Podcasts about nypirg

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Blair Horner of NYPIRG talks to Mark Dunlea about revenue, higher education, climate, ethics, and the bottle bill in relation to the NYS Budget. Then, Willie Terry reports on the postal workers rally on Sunday March 23rd in Albany. Later on, we get a behind the scenes look at the musical Anastasia at Troy High School. After that, comedians Padrick Smith and Kay Goutos tell us about their first open mics experience and the benefits of having an open mic at a comedy club. Finally, Thom Francis highlights Jonathan Bright and Siobhan Hotaling who read their poems at the 16th Word Fest Open Mic.

While the state will once again fail to have a new budget in place by the April 1 target date, some details are becoming clearer as legislative leaders and the Governor ramp up negotiations. The leaders normally focus on resolving a few big issues first and then deal with the hundreds of smaller issues over a very compressed time period. Blair Horner of NYPIRG talks to Mark Dunlea of the Hudson Mohawk Magazine about revenue, higher education, climate, ethics, and the bottle bill.

This is the full unedited audio of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA)press conference on March 19. New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Deborah Glick are the lead sponsors. Environmental and civic groups that participated include American Lung Association, Beyond Plastics, Capitol District Zero Waste, Environmental Advocates NY, League of Women Voters, New York League dof Conservation Voters, New York State Association of Counties, NYPIRG and Protect the Adirondacks, Riverkeeper, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter and Sisters of Charity. Dr. Kathy Nolan, a pediatrician active with Physicians for Social Responsibility, was a featured speaker. The bill (S.1464 / A.1749), which recently advanced in both the Senate and Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, aims to significantly reduce packaging waste by requiring companies to reduce overall packaging use, improve recyclability, fund recycling infrastructure, support municipal recycling programs, and eliminate toxins in packaging materials. The legislation has broad approval from New Yorkers according to public polling. Solid waste, which has been rising steadily over the years, presents a serious challenge for New York's environment and the health of New Yorkers, as well as a burden on taxpayers. New York State's 25 municipal solid waste landfills could be full within the next 15 years, according to the NYS Solid Waste Management Plan. Incineration of waste creates air quality issues and increases greenhouse gas emissions. Further, municipalities bear the burden of collecting, sorting, and processing waste, driving up costs for taxpayers.

On Tuesday, February 25, the NY Department of State (DOS) and NYSERDA released a revised draft of the 2024 Building/Energy Code update. A public hearing was held on February 28. While many praised the council for including the provisions of the All Electric Building Act in their draft, a number of key proposals made by the Climate Aciton Council were relegated to an advisory appendix rather than being treated as the mandate they are. We hear from a number of speakers, starting with Assemblymember Gallagher of Brooklyn; Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha of New Paltz; Justin Flagg representing Senator Kruger; Assemblymember Anna Kelles of Ithaca; Eric Wood of NYPIRG; and a staff person for ACEEE the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

On Tuesday, January 28, over 200 advocates came to the State Capitol to join faith leaders and elected officials to urge the state legislature to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act and the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, kicking off this year's campaign to end plastic pollution, save tax dollars, provide new revenue for localities, reduce plastic packaging, and protect New Yorkers' health. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act will reduce plastic packaging by 30% incrementally over 12 years, as well as phase out some of the most toxic chemicals used in packaging, including PFAS and vinyl chloride. It will slash greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic (which are currently on track to outpace the emissions from coal by 2030). It will also make polluters pay by establishing a modest fee on packaging..The Bigger Better Bottle Bill builds on the 1982 law by expanding the types of beverage containers that will have refundable deposits, such as sports drinks, non-carbonated drinks, wine, and spirits; raises the deposit fee to a dime (it has been a nickel since 1983); and raise the handling fee for redemption centers. We hear first from Rev. Kathryn Beilke (interfaith coordinator, Beyond Plastics), followed by Alexis Goldsmith, national organizer of BP; Senator May, lead sponsor of the expanded bottle bill; and Blair Horner of NYPIRG. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

This week on Green Street, Patti and Doug talk about popular foods that are contaminated with plastic particles, the secret network of pipelines carrying toxic radioactive waste from fracking operations, and the proposal to bury millions of tons of carbon under the Gulf of Mexico. Then Anne Rabe, Environmental Policy Director at NYPIRG, talks about New York's groundbreaking Climate Change Superfund Act, which requires greenhouse gas polluters to pay $75 billion to help defray the costs of dealing with powerful storms and other impacts of climate change.

Eva is joined by Nancy Romer of the Professional Staff Congress, the 30,000 member labor union of faculty and staff of the City University of New York. She chairs its Environmental Justice Working Group that is leading the effort to cut fossil fuel use at the 25 campuses of CUNY. Key to their efforts is pressuring the New York Power Authority, which is required by the Build Public Renewables Act to generate more of its electricity from renewable sources. The complex interplay of faculty, staff, students, administrators, city and state government, and the utility is capably explained by Nancy, a professor for 42 years.   Links: ●      PSC EJWG https://psc-cuny.org/environmental-justice-committee/ ●      Build Public Renewables Act, highlights https://publicpowerny.org/legislation/ ●      New York Power Authority https://www.nypa.gov/ ●      NYPA strategic plan (draft) https://www.nypa.gov/-/media/nypa/documents/document-library/renewables/NYPA-Renewables-Draft-Strategic-Plan ●      350 Brooklyn's guide to commenting on NYPA plan https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oirScRCVEKeAsE9IxWQ8xOpWWG383QIioj0ZVQmsOPw/edit?tab=t.0 ●      NYPIRG https://www.nypirg.org/ ●      Sunrise https://www.sunrisemovement.org/ ●      TREEage https://www.treeageteam.org/ ●      United Federation of Teachers https://www.uft.org/get-involved/uft-campaigns/carbon-free-and-healthy-schools ●      New York Renews https://alignny.org/campaign/new-york-renews/ ●      Climate Works for All https://www.nyclimateworks.org/ ●      Public Power New York https://publicpowerny.org/

200 climate activists rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday December 10 to get Governor Hochul to sign the climate superfund Act. In part one, we hear from rally organizer Michael Richardson of Third Act and Blair Horner of NYPIRG. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

The Climate Superfund Act would raise $3 billion a year from the state's largest emitters of greenhouse gases to help pay to fix the damages caused by climate change. Climate groups are planning to come to the Capitol for speeches, teaching, and songs from Dec. 10 to 12 to urge Governor Hochul to sing the act into law. Anne Rabe of NYPIRG discusses the need for the Climate Superfund with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: First, Mark Dunlea sits down with Blair Horner of NYPIRG to discuss the latest development on the Climate Superfund Act. Then, we hear about the journey of an eco-artist and her canoe along the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers to the NY State Capitol. Later on, Skidmore Professor Ruth McAdams talks to Skidmore students about her role in unionizing Skidmore's non-tenure track faculty. After that, Willie Terry interviews Debora Y. Brown and Beverly Ivey of Albany NAACP at the Capital District Michael L. Burns Labor Day Celebration. Finally, we hear from Preservation League about the importance of the Sanctuary's historical building.

While the state's Climate Superfund Act is still awaiting a decision by Governor Hochul as to whether or not to sign in, Cong. Nadler has introduced an even more robust version of the federal level. Blair Horner of NYPIRG discusses why large greenhouse gas emitters should pay to fix the damages they have caused rather than taxpayers. With more Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

NYPIRG Executive Director Blair Horner is never at a loss for words when it comes to protecting the public's right to know—and to act. In his more than 40 years as NYPIRG's legislative director—and later as its executive director—Blair has advocated for a wide range of important issues, including energy reform, government openness, ethics and accountability, campaign finance reform, the environment, climate change, voting rights and health care among many others.Everybody who's anybody in New York state politics knows him. And journalists love talking with him. The New York Times did a profile on him and he's appeared on “The Today Show” and “ABC World News Tonight.” He's written scores of opinion pieces that have been published in newspapers across the state. He's a regular commentator for WAMC-FM and sits on the NPR station's Board of Trustees.He's been a strong UUP ally as well. Blair has joined UUP in our ongoing battles to protect SUNY and get more state funding for our campuses. And he's spoken out strongly in support of keeping SUNY Downstate University Hospital open and in Brooklyn. On this episode of The Voice podcast, we welcome NYPIRG Executive Director Blair Horner.  We'll talk about his work with NYPIRG, some of the issues NYPIRG will be focusing on through the end of the year, and a look ahead, one year after NYPIRG celebrated its 50th anniversary. 

David Callahan is a prolific creator and thinker within Democratic politics. He helped start the progressive think tank Demos in the late 90s, founded the media outlet Inside Philanthropy as a Consumer Reports of sorts into the world of charitable giving, and more recently created Blue Tent - an advisory group to help progressive donors get the most bang for their buck. In this conversation, David talks his early days in politics focused on foreign policy, his next stint as a think-tanker trying to pull the Democratic Party left, and why he's more recently been focused on the world of political giving. David is one of the most informed people on the planet on all facets of the political donor world and provides a tour de force on both the current state of play and future trends to better understand how our politics are funded.IN THIS EPISODEGrowing up in New York as the child of academics...An early experience that showed David he was not cut out to be an activist...A formative year spent at the liberal magazine, The American Prospect...David talks getting his PhD and his recommendations for those considering academia...David helps found the progressive think tank Demos and talks the role of think tanks in American politics...What led David to start Inside Philanthropy, a media outlet dedicated to understanding political fundraising...The disturbing trend in political giving that led David to start Blue Tent, a resource for progressive donors...How David and Blue Tent determine where donors will get the most bang for their buck...Why David is an advocate of giving to organizations instead of candidates...David on the phenomenon of "rage giving"...Are donors pulling Democratic candidates to the left?Has Democratic giving fallen off this cycle?David's concern about too many advocacy groups and donor fragmentation on the left compared to more unanimity on the right...David de-mystifies the world of big "donor advisors"...David on the Soros factor on the left...The rough balance of spending from the right vs. spending from the left...The types of operatives who succeed in the donor advising space...The political novel David wrote in the late 90s that eerily predicted elements of both the 9/11 attacks and the rise of a Donald Trump-like politician...AND AOC, Stacey Abrams, Miriam Adelson, The American Enterprise Institute, The American Liberties Project, The American Prospect Magazine, Arabella Advisors, Joe Biden, bioethics, Michael Bloomberg, bureaucratic machinations, the Cato Institute, the Center for Voter Information, Bill Clinton, The Committee on States, credential firepower, the DLC, The Democracy Alliance, Michael Dukakis, The Economic Policy Institute, effective altruism, Federalist Society, Marcus Flowers, Focus for Democracy, Fredrick Forsyth, Forward Montana, Give Well, giving circles, Al Gore, Lindsey Graham, Stanley Greenberg, Jamie Harrison, Hastings-on-Hudson, the Heritage Foundation, Hezbollah, Indian Point Power Plant, Indivisible, the Koch Brothers, LUCHA, Mitch McConnell, Amy McGrath, Michigan United, Mind the Gap, Dustin Moskovitz, Movement Voter Project, neoliberal mindsets, The New America Foundation, Paul Nitze, NYPIRG, Beto O'Rourke, Open Markets, RCTs, Ronald Reagan, The Roosevelt Institute, Run for Something, saber-rattling, Sandinistas, Adam Schiff, Star Wars, the States Project, Swing Left, Marjorie Taylor Greene, transactional donors, Way to Win, Working America & more!

At 3:32 AM on Friday morning, in the waning hours of the 2024 NYS Legislative session, the NYS Assembly unexpectedly passed the NYS Climate Superfund Act to require the largest greenhouse gas polluters in the state to pay $3 billion a year to help deal with the damages from their pollution. The unexpected victory came after Governor Hochul shockingly threw the legislative session into chaos by suddenly announcing she was halting the long-awaited congestion pricing in NYC. Anne Rabe of NYPIRG, the principal organizer for the bill, discusses how the bill passed and what steps are needed to convince Governor Hochul to sign in. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk magazine.

The effort to modernize the state bottle bill picked up momentum this week after three separate Assembly committees voted in favor of it. This also means that the bottle industry is stepping up its opposition, including recruiting the teamsters to oppose to it. Blair Horner of NYPIRG talks to Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine about the bill, as well as the recent court ruling in favor of former Governor Cuomo in his fight with the Ethics Commission over his book deal on COVID.

On Tuesday, May 7 the New York State Senate passed the Climate Superfund Act to make the largest greenhouse gas emitters pay $3 billion a year for the damages their pollution cost. 35% of the funds would go for remediation projects in disadvantaged communities. Anne Rabe of NYPIRG provides an update on the bill to Mark Dunlea with Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

A key climate issue still being debated in the pending state budget is the Climate Superfund Act. Of the $3 billion annually that would be raised by the Climate Superfund Act, one-third or a billion dollars would be spent to repair damages in disadvantaged communities. On Tuesday, April 2 supporters of the Climate Superfund held a news conference at the Capitol. We hear from MC Alycia Bacon, NY Renews; Senator Rachel May; Rashida Tyler, Associate Director, NYS Council of Churches; Blair Horner of NYPIRG; and Dr. Sohaib Chekima, Annur Islamic School Principal and Union College Adjunct Professor.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, we have an interview by Sina Basila Hickey with Callie Evans of New York Public Interest Research Group, or NYPIRG, about an emergency action and conference for the Climate Superfund at the Albany Capitol on Tuesday April 2nd. Then, we hear from All of Us founders, Jamaica Miles and Shawn Young, with Imam Jamal Shah, as they discuss the recent efforts to get the Schenectady City Council to pass a resolution calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza. Later on, retired National Weather Service meteorologist Hugh Johnson joins us to talk about the upcoming solar eclipse and the snow storm expected later this week. After that, Sina is back with a piece about FEM-meeting, an upcoming two days of presentations and workshops about women in science and the arts. Finally, we have a piece from our archives with Veronica Maroulis interviewing Katrin Ramsey on her experience volunteering as an end-of-life doula in the Capital Region.

On Tuesday, April 2, environmental, faith and youth group leaders will join with elected officials to hold a news conference, calling on Governor Hochul to include the Climate Change Superfund Act in the final State Budget. Groups will release a report on how the bill would lift up state-designated disadvantaged communities with $1 billion a year for 25 years in a row. Kaylee Evans of NYPIRG spoke with Sina Basila Hickey for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

While both houses of the NYS Legislature have passed their one house budget resolutions, the State Senate is considerably stronger on climate issues than the State Assembly. Anne Rabe of NYPIRG discusses the Senate's support for the NY Heat Act, Climate Superfund Act, 100% Renewable Capitol, and curtailing tax subsidies for fossil fuels. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: First, Blair Horner of NYPIRG discusses the approval of updated district lines for the Congressional district. Then, Lavonia Mallory talks with the owner of Heaven-on-earth beauty salon, Kerry-Ann A. as part of her series titled “Reclaiming History.” Later on, Sina Basila Hickey speaks with Dan Falkenstrom of the Tech Center of Gravity to speak about maker spaces and the Small Business Support Program. After that, Willie Terry speaks with Brother X about Malcom X's views on various topic surrounding activism. Finally, Marsha Lazurus talks with Psychiatrist Aliya Saeed as part of the celebration for Women's History Month.

On Feb. 28 the NYS Legislature rammed through approval of updated district lines for Congressional district. Blair Horner of NYPIRG discusses the processes and provides an update on higher education and environmental issues in the state budget. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea reports on a report by NYPRIG on small claims court. Mark talks to Attorney Russ Haven of NYPIRG to tell us more. Then,Pete Tridish tells us about his work maintaining radio stations and work on radio stations in alaska. Later on, Brea Barthel heads to the Troy library to talks to Carol Roberts on youth books for Black History month. After that, Avery Stempell and Joe Mckay joins to tell us about a psilocybin event coming up at the linda . Finally, Founders Jamaica Miles and Shawn Young of the Schenectady's All of Us marked the start of Black History with the first Focused Friday broadcast of 2024.

A NYPIRG report on Small Claims Court found that while nearly 80 percent of claimants said they had won their cases, nearly 75 percent of the winners failed to collect a cent of their judgments - worse than when NYPIRG did its first survey four decades ago. Attorney Russ Haven of NYPIRG discusses the report with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine. Small Claims Court cases include tenant-landlord disputes, homeowners' issues with contractors, wage theft, and consumer ripoffs.

We cover two rallies at the State Capitol on January 29. The first, called for the “Home Care Savings & Reinvestment Act.” We hear from Assemblymembers Sarah Clark, Jeff Dinowitz, and Harvey Epstein, and Senator Rachel May. Then before a rally for the Climate Superfund Act, we talk with Anshul Gupta of Clean Power NY. Next, Blair Horner of NYPIRG and Assemblymember Jeff Dinowitz.

On Thursday, January 18, state lawmakers and advocates held a news conference calling for adoption of the state Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. The bill will reduce plastic packaging by 50% over 12 years. In Part one of our coverage, we hear from Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates NY, who served as the moderator. We then hear from the lead sponsors of the bills, the chairs of the respective legislative committees on the environment, Assembly Member Deborah Glick and Senator Pete Harckham. We hear from NYC Council Member Sandy Nurse, who until recently was chair of the council's committee on sanitation, and Blair Horner, Executive Director of NYPIRG. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea talks with Blair Horner of NYPIRG about congressional redistricting in New York State and campaign financing. Then, we join the New Year's Day Interfaith Peace Walk around Troy. After that, Brad Monkel interviews comedian Juan Pantaleon. Finally, Thom Francis talks with poet and United States Army Veteran, W.D. Clarke.

On Dec. 28, Governor Hochul received two letters from 280 local elected officials in Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) and youth groups such as Fridays for the Future, urging her to include the Climate Change Superfund Act in her Executive Budget next month. NYPIRG also released an analysis showing that NYS taxpayers directly paid over $2 billion in climate costs from December 2022 to December 2023, or $272 per household. Anne Rabe of NYPIRG talks with Mark Dunlea of HMM about the proposal.

Governor Hochul recently vetoed legislation that many felt would undermine the state's new public campaign finance system for state legislative races. Blair Horner of NYPIRG discusses the veto as well as the recent meeting of the Independent Redistricting Commission which the courts have given another chance to redraw the district lines for Congressional races. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with Mark Dunlea speaking with Blair Horner, executive director of NYPIRG, about redistricting after a decision by the State Court of Appeals. Then, we'll air Part 8 of The Struggle Continues round table discussion hosted by Willie Terry. Later on, Mark Dunlea sits down with Rich Ring, a botanist with the NY Natural Heritage Program, to discuss how the season impacts local plants. After that, Sina Basila Hickey chats with Jon Elbaum, executive director of the Troy Savings Music Hall about the year they had. Finally, Andrea Cunliffe heads over to the Troy Farmers Market to see what goodies they have for the holiday season.

In a 4 to 3 decision, the state's Court of Appeals agreed with the Democrats to give the bipartisan redistricting commission the opportunity to redraw lines for the 20024 Congressional elections. Last year, the courts found that the legislative adoption of Congressional and State Senate lines, viewed as heavily favoring the Democrats, failed to meet the standards laid out in a new constitutional provision, resulting in a lower Court redrawing the lines. The new lines elected enough additional Republicans to swing control of the national House away from the Democrats. Blair Horner of NYPIRG discusses the potential impact of the court's decision with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Ryan Thoresen Carson was New York Public Interest Research Group's Campaign Coordinator on issues of solid waste. Through NYPIRG, he coordinated the Bottle Bill 40 Coalition, an alliance of over 300 organizations working to modernize the state's successful bottle deposit program. He lived in Brooklyn and was a published poet. Join us on B~Our Planets Solution anytime and support Ryan's mission NYPIRG.org.  Host Tonia Torrellas is an advocate for giving back to others and a serial problem-solver, and she steps up to the roles of nurse, mompreneur, creator and inventor every day. On a mission to eliminate plastic waste - Tonia, developed It's My Bag.  When she's not working on It's My Bag reusables; you can find her creating her very special Aunt Toni's Yummy Crummy Crumb Cakes, a family staple that is close to her heart. Follow B-Our Planets Solution on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Go to ItsMyBag.com and follow aunt_tonis_yummygrummy on Instagram Please support UnsilencedVoices.org.  Connect with Word of Mom on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. WordofMomRadio.com - sharing the wisdom of women, in business and in life.

On October 22, the NYS Legislature held a hearing on expanding the bottle bill, which was first enacted in 1982. The proposals include increasing the 5 cents deposit to 10 cents and including more beverage containers. We hear from Rhonda Keyser of the Brooklyn Solid Waste Advisory Board; Alexis Goldsmith of Beyond Plastics; Blair Horner of NYPIRG; and Kent Sopiris of the NYS Association of Convenience Stores. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Over 200 groups sent a letter urging Governor Hochul to include the Climate Change Superfund Act in her upcoming state Budget. The bill, which passed the Senate last session, would raise $3 billion annually from fees on Big Oil companies to pay for the damages caused by them emitting more than one billion tons of greenhouse gases in the state. At the state capitol in Albany, we hear from Pete Looker, who played one of the three dinosaurs standing up for the fossil fuel companies. We also hear from Sr. Katheen Pritty of Sisters of Mercy; Fred Kowal, head of United University Professionals; Alycia Bacon of Mothers out Front; Bob Cohen of Citizen Action; and Anne Rabe of NYPIRG. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Climate groups are organizing a series of events across the state on Thursday October 6 to urge Governor Hochul to include the Climate Superfund Act in the state budget to make fossil fuel polluters to pay $3 billion a year for the damages they have caused. The Albany event will be at noon at West Capitol Park. Anne Rabe of NYPIRG talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

A state Supreme Court justice has ruled in a lawsuit brought by former Governor Cuomo that New York's new independent ethics commission violates the state constitution because it was formed without a constitutional amendment, divests the governor of her authority and improperly administers and enforces ethics laws that should be under the control of the executive branch. We talk to Blair Horner of NYPIRG and the next steps in terms of ethics reform. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

New York recently updated the records available to consumers about their medical providers at nydoctorprofile.com. Blair Horner of NYPIRG explains why this is important for consumers. He also discusses a new report that outlines the hundreds of millions of dollars that NY has spent in the last year or so on responding to climate change, which highlights the need to make polluters pay for the damage through programs like the Climate Superfund Act.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with Mark Dunlea's interview with NYPIRG about nydoctorprofile.com updating records on medical providers. Then, Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry talks with Doug Bullock about Labor Day. Later on, for Triple Es, H Bosh Jr interviews Dr. Paul Miller, CEO of Charter Champions. After that, Elizabeth (EP) Press brings us a report on a Troy City Council meeting about encrypted police scanners. Finally, for 518 Shining STAR, H Bosh Jr interviews Ben Williams, Executive Director of Connect Center for Youth.

Ryan Thoresen Carson is New York Public Interest Research Group's Campaign Coordinator on issues of solid waste. Through NYPIRG, he coordinates the Bottle Bill 40 Coalition, an alliance of over 300 organizations working to modernize the state's successful bottle deposit program. He lives in Brooklyn and is a published poet. Join us on B~Our Planets Solution anytime and connect with Ryan at NYPIRG.org and on Instagram @ryantcarson.  Host Tonia Torrellas is an advocate for giving back to others and a serial problem-solver, and she steps up to the roles of nurse, mompreneur, creator and inventor every day. On a mission to eliminate plastic waste - Tonia, developed It's My Bag.  When she's not working on It's My Bag reusables; you can find her creating her very special Aunt Toni's Yummy Crummy Crumb Cakes, a family staple that is close to her heart. Follow B-Our Planets Solution on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Go to ItsMyBag.com and follow aunt_tonis_yummygrummy on Instagram Please support UnsilencedVoices.org.  Connect with Word of Mom on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. WordofMomRadio.com - sharing the wisdom of women, in business and in life.  

Blair Horner of NYPIRG (New York Public Interest Research Group) provides an overview of the recently passed state budget and what the legislature will contend with until they adjourn in early June. Climate, higher education, housing, campaign finance reform, and mass transit are some of the issues he discusses with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea speaks with Blair Horner of NYPIRG who provides an overview of the recently passed state budget Then, Marsha Lazarus discusses mental health and mental illness with Peer Specialist Diana Babcock Later on, Brea Barthel shares how Albany's Radix Ecological Sustainability Center will be studying the effect of "urban heat" in the South End and other areas After that, Masha Miller speaks with Dr. David Pitonyak, an expert in disability services Finally, Producer of a weekly segment, “Talking with Poets” Thom speaks with Francis Therese L. Broderick. We hear Therese read her poem "The Daughter on Sunday Display".

200 solid waste advocates came to Albany on Tuesday May 2., 58 environmental organizations joined Beyond Plastics and NYPIRG for Rally and Advocacy Day to say, “New York Is Not Disposable.” The advocates called for the passage of two bills that would greatly reduce plastic pollution statewide: the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A5322/S4246) and the Bigger Better Bottle Bill (A6353/S237) We first hear from Assemblymember Deborah Glick, the chair of the Assembly environmental committee and the lead sponsor of the two bills. We then hear from Alexis Goldsmith, national organizing director at Beyond Plastics.

More than 300 climate activists came to the state Capitol on March 28 to urge the Governor and state lawmakers to include NY Renews' Climate, Jobs and Justice Package in the final budget due April 1. In part 2, we hear from the emcee, Monique Fitzgerald of the LI Progressive Coalition as well as Sen. Brouk of Rochester; Assemblymember Epstein; Gladys Puglia of Make the Road; Senator Krueger; Assembly Solages; and Devan Beaumant from NYPIRG. We also hear from Assemblymember Kelles on the need to clarify insurance rules for car share programs.

NYPIRG organized a press conference at the State Capitol on Monday to highlight the state Senate's support for the Climate Superfund Act and other measures needed in the April 1 state budget to speed up action - and funding - on climate. We hear from Blair Horner of NYPIRG; Senator Pete Harckham, chair of the EnCon committee; Senator Rachel May; and Catherine Nadeau of Catskill Mountain Keeper. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

The NYS Senate and Assembly have each released their one-house budget resolutions. Along with the Governor, they now have two weeks to negotiate the final budget. Blair Horner of NYPIRG discusses where things stand on the climate, higher education, democratic rights, and some health care issues. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with an update on the NYS Budget from NYPIRG after both houses of the state legislature released their budget proposals this week. Then, for our peace segment, Mark Dunlea discuss the March 16 Rachel Corrie Palestinian Rights Vigil with Tom Ellis. Later on, Sarah Otaru, a Ph.D. student with Dr. Carpenter, talks about working with the professor ahead of this Sunday's celebration to honor Dr. David Carpenter's environmental activism work. After that, Marsha Lazarus continues her conversation with Jean Fei about her decades long effort to bringing dismantle racism workshops to the Capital District. We finish with a live interview with Matt Shapiro of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-New York State.

The Bigger Better Bottle Bill and the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Act were the focus of a rally at the State Capitol on Feb. 15. We hear from Ryan Carson of NYPIRG; Assemblymember Glick and Senator May; Judith Enck of Beyond Plastics; and Ryan Castalia, Executive Director of Sure We Can. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul releases her $227 billion dollar budget proposal; we'll have reaction from lawmakers. Our political observer Alan Chartock speaks with Blair Horner of NYPIRG about the governor's plan. Also, the state senate passes a series of limousine safety measures.

WAMC's Alan Chartock speaks with Blair Horner, Executive Director of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). Courtesy of The New York Public Interest Research Group

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with Mark Dunley asking NYPIRG to review the new Right to Repair Law for electronics. Then, Albany Congressperson Romero of Ward 6 discusses with Sina Basila Hickey the Lark Street Revitalization Project and the upcoming public meeting. Later on, we introduce you to Kristen (K.P) Holler, our newly appointed Executive Director of The Sanctuary for Independent Media. After that, Marsha Lazarus honors Holocaust Remembrance Day by speaking with a survivor. Finally, we speak with Africana Studies Prof. Kevin Hickey, curator of the annual Africana Film Series at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.