Island.
Aug. 16, 2022 - We look at the child care provider landscape in New York with Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children's Agenda, which recently conducted a survey on the state's diminishing child care infrastructure.
Aug. 15, 2022 - New York State Police Investigators Association President Tim Dymond, a senior police investigator with the state police, calls for more aggressive changes to New York's criminal justice laws to curtail persistently elevated gun crime levels.
Aug. 15, 2022 - This summer, Emerson College Polling and the Siena College Research Institute conducted separate statewide surveys of likely voters, using different methods of outreach, and compared their results, as part of an ongoing experiment to hone their accuracy. Siena's director, Dr. Don Levy, joins the program to discuss what they learned and what's in store for the future.
Aug. 11, 2022 - State Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, is continuing her push to preserve and protect New York freshwater with a new package of bills, including measures consolidating environmental data in one spot and regulating PFAS discharges.
Aug. 11, 2022 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses the state pension fund's returns for the fiscal year, including what this means for taxpayers moving forward. As part of a web extra, the Long Island Democrat considers whether his office should be highlighting state contracts going to major political donors.
Aug. 11, 2022 - State Office of Victims Services Director Elizabeth Cronin explains how victim compensation works in New York and highlights a new law expanding eligibility for reimbursements to survivors of "revenge porn."
Aug. 11, 2022 - The State Education Department's Jason Harmon talks about the return of accountability measures for public schools, which had been suspended during the pandemic.
Aug. 10, 2022 - Sen. Diane Savino, a Staten Island Democrat, joins the show to discuss her 18 years as a lawmaker in Albany, including her decision to first run for office in 2004, how her colorful personality has courted controversy and her legislative accomplishments.
Aug. 10, 2022 - The state wants to increase higher education services offered to incarcerated New Yorkers, so we're checking in with Rachel Sander, director of the higher education for the justice involved program at SUNY, to learn about new tuition eligibility and the implementation of a $1.5 million grant.
Aug. 9, 2022 - Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester Democrat, makes the case for his new legislation, billed as the Health Equity Affordability and Reform Act, which includes a major eligibility expansion for the state's Essential Plan.
Aug. 9, 2022 - In the wake of a monitoring visit to Sing Sing Correctional Facility this year, the Correctional Association of New York has a new report on how the state prison system can be improved. The group's vice chair, Rev. Stephen Phelps, explains what they found and outlines the latest recommendations.
Aug. 9, 2022 - Citizens Budget Commission Director of State Studies Patrick Orecki breaks down the latest financial plan for New York, which projects future budget gaps as the result of negatively revised revenue estimates.
Aug 8, 2022 - After failing to pass a bill in 2022 designed to foster more renewable energy projects from the New York Power Authority, Assembly Democrats organized a hearing this summer to consider the measure and solicited testimony from top state officials and industry stakeholders. Politico New York reporter Marie French has all the details from this marathon hearing.
Aug. 8, 2022 - New York Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Blair Horner discusses new prohibitions on smoking in government-owned parks and describes the state's investments in tobacco-use cessation.
Aug 8, 2022 - This summer marks the launch of the statewide rollout of the 988 mental health crisis hotline so we'll hear about the initiative from state Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan. (Originally on New York Now.)
Aug. 4, 2022 - With the Americans with Disabilities Act turning 32 this year, we explore the accessibility of the Adirondack Park with Jason Thurston, chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Adirondack Park Agency.
Aug. 3, 2022 - Assemblymember Monica Wallace, a Buffalo-area Democrat, joins the show to discuss the importance of advanced care planning and improving end-of-life services.
Aug. 4, 2022 - In an attempt to improve services for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are survivors of domestic violence, the state has launched a new advisory council. New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens and New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council Executive Director Vicky Hiffa discuss this challenging landscape.
Aug. 4, 2022 - United University Professions Vice President For Academics Alissa Karl breaks down investments in New York's public higher education system, including $53 million for hiring full-time faculty.
Aug. 3, 2022 - A recent ruling requiring a compensation boost for attorneys representing New Yorkers unable to afford a criminal defense could dramatically improve access to justice, according to Kevin Stadelmaier, legislative committee chair for the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Aug. 3, 2022 - New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang stops by the studio at the Capitol for a status update on her office, including efforts to proactively disclose more public information and changes in personnel.
Aug. 3, 2022 - State Sen. John Mannion, a Syracuse-area Democrat, discusses a new law that he sponsored requiring a public awareness campaign to combat negative stereotypes about New Yorkers with disabilities.
Aug. 3, 2022 - New York Health Commissioner Mary Bassett explains how a disaster declaration will improve the ability of public health officials to respond to the transmission of monkeypox, addresses whether the state ramped up this effort fast enough and considers the delicate messaging surrounding this disease.
Aug, 2, 2022 - City and State NY's political reporter Jeff Coltin highlights some of the big Democratic races in the second round of summer primaries this month, explaining the personalities and politics influencing these pivotal elections.
August 2, 2022 - Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs, a Harlem Democrat, discusses his New York City initiative designed to get New Yorkers with a criminal record involved in Democratic politics and advocate for criminal just reforms.
July 26, 2022 - In an attempt to tabulate the state’s wild turkey population, the state is again encouraging New Yorkers to report where they see the birds this summer. New York Department of Environmental Conservation Game Management section leader Michael Schiavone explains why they conduct the survey and how it shapes state policy. (Originally aired August 5, 2021)
Aug. 2, 2022 - A new survey of likely voters this fall by Siena College Research Institute found that Gov. Kathy Hochul enjoys a comfortable lead over Congressman Lee Zeldin. Siena pollster Steve Greenberg analyzes these results and much more.
August 1, 2022 - For nearly 50 years, the state tax code has incentivized large land owners to commit their property to timber harvesting management plans. New York Department of Environmental Conservation forester Rob Messenger explains proposed changes to the administration of the program, which could take effect next year.
August 1, 2022 - Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board member Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner for the State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, provides an update on the state's plan to distribute a legal windfall from the opioid industry and addresses questions about the board's role in future funding allocations. (Originally aired on New York Now.)
July 29, 2022 - Short-term rental properties are changing the housing market in the Hudson Valley, shrinking the availability of local apartments for rent, according to a new report from Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagher, who joins the show to discuss this evolving landscape.
July 29, 2022 - WNYC transportation reporter Stephen Nessen explains the controversial milestone recently reached in Gov. Kathy Hochul's effort to revamp Penn Station in New York City.
July 29, 2022 - In an effort to improve working conditions and compensation, more than six dozen senate staffers have banded together, forming New York Legislative Workers United, in the hope that the chamber's leadership will voluntarily recognize a union representing the employees of state senators. We hear from two upstate senate staffers leading the movement.
July 28, 2022 - As the result of a quietly approved deal in the state budget, government employees hired since 2010 will be eligible to apply for a pension in the future with just five years of public service, instead of 10 years. CSEA President Mary Sullivan says the switch will help build a stronger state workforce and downplays the increased price tag for taxpayers.
July 28, 2022 - A new report from the state comptroller's office found that state spending on overtime costs reached new heights in 2021. Deputy State Comptroller for Budget and Analysis Maria Doulis explains what's driving the costs and how policymakers should consider responding.
July 28, 2022 - Following a controversial killing by a bodega employee in New York City, state Sen. George Borrello, a western New York Republican, wants to open up the state's criminal statutes to expand when New Yorkers can use deadly force in self defense.
July 27, 2022 - It's been one year since then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency emanating from a persistent increase in gun violence and the formal disaster has had little positive effect, according to Times Union reporter Josh Solomon.
July 27, 2022 - New York State Conference of Mayors Executive Director Peter Baynes discusses the 2 percent tax cap for municipalities in 2023, considers how this might impact municipal services in the future and urges state officials to increase funding for local governments.
July 28, 2022 - The planned, premature departure from the state's top court by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore at the end of August will shake up the judiciary in New York, so we asked Albany Law School professor Vin Bonventre to consider what the landscape could look like once Gov. Kathy Hochul remakes the state Court of Appeals.
June 27, 2022 - State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, explains the new pistol permit process and restrictions on where firearms can be carried in New York following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the state's existing concealed-carry permitting process.
July 26, 2022 - It's been nearly a year since Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the "Less is More" legislation, so we wanted to examine the implementation of the criminal justice measure. Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice Director of Advocacy Yonah Zeitz talks about the law's effect and what comes next for New Yorkers on parole.
July 26, 2022 - While the fight for "Good Cause" legislation has stalled at the Capitol, proponents have made progress getting these tenant protections adopted at the local level, but this could be coming to an end as the result of an ongoing legal challenge. Legal Aid Society staff attorney Ellen Davidson explains the case against these municipal ordinances and how it might impact the next statewide legislative push.
July 25, 2022 - A 27-acre site in Queens that is a hub for fossil-fuel power is planning a green transition, which includes shepherding offshore wind power to New York City residents. Rise Light & Power CEO Clint Plummer explains why the power-generation site is ripe for change and what could happen next.
July 22, 2022 - New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen discusses the state's outreach to more than 1.3 million seniors in 2021 and explains how aging officials will utilize a master plan in the future.
July 22, 2022 - It's a period of transition with ethics oversight in New York, but the one constant might end up being Gary Lavine, a former JCOPE commissioner and current appointee to the new watchdog. The Syracuse attorney discusses his years of oversight experience and reflects on the new accountability structure.
July 22, 2022 - State Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board member Ashley Livingston provides an update on the campaign to make recommendations to spend New York's windfall from legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors.
July 21, 2022 - State Sen. Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains a controversial new law designed to make funding available for thousands of apartments overseen by the New York City Housing Authority and considers her own evolution on this issue since taking office.
July 21, 2022 - Dr. Katharine Morrison, an OB-GYN at Buffalo Women Services, one of a handful of abortion providers in western New York, discusses her facilities operations and how life has changed following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
July 20, 2022 - Politico New York's Bill Mahoney crunches the latest campaign finance filings and has updates on the war chests of the gubernatorial candidates, former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo's dwindling bank balance and the big state senate fundraisers.
July 20, 2022 - City Limits Deputy Editor David Brand highlights the plight of New Yorkers with mental illnesses who are being placed in unsafe or inadequate housing by non-profit organizations receiving millions of dollars in state funding, but likely not enough to meet the rising cost of New York City apartments.
July 20, 2022 - While Gov. Kathy Hochul has relaxed most of the state's pandemic precautions, state health officials are still trying - with mixed success - to utilize broad regulatory powers. Mark Ustin, a health care regulatory attorney and lobbyist with Farrell Fritz, discusses a legal challenge to Hochul's actions and the latest disaster declaration.
July 20, 2022 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains his legislation designed to empower tenants to band together to purchase the building they live in.
July 19, 2022 - Law360 senior reporter Frank Runyeon highlights the cloud of smoke over the state's chief judge, Janet DiFiore, who announced plans this summer for an early retirement from New York's top court.
July 19, 2022 - Freshman state Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, a Hudson Valley Democrat, reflects on his first term in office, including transitioning from legislative staffer to elected official and why he was so effective at getting bills through both houses of the Capitol during his first term.
July 19, 2022 - New York Office of Addiction Services & Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham explains the state's plans for 12 stabilization centers designed to serve New Yorkers experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
July 18, 2022 - For the first time in recent memory, the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is crafting a five-year plan designed to build on recent investments spearheaded by Gov, Kathy Hochul. The office's commissioner, Kerri Neifeld, talks about crafting the long-range vision and where the state will focus its attention.
July 18, 2022 - This summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul approved legislation expanding the number of family court and state supreme court judges in New York, but does it mean the needs of the judicial branch? Not quite, according to Bill Silverman, a partner with the law firm Proskauer Rose and chair of The Fund for Modern Courts, which is looking to improve access to justice.
July 18, 2022 - New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos discusses the launch of the state's new air quality monitoring program, a controversial air permit denial for an upstate power plant and a change to the state constitution.
July 15, 2022 - Empire Center for Public Policy's Bill Hammond dove into a state repository of nursing home data to examine how these facilities structure their businesses and explore what it means for their finances.
July 15, 2022 - As a parting goodbye, the state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics released a report on the watchdog's internal approval process of a request by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo to write a pandemic memoir in 2020. The Times Union's Chris Bragg shares the details of the analysis and highlights what it says about the entity's broader failings over the past 11 years.
July 15, 2022 - Awaiting the governor's signature is legislation that would require the producers of high-tech gadgets to make more information accessible to the public so that it would be easier and cheaper to repair these items, according to Chuck Bell, programs director for Consumer Reports.
July 15, 2022 - New York is in the process of spending record levels of cash on child care subsidies and grants to prop up the industry, so we checked in with state Office of Children & Family Services Commissioner Sheila Poole for an update on this campaign.
July 11, 2022 - New York has set long-term goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and utilizing more renewable energy, but the state also has earlier benchmarks - most notably in 2030 - that we're poised to miss, according to an analysis of the trajectory by RMI. We discuss New York's progress with Jacob Corvidae, the group's American principal.
July 11, 2022 - New York Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy breaks down the GOP gubernatorial primary and considers the path for his party to claim victory statewide in November.
July 11, 2022 - Unofficial hiking trails in the Catskill high peaks have gotten much more traffic in recent years, which could threaten the natural habitat. Catskill Center Executive Director Jeff Senterman joins the show to explain what can be done to balance the needs of nature and nature lovers.
July 11, 2022 - New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs analyzes Gov. Kathy Hochul's primary win and considers what down-ballot losses by a handful of incumbents means for the direction of his party.
July 8, 2022 - The Democratic Socialists of America are poised to make inroads in the state legislature outside of New York City, following the upset victory of Sarahana Shrestha in the June Democratic primary against Assemblymember Kevin Cahill. The Hudson Valley activist turned candidate joins the program to discuss the grassroots movement that made up her campaign and her expectations for office.
July 8, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture segment, state Sen. Shelly Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, reveals her love of dance and how she dropped out of college to pursue her passion as a career.
July 8, 2022 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, discusses his bill - overwhelming approved this year - imposed minimum standards and training for forensic evaluators, who play a key role in determining child custody and visitation cases in family court.
July 7, 2022 - WSKG radio reporter Vaughn Golden explains a ruling from state environmental regulators that could end the life of a coal-based power plant in the Finger Lakes that found new life supplying energy to cryptocurrency mining.
July 7, 2022 - Tucked into the state budget at the last minute this spring was $350 million toward future projects in Long Island, a critical area for Democrats hoping to retain control of the executive mansion and state senate. Newsday business reporter James Madore fills in the origin story of this money and provides an update on how it will be disbursed.
July 7, 2022 - A lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against out-of-state gun distributors will test a 2021 expansion of the state's public nuisance laws. We turned to Don Chesworth, a partner with the law firm of Tully Rinckey and previously the head of the state police, for analysis of the claim and how it might play out.
July 6, 2022 - A deal with New York's state government could result in the Onondaga Nation getting back more than 1,000 acres of upstate land, although it will come with some strings attached. The tribe's general counsel, Joe Heath, joins the show to explain the proposed land transfer and discusses what should be done to repair relations with the state's indigenous people
July 6, 2022 - In late 2021, New York City officially gave its blessing to two overdose prevention centers, where New Yorkers could legally consume drugs. We check in on the progress of this experiment with Kailin See, senior director of programs for OnPointNYC, the nonprofit overseeing the two facilities.
June 5, 2022 - New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon provides an update on the multi-year campaign to update the state's unemployment insurance benefits system designed to improve the application and payout process for New Yorkers.
June 5, 2022 - Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog, breaks down a ruling from the state's top court about the legal rights of an elephant in captivity and explains what it could mean for other animals in New York.
June 5, 2022 - Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, discusses new laws designed to improve the lives of transgender New Yorkers and makes the case for additional legislative action to help the state's LGBTQ community.
June 30, 2022 - Republican strategist Chapin Fay, founder of Lighthouse Public Affairs, breaks down Congressman Lee Zeldin's win the GOP gubernatorial primary and considers what comes next for his party.
June 30, 2022 - Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for regulatory action to disclose the presence of mold in homes and establish the proper remediation efforts.
June 30, 2022 - With demand for energy increasing with rising temperatures, we're analyzing the available electricity with Rich Dewey, president and CEO of the New York Independent System Operator.
June 29, 2022 - We analyze the Democratic primaries for statewide offices and consider what comes next with Neal Kwatra, founder of Metropolitan Public Strategies.
June 29, 2022 - We learn how the financial securities industry is responsible for funding New York's state budget and consider what a down turn on Wall Street could mean for next year's spending plan with E.J. McMahon, founder of the Empire Center for Public Policy.
June 29, 2022 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, joins the show to discuss his new law expanding the scope of practice for thousands of health care professionals in an attempt to expand access to mental health services in New York.
June 29, 2022 - New York Civil Liberties Union Assistant Director for Policy Katharine Bodde explains why the "Equality Amendment" is the right way to codify abortion protections in the state constitution.
June 28, 2022 - Assemblyman Tom Abinanti, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for legislation designed to help drivers navigate the state's cashless tolling system, with a system of new safeguards for New Yorkers who get billed via mail.
June 28, 2022 - Politico New York editor Terry Golway provides the backstory on Tim Sullivan the long-deceased Democratic politician who authored the 1911 gun control law in New York that was recently struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
June 18, 2022 - New York Small Business Development Centers State Director Sonya Smith gives an update on her organization's outreach in 2021 and explains how they're helping employers emerge from the pandemic.
June 28, 2022 - Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg offers a four-year plan for the state to implement to dramatically address food insecurity in New York, including increased investments to ensure participation in federal food subsidy programs.
June 23, 2022 - Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, walks us through her package of bills designed to help people escape sex trafficking and weighs in on the merits of decriminalizing sex work.
June 22, 2022 - This summer marks the end of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and the launch of its replacement, the Commission on Lobbying and Ethics in Government. But before the new ethics watchdog can get to work it needs commissioners, who will be vetted by the new Independent Review Committee, which will be helmed by New York Law School Dean Anthony Crowell, who joined the show to talk about his mandate and what comes next.
June 22, 2022 - Public Utility Law Project Deputy Director Laurie Wheelock explains legislation designed to give state regulators a better understanding of how far behind New Yorkers are on their water bills and why telecommunications bills were excluded from this measure.
June 22, 2022 - Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Legal Director David Siffert discusses legislative efforts to protect personal online information from inquiries by law enforcement, including broad records requests and fake social media accounts.
June 22, 2022 - Before the Joint Commission on Public Ethics is retired, the embattled watchdog is going after one of its harshest critics, former watchdog turned lobbyist, David Grandeau. We talk about the case with Times Union state investigative reporter Chris Bragg.
June 21, 2022 - Our youth political correspondent, 15-year-old Isaac Olshan, discusses the Democratic gubernatorial debates, assesses recent polling and makes predictions for the statewide June primaries.
June 21, 2022 - State Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, talks about legislation making HIV prevention drugs more accessible by requiring health insurers, who offers a prescription drug plan, to cover these types of medications at no cost to the consumer.
June 21, 2022 - New York Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Jim Maney explains legislation creation a new problem gambling advisory council and provides an update on the landscape of services designed to help New Yorkers struggling with a gambling problem.
June 20, 2022 - The state recently enacted a new law designed to make it easier to convert unused or underutilized hotels into affordable housing, so we're discussing the measure - and the issue more broadly - with Cea Weaver, a campaign coordinator with Housing Justice for All.
June 20, 2022 - In 2021, neither house of the state legislature passed legislation designed to seal the records of most New Yorkers with a criminal past. In 2022, the state Senate moved the bill, but the Assembly did not. Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat, explains what happened in the people's house and why 2023 could be different.
June 20, 2022 - To spread awareness about energy assistance programs, the state has launched an online portal to identify what New Yorkers are eligible for. New York State Energy & Research Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris discusses the new tool and addresses measures that passed (and didn't pass) the legislature this year.
June 17, 2022 - New York Law School's Jeff Wice explains the fallout from a court ruling on the validity of the newly drawn lines for the state Assembly, which will be left in place for 2022, but could be dramatically changed after that.
June 17, 2022 - The League of Women Voters of New York State has launched an online tool to help primary voters learn about the candidates on the June ballot and how to cast their vote
June 17, 2022 - The state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board recently held its first meeting, so we talked with board member Ashley Livingston about what happened, what could happen next and how she feels about the process of trying to spend more than $1 billion.
June 17, 2022 - Adirondack Council's John Sheehan provides an update on a new law requiring motorized boats being launched in the Adirondacks get inspected and cleaned to prevent the spread of invasive species.
June 16, 2022 - The Siena College Research Institute has a new survey that shows how New Yorkers feel about gun ownership restrictions, abortion protections and the direction of the state.
June 16, 2022 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Dick Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, explains a bill designed to overhaul the internal workings at health insurance companies, which could result in more treatments being covered in the future and higher premiums for customers
June 16, 2022 - Niagara County has joined about a dozen other counties in receiving an emergency management accreditation from the state for completing certain disaster preparedness requirements, so we checked in with the county's emergency services director, Jonathan Schultz, about the process and their disaster preparedness capabilities.
June 16, 2022 - At the end of the legislative session, state lawmakers ok'd an extension of mayoral control of New York City schools, but at the same time they signed off on legislation requiring the school system to start shrinking the size of classes. Politico New York education reporter Madina Touré explains the potential ramifications of this measure and discusses the politics behind it.
June 15, 2022 - As part of a comprehensive effort to reduce New York's greenhouse gas emissions, Democratic state lawmakers approved a bill at the end of session that increases and expands efficiency standards for home appliances and equipment, and directs state regulators to update building codes. We spoke with the Natural Resources Defense Council's Samantha Wilt about the environmental and fiscal benefits of this proposal, if it becomes law.
June 15, 2022 - State marijuana regulators have published rules and regulations for how cannabis products can be labeled, marketed and tested in a future recreational market. In light of these regulations being distributed for public comment, we're discussing them with Lyla Hunt, deputy director of public health and campaigns for the state Office of Cannabis Management.
June 15, 2022 - With younger New Yorker demonstrating a lack of awareness about the Holocaust, Gideon Taylor, the former president of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, makes the case for mandating the teaching of this period of history in school and explains how social media has spread misinformation about the tragedy. Legislation dealing with this issue passed the legislature during the 2022 legislative session. (Originally aired May 6, 2021)
June 14, 2022 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses a constitutional amendment that would have paved the way for addressing the communications needs of first responders in the Adirondacks and explains how the measure fell apart.
June 14, 2022 - Every day, people across New York have the tough conversation on what they would like to have happen to their body after their death. Asm. Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) explained the ‘green cemeteries’ option she is proposing. The measure was approved this year by state lawmakers. (Originally aired Feb. 2021)
June 14, 2022 - Assemblymember Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, makes the case for new subsidies for semiconductor businesses that grow their projects in New York and meet certain state expectations.
June 13, 2022 - State regulators are in the process of updating the rules and regulations governing the cleanup of contaminated sites and how they can be used in the future, so we discusses the proposed changes with Dereth Glance of the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
June 10, 2022 - With Congress unwilling to update federal laws designed to stop disenfranchisement efforts rooted in racism, Democratic state lawmakers are taking action in New York, explains Perry Grossman, a supervising attorney with the New York Civil Liberties Union.
June 13, 2022 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado joins the show to discuss his role in the Hochul administration and weigh in on some of the major issues being debated at the Capitol.
June 10, 2022 - Sen. Jim Gaughran, a Long Island Democrat, joins the show for an exit interview following his announcement that he will not seek reelection, as the result of the partisan makeup of his new legislative district after redistricting.
June 10, 2022 - In light of state lawmakers approving legislation banning the sale of cats, dogs and rabbits in retail pet shops, we're revisiting conversations from 2021 with proponents and critics of the measure, which is now in the hands of Gov. Kathy Hochul.
June 8, 2022 - In advance of the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes, we have a wide ranging conversation with New York Racing Association President & CEO David O'Rourke. We examine plans for overhauling Belmont Park, shutting down the Aqueduct Racetrack, navigating the mobile sports wagering landscape and securing another racing franchise in a decade.
June 8, 2022 - New York Deputy Comptroller Rahul Jain breaks down a recent analysis of the New York City employment landscape and compares it to what the picture looked like before the arrival of COVID-19.
June 8, 2022 - New York State Animal Protection Federation Executive Director Libby Post discusses legislation designed to set minimum standards of care for shelters and rescue operations serving companion animals.
June 2, 2022 - New York Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Blair Horner explains a bill seeking to hold fossil fuel companies financially responsible for their contributions to climate change.
June 2, 2022 - Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, joins the show to discuss the Adult Survivors Act, which creates a one-year period for adults who suffered sexual assault to bring a civil claim against their alleged attacker in cases where the statute of limitations for civil action expired.
June 1, 2022 - Reinvent Albany Executive Director John Kaehny makes the case for ending tax breaks for investments in areas ripe for new projects as part of a program that is designed to foster the development of distressed communities.
June 1, 2022 - Senate Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses policies designed to reduce barriers to drug abuse treatment and increase the utilization of harm reduction strategies.
May 31, 2022 - Not all students in New York have access to quality school libraries, with trained staff and properly equipped facilities, but legislation kicking around the Capitol could change the landscape, especially in New York City. The New York Library Association's Briana McNamee and Arlene LaVerde discuss the pending bill and expound on the benefits of good school libraries.
May 31, 2022 - A coalition of nursing homes in New York is suing the state to block the implementation of a 2021 law requiring their facilities to meet minimum staffing levels. Jim Clyne, president and CEO of LeadingAge New York, which represents non-profit and public continuing care operations, makes the case for the legal challenge and highlights the health care industry's staffing challenges.
May 27, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture conversation, we're talking about Korean food with Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, who immigrated to America from South Korea when he was seven and passed a resolution to recognize Kimchi Day in New York.
May 26, 2022 - Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, an Albany County Democrat, makes the case for legislation setting a goal of preserving 30 percent of New York land and water by 2030.
May 26, 2022 - Dr. Denis Nash, a professor of epidemiology at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health, talks about the state of the pandemic in New York and recommends policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
May 26, 2022 - Politico New York capitol reporter Bill Mahoney breaks down the finalized state senate lines, including how they compare to the current boundaries and what they mean for control of the chamber next year.
May 25, 2022 - State Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse-area Democrat, discusses her package of bills designed to protect New York's freshwater, including measures designed to foster holistic state regulatory policies.
May 25, 2022 - Investigative Post editor Jim Heaney discusses the policies in Buffalo that have led to the de facto segregation of New York second largest city.
May 25, 2022 - Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy Director of Policy Dede Hill talks about the organization's end of session child welfare and child care priorities designed to help low-income families
May 24, 2022 - Former Assemblyman Keith Wright, the Manhattan Democratic leader and director of Strategic Planning with Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron, explains why "Good Cause" housing legislation is unlikely to be enacted in 2022.
May 24, 2022 - Consumer Reports' Chuck Bell makes the case for prohibiting car insurance companies from setting premiums based on credit scores.
May 24, 2022 - David Imamura, a Democratic appointee and chair of the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, reflects on the congressional boundaries crafted by a court-appointed special master and considers the future of redistricting in New York.
May 23, 2022 - Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses her equal rights amendment to the state constitution, which is designed to enhance existing protections against discrimination in New York.
May 23, 2022 - Legal Services NYC Director of Foreclosure Prevention Jacob Inwald explains legislation awaiting the governor's signature that would require mortgage lenders and loan servicers to follow the state's statute of limitations when bringing foreclosure proceedings.
May 20, 2022 - We get an update on the effort to grow marijuana legally in New York, issue regulations for dispensaries and hire state regulators from Jen Metzger, a member of the state's Cannabis Control Board.
May 20, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture conversation, we're talking about professional Jewish athletes with Assemblyman Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, who - while never a professional athlete - did lead his high school football team to an undefeated season.
May 20, 2022 - Times Union reporter Josh Solomon explains why the state's existing gun control laws didn't prevent the recent tragedy in Buffalo and outlines the legislative responses that might be advanced through the Capitol.
May 20, 2022 - For the first time in more than 30 years the lakes in the Adirondacks may be subject to a comprehensive review, following a $500,000 investment in the budget. Syracuse University professor Charles Driscoll explains how the state funding will be used and discusses the review from the 1980s, which he participated in.
May 19, 2022 - One Brooklyn Health System CEO LaRay Brown and SBH Health System CEO Dr. David Perlstein break down the state's investments in safety net hospitals and the role they play in providing medical care for low-income New Yorkers.
May 19, 2022 - Families for Safe Streets co-founder Amy Cohen makes the case for traffic safety measures, including giving municipalities around New York the ability to decrease their speed limits below 30 miles per hour.
May 19, 2022 - Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat, talks about efforts to regulate illegal basement and attic apartments in New York City, in order to increase the state's supply of affordable housing and make the residences safer.
May 19, 2022 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, Capital Region Democrat, talks about the dwindling number of police officers in the state parks and discusses strategies to increase their ranks.
May 18, 2022 - Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains the need to improve early dyslexia detection for New York students and shares his personal experience with dyslexia.
May 18, 2022 -Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee Chair Daniel O'Donnell, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses the state of regulations governing the live-event ticket industry and weighs in on potential changes.
May 18, 2022 - Bloomberg Government capitol reporter Keshia Clukey previews the 120th presentation of the Legislative Correspondents Association Show on May 24, when the state government reporters will skewer the politicians they cover ... in song!
May 18, 2022 - Libertarian Party gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe explains why he's trying again to win the executive mansion and talks about the challenges of getting on the ballot in November.
May 17, 2022 - State regulators are punting on a decision about permits for a controversial natural gas project in Brooklyn, which Lee Ziesche, of the Sane Energy Project, says is counter to the state's campaign to combat climate change.
May 17, 2022 - New York State Association of Cemeteries Legislative Director David Fleming talks about issues impacting the state's cemeteries, including funding to address vandalism and legislation preparing for future emergencies.
May 17, 2022 - State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, is pushing legislation designed to ensure that expecting parents are aware of the accuracy levels of prenatal testing, which has been plagued by false positives.
May 17, 2022 - State Sen. John Brooks, a Long Island Democrat, discusses bills to help veterans find civilian employment and offer property tax breaks for active service members, and talks about restructuring a state agency that serves veterans.
May 16, 2022 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, discusses her legislation designed to improve health outcomes at Amazon's warehouses by giving workers a say in their working conditions and regulating worker quotas.
May 16, 2022 - WE ACT for Environmental Justice Director of Policy Sonal Jessel explains a bill awaiting the governor's signature that is designed to prevent communities from being disproportionally burdened with pollution-producing projects.
May 16, 2022 - Citizens Budget Commission Housing and Economic Development Studies Director Sean Campion explains what could happen if a controversial property tax break in New York City - known as 421-a - is allowed to expire this summer.
May 13, 2022 - Naturopathic medicine practitioner Tia Trivisonno makes the case for legislation that would require the state to license and regulate her industry, which currently falls under an uneven patchwork of different rules and oversight.
May 13, 2022 - Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog, breaks down a recent decision from the state Court of Appeals on Miranda Rights and explains what it tells us about the divisions in New York's top court.
May 13, 2022 - New York Post City Hall Bureau Chief Bernadette Hogan talks about the state legislative agenda for New York City Mayor Eric Adams and outlines what he is - and isn't - doing to make it happen.
May 13, 2022 - After receiving an influx of National Guard members late last year to accommodate a surge of COVID-19 patients, Dr. Kim Townsend, president and CEO of Loretto Management Corp. in Syracuse, believes this type of emergency staffing flexibility could be vital in the future.
May 12, 2022 - Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee Chair Kevin Parker, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses legislation that would put a two-year moratorium on air permits for fossil fuel power plants powering cryptocurrency mining operations.
May 12, 2022 - Members of the Let's Get Immunized NY campaign make the case for increasing immunizations in New York by building up the state's vaccine infrastructure, combating misinformation and ensuring New Yorkers have access to accurate vaccination records.
May 12, 2022 - New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Bob Schneider explains what's at stake with the upcoming round of school elections, when voters will weigh in on their district's spending plan and board members.
May 11, 2022 - New York State Society of Physician Assistants President Jonathan Baker makes the case for codifying a pandemic rule that relaxed the supervision requirements for physician assistants.
May 11, 2022 - National Multiple Sclerosis Society Advocacy and Policy Senior Director Jennifer Muthig and New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition Coordinator Jessica Graham explain why they're pushing legislation prohibiting insurance companies from limiting deductible qualifying costs to a patient's out-of-pocket expenses.
May 11, 2022 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Dick Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses the potential legislative responses in New York to the likely overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision.
May 10, 2022 - Environmental Advocates NY Director of Clean Water Rob Hayes discusses the recent actions taken by the state's Drinking Water Quality Council and outlines their unfinished business.
May 10, 2022 - The Adirondacks might not be the first part of the state that comes to mind when thinking about communities struggling to offer affordable housing, but state regulations and vacation properties have limited the available stock of places for locals to live. Municipal leaders from Essex County join the show to talk about how they think a land bank program might help address their housing problems.
May 10, 2022 - American Chemistry Council's Margaret Gorman makes the case for "advanced recycling centers" in New York and answers questions about the plastic industry's past misleading recycling claims.
May 9, 2022 - Association on Aging in New York Executive Director Becky Preve discusses what the state recently adopted $220 billion budget means for New York's seniors.
May 9, 2022 - Saving for retirement can be a challenge if your employer doesn't offer options for your golden years, but the state's Secure Choice Savings program is designed to create a new pathway for New Yorkers interested in putting money aside for their future. AARP NY state Director Beth Finkel provides a status update on the initiative and highlights legislation that would expand the program to New York's gig workers.
May 9, 2022 - As the result of pandemic restrictions on in-person gatherings, New York got creative with its open meetings law requirements over the last two years, allowing for remote viewing and participation of public meetings. Reinvent Albany's Rachael Fauss explains how this experience shaped changes to the state's open meetings law that were adopted in the budget.
May 9, 2022 - Michael Fitzgerald, senior reporter for The Imprint, explains why the state is being sued for what is allegedly a "shadow" foster care system without the rules and protections of the actual foster system.
May 5, 2022 - Latino Cannabis Association of New York President Jeffrey Garcia and member Indhira Mojica discuss how their group is hoping the Latino community will be able to capitalize on the business opportunities accompanying the creation of a recreational marijuana market.
May 5, 2022 - Assemblymember Pamela Hunter, a Syracuse-area Democrat, discusses the broad civil legal protections enjoyed by public employees, such as police officers, and makes the case for legislation that will curtail their "qualified immunity."
May 5, 2022 - NYU School of Law Family Defense Clinic co-Director Chris Gottlieb highlights the unique lack of rights afforded unmarried father in state law and advocates for changing the dynamic with the "Parental Equity Act."
May 5, 2022 - Perennial Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins talks about his fourth attempt to run for the executive mansion, including the policies he would like to adopt at the Capitol and the process of getting on the ballot.
May 4, 2022 - New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang discusses structural changes in her office, publicly unearthing past investigations that were buried by her predecessors and the likelihood of the Supreme Court rolling back constitutional abortion protections.
May 4, 2022 - New York State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs discusses the switcheroo on the Democratic primary ballot for lieutenant governor, the possibility of a consolidated August primary and much more.
May 4, 2022 - Assemblymember Josh Jensen, a Rochester-area Republican, makes the case for writing additional oversight rules into law, arguing that there's too much ambiguity for the state's marijuana regulators.
May 4, 2022 - New York - Geothermal Energy Organization Executive Director Bill Nowak explains how geothermal heat pump systems work and why language in the state budget could make them more affordable for some homeowners.
May 3, 2022 - Museum Association of New York Executive Director Erika Sanger talks about state capital investments in arts and cultural institutions, grant funding to build the capacity of museums and legislation that would assess the museum landscape in New York.
May 3, 2023 - Legislation making its way through the Capitol would end a 1970s car insurance fraud prevention regulation, which independent insurance brokers say has become redundant and overly burdensome. Scott Hobson, a lobbyist for the brokers, explains the issue and what it would mean to drivers in New York to make the rule voluntary.
May 3, 2022 - GOP gubernatorial hopeful Harry Wilson joins the show to discuss his plans for improving public safety in New York, including overhauling the pre-trial detention process. We'll also touch on state income taxes and the merits of drug consumption sites.
May 3, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has chosen Rep. Antonio Delgado, a Hudson Valley Democrat, to be her lieutenant governor and her de facto running mate for this summer's Democratic primaries. Business Insider senior politics reporter Jake Lahut provides some background on the two-term congressman, including whether he has any skeletons in his closet.
May 2, 2022 - Senate Elections Committee Chair Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, shares his priorities for the end of the legislative session and considers what changes may happen to this summer's primary calendar.
May 2, 2022 - Empire City Casino in Yonkers has its eyes on one of the three casino licenses that could be up for grabs before the end of the year, so we turned to the organization's senior vice president and general manager, Ed Domingo, to discuss the state's evolving gambling landscape.
May 2, 2022 - The recently adopted state budget includes a one-year expansion of two tax credits designed to help low-income New Yorkers, so we turned to Schuyler Center President & CEO Kate Breslin and Children's Agenda Director of Policy Pete Nabozny to understand what it all means.
May 2, 2022 - The conversation surrounding the state budget negotiations in 2021 was focused on increasing taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, but that narrative was largely absent in 2022. Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn democrat, explains why the conversation changed and what it could look like in the future.
April 29, 2022 - A lawsuit filed by Protect the Adirondacks and the Adirondack White Lake Association over a permit for a granite mining operation in the Adirondacks could have broad ramifications for how state regulators approach their permitting responsibilities in the future.
April 29, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture conversation, state Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Long Island Democrat, talks about his obsession with Bruce Springsteen, including an elaborate story about the time he met The Boss.
Todd Kaminsky's E Street favorites:
Best running song - No surrender; Meet me in the city Best song for dancing - Dancing in the dark; American Land Best karaoke song - I'm Goin’ Down Best song for driving - Roulette Most romantic song - Drive All Night Best angsty song - Death to My hometown Best workingman song - Factory Worst song - Queen of the Supermarket Most overrated song - Secret Garden (like it, but greatest hits worthy?) Most underrated song – Happy Best pump-up song - Land of Hope and Dreams Best cover songs - I hung my head (Sting); Don't Change (INXS)
April 28, 2022 - Jefferson County Board of Elections Republican Commissioner Jude Seymour explains the challenges and unanswered questions following a ruling from the state's top court that threw out recently adopted congressional and state senate lines.
April 28, 2022 - Politico New York Capitol reporter Bill Mahoney discusses all the fallout from the redistricting decision by the state's top court, which has upended this summer's elections.
April 29, 2022 - Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and adjunct professor with the New York Law School's Census and Redistricting Institute, helps us make sense of the ruling from the state's top court that invalidated New York's congressional and state senate lines, and discusses what comes next.
April 28, 2022 - Assembly Local Governments Committee Chair Fred Thiele, a Long Island Democrat, discusses a property tax rebate program and an acceleration of a reduction in state income tax rates that were included in New York's recently adopted $220 billion spending plan.
April 28, 2022 - University at Albany assistant professor of economics Ben Griffy explains New York's shifting economic landscape since the arrival of COVID-19, and identifies what sectors of the economy haven't recovered in the ensuing two years.
April 28, 2022 - As part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Sheila Poole talks about efforts underway to help families in crisis.
April 28, 2022 - New York Farm Bureau Director of Policy Jeff Williams breaks down a tax credit in the state budget that is designed to cover the cost of lowering the overtime threshold for farmworkers.
April 27, 2022 - Times Union reporter Larry Rulison provides an update on the state's stretch limousine safety task force, which was assembled after a 2018 crash in Schoharie County that killed 20 people and is at risk of being shutdown prematurely because it was slow to be implemented.
April 27, 2022 - Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for his bill that would make weight and height protected categories for the purpose of hiring, housing and public accommodations.
April 27, 2022 - Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins discusses her priorities for the remainder of the legislative session, how the upcoming elections may shape policies from the Capitol and the fate of the Democratic race for lieutenant governor.
April 27, 2022 - New York Birth Control Action Fund Executive Director Jenna Bimbi talks about the challenge of accessing prescription birth control in New York and contends that legislation enabling pharmacists to prescribe the medication improve accessibility.
April 26, 2022 - Senate Local Governments Committee Chair Jim Gaughran, a Long Island Democrat, discusses language in the state budget setting up a commission that could pave the way for an overhaul of the Long Island Power Authority.
April 26, 2022 - A survey of voters by the Siena College Research Institute examined how New Yorkers feel about the gubernatorial hopefuls, the direction of New York, and the state's role in subsidizing a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills.
April 26, 2022 - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos discusses investments in the state budget and the work of the Climate Action Council.
April 22, 2022 - State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, discusses the landscape of state laws protecting mobile home residents from dramatic rent increases and discusses the need for additional consumer protections.
April 22, 2022 - Education Trust-NY Executive Director Dia Bryant outlines how the recently adopted state budget makes higher education more affordable, such as expanding access to tuition assistance programs and investing in education opportunity programs
April 22, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture conversation, Assemblyman Kenny Burgos, a Bronx Democrat, explains what it takes to be an amateur body builder, including the dieting, and reflects on his recent performance in a physique competition.
April 22, 2022 - The resignation of Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin has not led to his ouster from the Democratic primary ballot, but Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner says state lawmakers should rectify that by adopting a controversially timed law that expands the pathways for candidates to get off the ballot.
April 21, 2022 - Laura Ladd Bierman, executive director of the League of Women Voters of New York State, explains why her organization is getting involved in the legal fight over Congressional and state senate lines drawn by the Democratic majorities at the Capitol.
April 21, 2022 - We check in with our youth correspondent, 15-year-old Isaac Olshan, who discusses the mock elections he's engaged in, highlights the real-life political races he's following and explains why he thinks Gov. Kathy Hochul is likely to win a full term as governor.
April 21, 2022 - Dr. Denis Nash, a professor of epidemiology at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health, talks about the current state of the pandemic in New York, considers what precautions should be in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and evaluates the proactiveness of public health officials.
April 20, 2022 - Harry Wilson may not have wrapped up the Republican party's support for his gubernatorial bid, but a minor party - Unite New York - is offering him its ballot line if they can qualify for a spot in the fall. Unite NY Executive Director Tim Dunn explains why they're rallying behind the GOP businessman and discusses the logistical challenges of getting him on the ballot.
April 20, 2022 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, talks about her legislation to require private insurers cover abortions for whatever reason and reflects on her experience running a non-profit serving the reproductive needs of Latina women in New York City. (Originally aired 12/16/21)
April 20, 2022 - Senate Housing, Construction & Community Development Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses the housing portion of the recently adopted state budget, including the rent relief funding and capital investments that made it in and the vouchers and tax credits that died during negotiations.
April 19, 2022 - The state's much beleaguered ethics watchdog is on its way out, but good government groups have little hope that the new oversight entity will be much better. Reinvent Albany's Rachael Fauss explains the shortcomings of the appointment process to the new commission and makes the case for a more independent organization.
April 19, 2022 - A treasure trove of government emails secured by Times Union reporter Chris Bragg sheds new light on the kind of access major donors to Gov. Kathy Hochul have to her administration.
April 19, 2022 - In April, state regulators gave 52 hemp farmers conditional licenses to grow marijuana this spring so that the recreational market will have products to sell later this year. New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association President Alan Gandelman, whose Finger Lakes-area farm got one of these licenses, discusses the learning curve for new marijuana farmers, the economic potential and the regulatory hoops to jump through.
April 18, 2022 - Carm Basile, legislative chair of the New York Public Transit Association and head of the Capitol District Transportation Authority, adds up the investments the state budget made in upstate transit and discusses public transportation developments in the Capital Region, including service expansion and more e-scooters.
April 18, 2022 - Assemblymember Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, wants to change the way the state calculates the distribution the bulk of education funding to public schools and is backing legislation to codify the funding levels for schools that serve students with special needs.
April 18, 2022 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat, makes the case for the gas tax holiday - 16 cents per gallon - that will be in effect from June to the end of the year. He also discusses funding in the state budget for roads, including combatting potholes.
April 18, 2022 - Jon Campbell, capitol reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, discusses changes to the state's alcohol laws in the recently adopted budget, including letting liquor stores open on Christmas and allowing to-go cocktails to be sold by restaurants.
April 15, 2022 - Progressive activist Ana María Archila, who is vying to be the Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial nominee, discusses her credentials to be the successor to the governor and outlines her vision for the job.
April 15, 2022 - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris explains why the state has partnered with its neighbors to try to become a regional hub for 'clean hydrogen' power.
April 15, 2022 - Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter’s Roger Downs and Audubon New York’s Erin McGrath explain how the state budget will expand the ability of state regulators to control the development on wetlands.
April 14, 2022 - New York's pre-trial detention laws have been changed in the state budget for the third time in four years, as Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic state lawmakers respond to concerns about public safety. Times Union reporter Joshua Solomon explains what the latest tweaks will actually do and how these ramifications compare to the public conversation around the reforms.
April 14, 2022 - Alliance for Quality Education Policy & Operations Director Marina Marcou-O’Malley tallies up the state's commitment for pre-kindergarten classes and what it means for access across New York.
April 14, 2022 - U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Long Island Democrat, who is hoping to be his party's gubernatorial nominee, responds to the adopted state budget, including funding for child care, the environment and marijuana entrepreneurs and talks about pre-trial detention.
April 14, 2022 - Senate Aging Committee Chair Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat, discusses the state's multi-billion investment in home care wages, which are scheduled to be worth $2 an hour in 2022 and another $1 an hour in 2023.
April 13, 2022 - State Senate Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee Chair Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, talks about language in the state budget that will accelerate the development of three downstate casinos.
April 13, 2022 - State Senate Children & Families Committee Chair Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, helps us make sense of the state's investment in child care in the budget, explaining how it will expand access to subsidies for low-income families and why he's still fighting for a larger commitment to realize universal access to care.
April 13, 2022 - The state Office of Cannabis Management's Lyla Hunt discusses an outreach campaign to teach New Yorkers about the state's marijuana laws and explains how state regulators are responding to the proliferation of illegal marijuana dispensaries and advertising by out-of-state marijuana retailers.
April 12, 2022 - Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned Tuesday after federal officials charged him with public corruption stemming from his time in the state senate. City & State senior state politics reporter Zachary Williams explains the hot water the Harlem Democrat is in and what his resignation means for New York politics.
April 8, 2022 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe explains the green investments in state budget and identifies the unfinished business for environmentalists.
April 8, 2022 - State Hearing Aid Dispensary Advisory Board member Jerry Bergman explains what this volunteer panel does and makes the case for creating a state office dedicated to the needs of New Yorkers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
April 8, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture conversation, Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, discusses his Star Wars fandom, including how it all began and why he loves the movie Rogue One.
April 7, 2022 - State lawmakers are waiting to determine the fate of mayoral control of New York City school until after the state budget is adopted, so we turned to New York Civil Liberties Union Education Policy Center Director Johanna Miller for her thoughts on what the centralized rule should look like in the future.
April 7, 2022 - Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capitol Region Democrat and practicing pharmacist, shares how he came to view drug consumption sites as a powerful tool in combating drug overdose deaths and talks about harm reduction strategies the state should implement to combat the opioid epidemic.
April 7, 2022 - The Climate Action Council has begun soliciting public input on its draft plan for dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions in New York, which needs to be finalized by the end of 2022. The City reporter Samantha Maldonado recounts the public comments from the first, in-person hearing this week in the Bronx and considers how they may be utilized moving forward.
April 6, 2022 - State Board of Elections spokesman John Conklin talks about the state's new online absentee ballot tracking service, offers an update on New York's online voter registration tool and explains the headaches caused by legal fights over redistricting.
April 6, 2022 - Daily News capitol bureau chief Denis Slattery discusses the legal hot water that Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin could be in as the result of a federal probe into the campaign fundraising for his 2021 bid to be New York City controller and grants he secured while serving in the state senate.
March 6, 2022 - Shawn Bushway, a professor at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at UAlbany, discusses the job prospects of New Yorkers with a criminals record amid the current labor shortage and explains the possible employment ramifications of sealing criminal records.
April 5, 2022 - In January, a new law was supposed to take effect requiring nursing homes adhere to minimum staffing ratios and funding levels set by state lawmakers and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2021, but Gov. Kathy Hochul repeatedly delayed the implementation of those requirements. USA Today Network health care reporter David Robinson explains why the governor pushed back the new rules and considered how state regulators will approach the issue now that the requirements are being implemented.
April 5, 2022 - Long before the pandemic added to the stress on the state's mental health support system, children with severe mental health needs struggled to find timely, appropriate care, according to reporting by The City's Abigail Kramer, who examined the ramifications of a 2014 initiative by former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
April 5, 2022 - With the state's beleaguered government watchdog poised for an overhaul in a final state budget, we turned to New York Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Blair Horner for analysis of the likely deal between state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
April 5, 2022 - New York may have entered a new fiscal year without a state budget, but the lights at the Capitol aren't going off just yet, as the legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul agreed on a temporary funding measure for the state. Newsday Capitol correspondent Michael Gormley explains why the stop-gap measure was needed, how they've been used in the past and what deadlines matter moving forward.
March 4, 2022 - State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses his legislation requiring New Yorkers have professional supervised driving instruction before getting their driver's licenses in order to improve traffic safety.
March 4, 2022 - Assemblymember Carrier Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, envisions a future where New York is a booming hub for textile manufacturing and has legislation to realize her vision.
April 1, 2022 - New York Law School senior fellow and adjunct professor Jeff Wice makes sense of a recent court ruling that throws the fate of New York's new legislative boundaries into limbo.
April 1, 2022 - Buffalo News reporter Jerry Zremski explains why the Seneca Nation is paying New York nearly $565 million to resolve a longstanding dispute over its exclusive gambling rights and how it ties in to the future new stadium for the Buffalo Bills.
April 1, 2022 - A lawsuit filed against the operators of the Broome County jail by a transgender woman underscores the need for a new law expressly spelling out how transgender New Yorkers should be treated when incarcerated, according to attorneys for the plaintiff. New York Civil Liberties Union supervising attorney Bobby Hodgson and Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund staff attorney Shayna Medley explain the lawsuit and the legislation they're pushing.
April 1, 2022 - Politico's Ry Rivard provides an update on New Jersey's effort to leave the bistate waterfront commission it's in with New York, which is being decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
April 1, 2022 - Maria Doulis, deputy state comptroller for budget and policy analysis, does a deep dive into the latest data illustrating New York's gap in pay between men and women, and considers why this is still happening despite state and federal prohibitions.
March 31, 2022 - State Sen. Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, explains the rationale behind his legislation restricting who can provide expert testimony in child custody and visitation cases, and makes the case for a larger overhaul of forensic evaluators used in the family court system.
March 31, 2022 - For the first time since 2013, New York has overhauled the design of its identification cards to implement new security features to deter fraud. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Director of Field Investigations Owen McShane discusses how the new ID cards will look and how they'll benefit New Yorkers.
March 31, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking for authority in the state budget to spend $265 million in funds secured from settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, but Ashley Livingston, of Friends of Recovery Warran & Washington Counties, stresses that not a dime of that money should be spent without input from the state's Opioid Settlement Board.
March 30, 2022 - After years without a significant cost of living raise, workers who care for some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers are poised to get a pay bump, but it remains to be seen how this additional compensation will take shape in the state budget. Mental Health Association in New York State CEO Glenn Liebman and Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State President & CEO Mike Alvaro make the case for an 11% increase that has been championed by state lawmakers and highlight the need to make future raises more predictable.
March 30, 2022 - For waterfront communities along the Hudson River, the threat of flooding is becoming more ominous every year due to climate change. But a partnership between the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Cornell University is providing local leaders with ideas to adapt to the changing landscape.
March 30, 2022 - While New York is poised to make major investments in children in the state budget, whether in the form of child care funding or aid to schools, advocates for low-income families are urging policymakers not to overlook a $1.2 million investment in primary prevention programs around the state.
March 30, 2022 - While Gov. Kathy Hochul's push to legalize to-go cocktails from restaurants gets a lot of attention, it's not the only aspect of the state's "Blue Laws" that need to get updated for the 21st century demands of consumers and retailers, according to Paul Zuber, head of government affairs for the Business Council of New York State.
March 30, 2022 - The story of an upstate community reeling from the economic loss of a prison is becoming more and more familiar as the result of New York's dwindling prison population, but Times Union reporter Peter DeMola captured a unique twist on this narrative in the town of Moriah, where even progressive criminal justice activists are nostalgic for the lost correctional facility.
March 29, 2022 - Capital Tonight reporter Ryan Whalen explains the deal reached between the Buffalo Bills, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Erie County to fund and maintain a new football stadium for the 2021 AFC East champs.
March 29, 2022 - The summer expiration of a federal waiver governing school lunches could impact the availability of free meals and what kids are eating in New York. New York School Nutrition Association Executive Director Jennifer Martin and Hunger Solutions New York child nutrition programs specialist Jessica Pino-Goodspeed make the case for a state investment in access to free lunch and discuss the challenge of serve appetizing, health food.
March 29, 2022 - New York Health Commissioner Mary Bassett discusses the state of the pandemic in New York and the policy options available to state officials looking to control the spread of COVID-19.
(The conversation with Dr. Bassett is from an episode of CONNECT-NY that aired on March 28.)
March 28, 2022 - Siena College Research Institute spokesman Steve Greenberg helps break down the possibility of an Andrew Cuomo political comeback in the Democratic Party and examine how New Yorkers feel about public safety.
March 28, 2022 - Times Union capitol reporter Josh Solomon breaks down the high-profile public safety changes that Gov. Kathy Hochul is hoping to get included in the state budget.
March 28, 2022 - New York is poised to set a new record in spending with the state budget due in a few days, do we turned to the Citizens Budget Commission's Patrick Orecki for context on what state lawmakers are hoping to do, the ambiguity surrounding funding for the budget and the need for greater financial transparency.
March 28, 2022 - The American Heart Association in New York is pushing for expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage so that pregnant women are better equipped to handle the health risks that present themselves after a complicated child birth.
March 25, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture conversation we talk with Assemblyman Ed Ra about his identity as a Swiftie. The Long Island Republican explains how he became a fan of Taylor Swift, how he listens to her music and why he's still mad at Kanye West.
March 24, 2022 - Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for adding language to the state budget that would enable more than 2 million New Yorkers to have their criminal records sealed once they've paid their debt to society.
March 24, 2022 - Politico New York health care reporter Shannon Young breaks down what the state budget could mean for the health care sector, including higher wages for workers and higher annual spending on Medicaid.
March 24, 2022 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwen Craig does a deep dive into the state's decision to bring back a parking reservation system that debuted last year in the Adirondacks, as part of a campaign to improve public safety, limit congestion and decrease the wear and tear in the high peaks.
March 23, 2022 - More than five years after state lawmakers declared that daily fantasy sports was not a form of gambling, the state's top court agreed with them. Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog, explains the ruling and what it might mean for future challenges to online sports wagering.
March 23, 2022 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Todd Kaminsky, a Long Island Democrat, makes the case for his compromise proposal designed to ensure that manufactured goods in New York are easier to recycle, which has come under fire from some environmentalists for not going far enough to regulate what businesses produce.
March 23, 2022 - The state's 2017 "Raise the Age" initiative is back up for debate, as part of the criminal justice changes that Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to add to the state budget. Assemblymember Latrice Walker, a Brooklyn Democrat, and Gisele Castro, executive director for the non-profit Exalt, join the show to explain why raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18 was important and push back against any effort to make it easier for juveniles to face prosecution as an adult.
March 22, 2022 - When it comes to detecting radon in homes and mitigating the risks of this harmful gas, New York is basically the wild wild west, with few standards or regulations, according to Dick Kornbluth, a member of the New York State Radon Task Force, which is scheduled to issue recommendations this year on limiting New Yorkers' exposure to the gas.
March 22, 2022 - Are New Yorkers foregoing millions of dollars in financial aid for higher education every year? It's possible, as the result of graduating seniors who opt not to complete a free, federal application for assistance. Education Trust-NY Executive Director Dia Bryant makes the case for mandating high school graduate fill out the form - or get a waiver from it - and outlines the benefits of the process.
March 22, 2022 - Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, discusses the Senate Democrats' budget priorities, explains why the Excluded Workers Fund isn't likely to receive funding this year and assesses potential criminal justice policies being floated by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
March 22, 2022 - Elis Farah, a former legislative staffer and member of the Sexual Harassment Working Group, weighs in on three laws designed to deter sexual harassment and hold perpetrators of misconduct responsible for their actions.
March 21, 2022 - The state's new chief disability officer, Kimberly Hill, discusses her mandate from Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers, how she'll engage with New Yorkers and what this responsibility means to her personally.
March 18, 2022 - Jonathan Feldman, legal director for the Empire Justice Center, provides the backstory for a federal consent decree in Rochester, where the city school district has agreed to improve the administration of the mandates services its supposed to provide to its students with disabilities.
March 18, 2022 - Reinvent Albany senior research analyst Rachael Fauss discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's plans to improve the state's responses to records requests and evaluate transparency plans from state agencies.
March 18, 2022 - As part of the state's 2019 law designed to reduce New York carbon footprint, a climate justice working group was created to identify "disadvantaged communities" that would reap increased state investments in green energy. Sonal Jessel, director of policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice and a member of the working group, discusses proposed maps of disadvantaged communities and how they might benefit.
March 18, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture conversation, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris discusses her fascination with the art of bonsai, which was born out of the Karate Kid film franchise.
March 17, 2022 - New York's marijuana czar, Chris Alexander, explains who will be eligible for the first licenses to operate marijuana dispensaries, which could be open as early as the end of 2022 in New York. He also addresses where the initial crop of products will come from.
March 17, 2022 - National Federation of Independent Business State Director Ashley Ranslow discusses budget priorities for small businesses, including relief from higher unemployment insurance costs and COVID-19 sick leave requirements.
March 17, 2022 - In 2021, undocumented New Yorkers were able to secure $2.1 billion in the state budget for cash assistance payments to make up the federal benefits they were ineligible to receiver during the pandemic. But those payments didn't cover all the potential recipients, so Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, explains the push to invest $3 billion toward this initiative in this year's budget.
March 16, 2022 - Assemblyman Pat Burke, a Buffalo-area Democrat, makes the case for his legislation that would pave the way to doctors prescribing "magic mushrooms" for New Yorkers with conditions, like PTSD, that aren't being successfully treated with existing medicinal options.
March 16, 2022 - John Kane, a Native American activist in western New York and graduate of the Cambridge Central School District, discusses his old school's insistence on retaining its controversial Native American nickname, which they're going to court to fight for, and debates the use of Native American imagery more broadly by public schools.
March 16, 2022 - Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about the role an expanded child care tax credit could play in expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care.
March 15, 2022 - New York policymakers want to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030 and have begun implementing recommendations from stakeholders across the state to realize this goal. State Department of Health Director of the Bureau of Hepatitis Health Care Colleen Flanigan discusses the state of hepatitis C in New York, strategies to combat the virus and regional engagement on the campaign.
March 15, 2022 - For more than 40 years the state Commission on Judicial Conduct has been responsible for holding judges in New York responsible for their conduct on and off the bench. The commission's administrator and counsel, Robert Tembeckjian, joins the show to talk about the origin of this state entity, how their oversight function and what they focused on in 2021.
March 14, 2022 - There is widespread agreement about the need to avoid criminalizing victims of sex trafficking, but how should New York handle the other players involved in the sex trade, including adults who aren't coerced into sex work or the New Yorkers who pay for sex? For answers we turned to Melanie Thompson of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women and Alexi Meyers of Sanctuary for Families, who are pushing legislation that would decriminalize sex work, while still preventing it from becoming a legal profession.
March 14, 2022 - For decades the grand steps on the eastern side of the Capitol in Albany have been in disrepair and they've been completely closed off to the public for more than six years, but the Times Union's Josh Solomon reports that a $41 million investment in the historic stairs could finally address long festering structural concerns.
March 11, 2022 - Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, makes the case for overhauling the state's complicated tiers of judges with a constitutional amendment championed by the state's top judge.
March 11, 2022 - New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham talks about the state's effort to prevent problem gambling from happening and how they're trying to connect New Yorkers to problem gambling services.
March 11, 2022 - For the latest segment of Poozer Pop Culture, state Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat and - more importantly - a millennial, discusses his affinity for the 1990s video game console Nintendo 64.
March 11, 2022 - The ink was barely dry on her state budget, when Gov. Kathy Hochul was stripping out a controversial proposal that would have given the state the ability to supersede local zoning and planning rules in certain situations. Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland Country Democrat, explains why the governor made the right call and consider the future rules for accessory dwelling units, such as basement or garage apartments.
March 10, 2022 - University at Albany's Jim Schwab and the University of Rochester's Lee Murray discuss a joint initiative measuring methane emissions in New York in order to determine where the greenhouse gas is coming from, as New York tries to reduce its contribution to climate change.
March 10, 2022 - Democratic lawmakers and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo amended state law in 2020 to make police disciplinary records more accessible to the public, but police departments have pushed back against the law and found some judges to support their obfuscation. We talked with attorneys from the New York Civil Liberties Union about legislation that would clarify the intent of the original transparency effort in order to improve the implementation of the transparency measure.
March 11, 2022 - Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat, and the Adirondack Council's Aaron Mair make a pitch for a $2.1 million investment in a pilot program connecting New York City public school students to the Adirondacks, including potential job opportunities in the park.
March 10, 2022 - Sen. Kevin Thomas, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the Senate delegation trip he led to the United Arab Emirates, as part of an effort to strengthen New York's ties with the Middle Eastern country.
March. 9, 2022 - A controversy over speaking roles for Latino political leaders at the Democratic state convention underscores a concern from state Sen. Luis Sepulveda, a Bronx Democrat, that his party is taking Latino voters for granted and is warning that it could hurt the Democrats' election chances in 2022.
March. 9, 2022 - Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo may escape criminal prosecution for alleged sexual misconduct, but he still finds himself facing civil actions. Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog, breaks down a lawsuit filed against Cuomo by a former member of his protective detail and highlights a professional misconduct complaint that could lead to his disbarment in New York.
March. 9, 2022 - State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, an Ulster County Democrat, has introduced legislation that would relax the state's procurement rules, so government institutions and non-profit organizations could make food purchases that reflect their values and aren't just the lowest cost options.
March. 9, 2022 - For New Yorkers who are wrongfully convicted, there is a pathway to justice, but it's a nearly impossible journey. Progressive criminal justice advocates join the show to make the case for legislation that would amend state law so innocent people behind bars would have a real shot at proving their innocence.
March 8, 2022 - With control of New York City's public schools up for grabs this summer, we checked in with Chalkbeat New York reporter Reema Amin to discuss how mayoral control of the school system works and learn about the debate over extending the mayor's role for another four years.
March 8, 2022 - A recent federal auction of coastal waters in the Northeast generated more than $4 billion in lease deals, as firms look to make a profit on the offshore wind goals of states like New York. Politico New York reporter Marie French recaps the highlights of the multi-day auction and explains what happens next for the state's offshore wind development.
March 8, 2022 - Gambling options in New York have been consistently increasing for two decades, and Senate Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee Chair Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, is pushing legislation for another expansion - casino-style gambling online.
March 8, 2022 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, wants to update New York laws - with language modeled after New York City protections - to keep freelance workers around the state from being taken advantage of by the businesses they contract with.
March 7, 2022 - New York State Energy Research & Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris talks about the state's goal of electrifying 2 million homes by 2030 and explains how it can get done.
March 7, 2022 - High-profile incidents involving mentally-ill, homeless New Yorkers has prompted state policymakers to offer up temporary solutions for helping people with severe mental illness. Coalition for the Homeless Deputy Executive Director for Policy Shelly Nortz and New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services CEO Harvey Rosenthal discuss the response from Gov. Kathy Hochul and an effort to renew a controversial law forcing mental health treatment in certain cases.
March 7, 2022 - The state's hemlock trees are under attack from an invasive species, but New York State Hemlock Initiative principal investigator Mark Whitmore says New York has the ability to fight back.
March. 4, 2022 - For the latest Poozer Pop Culture segment, Sen. Jamaal Bailey, a Bronx Democrat, discusses his love affair with the New York Knicks, including how it began, his favorite memorabilia and the team's prospects this year.
March, 4, 2022 - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid discusses the governor's proposed capital investment in the state park system, including what will be prioritized, how it will effect accessibility and whether it means the parks can accommodate more visitors.
March, 4, 2022 - A state law that took effect in 2022 is designed to program organic recycling of waste from large food generators. But what is organic recycling and how does it work? Jesse Kerns, program manager for Syracuse University's Center for Sustainable Community Solutions, answers these questions and more, including how the law has fostered the development of new composting and anaerobic recycling operations.
March 4, 2022 - Sen. James Skoufis, a Hudson Valley Democrat, makes the case for overhauling New York's approach to economic development incentives, including new accountability measures and shifting subsidies away from corporate welfare and into human infrastructure.
March, 3, 2022 - New York has a lack of standardized requirements when it comes to treating the mental health needs of college students in the state, according to a study from the Mental Health Association in New York State, which is offering a set of guidelines for state policymakers to implement. MHANYS CEO Glenn Liebman also makes the case for a massive increase in funding for mental health services in the state budget.
March 1, 2022 - Congressman Lee Zeldin discusses his campaign for governor after securing the Republican Party's endorsement at the GOP state convention on Long Island.
Mar. 1, 2022 - New York Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy talks about the GOP endorsed candidates for statewide office and where his party goes after their state convention on Long Island.
March 1, 2022 - Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino discusses what's next for his bid for governor after failing to secure the Republican Party's support at their state convention on Long Island.
March 1, 2022 - Assemblyman Chris Tague, the chair of the Schoharie County Republican Committee, explains why he is supporting Harry Wilson's bid to be the GOP gubernatorial nominee.
Mar. 1, 2022 - After more than five years as the state's budget director, there are few New Yorkers with more understanding of the state's budget process than Rockefeller Institute of Government President Bob Megna, who joins the show to discuss his longevity, historic moments during his tenure and his fuel for late nights at the Capitol.
March 1, 2022 - Saratoga County Republican Committee Chair Carl Zeilman discusses his committee's support for Congressman Lee Zeldin's gubernatorial bid, expanding the party's voter base and hanging on to a state senate seat in the Capital Region.
Feb. 28, 2022 - Michael Henry, the Republican endorsed candidate for state attorney general, discusses how he would use the office if elected, the experience of his first campaign and much more.
Feb. 28, 2022 - Paul Rodriguez, the Republican endorsed candidate for state comptroller, discusses his political ideology and background, how he would use the audit power of the comptroller's office and whether the state's pension fund should be used to influence corporate decisions.
Feb. 28, 2022 - Assemblyman Edward Gibbs, who won a special election in January, brings a unique voice to the Capitol, as he served more than four years behind bars after accepting a guilty plea of manslaughter more than 30 years ago. The East Harlem Democrat explains how that experience shaped his views on public safety and talks about getting up to speed after taking office amidst the state budget process.
Feb. 28, 2022 - Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Michelle Hinchey, an Ulster County Democrat, discusses a new law, which she sponsored in the Senate, that paves the way for hemp farmers to begin legally growing marijuana this spring for sale at retail stores in late 2022.
Feb. 28, 2022 - Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, weighs in on the governor's proposed budget and how the Senate Democrats could respond during negotiations.
Feb. 25, 2022 - Empire Justice Center senior public benefits attorney Susan Antos makes the case for updating New York's social safety net to help New Yorkers avoid "deep poverty" and promote housing stability.
Feb. 25, 2022 - In our first installment of Poozer Pop Culture, state Sen. Samra Brouk discusses her passion for musical theater, her acting roles growing up and what's currently serving as the soundtrack to her life.
Feb. 25, 2022 - It's been three years since the adoption of the Child Victims Act, so we're assessing the ramifications of the law with victims' rights attorney Carrie Goldberg, who also makes the case for establishing a similar measure for survivors of sexual abuse as adults.
Feb. 25, 2022 - Republican operative Chapin Fay, founder of Lighthouse Public Affairs, explains what GOP campaigns are doing leading up to the Republican State Convention on Long Island and predicts what will happen at the gathering of party insiders.
Feb. 24, 2022 - A proposed transmission project that would deliver hydro power from Canada to New York City is in the final stages of its regulatory approval process, but Independent Power Producers of New York President & CEO Gavin Donohue is encouraging the Hochul administration to scrap these plans and instead rely more on renewable energy from New York.
Feb. 24, 2022 - As part of a recent episode of CONNECT-NY, we sat down with state Sen. Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, to discuss the role of young people of color in the modern day civil rights movement, especially since the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin.
Feb. 24, 2022 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli joins the show to discuss Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed $216 billion spending plan, including her effort to avoid oversight by his office and rosy revenue projections for the future.
Feb. 24, 2022 - An historic lodge in the Adirondacks - slated for destruction by the state - could get new life if an amendment to New York's constitution is adopted and a land swap can be implemented. Howard Kirschenbaum, founder of Adirondack Architectural Heritage, explains the proposal and why the property is worth preserving.
Feb. 23, 2022 - We learn how New Yorkers feel about the state's mask policies, crime in their community and changing the state's bail laws from Steve Greenberg, a pollster with the Siena College Research Institute, which has a new survey of adults from the Empire State.
Feb. 23, 2022 - How does Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie manage the egos and interests of more than 100 Democratic lawmakers in the Assembly Majority Conference? Mostly by listening, according to City & State New York's Rebecca Lewis, who examined the Bronx Democrat's ability to keep control of the people's house.
Feb. 23, 2022 - Allegra Schorr, president of the Coalition of Medication Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates, explains what state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul could do in the budget to make progress in New York's war against the opioid epidemic.
Feb. 23, 2022 - Senate Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for creating a permanent state rental subsidy, which would pay for stable housing for homeless and housing insecure New Yorkers.
Feb. 18, 2022 - WNYC Capitol reporter Jon Campbell explains the formal significance of the Democratic state convention for the statewide Democrats tapped to be the party's designees, highlights some of the memorable moments from the Sheraton in Manhattan and previews the Republican state convention.
Feb. 17, 2022 - Patrick Nelson, a Democratic state committee member, discusses the fairness of the party’s gubernatorial endorsement process at their convention in Manhattan.
Feb 18, 2022 - New York State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs discusses the party's state convention, including the logistics in pulling it off, why Hillary Clinton served as the keynote speaker and whether the format was fair to the Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls not named Kathy Hochul.
Feb. 17, 2022 - Saratoga County Democratic Chair Todd Kerner, a state committee member backing Gov. Kathy Hochul, discusses the Democratic state convention in Manhattan and what comes next for Democrats in New York.
Feb. 17, 2022 -Emilia Decaudin, a Democratic state committee member from Queens, who backs the gubernatorial bid by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, shares her experience from the New York Democratic state convention in Manhattan.
Feb. 17, 2022 - For the third time in a row, the state’s Working Families Party is backing a challenger to the incumbent governor in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, this time throwing their weight behind New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. WFP Director Sochie Nnaemeka explains the endorsement, what it means for November and their plans further down the ballot.
Feb. 17, 2022 - While the New York State Democratic Convention in Manhattan was intended to be a heavily scripted event, the opening night deviated from the establishment’s plans when progressive activists held a speak out outside the party’s pep rally, calling for tenant protections and investments in the Excluded Workers Fund. Make the Road New York lead organizer Angeles Solis discusses the policy priorities and why they chose the site of their protest.
Feb. 17, 2022 - Republican political operative David Catalfamo discusses his new book, which offers a fictionalized take on Planet Albany with a story and characters inspired by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his allies.
Feb. 16, 2022 - In January, Karen Przyklek, a 26-year veteran of the state Department of Environmental Conservation's law enforcement arm, was tapped to lead the division, becoming the first woman to hold the director post. She joins the show to discuss her career as an environmental police officer, including her undercover work and walking the beat in New York City, and explain her priorities for this new role.
Feb. 16, 2022 - Food insecurity in New York may have fallen from the headlines, but Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan says the problem remains prevalent and is calling for additional resources - beyond what was proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in her budget - to help feed hungry New Yorkers.
Feb. 16, 2022 - The trajectory of two New York communities seem to be heading in the opposite direction as the result of the fates of the respective nuclear power plants, according to reporting by Tom Zambito, an investigative reporter for the USA Today Network's state team.
Feb. 15, 2022 - Politico New York education reporter Michelle Bocanegra explains a proposal that would shift authority over school lunches in New York from the state Education Department to the state Department of Agriculture & Markets.
Feb. 15, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul may be proposing record levels of funding to maintain our state's roads and bridges, but Associated General Contractors of New York State President & CEO Mike Elmendorf contends the governor's plan falls short of what our transportation system really needs.
Feb. 15, 2022 - Potentially one million acres of wetlands in New York could soon come under the protection of state regulations, as the result of a language in the governor's budget. Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter's Roger Downs and Audubon New York's Erin McGrath make the case for the expanded coverage, which they argue is long overdue.
Feb. 15, 2022 - Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, weighs in on the future of the state's Medicaid spending cap, a down payment on home health care worker wage increases and changes to the administration of the state's Medicaid managed care plans.
Feb. 14, 2022 - If Gov. Kathy Hochul is serious about rebuilding its health care workforce, United University Professions President Fred Kowal says the state needs to make a major investment into the SUNY teaching hospitals, which he argues have been underfunded for more than a decade.
Feb. 14, 2022 - As if the immediate health complications caused by COVID-19 were not enough, as it has contributed to the deaths of more than 60,000 New Yorkers, the insidious virus is also causing lingering symptoms that emerge weeks or months later, known as "Long Covid." State Health Department Epidemiology Division Director Dr. Emily Lutterloh and state Health Department Community Health Deputy Director Johanne Morne discuss what we know about Long Covid, explain how it's being treated now and highlight a recent consortium designed to increase scientific understanding of this condition.
Feb. 14, 2022 - Democrat & Chronicle education reporter Justin Murphy discusses his new book, Your Children Are Very Greatly In Danger: School Segregation In Rochester, New York, which explains how schools in Monroe County took the shape they're in today.
Feb. 14, 2022 - Waiting to attack Lake Champlain from the Hudson River this spring is the Round Goby, an invasive species that arrived in New York in the early 1990s. Stu Gruskin, the chief conservation and external affairs officer with the Nature Conservancy in New York, says the state has a simple choice it could make that would keep the lake safe this year, while a long-term plan is put in place to thwart the expansion of the round gobies.
Feb. 11, 2022 - New Yorkers in need of local social services can call 2-1-1 to find out what's available in their area, but the program is in need of state funds in this year's budget to remain in operation. VIA's Kelly Dodd and United Way of Putnam and Westchester President & CEO Tom Gabriel make the case for a continued state investment in this public-private partnership.
Feb. 11, 2022 - State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, is pushing legislation that would restrict the type of junk food advertisements that can specifically target kids. His proposal would define what's allowed in an ad and would task state regulators with defining junk food that's covered by the restriction.
Feb. 11, 2022 - Rockefeller Institute of Government fellow Lisa Parshall outlines the state incentives designed to encourage villages to dissolve in New York and compares the landscape to Ohio's luck at getting villages to cease existing.
Feb. 11, 2022 - In the wake of his son dying in a car crash in 2021, Kurt Kiess has become an advocate for changing New York's laws so parents like him can obtain monetary damages for their emotional pain in the result of a wrongful death.
Feb. 10, 2022 - CUNY Mapping Service Director Steve Romalewski explains what part of the state is losing a congressional seat and assesses whether the new lines for New York's congressional representation accomplish good government priorities, like compactness and linking communities of interest.
Feb. 10, 2022 - For the first time in decades, Senate Democrats got to control the pen when drawing their legislative boundaries this year. Politico New York's Bill Mahoney explains how they used this power, including whether they simply reversed past trends that hurt them politically or swung the pendulum completely in their favor, and he also provides an update on the Assembly's new maps.
Feb. 10, 2022 - The congressional boundaries crafted by the Democratic majorities in the state Legislature are facing a legal challenge from upstate Republicans, who argue that the lines and how they were produced violate the state constitution. New York Law School's Jeff Wice unpacks the legal arguments and examines how this could alter the 2022 election process.
Feb. 10, 2022 - A 2014 amendment to the state constitution was supposed to have the effect of removing redistricting from the hands of the state legislature, but the process ultimately ended with state lawmakers drawing lines that are objectively partisan. Jack Martins, a Republican appointee to the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, discusses changes to the constitution that could have produced less partisan results.
Feb. 9, 2022 - Public Utility Law Project Executive Director Richard Berkley discusses the ramifications of New York's moratorium on utility shutoffs recently ending and makes the case for a state investment in outstanding energy bills.
Feb. 9, 2022 - Nearly two years ago, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo was a national leader in the fight against COVID-19 and enjoying record levels of popularity in New York, but now his fan base is limited primarily to a small number of women all over the country who continue to defend him online and donate to his campaign. New York Times political reporter Nick Fandos explains who the remaining Cuomo fans are and why they're staying loyal.
Feb. 9, 2022 - Association of School Business Officials New York Executive Director Brian Cechnicki highlights two below-the-radar education proposals from Gov. Kathy Hochul: A boost in state funding for school transportation and construction needs, and forgiving paperwork mistakes by school districts that might otherwise have cost them millions of dollars.
Feb. 9, 2022 - Nature Conservancy New York Director of Strategy and Policy Jessica Ottney Mahar explains the governor's proposed $400 million investment in the Environmental Protection Fund, which is 33 percent above current funding and without a poison pill promoted by her predecessor.
Feb. 8, 2022 - Is sex work exploitative at its core, and therefore needs to be discouraged with laws and regulations, or is it potentially just another way to earn a living in New York? Melissa Broudo, legal director for the non-profit organization Decriminalize Sex Work, makes the case for the latter position and recommends policies that New York should implement.
Feb. 8, 2022 - A ruling by the state liquor authority in January, accomplished what state lawmakers were unable to do for years: authorize movie theaters to serve patrons alcohol during films. National Association of Theater Owners President Joe Masher explains the ramification of the ruling and how it happened.
Feb. 8, 2022 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, discusses the mental trauma suffered by students during the pandemic and highlights her bill requiring mental health professional staffing levels for school districts.
Feb. 8, 2022 - Times Union business reporter Larry Rulison breaks down a proposal from Gov. Kathy Hochul that would move the state's "NanoCollege" back under the purview of the University at Albany and explains how the original split happened under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Feb. 7, 2022 - Following the rush on supermarkets and increasing food insecurity that accompanied the arrival of COVID-19, state lawmakers and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo tasked the New York State Council on Hunger and Food to find ways to improve the state's food resiliency. Council member Julie Suarez, an associate dean with Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, discusses the challenges facing New York's food supply and recommendations for making it more resilient.
Feb. 7, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul's spending plan for the state's social welfare spending doesn't include the types of cuts proposed by her predecessor, but stakeholders say it's far short of the transformative plan they would like to see after New York received an influx of federal dollars. Assembly Children & Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, weighs in on the governor's budget proposal, discussing the politics of her plan and how a final budget deal could invest much more.
Feb. 7, 2022 - New York's medical marijuana program has undergone many iterations since coming into existence in 2014, so in light of the latest regulatory changes from the state's Office of Cannabis Management, we checked in with PharmaCann's Jeremy Unruh to learn about the current experience for medical marijuana consumers.
Feb. 4, 2022 - In January, a special state wage board got the ball rolling on lowering the mandatory overtime threshold for farmworkers from 60 hours a week to 40 hours a week. Western New York dairy farmer Kendra Lamb makes the case why this will hurt the state's agriculture industry, while New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman calls the change a much needed benefit for farmworkers.
Feb. 4, 2022 - The New York Health Act may be on the fast train to nowhere politically right now in Albany, but what would happen if it made its way through the Capitol and got signed into law? We examine that possibility with Ursula Rozum, co-director of the Campaign for New York Health, which is pushing for the adoption of the New York Health Act. We discuss what it might mean for health outcomes, medical professionals and much much more.
Feb. 3, 2022 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwen Craig explains what the appointment of Barbara Rice as the top staffer for the Adirondack Park Agency could mean for the region's future.
Feb. 3, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to tweak a tax incentivize for the creation of affordable housing in New York City, but the proposal falls short of generating a meaningful increase in the supply of housing for low-income New Yorkers, according to Ellen Davidson, housing staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society.
Feb. 3, 2022 - Environmentalists support the state's plan to restrict the use of pesticides that could harm pollinators, but they are also pushing for legislation - opposed by the New York Farm Bureau - that would impose a much broader crackdown if adopted. Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter's Caitlin Ferrante and Natural Resources Defense Council Dan Raichel make the case for taking additional action.
Feb. 3, 2022 - As part of a coordinated effort to grow employment opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities, New York State Industries for the Disabled President & CEO Maureen O'Brien makes the case for updating the state's preferred source contracting rules.
Feb. 2, 2022 - Sen. Tom O'Mara, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, discusses his conference's plan to make New York more affordable and hopefully curb years of outward migration.
Feb. 2, 2022 - Tens of billion of dollars are at stake as the result of Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to potentially shakeup who administers Medicaid managed care plans in New York. Maya Kaufman, a health care reporter for Crain's New York, explains what the proposal overhaul could mean for the state's budget, Medicaid consumers and private insurers.
Feb. 2, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has seen a pothole or two in her travels around the state and she's looking to invest $1 billion over the next five years to help curb their proliferation in New York. New York State County Highway Superintendents Association President Andy Avery discusses what the proposed commitment could mean for the condition of roads in New York and talks about additional state funding for locals streets and bridges.
Feb. 1, 2022 - Leslie Danks Burke hasn’t shied away from her liberal ideology in repeated efforts to knock off a Republican state senator, arguing that candidates are best served by being honest about their values. The Ithaca Democrat is taking the same approach in her third bid to state senate, which may finally bear fruit, as the result of new legislative boundaries.
Jan 31, 2022 - In January, a blue-ribbon commission assembled by former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered its findings on the future role of forensic evaluators, controversial mental health professionals who can play an integral role in child custody and visitation cases in family court. New York State Office of Children & Family Services Commission Sheila Poole, who served as a co-chair on the commission, discusses the group's recommendations for the industry and explains why she didn't want to scrap the job entirely.
Jan 31, 2022 - At the end of 2022, Assemblymember Sandy Galef, a Westchester County Democrat, will be retiring from elected office, as she will not seek re-election in the fall. The 30-year veteran of state government discusses pushing up against the status quo in the state Assembly, her aborted campaign for Westchester County Executive and why she's ready more new challenges.
Jan. 28, 2022 - The state Department of Environmental Conservation is partnering with wildlife organizations and institutions of higher to track and study moose in the wild to learn more about the animals. Krysten Schuler, a wildlife disease ecologist and co-director of the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, and Jen Grauer, a PHD student at Cornell University, explain what we know about moose in New York, what this research project could teach us and whether Bullwinkle J. Moose is an accurate representation of the species.
Jan. 27, 2022 - Dr. Denis Nash, a professor of epidemiology at CUNY's graduate school of public health, assesses the current state of the pandemic in New York and considers what containment measures are appropriate.
Jan. 27, 2022 - The latest chapter of New York Attorney General Letitia James against former President Donald Trump features the state's top lawyer leading a civil probe into the Trump organization. Derek Hogan, an attorney with the law firm of Tully Rinckey in Albany, discusses allegations of fraud against the president's business, efforts by the Trump family to avoid testifying in the matter and the potential timeline for a resolution.
Jan. 27, 2022 - Assembly member Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the "people's budget" from the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, which she chairs. The plan includes billions in additional taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, investments in services that lift up low-income New Yorkers and criminal justice reforms.
Jan. 27, 2022 - Advocates for veterans were pleasantly surprised by Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, which doesn't include some of the political games as her predecessor's fiscal plans. New York State Health Foundation's Derek Coy explains the proposed investment in state resources to connect veterans with federal resources and to make a peer-to-peer mentoring program available across the state.
Jan. 26, 2022 - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie discusses the redistricting process, pre-trial detention policies in New York, investing unused federal stimulus dollars and the status of his commitment to provide webcasts of Assembly committee meetings.
Jan. 26, 2022 - Investigative Post Executive Editor Jim Heaney explains what a recently revealed report commissioned by the Buffalo Bills tells us about the merits of an investment in a new stadium and highlights reporting that could shed light on what contractual demands the team might try to extract from government officials in the future.
Jan. 26, 2022 - The education portion of Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal is being widely heralded by advocates for schools and teachers, but Rural Schools Association of New York State Executive Director David Little says the spending plan is far from perfect for many upstate schools and also warns about the challenges of mandating zero-emission bus purchases by 2027.
Jan. 26, 2022 - New York Association of Convenience Stores President Jim Calvin makes the case for increase the commission retailers take home for selling state lottery products - like scratch-off tickets and lotto drawings - and warns about the unintended consequences of mandating electric vehicles in New York.
Jan. 21, 2022 - New Yorkers can continue to purchase health insurance through the state's marketplace, as the result of an expanded shopping window intended to increase coverage during the pandemic. NY State of Health Executive Director Danielle Holahan explains the plans that are available and incentives to get coverage.
Jan. 20, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul billed her budget as a bold response to historic times, but boldness must be in the eye of the beholder, because lawmakers and activists on her left flank contend that her vision is too limited. Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a Queens Democrat, explains why the executive budget proposal fails to meet the moment.
Jan. 20, 2022 - National Alliance on Mental Illness-New York's Matthew Shapiro explains why the state needs to invest in the 9-8-8 mental health hotline and how a proposed raise for New York's mental health workforce could help preserve access to critical services.
Jan. 20, 2022 - Public Service Commission Chair & CEO Rory Christian discusses a state campaign to sign New Yorkers up for subsidized internet service, an effort to map the availability of high-speed internet across the state and the role utility poles could play in building out high-speed infrastructure in rural parts of New York.
Jan. 20, 2022 - After more than a decade of having the concerns of New Yorkers with disabilities shunted to the sidelines by former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Center for Disability Rights President & CEO Bruce Darling says Gov. Kathy Hochul has not deviated enough from her predecessor, based on the recently unveiled executive budget proposal.
Jan. 20, 2022 - In November, New Yorkers approved the addition of language to the state constitution that guarantees a right to clean air, clean water and a healthful environment. We turned to Ithaca Director of Sustainability Luis Aguirre-Torres to learn how his city is working to preserve those rights.
Jan. 19, 2022 - With the state's broad eviction moratorium expired, Legal Aid Society's Ellen Davidson explains what protections remain in place to keep New Yorkers in their homes and what could come next for everyone still at risk of being homeless.
Jan. 19, 2022 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, touches on her agenda for 2022, including wage theft prevention measures and expanding access to child care, and considers whether politically challenging items, like providing employee benefits for independent contractors, will get addressed this year.
Jan. 18, 2022 - New York Immigration Coalition Executive Director Murad Awawdeh analyzes the state of the state proposals from Gov. Kathy Hochul designed to specifically benefit New York's immigrant population and identifies measures that were missing.
Jan. 18, 2022 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg helps break down their latest survey results, which touch on race in New York and issues at the Capitol.
Jan. 22, 2022 - Wall Street Journal reporter Jimmy Vielkind explains how thousands of New York businesses have been able to avoid a higher federal tax bill as the result of creative state tax policy changes.
Jan. 18, 2022 - Center for Community Alternatives Director of Organizing Marvin Mayfield makes the case for ending New York's use of mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines and giving incarcerated New Yorkers a second chance to have their sentences diminished.
Jan. 17, 2021 - Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein makes the case for redesigning our health care delivery system to make care more affordable and identifies strategies to help provide insurance coverage to the New Yorkers without this safety net.
Jan 17, 2022 - Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Anne Reynolds dissects Gov. Kathy Hochul's plans for developing new offshore wind projects, including a $500 million investment in the industry's infrastructure and searching for a developer to construct a project delivering at least 2 gigawatts of wind power.
Jan. 17, 2021 - Starting in May, as the result of a new state law, employers in New York will need to notify their employees if their electronic communications are being monitored. Albert Fox Cahn, founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, discusses how the state's private employees are being monitored and proposed reforms for the future.
Jan. 17, 2022 - Education Trust-New York Executive Director Dia Bryant analyzes the state of the state proposals from Gov. Kathy Hochul designed to address gaps in education access across the state, including in higher education.
Jan. 14, 2021 - The 2021 legislation laying the groundwork for a marijuana marketplace in New York envisioned minority-owned businesses playing an integral role in the new economic opportunities, but that goal is going to take state investments that help level the playing field. Damian Fagon, a hemp farmer in the Hudson Valley, weighs in on the potential opportunities for "social equity applicants" that will be created with a $200 million investment proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Jan. 14, 2022 - The fashion industry isn't associated with greenhouse gas emissions, but legislation from Democratic lawmakers would highlight their environmental footprint and promote greener policies. Maxine Bédat, director of the New Standard Institute, explains what these potential changes could mean for consumers and the fight against climate change.
Jan. 14, 2022 - New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta dissects Gov. Kathy Hochul's state of the state proposals to address the shortage of teachers in classrooms across New York.
Jan. 14, 2022 - An investigation by the state Inspector General's office found that potentially hundreds of incarcerated New Yorkers were punished unfairly because of an improper drug trusting policy created by prison officials. George Frany, acting deputy inspector general for the upstate region, discusses what his team found and how they uncovered this glaring bureaucratic failure.
Jan. 13, 2021 - To balance the recreation and preservation interests in the Catskills, the state is leaning on the Catskill Strategic Panning Advisory Group. Catskill Center Executive Director Jeff Senterman, a member of the group, discusses the challenges facing the park and highlights an interim plan for the future of the Catskills.
Jan, 13, 2022 - In response to New York's large and growing senior population, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a state master aging plan in her state of the state address. AARP New York's State Director Beth Finkel and Associate State Director Kristen McManus explain what they want to see in the plan and assess initiatives designed to help seniors stay in their homes.
Jan. 13, 2022 - Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged the struggles of the restaurant industry in her state of the state address and proposed to the return of to-go cocktails to help their bottom line. New York State Restaurant Association President & CEO Melissa Fleischut and Donovan's Pub operator Dan Connor discuss the ramifications of authorizing the sale of to-go alcohol and identify other needs of the industry.
Jan. 13, 2021 - Gov. Kathy Hochul said in her state of the state address that she has a "personal" desire to protect the environment. We evaluate that commitment with the help of EarthJustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran.
Jan. 12, 2021 - At the end of 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have changed the bargaining dynamic between e-book publishers and public libraries that were looking to license the digital materials for their patrons. Nassau Library System Director Caroline Ashby and New York Library Association Director of Government Relations & Advocacy Briana McNamee explain how the legislation would have made it easier to obtain e-books and discuss next steps for their campaign.
Jan. 12, 2021 - Parents looking to access child care assistance information in New York can face an uphill battle if they're hoping to find answers on the internet, according to a new report from The Children's Agenda. Pete Nabozny, director of policy for the organization, explains what information families need access to, makes the case for offering assistance applications online and responds to Gov. Kathy Hochul's child care initiatives in the state of the state proposal.
Jan. 12, 2021 - Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses the implementation of the Hate Crime Analysis and Review Act, which is designed to increase our understanding of who is being victimized by and committing hate crimes, but may have some unintended consequences.
Jan. 12, 2021 - After more than two years of new trail creation on hold in the Adirondacks, the state is preparing for the development of new trails with the advice of stakeholders from interests across the region. Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Peter Bauer provides the backstory on the initiative and how the new process could shape future trails in the state's forest preserves.
Jan. 11, 2021 - Metropolitan Public Strategies founder Neal Kwatra predicts what kind of working relationship Gov. Kathy Hochul will maintain with the legislative leaders and looks for political minefields that could complicate the 2022 legislative session.
Jan. 11, 2021 - Former Assemblyman Keith Wright discusses the fate of government reform measures proposed in the governor's state of the state address and predicts how the June primaries will shape the legislative priorities of Democrats in Albany.
Jan. 11, 2021 - New York Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy is confident Republicans will highlight public safety concerns this year (surprise!) and sees Congressman Lee Zeldin emerging from the GOP convention as their official designated candidate for the gubernatorial primary.
Jan. 11, 2021 - New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs anticipates Congressman Tom Suozzi will soon end his bid to be governor of New York and think Democrats are well positioned because of redistricting to pick up congressional seats in the state.
Jan. 10, 2021 - With the Albany County District Attorney's office dropping a misdemeanor sexual charge against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other district attorneys around the state opting not to pursue any charges in stemming from numerous allegations of misconduct, we turned to Politico New York reporter Bill Mahoney for insight on what the once powerful Democratic leader might do next.
Jan. 10, 2021 - After prolonged debate about the merits of the state's restrictions on the use of cash bail, we finally have (relatively) comprehensive data on the initial rollout of the criminal justice changes. Times Union Capitol reporter Josh Solomon helps us make sense of the state data and tries to decipher whether the pre-trial reforms have been a net positive or net negative for New Yorkers.
Jan. 10, 2021 - For parents incapable of temporarily caring for their children and no one they know to step into the void, the state is tapping volunteer host families to serve as an alternative to the child welfare system. New York Office of Children & Family Services Deputy Commissioner Lisa Ghartey-Ogundimu explains how the program will work and why she thinks it's an improvement over the current safety net.
Jan. 10, 2021 - Every year, onion farmers contribute to a special state fund that gets invested in research to help the industry, so we asked onion farmer Paul Ruskiewicz about the benefits of the program, whether it should continue and his favorite onion preparation.
Jan. 7, 2021 - Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, responds to the governor’s state of the state address and discusses the 2022 legislative session, including the fate of to-go cocktails and universal child care access.
Jan. 7, 2021 - In an effort to expand the supply of affordable housing in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing a multi-billion state investment in constructing new homes. New York Housing Conference Executive Director Rachel Fee explains why a significant investment is needed and whether the governor’s multi-year commitment will cut it.
Jan. 7, 2021 - It's a new year, so Senate Aging Committee Chair Rachel May is taking another attempt at securing a multi-billion dollar investment into the state's home care workforce. The Syracuse Democrat provides an update on her campaign, which comes with a higher price tag in 2022.
Jan. 6, 2021 - Every year state lawmakers approve the creation of new state studies, but an investigation launched by Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee Chair James Skoufis confirmed suspicions that much of this analysis - required by law - is not getting done. The Hudson Valley Democrat explains what seems to be the problem and how it can be fixed moving forward.
Jan. 06, 2021 - Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt, a western New York Republican, responds to Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address and looks ahead at the 2022 legislative session.
Jan. 6, 2021 - An investigation by the Times Union into the state's dam landscape shows that many of these barriers are not being rigorously monitored by state officials. Time Union data reporter Emilie Munson explains what her deep dive into the subject found and the potential risk from the lack of oversight.
Jan. 5, 2021 - Former public defender Alana Sivin provides her perspective on the state's Less is More law, which is designed to keep New Yorkers out on parole from going back behind bars.
Jan. 5, 2021 - Rob Rosborough, author of New York Appeals, explains a legal challenge filed in December by the gun industry, which is hoping to block the implementation of a 2021 state law designed to make it easier for New Yorkers to sue gun manufacturers and distributers.
Jan. 5, 2021 - Phill Sexton, founder of a sustainability advisory firm, discusses his upcoming role on the state's Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force, including the scope of the problem and solutions that could emerge.
Jan. 5, 2021 - In order to lift up New York's devastated arts and culture sector, the state is distributing more than $100 million this fiscal year to artists, cultural institutions and arts venues. New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Mara Manus discusses the investment and the campaign to preserve the industry.
Jan. 4, 2021 - Sen. Kevin Thomas, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the future of cricket in New York, following a deal between state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul to ensure state resources are used to promote the international sport.
Jan. 4, 2021 - New York Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli discusses his 2022 legislative priorities, including codifying oversight powers for his office, and weighs in on the state's evolving political landscape.
Jan. 4, 2021 - The Climate Action Council has completed its roadmap to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but environmentalists like Mark Dunlea say there are some glaring omissions in the plan and question whether it should have been bolder.
Jan. 4, 2021 - The state’s bipartisan redistricting commission, tasked with drawing state and federal legislative boundaries, was unable to reach a consensus on district maps for 2022 at its Jan. 3 meeting, falling into the same partisan gridlock that led to competing draft proposals back in September. David Imamura, a Democratic appointee and chair of the commission, explains how the commission go to this point and what comes next.
Jan. 3, 2022 -A skilled workforce is going to be an important part of the state's economic recovery from the pandemic, so we're highlighting the youth adult opportunity initiative from the New Settlement organization in the Bronx, which works to give young people the social, emotional and vocational skills they need to find a career. Javiel Vega, the group's workforce development director, explains the training they provide for the future and why it's a worth state investment.
Jan. 3, 2021 - Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner highlights the security lapses with the state's system of letting New Yorkers apply for their learner's permit online.
Jan. 3, 2021 - Onondaga County Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny explains new laws that will expand the number of early voting sites in New York, allow counties to count absentee votes sooner than in the past and ensures New Yorkers can apply for and track their mail-in ballot online.
Dec. 30, 2021 - It's been about a decade since the state implemented changes to the state's pension plans, so the Empire Center for Public Policy has examined the cost savings that have been realized from these reforms in the ensuing years. The group's founder, EJ McMahon, joins us to talk dollars and cents and make the case for adding more flexibility to future retirement plans for public employees.
Dec. 30, 2021 - Journalist Jim Odato, interim editor for the Adirondack Explorer, highlights the life and passion of Lucy Gwin in a new biography. This Brain had a Mouth details Gwin's advocacy for New Yorkers with disabilities and her years of activism journalism.
Dec. 29, 2021 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for her legislation removing regulatory burdens and costs for internet service providers trying to utilize existing utility poles, which could ensure more rural areas can access high-speed internet. The bill was signed before Christmas, but with a request for some changes from Gov. Kathy Hochul, which we'll explain. (Originally aired in June 2021)
Dec. 29, 2021 - Correctional Association of New York Executive Director Jennifer Scaife reviews the state prison system's performance during the pandemic, including a look at the preventative measures taken and efforts to vaccinate incarcerated New Yorkers.
Dec. 29, 2021 - In an attempt to promote transparency and distance herself from her predecessor, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state agencies in the fall of 2021 to adopt transparency plans. We turned to transparency advocate Rachael Fauss, senior research analyst for Reinvent Albany, to dissect the plans and tell us how much more sunlight will actually get in.
Dec. 28, 2021 - The pandemic has illuminated the fact that there are New Yorkers ineligible to receive unemployment benefits, so a new campaign has been launched to expand this protection to more of the state's workforce, including undocumented immigrants. Bianca Guerrero, coordinator for the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition, discusses how the benefits would work and why they should be provided.
Dec, 28, 2021 - While there are many obstacles to creating affordable housing, a major obstacle at the local level can be zoning restrictions that impede the construction of new and varied housing, according to Cea Weaver, campaign coordinator of Housing Justice for All.
Dec. 28, 2021 - Gov. Kathy Hochul's initial use of her clemency powers disappointed progressive criminal justice advocates, who are hoping the new governor will use her executive power to correct perceived injustices in the legal system. The Legal Aid Society's Ted Hausman discusses the recent clemency actions and lays out how they could be used in the future.
Dec. 28, 2021 - Legislation recently signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul mandates a task force to examine improved water safety teaching to help prevent drownings in New York. ZAC Foundation co-founder Karen Cohn explains what a smart curriculum would look like and highlights other steps that can prevent drownings.
Dec. 27, 2021 - New York Home and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas breaks down a new homeowner relief program that will distribute more than half a billion to New Yorkers behind on their housing costs and in jeopardy of losing their houses.
Dec. 27, 2021 - Truck drivers in New York, especially in the Capital Region, keep hitting bridge overpasses, so the state is ramping up its education and enforcement efforts to ward off these costly collisions, according tp Todd Westhuis, chief of staff for the New York Department of Transportation.
Dec. 27, 2021 - The state Education Department's Dr. Jim Baldwin explains why controversial teacher certification assessment is likely on its way out and describes how prospective educators may be certified in the future.
Dec. 27, 2021 - In 2022, New York will be implementing broad restrictions on the use of polystyrene, so we checked in with New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos to understand how the new rules will work, who they'll apply to and how the state will enforce the measure.
Dec. 23, 2021 - After more than 50 years in office - making him the longest serving state lawmakers in New York history - Assemblyman Dick Gottfried is retiring at the end of 2022. We talked with the Manhattan Democrat about his achievements in office, his regrets and serving as a progressive mentor to young liberals. We also talked about his work-life balance, the origin of his beard, when he is "Dick" and when he is "Richard," who controls his Twitter account and his favorite journalists.
Dec. 22, 2021 - Assemblyman Harry Bronson, a Rochester Democrat, makes the case for legislation that would expand the list of mental health providers who can get compensated by Medicaid, in order to expand access to mental health services for low-income New Yorkers.
Dec. 22, 2021 - In response to hospital staffing needs across upstate, 16 downstate nurses are volunteering for two weeks at stressed facilities in western New York, including at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. We examine the crisis that created the demand, how the volunteer nurses are helping and what the long-term fix is for the workforce shortage.
Dec. 22, 2021 - Starting in February, New Yorkers will need to start making payments again on federal student loan debt, so we checked in with Carolina Rodriguez, director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program, to understand what this future will look like.
Dec. 22, 2021 - New Yorkers will soon be able to weigh in on a state plan to combat climate change, so we get an overview of what the proposal does from Peter Iwanowicz, a member of New York's Climate Action Council and executive director of Environmental Advocates NY.
Dec. 21, 2021 - Times Union investigative reporter Chris Bragg provides the latest update from the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and its ongoing drama with former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his pandemic memoir.
Dec. 21, 2021 - The recently appointed state Inspector General, Lucy Lang, discusses how she got her government oversight job, how she wants to use her power, the independence of her office and the actor who would play her in the future.
Dec. 21, 2021 - New York's latest mask mandate has fallen largely on the state's retailers, so we checked in with Retail Council of New York State President & CEO Melissa O'Connor to learn how this responsibility is going.
Dec. 21, 2021 - Electric vehicles are going to be an important part of any road to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in New York, but legislation designed to promote the buildout of fast charging stations may have hit a roadblock in the governor's office. Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Anne Reynolds explains why the measure is so important to the state's fight against climate change.
Dec. 20, 2021 - Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, provides an update on the Gateway transit project, which could be getting momentum in the wake of new federal funds.
Dec. 20, 2021 - New York has simplified its fishing regulations in order to improve the overall angling experience in the state, according to Steve Hurst, chief of Bureau of Fisheries in the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
Dec. 20, 2021 - New York has hit its goal for state contract spending directed to minority- and women-owned business enterprises, so we turned to Valerie White, executive director of LISC NYC, to consider what state policymakers should do moving forward to ensure traditionally marginalized business owners are able to grow and prosper.
Dec. 17, 2021 - New York Health Commissioner Mary Bassett discusses who will benefit from the state’s new, broad mask mandate, the risks posed by indoor gatherings at private homes and how the health department will assess the need for universal mask policies in January.
Dec. 17, 2021 - The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has been growing in power since the summer of 2018 and is hoping to flex its political muscles in 2022. We talked with the organization's co-chair, Sumathy Kumar, of their budget and legislative priorities for next year and how they plan on navigating the Democratic primaries in June.
Dec. 17, 2021 - Senate Ethics & Internal Governance Committee Chair Alessandra Biaggi, a Westchester County Democrat, is taking another stab at beefing up oversight of New York's state government. She recently hosted a hearing, which explored the state comptroller's office's audit and procurement powers, and introduced a new bill reforming the selection process of the state's next inspector general.
Dec. 16, 2021 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, talks about her legislation to require private insurers cover abortions for whatever reason and reflects on her experience running a non-profit serving the reproductive needs of Latina women in New York City.
Dec. 16, 2021 - The New York Council on Problem Gambling's Jim Maney and Michelle Hadden discuss a state study finding that 4 percent of New Yorkers have a gambling addiction and offer recommendations to improve the state's campaign to address the problem.
Dec. 16, 2021 - New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers Executive Director John Coppola explains the scope of the state's workforce shortage at treatment facilities for New Yorkers with addiction problems and also peels back the curtain on state oversight of these operations.
Dec. 15, 2021 - Newsday Capitol correspondent Michael Gormley has the scoop on an gas tax increase that will hit distributors in January and will likely trickle down to consumers soon after.
Dec. 15, 2021 - The state website utilized by millions of New Yorkers to purchase health insurance is expanding its mission to better connect New Yorkers to qualified home care help. NY State of Health Executive Director Danielle Holahan and NY State of Health Care at Home Project Director Michael Greklek explain how the new pilot program could save money, improve care and make the consumer shopping experience better.
Dec 15. 2021 - SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras is heading for the exit doors, so we check in with Times Union education reporter Rachel Silberstein about the long-time ally of Andrew Cuomo's abrupt departure, the reason for his downfall and what's next for the state's system of public colleges and universities.
Dec. 15, 2021 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is imposing broad mask restrictions in public settings, regardless of vaccination status, to help the slow the spread of COVID-19 this winter. But is it enough or even the right move to make now? We explore those questions and more with University at Albany associate professor Dr. Tomoko Udo.
Dec. 14, 2021 - New York's thoroughbred and harness racing industries - everything from the tracks that host races to the connected professions - would look dramatically different without funding from casino operations all over the state, which are used to augment capital spending at tracks, purses for the winners, operating expenses and breeders. Jeff Cannizzo, senior director of government affairs for the New York Racing Association, the single largest beneficiary of this dynamic, joins the show to make the case for upholding the current arrangement and argues against diverting any of the gambling revenues that flow to horse racing.
Dec. 14, 2021 - Senate Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee Chair Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, provides an update on the rollout of mobile sports wagering, including when it might be legal to bet online on sports and how kiosks might fit into the landscape in the future.
Dec. 14, 2021 - While the bulk of the state's Democratic turnout for this year's gubernatorial primary will come from New York City, the other big prize is the New York City suburbs. To consider who these voters are, what they care about and which candidate they might be drawn to, we turned to Larry Levy, executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University.
Dec. 13, 2021 - A statewide coalition is hoping 2022 is the year New York levels the economic playing field and coalition members Sarah Ludwig, founder of the New Economy Project, and Melissa Marquez, CEO of the Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union, break down their legislative plans to achieving that future.
Dec. 13, 2021 - The decision by Ben & Jerry's to stop selling ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank had significant ramifications for the ice cream manufacturer and its parents company this fall, when New York began taking steps to severe ties with the companies, as the result of a 2016 executive order. Human Rights Watch Israel & Palestine Director Omar Shakir dissects the state policy and considers how New York should use its soft and hard power with Israel.
Dec. 13, 2021 - When the 60-day, January through June legislative session calendar came out, Assemblyman Robert Carroll reiterated his complaint that the schedule isn't long enough. The Brooklyn Democrat joins the show to discuss why he thinks state lawmakers should meet all year and how the legislative process could be improved.
Dec. 10, 2021 - For nearly 50 years, New York's dairy industry has been getting a boost from marketing and outreach efforts funded by dairy farmers and directed by a state dairy promotion advisory board, which is now responsible for dolling out $15 million annually. Board Chair Larry Bailey, a Washington County dairy farmer, explains the roots of the promotional efforts, what was funded for 2022 and how marketing cookies is good for milk sales.
Dec, 9, 2021 - As the result of the challenges presented by the pandemic and record levels of state investments planned for the future, New York's public schools are at a potential turning point, and the state's teachers' union has a series of recommendations on how to plot the best path forward.
Dec. 9, 2021 - State Sen. Shelley Mayer joins the show to discuss her candidacy for state attorney general. The Westchester County Democrat highlights her extensive resume, shares her vision for exercising the power's of the office and addresses the future of her legislative seat.
Dec. 9, 2021 - In order to promote better cooperation among stakeholders and state officials in the Adirondack and Catskill parks, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has tapped Josh Clague and McCrea Burnham to serve as coordinators in the respective parks.
Dec. 7, 2021 - After operating for years without local sanction, New York City recently gave its stamp of approval to two drug outreach initiatives - one in Harlem and the other in Washington Heights - that had been offering a safe site for illegal drug consumption. Kailin See, senior director of programs for the non-profit overseeing the operations, explains how the initiative works and why they think it's a net positive for society.
Dec. 8, 2021 - Sen. Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat who chairs the chamber's housing committee, discusses the dangers of lead poisoning and identifies policies that could mitigate the risks for thousands of kids across New York.
Dec. 8, 2021 - In less than a month the state's bipartisan redistricting commission is planning on adopting their finalized legislative boundaries for the state and federal representatives in New York, so we got a status check with the commission's vice chair, Republican Jack Martins, who has a lot of concerns about the redistricting process moving forward.
Dec. 7, 2021 - Democratic primary voters still prefer Kathy Hochul as their gubernatorial nominee and New Yorkers want the economy and crime to be the top priorities for the upcoming legislative session, according to a new poll from the Siena College Research Institute. We examine these numbers, and much more, with Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
Dec. 7, 2021 - Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Toby Stavisky, a Queens Democrat, reflects on what she learned from a series of hearings assessing the effect of the pandemic on New York's colleges and universities and discusses the future of SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras.
Dec. 7, 2021 - U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Long Island Democrat, explains why he is uniquely qualified to be the next governor of New York and weighs in on property taxes, paying for a transition from fossil fuels and how we remember Christopher Columbus.
Dec. 7, 2021 - Legislation awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature could make it dramatically easier for New Yorkers on Medicaid to access local pharmacies in their communities, according to proponents of the measure, including Albany Medical Center's Dr. Timothy Lynch and Empowering People's Independence education coordinator Mike Radell.
Dec. 6, 2021 - What if patient care in New York was better, as the result of improved collaboration between stakeholders in the health care industry? That's the goal of a new effort from the Healthcare Association of New York State, the Iroquois Health Association and the Homecare Association of New York State.
Dec. 6, 2021 - In November, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation creating a commission to recommend improvements to the education system in New York's prisons, but the simple answer is government funding to increase accessibility, according to Wesley Cains, chief of staff for The Bronx Defenders, who earned two college degrees behind bars.
Dec. 6, 2021 - Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan explains the coordinated outreach campaign underway to help large food generators comply with a new law requiring they donate leftover food or make sure it ends up in a nearby organic recycler.
Dec. 3, 2021 - Four years after legislation was signed into law directing state regulators to craft rules allowing for the modernization of charitable gambling events, Sen. Joe Griffo, a central New York Republican, is calling on the state Gaming Commission to finish the work they were tasked to do.
Dec. 3, 2021 - Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, wants to stop the annual disbursement of more than $200 million in annual gambling revenue that is directed to the racing industry. She discusses how she wants the money to be utilized and why she's not concerned about potentially jeopardizing thousands of jobs connected to horse racing.
Dec. 3, 2021 - Wayne Spence, a former parole officer and current president of the New York Public Employees Federation, which represents parole officers, is warning that public safety is at risk due to a new law that will restrict the ramifications for minor parole violations.
Dec. 3, 2021 - Assemblyman Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican who served overseas, discusses his campaign to find ways to improve the delivery of mental health services to veterans in New York, including potentially overhauling the state agency serving veterans.
Dec. 2, 2021 - New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon highlights a new apprenticeship program for careers in distilling and brewing and explains the broader benefits of the state's registered apprenticeship programs.
Dec. 2, 2021 - Hospitals in upstate New York are dealing with their worst pandemic circumstances of 2021, as the result of exacerbated staffing shortages, a spike in COVID-19 cases and a lack of meaningful relief from the state, according to Michael Stapleton, president & CEO of UR Medicine Thompson Health in the Finger Lakes.
Dec. 2, 2021 - New York and New Jersey are at odds over the future of a bi-state commission tasked with monitoring the criminal element at the state's ports. Politico reporter Ry Rivard provides the backstory on the Waterfront Commission and how a nearly 70-year partnership could be coming to an end.
Dec. 1, 2021 - The release of testimony and exhibits from the attorney general’s office’s investigation into alleged misconduct by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo reveal – for the first time – the true scope of CNN anchor Chris Cuomo’s role in advising his elder brother and his response team during the early days of the crisis that led to his resignation, according to Politico reporter Nick Niedzwiadek.
Dec. 1, 2021 - During the 2022 legislative session in Albany, one of the big priorities for progressive activists and Democratic state lawmakers will be the adoption of so-called "Good Cause" legislation. Jay Martin, executive director of an organization representing rent-stabilized property owners in New York City, warns that the measure could have unintended negative consequences for landlords and tenants alike if enacted.
Dec. 1, 2021 - Five months after the state's pandemic disaster declaration lapsed, Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a new state of emergency as the result of the current spread and consequences of COVID-19. Dr. Isaac Weisfuse, a medical epidemiologist and former deputy health commissioner for New York City, explains the current state of the pandemic in New York, the potential effectiveness of the state's latest containment policies and how much worse transmission might get this winter.
Nov. 30, 2021 - The state will have enough electricity to meet the power needs of New Yorkers this winter, according to New York Independent System Operator President & CEO Rich Dewey, who joined the show to discuss the state's existing power capacity, the transition to renewable energy sources and much more.
Nov. 30, 2021 - State Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, a Hudson Valley Democrat, discusses the state initiated takeover of the building and code enforcement responsibilities for a village in his district that appears to be shirking its duties.
Nov. 30, 2021 - We remember the early political career of Susan John, a Democrat who represented parts of Monroe County in the state Assembly from 1991 to 2010 and recently died of cancer.
Nov. 29, 2021 - In the wake of a judge raising constitutional concerns with a criminal defendant's ability to access a crime scene, Assemblyman Ed Ra, a Long Island Republican, introduced a bill that would repeal the broad access available now, which is a product of sweeping changes to the state's discovery process that were enacted in 2019.
Nov. 29, 2021 - The eight-month impeachment investigation into Andrew Cuomo by the Assembly Judiciary Committee was recently publicized, so we explored the findings and how they should be utilized with Assembly Judiciary Committee member Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat.
Nov. 29, 2021 - State funding for education got a big boost earlier this year, but the increase for schools that specifically serve kids with special needs didn't keep up with New York's public schools, according to advocates for the former. Kathleen Brady-Stepien, president & CEO of the 853 Coalition, explains the ramifications of the funding imbalance and how legislation awaiting the governor's signature could change things.
Nov. 24, 2021 - With a majority of the Democratic field for governor currently residing in New York City, we wanted to explore who has the advantage in the competition for this voter rich portion of the electorate, especially the Brooklyn. City & State NY senior reporter Jeff Coltin lays out the strengths and weaknesses of the downstate candidates and handicaps how the race for the Democratic nomination could unfold.
Nov. 23, 2021 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, is on a statewide tour to hone her proposal to provide all New York families access to affordable, high-quality child care. She discusses a sliding cost model, where the billions of dollars in funding would come from and how long it would take to implement.
Nov. 23, 2021 - In light of the risk that climate change poses to all aspects of society, the state Department of Financial Services is flexing its regulatory muscles to make sure that New York insurers are factoring potential consequences of climate change into their decisions. The head of the department's new climate division, Dr. Nina Chen, explains what they're advising insurers to do and addresses her new responsibilities.
Nov. 23, 2021 - Prevent Child Abuse New York Executive Director Tim Hathaway explains how more intensives and expansive outreach could significantly curb instances of child abuse in New York, where cases likely exceed 160,000 annually.
Nov. 22, 2021 - New York health officials now have a roadmap for eliminating hepatitis C, after the Hochul administration released a long-buried report from a task force assembled three years ago by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo to address prevention and treatment of the virus. Task force member Annette Gaudino highlights some of the game-changing recommendations and pontificates about why it took so long for the report to be publicized.
Nov. 22, 2021 - The cyber security team tasked with serving local government and public entities around the state isn't doing all that it could be, according a recent audit by the state comptroller's office. They could do a better job simply by adopting basic internal controls, according to Tina Kim, deputy comptroller for the office's division of state government accountability.
Nov. 22, 2021 - When New York's "Bottle Bill" celebrates its 40th anniversary next year, Beyond Plastics President Judith Enck hopes state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul will use the occasion to build on the environmental policy by expanding the types of beverages with a redemption deposit and increase the nickel deposit to a dime.
Nov. 19, 2021 - Leigh Latimer and Abigail Swenstein, of the Legal Aid Society’s Exploitation Intervention Project, discuss the shape of human trafficking in New York and highlight legislation that was signed into law in November that would protect trafficking survivors from certain legal consequences. (originally aired June 7, 2021)
Nov, 19, 2021 - For decades, New York's whistleblower protections have been narrowly defined, but that's going to change dramatically as the result of a recently enacted law, according to Allen Shoikhetbrod, managing partner of the Albany law office of Tully Rinckey.
Nov. 19, 2021 - Adirondack Council Executive Director Willie Janeway shares his organization's 30-year vision for the Adirondack Park, including hundreds of specific recommendations for stakeholders and big picture philosophies.
Nov. 18, 2021 - Binghamton University professor Stan Whittingham has a vision for the Southern Tier: a battery making powerhouse. The idea may sound like a stretch, but a batter manufacturing plant is scheduled to open in early 2022 in the Binghamton area and Whittingham is worth listening to since he recently won a Nobel prize for chemistry.
Nov. 18, 2021 - For a decade, Avi Israel has been on the frontlines in the fight against the opioid epidemic and he's about to take on a statewide role, helping to distribute more than $1 billion in prevention and recovery funds. We explore the work of the Opioid Settlement Board, including what should get funded, and assess where New York is in the campaign to battle opioid addiction since the arrival of COVID-19.
Nov. 17, 2021 - The interview transcripts from the state attorney general's office's investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by the former governor, also shed additional light on the state's pandemic response. The Empire Center's Bill Hammond discusses some of the most troubling revelations about the Cuomo administration's approach to this public health disaster.
Nov. 17, 2021 - The public is gaining new insights into the behind-the-scenes operations of the Cuomo administration and how the former governor interacted with women who accused him of sexual misconduct, as the result of interview transcripts released by the state attorney general's office. Politico New York's Bill Mahoney explains what the hundreds of pages tell us about Andrew Cuomo and his alleged behavior.
Nov. 17, 2021 - It was generally assumed that New Yorkers would approve a constitutional amendment to the state's ongoing redistricting process, but in light of it failing on Election Day, we're double checking what the existing rules mean for lawmakers and the bipartisan redistricting commission with the help of Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and professor with New York Law School.
Nov. 17, 2021 - Penn Station was already poised for a face lift under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced plans to put her own spin on the transit hub. WNYC reporter Stephen Nessen breaks down the latest plan for midtown Manhattan and the potential for a new station name.
Nov. 16, 2021 - Legal Aid Society staff attorney Ellen Davidson discusses a lawsuit challenging the state's eviction moratorium, the merits of a moratorium at this stage in the pandemic and the status of rent relief aid in New York.
Nov. 16, 2021 - Legal Aid Society staff attorney Kate Wood explains a new lawsuit designed to reverse state laws and practices that are keeping New Yorkers from raising their family members in foster care because of distant criminal records.
Nov. 16, 2021 - The Democratic race for governor has thrust the issue of "Good Cause" eviction back in the spotlight, and just in time for the 2022 legislation session! So we checked in with the bill's senator sponsor, Brooklyn Democrat Julia Salazar, about why she thinks the bill is necessary, the politics surrounding the measure and implementation of 2019 tenant protections.
Nov. 15, 2021 - In the spring of 2021, state education officials had a simple direction for local educators: Write down policies that advance the goals of diversity, equity and inclusion in their schools. The implementation of that call to action has been anything but simple, with localized backlashes to the initiative prompting a coalition of education organizations to speak out in defense of the review process.
New York State School Boards Association General Counsel Jay Wrona and New York State Council of School Superintendents Deputy Director Bob Lowry explain how schools are crafting their inclusion plans and why this is an important mission.
Nov. 12, 2021 - State Sen. James Skoufis, a Hudson Valley Democrat, has had enough with the changing of the clocks in the spring and fall, and is pushing for northeast states to join together to implement daylight saving time all year round.
Nov. 12, 2021 - Voters in the city of Albany opted to give dramatically stronger oversight powers to their civilian police review board, so we talked with advocates of the local law change about the rationale for expanded authority and whether municipalities around New York should take the same approach.
Nov. 12, 2021 - State Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse-area Democrat, is proposing a state commission that would try to identify and fund new initiatives designed to expand access to local news coverage in communities around New York.
Nov. 12, 2021 - Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses the law she co-authored that reduces the consequences for minor parole violations and highlights her criminal justice goals for 2022.
Nov. 11, 2021 - It's finally infrastructure week in America, so we're talking with Associated General Contractors of New York State President & CEO Mike Elmendorf about what the $1 trillion package approved by Congress means for the state's roads, bridges, and much more.
Nov. 11, 2021 - In an effort to help New York's tourism industry bounce back from the pandemic, Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to incentivize employers that bring back staff who lost their jobs and invest millions in a marketing campaign. New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association President Mark Dorr assesses the proposed recovery package and offers his own ideas for attracting more tourism dollars.
Nov. 11, 2021 - With about 1.5 million New Yorkers ages 5 to 11 now able to get vaccinated against COVID-19, we turned to Dr. Emily Lutterloh, director of epidemiology for the state Department of Health, for insights into the state's campaign to administer shots to kids as fast as possible.
Nov. 10, 2021 - A former quarry in Greene County that has been a constant source of fossils for decades, is now being recognized as the home to the fossilized remains of the world's first known forest, according to Dr. Lisa Amati, the state paleontologist, who joined the show to explain what's been found, why it matters and New York's other fossil finds.
Nov. 10, 2021 - Less than half of the students in grade 3 - 8 who traditionally take ELA and mathematics standardized assessments actually sat for the exams this past spring, but that doesn't mean local education officials can't glean important information from the results, says Dia Bryant, executive director of The Education-Trust NY.
Nov. 10, 2021 - Chris Alexander is breaking new ground as the first executive director of the state's office of cannabis management, serving in a job and agency he helped create as a contributor to the legislation legalizing adult-use marijuana that became law in the spring. He joins the show to discuss his role in the state, the hemp regulations approved by the state Cannabis Control Board and the future of New York's adult-use marijuana market.
Nov. 9, 2021 - Environmentalists are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to transition 2 million homes to energy-efficient, all-electric residences by 2030, in order to make a dent in the state's greenhouse gas emissions, according to Lisa Marshall, of Mothers Out Front NY, and Sonal Jessel, of WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
Nov. 9, 2021 - Cryptocurrency mining is likely to expand New York's carbon footprint, according to Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright, a Long Island Democrat, who recently held a hearing on the issue and wants to impose a moratorium on the practice.
Nov. 9, 2021 - In order to pay out a record number of unemployment claims during the pandemic, New York had to borrow billions of dollars from the federal government - money our friends in Washington D.C. want back. Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United, explains how the state's unemployment benefits are normally funded and offered a plan to ensure our pandemic debts don't drag down the state's employers.
Nov. 9, 2021 - Investigative Post Executive Editor Jim Heaney breaks down the results of the Buffalo mayoral race, including where incumbent Byron Brown got his votes from and how India Walton's socialist ideas factored into the election.
Nov. 8, 2021 - The future of the Buffalo Bills is quarterback Josh Allen, but where his home games will be played is a much more ambiguous question, which is being negotiated by state and county officials with the team's ownership. USA Today network state editor Jon Campbell discusses the possible outcomes of this process, including locations for a new stadium and who will foot the bill.
Nov. 8, 2021 - For more than 10 years, Andrew Cuomo left his mark on the state's economic development initiatives as governor. So what will Gov. Kathy Hochul's approach look like? In light of recent economic development appointments by the new governor, we asked that question to Newsday reporter James Madore.
Nov. 8, 2021 - New York's revenue collections halfway through the fiscal year continue to exceed budget projections, according to the Citizens Budget Commission's Patrick Orecki, who breaks down the latest financial update from the Hochul administration.
Nov. 8, 2021 - Hundreds of municipalities in New York are preemptively opting out of the state's recreational marijuana market, according to the Rockefeller Institute's Heather Trela, who explains the calculations being made by local leaders all over the state and why she thinks more will make a similar decision - at least temporarily - before the end of the year.
Nov. 5, 2021 - A state law governing permits for handguns is in jeopardy of being struck down after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week challenging its constitutionality, according to Robert Spitzer, distinguished service professor emeritus at SUNY Cortland.
Nov. 5, 2021 - In light of a recently announced settlement in a lawsuit designed to increase state funding for public education in New York, we take a trip down memory lane with Michael Rebell, the co-counsel for the plaintiffs in the 1993 lawsuit brought against the state by the Campaign for Fiscal Equity. We explore nearly 30 years of legal challenges, what the settlement by the Hochul administration means and the future of the state's education funding distribution model.
Nov. 5, 2021 - For more than 60 years, the state Office of Mental Health's Nathan Kline Institute has been on the cutting edge of treating the human brain and their work is continuing to break new ground, as they recently secured a $3.7 million grant to develop and utilize a cutting edge MRI system. We hear from the institute's Dr. Donald Goff and Dr. Alexandre Franco about why this technology matters and how they'll use it.
Nov. 4, 2021 - A media literacy advocacy coalition is pushing four bills that they hope will give New Yorkers the tools they need to process the news and sort out the "fake news" that gets promulgated on social media. Media Literacy Now's Jaclyn Siegel and the New York Library Association's Briana McNamee unpack the legislative proposals and what it means to be media literate.
Nov. 4, 2021 - New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs discusses the Election Day results, including the GOP victories on Long Island, the Buffalo mayoral race and the losing propositions championed by Democratic lawmakers. We explore what message - if any - voters were sending to Democrats and how they should respond in 2022.
Nov. 3, 2021 - Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for his legislation that would create a path to transition illegally created apartments into legal, regulated dwellings.
Nov. 3, 2021 - Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Michelle Hinchey, an Ulster County Democrat, discusses an initiative to connect prospective farmers with farmland, her 2022 legislative priorities and her opposition - this year - to reconvening a wage board empowered to lower the state's minimum overtime threshold for farmworkers.
Nov. 3, 2021 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Dick Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, recently solicited testimony about improving the state's Medicaid program, as he prepared to secure a major increased investment in the program in the upcoming budget process.
Nov. 3, 2021 - One of the unsung heroes for New York's economy during the pandemic was the state's shared work program, which allowed employers to reduce the hours of employees, who then got to collect pro-rated state unemployment benefits and, at some points, an enhanced federal unemployment benefit. State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon explains how the program was utilized and what it's future could look like.
Nov. 2, 2021 - David Schulz, a media law attorney, who serves on the state Committee on Open Government, discusses his vision for the future of the state's transparency laws, including a hybrid model of the Open Meetings Law and updates to the Freedom of Information Law that acknowledge the 21st century.
Nov. 2, 2021 - Times Union reporter Josh Solomon has been checking the receipts on then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo's summer gun violence emergency announcement, assessing what has actually been accomplished by the formal declaration and trying to get a full accounting of the funds earmarked for prevention measures.
Nov. 2, 2021 - It took about two years, but the Upstate Cellular Coverage Task Force completed its work this fall of identifying the region's dark spots and coming up with an action plan for the future. Task force member Jeff Senterman explains how they uncovered the inadequacy of federal coverage maps and identified 1,950 miles of roadways where coverage could be improved.
Nov. 1, 2021 - Dr. Joseph Sellers, a pediatrician and president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, explains what the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines should look like for kids ages 5 to 11 in New York, weighs in on a potential vaccination mandate for children attending public schools and assesses the net effect of Gov. Kathy Hochul's vaccine mandate on health care workers.
Nov. 1, 2021 - The cost of combatting climate change may be expensive, but it's ultimately a net positive, according to a recent report presented to the Climate Action Council. The group's co-chairs, NYSERDA President & CEO Doreen Harris and NYS DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos, join the show to explain the assessment, how it should be used and preview their upcoming trip to Europe.
Nov. 1, 2021 - Assembly Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner, a Bronx Democrat, is betting that her legislation, which increases transparency around workplace compensation, will give women and people of color an important tool they need to help battle wage disparity in New York.
Oct. 29, 2021 - Dr. Justine Waldman, founder and CEO of the REACH Project, Inc., discusses her experience on the front lines of the opioid crisis during the pandemic and makes recommendations on state policies that could help New Yorkers access treatment and recovery services.
Oct. 29, 2021 - The race to be mayor of Buffalo is intriguing by itself, but a political science class could also be taught about the endorsements - or lack of endorsements - in the race. Metropolitan Public Strategies founder and CEO Neal Kwatra reads the political tea leaves behind the approach to this race by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Tish James.
Oct. 29, 2021 - Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, recaps her visit to a crisis intervention center in Dutchess County and makes the case for greater state investment in services catering to New Yorkers suffering from a mental health or substance abuse episode.
Oct. 29, 2021 - While women- and minority-owned businesses have made great strides in growing their share of state contracts in recent years, there are still systemic challenges that hinder their ability to compete. Valerie White, executive director of LISC NYC, highlights a private-public partnership designed to remove one obstacle: increasing access to capital.
Oct. 28, 2021 - After state lawmakers and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved online sports wagering in the spring, state regulators have been working behind the scenes to set up a framework of rules and select operators to run the future system. Legal Sports Report Managing Editor Adam Candee provides a status update on the process, including the competitors who have emerged and what it means for New York gamblers.
Oct. 28, 2021 - State Forester Rob Davies discusses the threat of invasive species in New York, which is the subject of an upcoming documentary commissioned by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
October 28, 2021 - Assembly Government Operations Committee Chair Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland County Democrat, recounts what he learned at his recent hearing examining compliance with the state's Open Meetings Law during the pandemic and considers the shape of the transparency measure for the future.
Oct. 27, 2021 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses the Cuomo administration's oversight of its economic development initiatives, which is the subject of a new audit by the comptroller's office, and makes the case for a more rigorous analysis of how taxpayer funds are being invested.
Oct. 27, 2021 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses his plans for 2022, handicaps the field of Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls and avoids weighing in on the race for mayor of Buffalo.
October 27, 2021 - Nearly 50 years ago, Lou Grumet was dispatched to upstate New York - by then-state Secretary of State Mario Cuomo - to negotiate with a group of armed Mohawk Indians from Canada, who had seized more than 600 acres of property in the Adirondacks. What happened next is documented in Grumet's new book, "This Land is My Land: An Insider’s Account of the 1974 Attempt to Reclaim New York State."
October 27, 2021 - With Halloween around the corner, we're getting scared to death by Albany Law School distinguished professor Pat Reyhan, who has a spooky story about a haunted house that was the subject of a groundbreaking lawsuit 30 years ago. Listen if you dare!!!!
October 26, 2021 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has packaged New York's pandemic data into a centralized website as part of an effort to be more transparent, so we asked Reinvent Albany policy analyst Tom Speaker to assess the data that's available, how it's presented and what's missing.
October 26, 2021 - Officials from the state Department of Health highlight the tobacco consumption rates among teens - less than 3 percent of high schoolers report smoking - and consider the state policies that got us to this new low.
October 26, 2021 - Assemblyman Chris Burdick, a Westchester County Democrat, shares what he learned from a recent hearing seeking information to improve economic opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities.
October 26, 2021 - A new book of scholarly research attempts to put to bed any doubt about the positive impact refugees have had on the upstate communities they've settled into in recent years.
October 25, 2021 - Gov. Kathy Hochul has filled the Adirondack Park Agency's long running leadership vacancy, so we turned to Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwen Craig for answers about the personnel shakeup, including what it means for the North Country.
October 22, 2021 - Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog, examines the lawsuits filed by New Yorkers who want to compel hospitals to administer an unproven treatment for COVID-19 and gives an update on the legal challenges to vaccine mandates.
October 22, 2021 - New York State Economic Development Council Executive Director Ryan Silva discusses the role Industrial Development Agencies play in New York and makes the case for their continued role in the state's economic development landscape.
October 22, 2021 -After months of waiting, the state Cannabis Control Board and the Office of Cannabis Management have been assembled and hit the ground running in October. Board member Jen Metzger, a former state senator, explains actions taken already in the medical marijuana space, highlights future opportunities for New York's farmers and considers the timeline for future cannabis regulations.
October 21, 2021 - In September, Gov. Kathy Hochul ignited the hopes of advocates trying to decriminalize sex work in New York, when she expressed a willingness to engage on the issue. To understand the current landscape of sex work in New York and what it would mean to take this underground part of the economy out of the penal code, we turned to Andy Bowen, associate director, government affairs of the Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center.
October 21, 2021 - Before the year is over, Gov. Kathy Hochul will get a chance to leave her mark on the state's top court, filling an upcoming vacancy with one of seven potential candidates identified by a judicial nominating commission. Vin Bonventre, a distinguished law professor with Albany Law and author of the New York Court Watcher blog, assesses the list of contenders and predicts who will join the state Court of Appeals.
October 21, 2021 - In light of national movement for an Election Day holiday, RepresentUs research analyst Caroline Joseph helps us understand who gets time off for Election day in New York currently and why a national holiday makes sense.
October 20, 2021 - Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, discusses his recent meeting with Gov. Kathy Hochul about the state's handling of the pandemic in nursing homes and policies the state can advance in the future.
October 20, 2021 - While New York judges aren't sentencing anyone to death anymore, they can essentially sentence someone to die in prison, a power that state Sen. Luis Sepulveda, a Bronx Democrat, is hoping to ban with his new bill ensuring that all criminal sentences come with the possibility of parole.
October 20, 2021 - The Democratic primary for governor is more than half a year away, but the Siena College Research Institute is already in the field with horse race polls considering three different potential matchups.
October 20, 2021 - It's a clearance sale out in Buffalo, where the state is hoping to move equipment purchased as part of the Buffalo Billion initiative - with a price tag of $207 million - but has gone unused for many months, according to Capital Tonight reporter Ryan Whalen.
October 19, 2021 - In light of his retirement as head of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, we're taking a trip back in time with Joe Martens to his time as the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, from the spring of 2011 to the summer of 2015. He talks about the ban on fracking, dealing with less than ideal staffing levels and his big regret leading the department.
October 19, 2021 - Senate Aging Committee Chair Rachel May recently visited a central New York nursing home that has come under fire for its inadequate treatment of the elderly and disabled New Yorkers that it serves. The Syracuse-area Democrat discusses the state's role in improving care at the facility and what needs to be done to improve elder care across New York.
October 18, 2021 - A new report from the state Department of Health examined the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccinations, including during the emergence of the Delta variance. Dr. Eli Rosenberg, the report's lead author, discusses how the analysis was conducted, what they determined and how the information should be utilized.
October 18, 2021 - Joe Martens, the recently retired head of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, explains the current state of New York's offshore wind projects along the coast of Long Island and what they mean for job creation in the Capital Region.
October 15, 2021 - Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her campaign to roll back the use of fines, fees and surcharges for New Yorkers who violate vehicle and traffic laws or the penal code.
October 15, 2021 - A 2019 state law designed to foster collective bargaining rights of farmworkers is being utilized for the first time by a dozen employees at a Long Island vineyard, who will be represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. We hear from a farmworker at the vineyard and the local labor advocate who helped organize the movement.
October 15, 2021 - New York's 2022 teacher of the year, Carly Santangelo, an agriculture teacher in the Southern Tier, reflects on her recent recognition, the challenge of inspiring a new generation of New Yorkers interested in agriculture and the education policies she wants to see out of Albany.
October 15, 2021 - The child care industry in New York, and around the country, was knocked back on its heels during the pandemic, and providers of after school care are finding it particularly hard to rebound and are struggling to keep their doors open this fall.
October 14, 2021 - Jaime Michelle Cain, co-leader of the Under One Roof coalition, highlights a new $125 million state fund available this month for landlords who were shut out of this summer's rental assistance program because their tenants refused to apply for back rent payment funding.
October 14, 2021 - State Budget Director Robert Mujica explains the analysis done by his office, in conjunction with the state Department of Labor, to justify raising the minimum wage in the New York City suburbs and across upstate New York.
October 14, 2021 - The trails in the Adirondack Park were built too steep and can't sustain the current demand, according to Adirondack Council Conservation Officer Charlotte Staats, who is recommending the state invest in an overhaul of the paths.
October 14, 2021 - Assemblyman John McDonald, a Capital Region pharmacist, and Michael Duteau, president of the Community Pharmacy Association of New York State, highlight a package of bills that they say are critical for Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign if the state wants its independent pharmacies to keep their doors open.
October 13, 2021 - We get to know Cordell Cleare, the Democrat tapped by her local party leaders to succeed Brian Benjamin in the state senate. We discuss her background as a staffer, priorities for office in 2022 and whether she's an establishment candidate.
October 13, 2021 - Politico New York reporter Marie French explains what a leadership change could mean at the Public Service Commission, where Gov. Kathy Hochul is trying to leave her mark.
October 13, 2021 - The state's evolving plan to overhaul a portion of Interstate-81 in Syracuse is broadly championed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, but the organization says more can be done to limit potential public health problems and promote local opportunities for people of color. NYCLU Education Policy Center Assistant Director Lanessa Chaplin joins the show to discuss the best path forward, last-second objections to a community grid and what this process could mean for other upstate cities.
October 13, 2021 - Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, an Albany Democrat, is trying to make sure state education officials allow adult literacy classes to be administered remotely in certain situations and makes the case for increased state funding for these services.
October 12, 2021 - As body cameras become more prevalent on law enforcement officers in New York, The Fortune Society's Rob DeLeon argues they should also be ubiquitous among corrections officers interacting with incarcerated New Yorkers.
October 12, 2021 - Rob Hayes, director of clean water for Environmental Advocates NY, recaps the October meeting of the state's Drinking Water Quality Council and explains what their actions mean for New Yorkers who enjoy a glass of water from time to time, you know, to survive.
October 12, 2021 - Two months ago, New York State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs wasn't ready to back a candidate to be his party's candidate for governor, but now he is throwing his weight behind Gov. Kathy Hochul. The Nassau County Democrat explains why he's making an endorsement, the vetting process he went through and his decision to give former Gov. Andrew Cuomo a heads up about his plan.
October 8, 2021 - New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil Quiniones highlights the effort to go green at the Empire State Plaza, including the construction of a new solar array in Oneida County and an energy audit of the sprawling Albany complex.
October 8, 2021 - We turned to Home Care Association of New York State President Al Cardillo to understand the ramifications of Gov. Kathy Hochul's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the industry, which may result in a disruption of services as thousands of workers are not vaccinated.
October 8, 2021 - New York City's campaign to implement congestion pricing may have overcome federal roadblocks, but Politico New Jersey's Ry Rivard says the newest obstacle is closer to home, with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy threatening to derail plans in the Big Apple.
October 8, 2021 - New York Times reporter Jesse McKinley visited a Native American reservation in upstate New York, where local entrepreneurs have begun selling marijuana, which is allowed under state law, but contrary to the plans of tribal leaders.
October 7, 2021 - Legislation awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature would dramatically change the state's regulations governing plasma donation, so we turned to the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association's Bill Speir for help understanding what the measure could mean for New York and the plasma community more broadly.
October 7, 2021 - The ballot referendum reforming the state's redistricting process has divided good government advocates, so we got the two sides from Jennifer Wilson, deputy director of the League of Women Voters of New York State, and Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York.
October 7, 2021 - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Chief of Staff Sean Mahar explains how the Hochul administration is responding to the detection of PFOA in the drinking water of a small community in Rensselaer County. We examine how testing is being utilized, the search for the source of contamination and what risks are posed by the amounts of the toxic "forever chemical" that have been detected so far.
October 6, 2021 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo-area Democrat, discusses the current state of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority after a wild 18 months, which has seen ridership disrupted by the pandemic and billions of federal dollars invested in to stabilizing the organization.
October 6, 2021 - Second Chance Opportunities Executive Director Kellie Roe explains how her non-profit organization helps bridge the gap between treatment and recovery, by providing housing and employment opportunities to New Yorkers with substance abuse disorder.
October 6, 2021 - After the state got a slow start this summer distributing funding from an $800 million small business pandemic relief program, Assembly Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, is encouraged by the administration of the program under Gov. Kathy Hochul, but is still eying ways to maximize the massive state investment.
October 6, 2021 - Assemblyman Mark Walzyck, a North Country Republican, pushes back against legislation mandating nutritional standards for items in vending machines on state property, arguing it’s a government overreach and (most importantly) that it could jeopardize the Chipwiches at the Capitol enjoyed by reporters like The Capitol Pressroom’s David Lombardo.
October 5, 2021 - We check in with two local teachers' union presidents to hear how the state's mask mandate is going over in schools, consider the merits of a vaccine mandate for educators and assess the merits of standardized tests during the pandemic.
October 4, 2021 - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to ramp up air quality monitoring in New York, including where the testing will occur, what the state will be looking for and when it could begin.
Seggos also explains how fossil fuel plans fit (or don't fit) in with the state's air quality goals, discuss Hochul's approach to the environment and reveal his own plans at the department.
October 4, 2021 - United University Professions President Fred Kowal talks about how the vaccine mandate for health care workers impacts staff at SUNY hospitals and considers the different vaccine rules for students and faculty at the state's public colleges and universities.
October 4, 2021 - Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, recaps her recent hearing that examined an influx of state and federal education dollars that school districts are getting this year.
October 1, 2021 - As part of her barrage of climate week announcements in September, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $36 million state commitment toward 10 regional clean energy hubs. Chris Coll, director of energy and climate equity for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which is spearheading the initiative, explains how the money will be spent and the impact the hubs could have.
October 1, 2021 - Senate Elections Committee Chair Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, shares what he has learned about election administration while crisscrossing the state and offers ideas on achieving smoother elections in the future.
October 1, 2021 - The Nature Conservancy's Jessica Ottney Mahar makes the case for Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to increase the state's planned environmental bond proposal from $3 billion to $4 billion and highlights the swift rollout of existing funding by the state.
October 1, 2021 - Jack Martins, a Republican appointee to the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, provides an update on the crafting of new legislative boundaries, including the challenge bridging a partisan divide on the commission.
September 30, 2021 - Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, recounts what he learned during September visits to eight mid-sized cities in the state in his capacity as chair of the recently created Senate Cities II Committee.
September 30, 2021 - Times Union state investigative reporter Chris Bragg explores the less than inspiring history of the state's inspector general's office during the Cuomo administration and considers what personnel changes could mean for the state's internal watchdogs.
September 30, 2021 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe walks us through her organization’s annual environmental policy scorecard for state lawmakers and addresses questions about the methodology and sincerity of their assessments.
September 29, 2021 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Dick Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, reflects on Dr. Howard Zucker's time as the state's top health official and explains why he is excited about Dr. Mary Bassett being tapped to run the state's Department of Health.
September 29, 2021 - CUNY Mapping Service Director Steve Romalewski analyzes the initial proposals from the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission and highlights an online mapping tool to let New Yorkers get engaged with this complicated process.
September 29, 2021 - Healthcare Association of New York State President Bea Grause helps us make sense of what the state's vaccine mandate for health care workers means for the state's hospitals, which had been grappling with staff shortages before COVID-19 ever arrived in New York.
September 28, 2021 - In response to Tropical Storm Ida, the state deployed its water rescue team to aid dozens of New Yorkers trapped by the rising waters. We hear from a forest ranger who was deployed during the storm and a member of the park police with decades of rescues under his belt.
September 28, 2021 - Investigative Post Executive Editor Jim Heaney analyzes the Buffalo mayoral race, including incumbent Byron Brown's effort to get write-in votes, the divide over public safety and the challenge of polling this unique election.
September 28, 2021 - Passenger train service in New York has longed been dogged by reliability concerns and demand for broader service coverage. Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Bill Magnarelli, a Syracuse-are Democrat, discusses a recent hearing where he tried to ascertain the best path forward for intercity rail in the state.
September 28, 2021 - Citizens Budget Commission Director of State Studies Patrick Orecki makes sense of the latest financial update from the Hochul administration, explaining why revenue projections are looking up and how the new found wealth will be spent.
September 27, 2021 - Dr. Isaac Weisfuse, an epidemiologist with Cornell University, discusses the pandemic landscape in New York and analyzes the state's effort to control the spread of COVID-19.
September 27, 2021 - The coming crisp Autumn days means it's apple picking season in upstate New York, so we checked in with Sarah Dressel, manager of Dressel Farms in New Paltz, to learn about this year's apple crop, labor challenges and her favorite apple.
September 27, 2021 - Senate Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for more disclosure of opioid sales in New York and discusses bills awaiting the governor's signature that could help combat the opioid crisis.
September 27, 2021 - Fund Excluded Workers Campaign coordinator Bianca Guerrero provides an update on the state's effort to distribute funding to New Yorkers excluded from pandemic relief, makes the case for additional resources and highlights scams targeting potential beneficiaries.
September 29, 2021 - A renewed effort by the state to dramatically reduce the number of trees along the Erie Canal in Monroe County has drawn the ire of local residents, who successfully rebuffed the effort two years ago. Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, a Rochester-area Democrat, explains the competing interests at play and how it might be resolved to everyone's liking.
September 24, 2021 - Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog, dissects a number of legal challenges to pandemic precautions, including vaccine mandates for health care workers and mask rules in schools.
September 24, 2021 - Landlords and real estate interests in New York City have been going to court - with mixed results - to strike down housing laws, including 2019 tenant protections and the most recent eviction moratorium, reports Suzannah Cavanaugh, a reporter with The Real Deal.
September 24, 2021 - Erie County Republican Nick Langworthy was recently tapped by his fellow Republican leaders to guide the party for another two years as the GOP chair. He discusses his accomplishments since taking over the party in 2019 and his objectives for the future.
September 24, 2021 - Independent Power Producers of New York CEO Gavin Donohue explains a major transmission announcement designed to get power to New York City and argues that the state missed an opportunity to really seize the moment.
September 23, 2021 - Health Commissioner Howard Zucker’s resignation continues a trend of high-profile turnovers in state government, as Gov. Kathy Hochul shapes her administration, including hiring a new top aide, counsel and director of operators. Mark Ustin, a health care lobbyist with Farrell Fritz, weighs in on the staffing changes and what they mean for the new governor.
September 23, 2021 - Gov. Andrew Cuomo left office with his lowest favorability rating and Gov. Kathy Hochul ascended to the state's top job with her highest statewide approval rating, according to the Siena College Research Institute's Steve Greenberg, who has the latest numbers on voter sentiments in New York.
September 23, 2021 - Much of New York is wired for broadband, but a new report from the state comptroller's office says more than a million households are still without high-speed internet services. We analyze their findings, including how to address the problem.
September 23, 2021 - Adirondack Council Executive Director Willie Janeway discusses his organization's assessment of how the state treated the Adirondack Park over the last year and reflects on Cuomo's park legacy.
September 22, 2021 - New York Association of Pupil Transportation Executive Director David Christopher highlights the school bus driver shortage, what it means for kids and how it can be addressed.
September 22, 2021 - David Imamura, chair of the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, explains why the panel released competing draft legislative maps this month, how the Democratic appointees approached their proposed lines and what's next on their agenda as they try to craft boundaries for next year's elections.
September 21, 2021 - Center for Disability Rights President and CEO Bruce Darling makes the case for legislation approved unanimously by lawmakers this spring that would create an office of the advocate for people with disabilities and reflects on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's legacy on issues impacting New Yorkers with disabilities.
September 21, 2021 - Community Service Society Vice President of Health Initiatives Elisabeth Benjamin lays out a health care to-do list for Gov. Kathy Hochul, including expanding Medicaid and helping New Yorker deal with medical debt.
September 21, 2021 - Even before officially getting sworn in as governor, Kathy Hochul made it clear she would run for a full term in 2022. Potentially standing in her way - even before a general election - is a field of Democratic hopefuls who may try to wrest the party's nomination away from her.
Metropolitan Strategies founder and CEO Neal Kwatra, who advised Cuomo's 2014 re-election campaign, weighs in on the evolving field and handicaps the chances of the leading Democratic contenders in 2022.
September 10, 2021 - New York State Energy and Research Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris discusses a $6 million investment into 150 new state fellowship positions designed to advance climate justice and clean energy priorities in historically disadvantaged communities.
September 10, 2021 - Nearly three years after a limousine crash killed 20 people in Schoharie County, prosecutors obtained a guilty plea from the limo operator and Times Union reporter Larry Rulison reports the state Inspector General's Office is probing state oversight of the limousine.
September 10, 2021 - Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, a Hudson Valley Republican and congressional hopeful, decries his interpretation of critical race theory and makes the case for his legislation restricting how race-related issues are taught in New York's public schools.
September 10, 2021 - Russell Weaver, an economic geographer with Cornell University, considers the fallout of the recent expiration of enhanced federal unemployment benefits, including more lucrative subsidies and expanded eligibility for assistance.
September 9, 2021 - Senate Children and Families Committee Chair Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for developing universal access to free, high-quality child care in New York.
September 9, 2021 - State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, went into a subway station this week to spread awareness about the state's rental assistance program, which has been undersubscribed this summer.
September 9, 2021 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Dick Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, wants additional eyes on a lucrative state health care contract that has traditionally avoided scrutiny from the comptroller's office.
September 9, 2021 - Immigrant ARC Executive Director Camille Mackler calls for a rapid deployment of state resources to help resettle Afghan refugees in New York.
September 8, 2021 - Associated General Contractors of New York State President & CEO Mike Elmendorf lays out his infrastructure wish list for Gov. Kathy Hochul and reflects on a decade of capital spending initiated by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
September 8, 2021 - Assemblymember Demond Meeks, a Rochester-area Democrat, wants to require a five-hour gun safety class for any New Yorkers who want to buy a firearm or ammunition. He explains how the training would work, why he thinks it would make New York safer and how it fits with the 2nd Amendment.
September 8, 2021 - Business Council of New York State Vice President Ken Pokalsky breaks down the ramifications of a recent state law governing workplace disease protections that is being implemented in the wake of a COVID-19 declaration from the Hochul administration.
September 7, 2021 - Senate Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, breaks down the state's latest eviction moratorium, including how it complies with a recent Supreme Court ruling, and considers when it will be safe to broadly allow evictions again.
September 7, 2021 - A new law enabling government entities to meet remotely has good government activists, like Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner, calling foul, as the change to the state's open meetings law will limit other forms of civic engagement and media access.
September 7, 2021 - Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, discusses overtime thresholds for farmworkers, which could be lowered from a state minimum of 60 hours a week by a wage board expected to meet this fall and winter.
September 2, 2021 - Empire Center for Public Policy founder EJ McMahon provides an introductory class on the state's public pension, explaining the latest growth projections from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and how much the system could end up costing taxpayers in the near future.
September 2, 2021 - New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association President Allan Gandelman discusses two appointments by Gov. Kathy Hochul that will be key to the rollout of a recreational marijuana market and legal cultivation of cannabis in the state.
September 2, 2021 - New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Bob Schneider highlights the need for remediation in public schools after months of remote learning and outlines the challenges facing school board officials as they try to prepare facilities for in-person learning.
September 1, 2021 - Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, a central New York Republican, discusses the ascension of Gov. Kathy Hochul, including his optimism about the leadership transition in Albany and the early discouraging signs of her administration.
September 1, 2021 - After years of being unsatisfied by the policy choices and priorities of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, VOCAL-NY is hopeful that Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration will emphasize data-backed decisions when it comes to New York's drug policies, including embracing harm reduction strategies.
September 1, 2021 - Times Union state investigative reporter Chris Bragg provides highlights from a raucous meeting of JCOPE, the state's embattled ethics watchdog, which made a criminal refer to the state attorney general's office, declined to revoke Andrew Cuomo's authorization to write a pandemic memoir and had a lot of technical issues.
September 1, 2021 - New York Civil Liberties Union policy counsel Allie Bohm highlights the privacy concerns presented by the use and possible expansion of the state's Excelsior Pass and makes the case for legislation strengthening New York's immunization privacy laws.
September 1, 2021 - Associated Press Capitol reporter Marina Villeneuve explains how the Hochul administration has taken a new approach to publicizing COVID-19 deaths and discusses the challenge of obtaining pandemic information from the state.
August 31, 2021 - Saving for retirement can be a challenge, but AARP NY's Bill Ferris explains how legislation implementing the Secure Choice Savings program would create a new way for New Yorkers to put money aside for their golden years.
August 31, 2021 - Andrew Cuomo left office with millions in his campaign account and few restrictions on how to spend the money, according to Reinvent Albany's Tom Speaker, who walks us through New York's campaign finance laws and how they could be reformed.
August 31, 2021 - Congestion pricing was approved for Manhattan back in 2019, but it's still years from being implemented, according to Politico New York transportation reporter Danielle Muoio, who explains what's been holding things back and what the future looks like.
August 31, 2021 - Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation enabling a parent of a developmentally disabled adult children to go to court to secure support payments from the other parent. The Capital Region Republican also explains how Albany politics required her to take a backseat on the legislative push for the measure.
August 25, 2021 - Sen. Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat and leader of the chamber's housing committee, shares what he learned at a recent inquiry into the state's rent relief program, discusses ideas for accelerating the rollout and consider what a future tenant eviction moratorium might look like.
August 25, 2021 - For more than a decade, lobbyists in New York have gotten to deal with just one governor, but that's changing with the ascension of Gov. Kathy Hochul. For insights on lobbying the new administration, we turned to Steve Malito, chair of the New York state government relations group at Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron, LLP.
August 25, 2021 - Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat and Cuomo antagonist, was relieved by the start of Gov. Kathy Hochul's tenure on Tuesday and was encouraged by the tone of her brief introductory remarks.
August 25, 2021 - Sen. John Brooks, a Long Island Democrat and long-time volunteer firefighter, highlights a quirk in state law that prohibits volunteer fire departments from billing for emergency medical services they provides and talks about his legislation to overhaul the current dynamic.
August 24, 2021 - Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee Chair James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, discusses his legislation - awaiting the governor's signature - that would overhaul the definition of public bodies in New York and lays out steps for the Hochul administration to be more transparent than the Cuomo administration.
August 24, 2021 - In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, particularly among the state's most vulnerable New Yorkers, a large group of health care workers will be required to get vaccinated for the virus by the end of September or risk losing their jobs. David Robinson, state health reporter for the USA Today network in New York, explains how the mandate will work and who it applies to.
August 24, 2021 - NY Green Bank President Andrew Kessler explains why the state got into the business of financing green energy projects and how they're planning on using private capital investments to spur future growth.
August 24, 2021 - Not much is known about what Gov. Kathy Hochul will prioritize with her administration, but the cannabis industry hopes it will be the appointment of state regulators who can get the ball rolling on a recreational marijuana market and New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association President Allan Gandelman has some ideas on how the new Office of Cannabis Management should approach its work.
August 19, 2021 - Assemblymember Anna Kelles, an Ithaca Democrat, weighs in on an alarming United Nations report about climate change and explains why the state needs to go above and beyond its existing campaign to combat climate change.
August 18, 2021 - New York's eviction moratorium has been dramatically undermined by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, according to Legal Aid Society staff attorney Ellen Davidson, who wants state lawmakers to adopt a new protection for tenants in response.
August 18, 2021 - New York Department of Environmental Conservation's Sally Rowland, the department's de facto "Compost Queen," explains how the state plans to implement a food donation and recycling law that takes effect in 2022.
August 17, 2021 - Former Gov. David Paterson talks about his transition to chief executive in 2008 and offers tips to Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul on her elevation to governor.
August 17, 2021 - The Rensselaer County Board of Elections has drawn the ire of voting rights activists for its early voting sites and has been taken to court over the issue by the state attorney general's office.
August 17, 2021 - Mental Health Association of New York State CEO Glenn Liebman makes the case for investing a surplus of federal dollars into bonuses for workers in the mental health field and pontificates about what Kathy Hochul might mean for the sector as governor.
August 17, 2021- The 2020 data from the U.S. Census Bureau provides a snapshot of where New York's population is growing, what the state looks like now and how legislative boundaries could be radically shifted.
August 16, 2021 - Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul plans on selecting her own successor when she becomes governor, a power that has only been exercised once before in New York and isn't specifically written into the state constitution. Sen. Joe Griffo, a central New York Republican, wants to codify a process that includes input from the state Legislature.
August 16, 2021 - As part of New York's effort to combat climate change, the state has to move away from its reliance on fossil fuels and embrace more renewable energy. For an update on where we are now and what we should be doing, we checked in with Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Anne Reynolds, who is also a Democratic legislative appointee to the state's Climate Action Council.
August 16, 2021 - Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog, breaks down the civil and criminal legal liabilities facing Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he prepares to leave office.
August 16, 2021 - Bianca Guerrero, campaign coordinator for the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition, discusses the launch of applications for a $2.1 billion fund to provide economic relief to New Yorkers shut out from federal pandemic assistance.
August 13, 2021 - Niagara County Public Health Director Dan Stapleton talks about how the state has shifted the pandemic decision making to county leaders and what that means for re-opening schools and future mask mandates.
August 12, 2021 - New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs reacts to the departure of Cuomo, including what the governor's next act might be and what this means for the party's effort to find a nominee for the top of the ticket in 2022.
August 12, 2021 - After a slow, disappointing roll out of the state's rent relief program, Assembly Housing Committee Chair Steve Cymbrowitz and his colleagues went looking for answers from the Cuomo administration about what went wrong and how it can be fixed.
August 12, 2021 - What should happen to all the outstanding utility debts accrued by New Yorkers during the pandemic? Those bills should be paid by the utilities, argues Amber Johnson, organizing director for the New York Energy Democracy Alliance.
August 12, 2021 - Sen. Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, who previously worked in the Cuomo administration, shares his personal reaction to the governor's downfall and discusses what the future may hold in Albany.
August 11, 2021 - Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat and antagonist of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, reflects on the changing political landscape in Albany, including the potential opportunities to enact progressive legislation with Kathy Hochul as governor.
August 11, 2021 - No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella highlights the expiration of pandemic assistance designed to help people purchase food and identifies ways to combat food insecurity in New York.
August 10, 2021 - For analysis of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation and his legacy in Albany, we turned to Marathon Strategies Managing Director and former Capital Tonight host Liz Benjamin.
August 10, 2021 - Elizabeth Crothers, a former Assembly staffer and co-founder of the Sexual Harassment Working Group, discusses the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
August 10, 2021 - Sen. James Skoufis, a Hudson Valley Democrat, weighs in on the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and considers what happens next in state government.
August 10, 2021 - Children's Defense Fund-New York's Julia Davis makes the case for providing direct cash assistance to the state's disadvantaged youths, including New Yorkers aging out of the foster care system.
August 10, 2021 - Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner analyzes the ranked-choice voting experiment during this summer's New York City primaries and considers whether the alternative selection process should be exported to the rest of the state.
August 10, 2021 - State lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a law this year designed to prevent the spread of airborne infections in the workplace, but the state Department of Health - to the ire of labor advocates - won't take the procedural step to trigger the protections afforded in the measure.
August 9, 2021 - In light of the governor's top aide, Melissa DeRosa, abruptly resigning, we turned to Politico New York Capitol reporter Anna Gronewold for an explanation and context of this game changing political news.
August 9, 2021 - During the pandemic, whether because of efforts to avoid COVID-19 infections or actions by the governor, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has found himself with one armed tied behind his back. As the state returns to some degree of normalcy, the Long Island Democrat is looking to reassert the full range of his office's oversight powers, but is finding pushback from the Cuomo administration.
August 9, 2021 - The transition to a remote world during the pandemic has New York lawmakers and activists rethinking the shape of the state's Open Meetings Law. Reinvent Albany senior research analyst Rachael Fauss shares her vision for the future of transparency in the Empire State.
August 9, 2021 - Sen. Anna Kaplan, a Long Island Democrat of Iranian Jewish descent, argues that most recent critiques of Israeli policies are rooted in anti-Semitism and defends her past analysis evoking the days leading up to the Holocaust.
Aug. 9, 2021 - In a wide ranging interview about the fallout of the state report into the governor's alleged sexual misconduct, New York Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli discusses his political future and weighs in on the new landscape at the Capitol.
August 6, 2021 - Donate Life New York State Executive Director Aisha Tator makes the case for legislation making it easier to quickly transport organs for donation and talks about the need to foster more organ donations in New York.
August 6, 2021 - As part of the state's ongoing effort to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates, the Cuomo administration recently released $15 million for outreach efforts, with about one-third of that going to Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies. Jennifer Jones Austin, the group's CEO & Executive Director, explains how the money will be spent and reflects on the delayed rollout of the funds, which were authorized four months ago.
August 6, 2021 - New York is in the process of distributing $1.1 billion in federal funds to support child care providers, so Prevent Child Abuse NY's Jenn O'Connor explains how the money will be used and talks about additional state initiatives to improve access to care.
August 6, 2021 - Assemblyman Pat Burke, a Buffalo-area Democrat, discusses the future of the Buffalo Bills in the wake of reporting that team owners are looking for taxpayers to pony up for construction of a new stadium.
August 5, 2021 - Environmental Advocates NY Executive Director Peter Iwanowicz highlights an election campaign to build support for a constitutional referendum on the ballot this fall that would guarantee a right to clean air and water and a healthful environment.
August 5, 2021 - In an attempt to tabulate the state's wild turkey population, the state is encouraging New Yorkers to report where they see the birds during August. New York Department of Environmental Conservation Game Management section leader Michael Schiavone explains why they conduct the survey and how it shapes state policy.
Aug. 4, 2021 - Among the calls this week for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign, perhaps none was more poignant than from his long-time ally, New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs. The Long Island Democrat discusses why he broke with the governor and the future of the party.
August 4, 2021 - Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, a Westchester County Democrat, reflects on the investigation into the governor by the state attorney general's office, lays out the next steps for state lawmakers and dances around questions about her political future.
August 4, 2021 - With Gov. Andrew Cuomo refusing to resign following the release of a report by the state attorney general's office finding he harassed 11 women, his political future is now in the hands of state lawmakers, specifically the Assembly Judiciary Committee, which is leading an impeachment investigation. Assemblyman Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat and member of the Judiciary Committee, explains where their inquiry is going and when it could wrap up.
August 4, 2021 - With the new school year rapidly approaching, educators around the state find themselves in awkward limbo due to a lack of pandemic guidance from the Cuomo administration's Department of Health. New York State Council of School Superintendents Deputy Director Bob Lowry and Hamburg Central School District Superintendent Michael Cornell discuss the information they need to safely open in the fall and the role of vaccine mandates.
August 3, 2021 - The transmission of COVID-19 is on the rise in New York, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo is requiring some New Yorkers to get vaccinated for the virus or undergo rigorous testing, but is holding off on implementing broad mask restrictions. Politico New York health reporter Shannon Young breaks down the latest rules in this developing saga.
August 3, 2021 - The AARP of New York explains why it matters that state lawmakers and the governor have established a definition of kinship caregivers, New Yorkers who step up to raise the child of a friend or family member.
August 3, 2021 - In the wake of the city of Albany adopting strict eviction protections, the progressive advocacy group Citizen Action of New York, which successfully lobbied for the measure, talks about why their campaign worked and how it could be exported to other upstate cities or the state legislature.
August 3, 2021 - Legal Aid Society staff attorney Ellen Davidson highlights the disappointing rollout of the state's multi-billion dollar rent relief program over the summer and weighs in on the governor's plan to expedite the process.
August 2, 2021 - The high-profile legal battle around the ability of Britney Spears to control her own life has us interested in New York's guardianship laws, so we get an update on the state's system and what could be improved with Kimberly George and John Holt of Project Guardianship.
August 2, 2021 - Long before COVID-19 arrived, New York's long-term care workforce was in crisis, but the pandemic brought all the underlying problems front and center. Senate Aging Committee Chair Rachel May, a Syracuse-area Democrat, reflects on a recent hearing examining the labor issues facing the industry and how to solve them.
August 2, 2021 - Syracuse Post Standard reporter Teri Weaver explains the important recent milestone in the transformation of a portion of I-81 running through Syracuse and what will happen next.
July 30, 2021 - In this special excerpt from Connect NY, Assembly Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe talks about employee benefits and protections, including reforms to on-call scheduling and raising the subminimum wage in restaurants.
July 29, 2021 - Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh, a Capital Region Republican, peels back the curtain on the Assembly Judiciary Committee's impeachment investigation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
July 29, 2021 - Is the attempt by the Cuomo administration to undermine the attorney general's investigation into the governor's conduct an example of free speech or legally dubious? We get an answer from Rob Rosborough, author of the New York Appeals blog and a litigation partner at Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna.
July 29, 2021 - Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, reflects on her first legislative session, including the progressive policies that got done and those that didn't. She discusses the learning curve as a freshman lawmaker, changing the institution and the need for strong oversight of the executive branch.
July 28, 2021 - New York is expanding its gambling options, but not making the commensurate investment in problem gambling treatment and prevention, according to the New York Council on Problem Gambling.
July 28, 2021 - The manufacturing industry in New York is surging, according to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve. Manufacturers Association of Central New York President & CEO Randy Wolken discusses the state of the industry and how it got here.
July 28, 2021 - Legal Sports Report Managing Editor Adam Candee handicaps the state's selection process for companies to operate mobile sports wagering in New York and explains what this means for potential consumers.
July 28, 2021 - After a concentrated 18-year campaign by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Lake Sturgeon is making a resurgence in the Genesee River. Riverkeeper's George Jackman explain what this development means and discusses efforts to restore wildlife in the Hudson Valley.
July 27, 2021 - A coalition of home care organizations are organizing in response to the Cuomo administration drastically reducing the number of providers authorized to direct their services in New York. Linda Clark, an attorney for the burgeoning coalition, explains why the state's decision is legally problematic and could reduce the quality of care for more than 100,000 New Yorkers.
July 27, 2021 - New York has experienced a spike in Medicaid enrollees during the pandemic that could come crashing back to normal levels if state and federal officials don't take steps to smooth the transition for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. The Legal Aid Society's Erika Hanson and Rebecca Antar Novick explain what caused the influx and how it should be handled.
July 27, 2021 - In response to the opioid epidemic, Senate Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, is pushing legislation that would require doctors to prescribe an opioid antagonist to patients who are getting an opioid prescription.
July 27, 2021 - Vin Bonventre, an Albany Law School professor, analyzes the number of cases from criminal defendants in New York are able to reach the state's top court and makes the case for overhauling the appeals process.
July 22, 2021 - As new COVID-19 infections are on the rise in New York, driven largely by the more dangerous and transmissible Delta variant, public health officials and some lawmakers are making the case for increased pandemic restrictions. Dr. Isaac Weisfuse, a former deputy commissioner of public health for New York City, weighs in on the current transmission risk and the necessary precautions.
July 21, 2021 - Progressive political consultant Monica Klein helps us find meaning in the June Democratic primaries, figure out which wing of the Democratic Party was victorious and forecast the future state legislative primaries in 2022.
July 21, 2021 - State lawmakers passed a handful of bills this year, one of which has been signed into law so far, designed to prevent New Yorkers from getting inundated with unwanted texts and calls. Consumer Reports senior policy analyst Maureen Mahoney explains how the measures could work and the evolving federal regulations for nuisance communications.
July 21, 2021 - Citizens Budget Commission Director of state studies Patrick Orecki assesses the state's financial situation one month into the 2022 fiscal year.
July 21, 2021 - Early intervention services are required for young children with developmental disabilities and delays, but the federal government doesn't mandate who pays the bill, so in New York it usually falls on taxpayers.
Brigit Hurley, senior director of advocacy and program for The Children's Agenda, breaks down legislation awaiting the governor's signature that would shift more of the burden to insurance companies.
July 20, 2021 - In the wake of the condominium collapse in Florida, Times Union Capitol reporter Joshua Solomon assessed the structural inspection regulations in New York and found the state doesn't have much on the books.
July 20, 2021 - Politico New York Capitol reporter Bill Mahoney analyzes the campaign fundraising totals from the gubernatorial hopefuls, including Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo and Long Island GOP Congressman Lee Zeldin.
July 20, 2021 - New York State Police Superintendent Kevin Bruen discusses the implementation of a state law requiring state police officers use body cameras while on patrol. He explains the logistical challenges in rolling out about 3,800 cameras, how the video will be used and how the system will be judged in the future.
July 19, 2021 - The state recently released a collection of use of force data compiled by police departments all over New York. Michael Sisitzky, a senior policy counselor for the New York Civil Liberties Union, helps makes sense of what the data means, explains the shortcomings of the information and makes the case for new use of force rules in the state.
July 19, 2021 - The proprietor of a retail shop selling Delta-8 THC products pushes back against a campaign by the Cuomo administration to ban the sale of the hemp derived product, which has some mind-altering effects.
July 19, 2021 - Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development senior housing organizer Alex Fennell discusses a land-use study requirement in New York City, which is designed to ensure the racial and ethnic impact of a project is taken into consideration, and makes the case for expanding the practice across the state.
July 15, 2021 - With the state announcing this week that the Excluded Workers Fund will begin accepting applications in August, we got an update on the program from Bianca Guerrero, the campaign coordinator for the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition.
July 15, 2021 - With college athletes now able to cash in on their name, image and likeness, we talked with Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat, about what a regulatory structure should look like in New York, including an option to unionize.
July 15, 2021 - Albany Times Union investigative reporter Chris Bragg shares the latest developments about a 2019 leak at the state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics, which is nominally the ethics watchdog for the executive and legislative branches.
July 14, 2021 - The chair of the state's bipartisan redistricting commission, David Imamura, discusses their planned listening tour and the timeline for creating legislative lines for the 2022 elections.
July 14, 2021 - Senate Aging Committee Chair Rachel May, a Syracuse-area Democrat, highlights legislation to improve comprehensive home care services for seniors, makes the case for overhauling how we judge the success of elder care and calls for increased accessibility of nursing homes.
July 14, 2021 - For the landlord perspective on the rollout of the state's multi-billion dollar rent relief initiative, we talked to Jaime Michelle Cain, a partner in the real estate department of Boylan Code and the coalition leader of the Under One Roof coalition.
July 13, 2021 - In the wake of New York City adopting broad employment protections for fast food workers, we asked Maria Figueroa, director of Labor and Policy Research at the Worker Institute at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, about expanding the system to other industries and around the state.
July 13, 2021 - Jon Campbell, the state editor for the USA Today Network in New York, breaks down the state Thruway Authority's battle over nearly a billion dollars in additional construction costs on the Mario Cuomo bridge and identifies the restaurants coming to the service plazas along the state Thruway.
July 13, 2021 - The City Deputy Editor Alyssa Katz weighs in on the potential working relationship between the likely next mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo and considers the ability of the Brooklyn Democrat to navigate the state Legislature.
July 13, 2021 - We check in with the nonbinary transgender New Yorker and the attorney who sued New York last year for offering a driver's license application form with only binary gender options. Earlier this summer, the Cuomo administration settled the lawsuit and the governor signed legislation ensuring a more inclusive application.
July 12, 2021 - Assemblyman Demond Meeks, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about housing issues that arose during the pandemic and his first year in office. He discusses how legislative action on an eviction moratorium was spurred on by his arrest in December, highlights the need for code enforcement reform and reflects on his experience with the Assembly Housing Committee.
July 12, 2021 - If you're following state government in recent weeks, you might have forgotten that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is under multiple investigations and most state lawmakers have called on him to resign. Alexis Grenell, a political consultant and Nation magazine consultant, weighs in on the odd return to normalcy at the Capitol.
July 12, 2021 - Martin Babinec, a 2016 independent congressional hopeful turned third-party founder, wants to end New York's closed primaries and open them to voters of all parties.
July 8, 2021 - A group of domestic abuse survivors and support agencies have come together to push for legislation expanding the information available in a state database about New Yorker recently convicted of family offenses, so men and women won't be caught unaware of a potential romantic partner's domestic history.
July 8, 2021 - The utility shutoff moratorium tied to the state's official pandemic disaster has ended, but Public Utility Law Project Executive Director Richard Berkley explains the protections that remain in place for New Yorkers who saw their income diminished during the pandemic.
July 8, 2021 - Assemblyman Michael Lawler, a Hudson Valley Republican, makes the case for prohibiting certain violent offenders from ever obtaining parole.
July 8, 2021 - Ryan Tarinelli, the Capitol reporter for the New York Law Journal, adds up the new judgeships in the state supreme court system and considers what it will mean for the backlog in the judiciary.
July 7, 2021 - Ann Jenkins, a mobile home resident in Rockland County, talks about her experience with a controversial mobile home park property owner and makes the case for new state regulations over the industry, including more disclosure surrounding rent increases.
July 7, 2021 - With Republican Party establishment support in New York coalescing around Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin's bid to be governor, we check in with state GOP Chair Nick Langworthy about Zeldin's candidacy, the party's path to relevance in New York and the lessons learned from the 2020 election losses.
July 7, 2021 - Reinvent Albany Senior Research Analyst Rachael Fauss explains why good government groups want the state's ethics watchdog to proactively disclose more personal financial records from public officials and make the panel subject to New York's freedom of information laws.
July 6, 2021 - Cecilia Gentili, founder of Transgender Equity Consulting, talks about the financial burdens low-income, transgender New Yorkers face trying to obtain gender affirming surgery and explains what the state could do to make it easier.
July 6, 2021 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwendolyn Craig discusses her lunch with former Gov. George Pataki and her reporting on a trash controversy in the Adirondacks.
July 6, 2021 - Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh shares his vision for spending $123 million in stimulus money his city is receiving through the American Rescue Plan.
July 6, 2021 - With the "Conservationist," New York Department of Environmental Conservation's outdoors magazine, celebrating its 75th anniversary this summer, we talked with department Chief of Staff Sean Mahar about the publication and his long personal history with it.
July 1, 2021 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg breaks down their latest polling numbers, including how New Yorkers feel about Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
July 1, 2021 - Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for legislation prohibiting some of the governor's close allies and registered lobbyists from serving in Senate confirmable positions.
July 1, 2021 - Capital District Transportation Authority CEO Carm Basile explains the launch of a regional electric scooter sharing program that is made possible by language adopted in last year's state budget.
June 30, 2021 - Joe Popcun, executive director of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium and director of policy and practice at the Rockefeller Institute, breaks down legislation that made its way through the Capitol that is designed to make it easier to bring successful civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers in New York.
June 30, 2021 - In the waning days of the legislative session, the Democratic majorities in the state Legislature appeared to have struck a deal on a bill that would seal the criminal records for more than 2 million New Yorkers - until there was no deal. Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, joins the show to explain what went wrong with his legislation and make the case for why the "Clean Slate" measure still needs to get done.
June 29, 2021 - We analyze the upset victory in Buffalo's Democratic mayoral primary and consider what the race means for the region with the help of Investigative Post Executive Director Jim Heaney.
June 29, 2021 - Empire Justice Center senior attorney Kirsten Keefe and Public Utility Law Project Executive Director Richard Berkley weigh in on a controversial federal loan program - that could be coming to New York - designed to foster eco-friendly home upgrades, but has resulted in participants around the country getting forced out of their homes.
June 29, 2021 - Senate Codes Committee Chair Jamaal Bailey, a Bronx Democrat, discusses the state's latest attempt to create an oversight panel responsible for monitoring the conduct of local prosecutors and shares his vision for leveling the criminal justice playing field in New York.
June 28, 2021 - Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation designed to overhaul staffing at hospitals, but will it make a big difference in the level and amount of care for patients? We turned to Healthcare Association of New York State President Bea Grause for answers.
June 28, 2021 - For students with a disability the disruptions caused by the pandemic may have made it impossible for them to complete their individualized education plan, so Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, a Capital Region Democrat, pushed for legislation giving additional time for those students who may have otherwise aged out of the system.
June 28, 2021 - With a little more than half of New Yorkers fully vaccinated for COVID-19, we turned to Dr. Saad Omer, director of the Yale Institute for Global Health, for ideas on increasing vaccination rates.
June 28, 2021 - Fines and Fees Justice Center New York State Director Katie Adamides highlights a law that takes effect on June 29 enabling New Yorkers to use payment plans for traffic fines and fees and prohibits driver's license suspensions for not paying fines and fees.
June 25, 2021 - The lapsing of the state's disaster declaration will likely have immediate ramifications for the child care industry, with The Children's Agenda Director of Policy Pete Nabozny highlighting a benefits cliff that parents and providers are rapidly heading toward.
June 25, 2021 - Dr. Rick Relyea, director of the Jefferson Project at Lake George, discusses a new initiative studying the cause and potential prevention of harmful algal blooms at two lakes with markedly different experiences with the environmental hazard.
June 25, 2021 - On June 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo let the state's 15-month-old disaster declaration expire, signaling a new chapter in New York's battle with COVID-19. The USA Today's Jon Campbell explains the political and practical ramifications of this transition.
June 25, 2021 - The Legal Action Center's Corey Brinson and A Little Piece of Light founder Donna Hylton break down legislation - approved by state lawmakers and awaiting the governor's signature - designed to reduce the reincarceration of New Yorkers on parole.
June 24, 2021 - Assemblymember Anna Kelles, an Ithaca Democrat, talks about the unsuccessful campaign she led during her freshman year to restrict cryptocurrency mining operations gobbling up fossil fuels in New York. We explore what this effort taught her about Albany and get other reflections about the Capitol.
June 24, 2021 - With the border between America and Canada still tightly controlled, Assemblymember D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, is calling for unilateral action by American officials to make the crossing easier.
June 24, 2021 - We're highlighting the stories of county executives from the early days of the pandemic, which were recorded as part of the New York State Association of Counties new book reflecting on the county-level response to the arrival of COVID-19.
June 23, 2021 - Marijuana was immediately legalized for adult consumption this spring with the adoption of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, but many components of the new law are awaiting regulations, which can't be issued until personnel are tapped to write the rules. New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association Vice Chair Kaelan Castetter discusses the hold up and the demand to enter New York's burgeoning marijuana markets.
June 23, 2021 - Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses strategies to ensure New Yorkers with mental health and substance abuse conditions receive the help they need and considers whether the merger of two state agencies is the answers.
June 23, 2021 - The New York State Bar Association says it's time to overhaul the content on the bar exam and potentially create new pathways to practicing law in the Empire State.
June 22, 2021 - As part of the ongoing discussion about reforming policing in New York, a task force from the New York State Bar Association has released its own recommendations for improving law enforcement. Task force co-chair and NYSBA President T. Andrew Brown discusses the need for more training and educating of officers, changes to liability protections and reflects on the racist roots of police in the country.
June 22, 2021 - Senate Local Government Committee Chair Jim Gaughran, a Long Island Democrat, talks about his campaign to ensure big box stores pay their fair share of taxes, discusses the challenges of local tax assessors and considers the financial shape of municipalities as we emerge from the pandemic.
June 22, 2021 - Kate Baker, interim director of the New York State Small Business Development Center, explains the ins and outs of an $800 million small business relief fund - including who benefits and how much they can receive - that began accepting applications earlier this month.
June 21, 2021 - On Tuesday, a number of state lawmakers from New York City are hoping to win Democratic primaries and trade in Albany for municipal jobs closer to home. City & State New York senior state politics reporter Zach Williams provides a rundown of who is trying to go where.
June 21, 2021 - Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about her end-of-session legislative victories, reflects on her first session in Albany and reviews the movie-musical In the Heights.
June 18, 2021 - If 2020 was a dark year for New York's child care industry, 2021 has the potential to be the dawn of a new era, according to Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi. The Queens Democrat talks about why he's optimistic about overhauling the system, reflects on his approach to working with the Cuomo administration and much more.
June 18, 2021 - Assembly Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, breaks down a slew of bills approved by state lawmakers designed to ensure veterans and their families have access to a variety of state benefits.
June 18, 2021 - Dr. Bonnie Litvack, a member of the governor's vaccine distribution and implementation task force, discusses the recent COVID-19 vaccine threshold hit by the state, peels back the curtain on her work with the state task force and explains the role physicians play in vaccine distribution.
June 17, 2021 - Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, talks about two of her bills that were approved by state lawmakers and are designed to reduce gun violence by limiting who can purchase firearms.
June 17, 2021 - It's been another busy year for Democratic lawmakers' efforts to make voting easier, and Jarret Berg, a voting rights advocate and co-founder of Vote Early NY, has a run down of the measures that made it through the Capitol and at least one piece of unfinished business.
June 17, 2021 - In the pursuit of healthy food in the bellies of more New Yorkers, Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation requiring the Cuomo administration to adopt a healthy food standard that would inform what food is prepared and sold at state entities and on state property. Jessi Silverman, a policy associate and the Mark & Sushma Palmer Public Health Advocacy Fellow at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, explains how the bill would work and what else can be done to promote better eating habits.
June 17, 2021 - Becky Preve, executive director of the Association on Aging in New York, discusses the rise in elder abuse during the pandemic, the different forms of elder abuse and what the state is doing to fight back.
June 15, 2021 - New York State Building Trades Council President Gary LaBarbera will discuss his union's victories during the recently completed legislative session, including a wage theft prevention measure and prevailing wage requirements on new green energy projects.
June 14, 2021 - After adding up their health plan costs, 32BJ Health Fund Director Sarah Rothstein decided her members could save money by avoiding one high-priced hospital and is leading a legislative push to potential bring healthcare costs down.
June 14, 2021 - Gateway Housing President Ted Houghton breaks down a campaign by state lawmakers to invest $100 million into transforming Manhattan hotels into residences for the homeless and housing insecure.
June 14, 2021 - Lisa Freeman, director of special litigation for the juvenile rights practice at the Legal Aid Society, discusses legislation that made its way through the Capitol - and one bill that didn't - designed to end the school-to-prison pipeline.
June 14, 2021 - Proponents of harm reduction are applauding state lawmakers for passing legislation that would decriminalize possession of syringes, but they say more needs to be done to combat the war on drugs, including the creation of safe consumption sites for illicit drugs and eventually decriminalize all drugs.
June 11, 2021 - New York Daily News transit report Clayton Guse helps us make sense of the leadership changes at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
June 11, 2021 - Legislation that made its way through the Capitol ensures that future settlement money from litigation with opioid manufacturers and distributors will pay for substance abuse prevention and treatment, according to Ashley Livingston, co-chair of Friends of Recovery Warren Washington Counties.
June 11, 2021 - Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, discusses the recently completed legislation session, including the end of session bills that did (and didn't) get done.
June 11, 2021 - Dr. Denis Nash, executive director of the CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, weighs in on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to dramatically scale back pandemic restrictions once 70 percent of New York adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
June 10, 2021 - Two new judges have been added to the state Court of Appeals, further cementing Gov. Andrew Cuomo's fingerprint on the state's top court. The New York Law Journal's Ryan Tarinelli has all the dirt on the surprisingly controversial confirmation process and explains what the new judges could mean for the court.
June 10, 2021 - Dr. Kyle Kingsley, CEO and chairman of Vireo Health, a national medical marijuana company operating in New York, lays out their expansion plans in the state, following the legalization of adult-use marijuana.
June 10, 2021 - How old should you be to get married? Under legislation awaiting the governor's signature, the minimum age could soon be 18. Fraidy Reiss, founder and executive director of Unchained at last, explains why the measure is necessary and talks about the need for action to curb forced marriages too.
June 9, 2021 - Boats can be a carrier of invasive species if they're not properly cleaned, but the Adirondack Council's John Sheehan says legislation making its way through the Capitol this week could protect Adirondack bodies of water from this threat.
June 9, 2021 - For 15 months, New York has been under an emergency disaster declaration due to the pandemic, but Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay - along with his GOP colleagues - says it's safe to return to business as usual.
June 9, 2021 - Nicole Salk, of Brooklyn Legal Services, discusses a new calculation for part-time unemployment benefits, assesses the state's effort to pay out benefits and makes the case for extending the federal supplemental benefit.
June 9, 2021 - Assemblymember Danny O'Donnell, a Manhattan Democrat, explains why he wants to make high-profile grand jury proceedings available to the public.
June 8, 2021 - A coalition of environmental groups has come together to oppose Gov. Andrew Cuomo's latest appointments to the Public Service Commission, the powerful state regulator of New York's utilities. Lisa Marshall, of Mothers Out Front, explains their reservations about the two Cuomo candidates and describes the type of commissioners that should be in charge.
June 8, 2021 - In the future, New Yorkers may all be driving electric vehicles, but - based on the state's current laws - it's not clear where those cars will be purchased, as manufacturers are essentially prohibited from selling directly to consumers and the companies want to avoid using the existing network of dealerships.
James Chen, vice president of public policy and chief regulatory counsel at the manufacturer Rivian, makes the case for opening up New York's marketplace.
June 8, 2021 - The Nature Conservancy's Jessica Ottney Mahar discusses legislation that would put New York on track to set aside 30 percent of our land for conservation by 2030, mirroring an initiative at the national level.
June 7, 2021 - Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, a Capital Region Democrat, makes the case for her legislation removing regulatory burdens and costs for internet service providers trying to utilize existing utility poles, which could ensure more rural areas can access high-speed internet.
June 7, 2021 - Leigh Latimer and Abigail Swenstein, of the Legal Aid Society's Exploitation Intervention Project, discuss the shape of human trafficking in New York and highlight legislation that would protect trafficking survivors from certain legal consequences.
June 7, 2021 - Senate Consumer Protection Committee Chair Kevin Thomas, a Long Island Democrat, explains how lawmakers are trying to protect New Yorkers from unscrupulous legal actions by debt collectors.
June 7, 2021 - It's been nearly four years since state lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved the creation of a task force to address upstate flooding and the panel has not been assembled. Assemblyman Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, is trying to give the task force new life and believes this time it will come together.
June 4, 2021 - Andre Ward, a co-founder of the COVID Justice Coalition, calls out the Cuomo administration for not doing enough to ensure incarcerated New Yorkers are getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and calls on the state to increase vaccine data transparency.
June 4, 2021 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Dick Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, assesses support for the New York Health Act, describes a campaign to end surprise medical bills, and reflects on the potential end of the COVID-19 public health crisis.
June 4, 2021 - Sexual Harassment Working Group co-founder Rita Pasarell weighs in on the anti-harassment bills that have passed the state senate and comments on the (lack of) action by Assembly Democrats.
June 3, 2021 - Assemblymember Taylor Darling, a Long Island Democrat, discusses her chess playing roots, reviews "The Queen's Gambit," and reflects on what it was like having her late father as a coach.
June 2, 2021 - Legal Aid Society's Ellen Davidson walks us through the state application that went live on Tuesday to access the more than $2 billion in rental assistance. She explains who is eligible, when money might start flowing and the role landlords need to play.
June 2, 2021 - Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo, a Southern Tier Democrat, discusses efforts to improve soil health, protect the food supply in New York and connect farmers with hungry New Yorkers.
June 2, 2021 - New York Racing Association President and CEO David O'Rourke discusses the return of fans for in-person horse racing, opportunities presented by mobile sports wagering and how fast he could run 1.5 miles (the length of Saturday's Belmont Stakes).
June 2, 2021 - Assemblymember Taylor Darling, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the immediate public health crisis caused by racism and explains how reparations could be part of the long-term solution to the problem.
June 1, 2021 - As New York gets closer and closer to launching a recreational marijuana market, it's possible that marijuana cooperatives - owned by workers or shoppers - could be part of the landscape. The Democracy at Work Institute's Anh-Thu Nguyen makes the case that this model would promote social equity and bring in the most tax revenue.
June 1, 2021 - Queens State Supreme Court Judge Carmen Velasquez helps us unpack the latest chapter in the case of 46 state judges who were told last year their services were no longer needed, but have been given a second chance to adjudicate some more.
June 1, 2021 - In recognition of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the amendment allowing all 18-year-old Americans to vote, NYPIRG Executive Director Blair Horner reflects on what the change meant for him and talks about ways to make it easier for young New Yorkers to vote in the future.
June 1, 2021 - New York Focus Managing Editor Lee Harris shares what she uncovered about a shadowy public relations campaign designed to kill a bill in the Capitol.
May 31, 2021 - Assemblyman Jake Ashby was originally turned away from the Army, but he persisted and eventually earned his commission with the U.S. Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Captain.
The Capital Region Republican discusses what Memorial Day means to him, how he talks to his kids about veterans and his time in the marching band.
May 31, 2021 - New York Health Foundation Veterans' Health Officer Derek Coy, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, talks about what Memorial Day means to him and much more.
May 31, 2021 - Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt enlisted in the Army national Guard after 9/11 and is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The Niagara County Republican talks about the soldiers he served with who didn't make it home, how he digests Memorial Day celebrations and the governor's decision to share the special three-day weekend with frontline workers who died during the pandemic.
May 28, 2021 - Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland County Democrat, discusses his legislation to address the inequities in the East Ramapo Central School District, where the private schools serving mostly white students have bee prioritized at the expense of public schools largely serving students of color.
May 28, 2021 - New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers President Alice Fontier argues that the state senate should reject the nomination of Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas to the state's top court.
May 28, 2021 - Ryan Lepore, interim executive director of NYC NORML, which advocates for marijuana consumers in the five boroughs, talks about creating a new state office of cannabis management - as part of the legalization of adult-use marijuana - and voices his concerns about the governor's top marijuana adviser.
May 27, 2021 - New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert Schneider breaks down the school budget vote results from earlier this month, and discusses ways to increase the abysmal turnout rates for these important elections.
May 27, 2021 - The newly released (and late) state financial plan sheds new light on New York's finances. Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission, explains what this new information tells us about the state's fiscal situation and how federal stimulus money is being spent.
May 27, 2021 - Legislation prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at retail pet shops is making its way through the Capitol, but proponents of the industry say this measure is misguided and paints an inaccurate picture of the practices by most pet shops.
May 26, 2021 - Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar provides a status update on pending bills that would overhaul the parole system in New York and also advocates for legislation requiring prison guards to wear body cameras.
May 26, 2021 - Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, joins the show to discuss some of her pending bills, including restrictions on plastic straws in restaurants, making it easier for incarcerated New Yorkers to kick a drug addiction and cracking down on "ghost guns."