The Capitol Pressroom

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 9, 2025 - Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for preventing utilities from spreading out the cost of hooking up new customers who want to connect to a natural gas line within 100 feet of their homes.

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.