The Capitol Pressroom

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.

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.