The Capitol Pressroom

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.

Nov. 13, 2025 - Assemblymember Bill Conrad, a Buffalo Democrat, makes the case for pausing New York's All-Electric Buildings Act, which generally prohibits gas appliances in most new construction starting in 2026.

Nov. 11, 2025- New York State Office of Cannabis Management Chief Medical Officer Dr. June Chin talks about expanding access to medical marijuana and addresses health concerns associated with the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Nov. 11, 2025- In order to give New Yorkers time to grieve the death of a loved one, Assemblyman Patrick Carroll, a Hudson Valley Democrat, has proposed legislation expanding how sick leave can be used.

Nov. 12, 2025- We check in on the state's efforts to spur innovation and promote startups with Ben Verschueren, executive director of Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Nov. 12, 2025- Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Alicia Hyndman, a Queens Democrat, talks about the future of virtual learning in New York's colleges and universities.

Nov. 12, 2025- We explore the work of upstate utilities serving nearly 2 million New Yorkers, including upgrading their transmission capacity and investing in infrastructure. Our guest is Trish Nilsen, CEO of New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas & Electric.

Nov. 10, 2025- Socialism is coming to the Gracie Mansion with the mayoral election of Zohran Mamdani, but could it ever become more widespread in New York. We consider the potential pitfalls of expansion with Ken Girardin, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of the report "Socialism on the Hudson."

Nov. 10, 2055- New York gambling regulators are looking to stop Kalshi, an online predictions market, from promoting and processing de facto sports wagers without a license. We explore the emergence of this platform and the showdown in the Empire State with Steve Ruddock, a gambling industry consultant and commentator.

Nov. 7, 2025 - We explore some of the recent headlines from the state Office of Cannabis Management, including their crackdown of a Long Island testing lab and a business accused of renting out its license. Our guest is Stephen Geskey, executive deputy director for compliance, labs, trade practices, and licensing at the OCM.

November 7, 2025- We get to know Patrick Mannion, a representative from central New York and the North Country on the state Board of Regents. He talks about his role and some of the important education issues being addressed by the state Education Department.

November 7, 2025- State Librarian Lauren Moore visits the studio to discuss the state's "Red Book," including a copy from more than 100 years ago, and makes the case for investing more in the preservation efforts at the state library in Albany.

November 6, 2025- If necessity is the mother of invention, could a tight state budget year lead to some creative ideas for doing more without spending more? That's what's being pitched for the delivery of addiction services in New York by Rob Kent, former counsel at the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports.

November 6, 2025- Assembly Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the federal fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Nov. 6, 2025 - Bryan Lesswing, a former adviser to Gov. Kathy Hochul, breaks down some of the headlines from Election Day and considers what the outcomes mean for 2026.

November 5, 2025- We check in with Debra Pantin, chair of New York State Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, for an update on the distribution of funds to combat the opioid epidemic and discuss the board's recommendations for 2026.

November 5, 2025-A gun control case before the US Supreme Court could have implications for New York's law restricting firearms on private property. We discuss the underlying law and what's at stake with Robert Spitzer, a member of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government.

November 5, 2025- Gov. Kathy Hochul is committing to spend an additional $35 million on Planned Parenthood clinics in New York to make up a drop in federal funds pushed through by President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans. We discuss the support and next steps with Robin Chappelle Golston, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts.

November 5, 2025- The Trump administration is discontinuing an annual study that tracks food insecurity around the country, which comes as his administration initially refused to make SNAP benefits available. We discuss the importance of data and steps being taken to make up the lost food assistance with Natasha Pernicka, executive director for The Alliance for a Hunger Free New York.

November 4, 2025- Assembly Racing & Wagering Committee Chair Carrie Woerner, a capital region Democrat, discusses increased protections against problem gambling related to mobile sports wagering, including restrictions on marketing. We also talk about unregulated gambling options online and prohibiting certain bets prone to corruption.

November 4, 2025- Skipping a home inspection to sweeten a prospective buyer's offer has become more common in recent years, but home inspectors warn that this comes with great risk. We discuss this trend and potential safeguards with Larry Ames, a board director for the New York State Association of Home Inspectors.

November 4, 2025- Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, a Rochester-area Democrat, makes the case for her new allergen labeling requirement on food packaged and sold by New York retailers.

Nov. 3, 2025 - New York Focus reporter Isabelle Taft explores the successes and shortcomings of New York's Migrant Relocation Assistance Program, which has largely receded from the spotlight.

Nov. 3, 2025 - New York municipalities looking to grow their housing stock can look to the New York City suburb of New Rochelle for track record of what works. The city's mayor, Yadira Ramos-Herbert, explains how their multi-year commitment to new homes has paid dividends.

November 3, 2025- The Children's Agenda Chief Program Officer Brigit Hurley provides an update on the state's effort to deliver early intervention services in a timely fashion, including cuts to funding by the Hochul administration that prompted a lawsuit by service providers.

October 31, 2025- Paleontological Research Institution Director Dr. Warren Allmon talks about the work his organization does in the Finger Lakes and explains why they're in desperate need of funding to keep their door open, including a natural history museum.

October 31, 2025- New York Independent System Operator's Kevin Lanahan discusses a reliability assessment for the New York City area suggesting that the region's power supply and demand could be out of whack as early as next year.

October 31, 2025- We discuss the governor's new choice to lead the State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Kathy Moser, with Paul Steely White, executive director of Parks and Trails New York.

Oct. 31, 2025 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado talks about implementing the New York Health Act, providing relief to can and bottle redemption centers, and "Medical Aid in Dying" legislation allowing terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives with the help of a doctor.

October 30, 2025- State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon talks about an increase in maximum unemployment benefits and responds to concerns about the administration of New York's unemployment system.

October 30, 2025- Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat and registered nurse, discusses her legislation to define a role for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in New York's health care system.

October 30, 2025- After years of lobbying and legislative wins in Albany, consumer advocates are celebrating a reduction in medical debt being amassed by New Yorkers. We explore the landscape and future steps to reduce health care costs with Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president of Health Initiatives for the Community Service Society of New York.

October 30, 2025- Democratic state lawmakers and mental health advocates are pushing a package of bills to make mental health services more accessible for New Yorkers using commercial insurance. We discuss the legislation with David Lloyd, chief policy officer for the advocacy group Inseparable.

October 29, 2025- A new law responding to the threat of foreclosures by homeowners' associations and condo boards could have been designed with more consumer protections, according to Jacob Inwald, director of litigation for economic justice at Legal Services NYC.

October 29, 2025- Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, a Hudson Valley Democrat, discusses legislation making it easier for communities outside of New York City to demonstrate a housing crisis in order to implement pro-tenant protections.

October 29, 2025- State Sen. Pamela Helming, a Finger Lakes Republican, makes the case for creating a risk-assessment tool that judges can use for making pre-trial detention decisions about criminal defendants.

October 29, 2025- State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn explains what's at stake for nearly three million New Yorkers because of the Trump administration's decision to halt food assistance for low-income families. She also outlines the state's initial response to this crisis and considers future steps.

October 28, 2025- We explore how the state's system of reimbursing domestic violence shelters could be updated to help more families in crisis. Our guests is Joan Gerhardt director of Public Policy and Advocacy for New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

October 28, 2025- Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz, a Long Island Republican, explains why he thinks the high-profile seizure and euthanasia of Peanut the squirrel in 2024 warrants reforming the procedures for state environmental conservation officers.

October 28, 2025- We close the book on this year's state fair in Syracuse by recapping the experience and looking ahead to 2026 with Julie LaFave, director of the New York State Fair.

October 27, 2025- In order to help New Yorkers without a retirement option at work save for their golden years, the Hochul administration is rolling out a state-facilitated savings program. We talk about how this initiative will work with Chris Curtis, state treasurer for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

October 27, 1015- New York policymakers have prioritized testing for exposure to lead, but are they doing enough to mitigate the risk of lead, especially to kids? The answer is "no," according to Blair Horner, senior policy advisor for the New York Public Interest Research Group, and John Rumpler, clean water director for Environment America, who want to install water filters at all New York schools.

October 27, 2025- Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for expanding the role pharmacists play in New York's health care system, including prescribing abortion medication. She also weighs in on the upcoming state budget battles and medicinal psilocybin uses.

October 24, 2025- In order to increase organ donations in the Empire State, state lawmakers want to allow close friends of a dead New Yorker to authorize an anatomical gift. We discuss this pending legislation and a new law expanding access to organ donation lists with Aisha Tator, executive director for Donate Life New York State.

October 24, 2025- Assemblyman Brian Miller, a central New York Republican, explains why he is pushing a bill directing the state to study the distractions to drivers caused by modern headlights on vehicles.

October 22, 2025- Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses his legislation allowing time spent on studies out of the classroom by college students to qualify for their work requirements to receive public assistance.

October 22, 2025- State Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, shares an update from a roundtable she convened on improving the math education provided to New York students.

October 22, 2025- The largest algal bloom recorded in the Hudson Valley over the last four decades appeared this summer in the Hudson River, so we explore how to prevent these environmental risks in the future with Shannon Roback, science director for Riverkeeper.

October 21, 2025- Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, an Albany Democrat, makes the case for her legislation expanding the state attorney general's office's authority to take federal officials to court for violating the civil rights of New Yorkers.