The Capitol Pressroom

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.