Jan. 8, 2025 - We get to know Assemblyman Patrick Carroll, a Rockland County Democrat embarking on his first term in Planet Albany. We talk about some of his priorities and balancing life at the Capitol with four kids.Por WCNY

Jan. 8, 2025 - We are joined in the studio by Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association, who discusses the group's priorities for 2025, including increasing the right to counsel and Medical Aid in Dying. He also weighs in on the budget for the court system and increasing access to guardians.…

Jan. 8, 2025 - New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon discusses the implementation of the state's paid, prenatal leave policy and provides an update on efforts to combat wage theft and upgrade their technological capacity at the department.Por WCNY

Jan. 8, 2025 - Firefighters Association of the State of New York Secretary John D'Alessandro makes the case for requiring one- and two-family homes to be built with fire suppression systems.Por WCNY

Jan. 7, 2025 - Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, discusses the potential of new nuclear projects, the merits of the NY HEAT Act, and her priorities in 2025.Por WCNY

Jan. 7, 2025 - Winter conditions create new risks in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks for explorers and the state first responders tasked with rescue missions. We explore this issue, including the precautions people should take, with State Forest Ranger Lt. Chris DiCintio and State Forest Ranger Rob Praczkajlo.…

Jan. 7, 2025 - Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for codifying restrictions on how and when state and local law enforcement will comply with federal immigration officials.Por WCNY

Jan. 6, 2025 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer explains her opposition to the state's plan to chop down trees at viewpoints along a mountain in the Adirondacks, which she argues would violate the state constitution.Por WCNY

Jan. 6, 2025 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about recommendations from the New York State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council and how they might begin to get implemented in 2025.Por WCNY

Jan. 6, 2025 - New York has laws governing interest rates for loans, but these regulations aren't capturing some of the latest evolutions of lending. We examine legislation looking to close these loopholes with the help of Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Project.Por WCNY

Jan. 6, 2025 - An end of the year veto by Gov. Kathy Hochul of legislation addressing the financing of school-based health centers has put a renewed spotlight on these services, and how they're funded, heading into the 2025 legislative session. Sally Dreslin, executive director of the Step Two Policy Project, explains why these services are importa…

Jan. 3, 2025 - A recent audit from the state comptroller's office highlighted the waiting lists for pre-k special education services, so we decided to look at what's causing the delays and how schools are addressing the problem. Our guest is Clarkstown Central School District Superintendent Marc Baiocco, who discusses a program set up to provide sp…

Jan. 2, 2024 - After years of groundwork, New York is finally at the precipice of standing up state-facilitated retirement program for New Yorkers without an employer-sponsored option. We consider what is taking shape in the Empire State with the help of Angela Antonelli, executive director of the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown Uni…

Dec. 30, 2024 - The state's top court found that municipalities can be liable for unaddressed potholes that are reported through an online service. We explore what this means for local government, including in Albany, with Barbara Van Epps, executive director of the New York Conference of Mayors.Por WCNY

Dec. 30, 2024 - Buffalo News climate and environment reporter Mackenzie Shuman explains the holes in air pollution monitoring by state environmental regulators, who have let a majority of permits for major polluters lapse.Por WCNY

Dec 26, 2024 - After more than four decades in Planet Albany's orbit, LeadingAge New York President & CEO Jim Clyne is retiring. Jim discusses his time working in and around state government, including crafting bills in the Assembly and life during the pandemic.Por WCNY

Dec. 30, 2024 - Assemblymember Patrick Burke, a Buffalo-area Democrat, wants President Biden to use his clemency powers for a Western New York man serving a 25-year prison sentence for his role in an international marijuana trafficking network.Por WCNY

Dec. 27, 2024 - State policy makers are betting big on the life sciences industry, investing millions in subsidies to promote and grow these businesses. We discuss a state report on the industry and its future with Winthrop Thurlow, executive director of the trade organization Life Sciences NY.Por WCNY

Dec. 24, 2024 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald discusses the state's prenatal leave policy starting in 2025 and addresses other policies to improve maternal health outcomes.Por WCNY

Dec. 24, 2024 - Is it time to change the library system structure? We consider these regional entities with the help of Max Prime, director of government relations and advocacy for the New York Library Association, and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System.Por WCNY

Dec. 24, 2024 - Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat and chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian legislative Caucus, discusses her policy goals for the 2025 legislative session in New York and addresses whether her agenda is shaped by last year's election results.Por WCNY

Dec. 23, 2024 - Environmental Advocates NY Deputy Executive Director Katie McNamara makes the case for state regulations requiring a phase out of chemical commonly found in commercial and residential cooling technology, which is a major greenhouse gas emitter.Por WCNY

Dec. 23, 2024 - Kristen McManus, senior associate state director for advocacy at AARP New York, discusses her group's agenda for the 2025 state legislative session, which focuses on affordability issues and quality of care for seniors.Por WCNY

Dec. 23, 2024 - Michael Kinnucan, a senior health policy advisor with the Fiscal Policy Institute, discusses his papers on the pace of home care enrollment growth in the state and the trajectory of Medicaid spending on long-term care.Por WCNY

Dec. 19, 2024 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, previews the 2025 legislative session, including the likely fight over Medicaid funding, the implementation of CDPAP changes, and abortion access.Por WCNY

Dec. 19, 2024 - This December, a state law took effect prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores, despite the industry trying to stop the implementation in court. We talk about the legal challenge and the industry's critique of this bill with Mike Bober, CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network.…

Dec. 19, 2024 - Assemblymember Sarah Clark, a Rochester-area Democrat, responds to the governor's veto of her bill expanding child care assistance and talks about what should be done in 2025 to improve access to high-quality care.Por WCNY

Dec. 19, 2024 - State Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her criminal justice priorities for the 2025 legislative session and addresses how politics could impact what's the possible in Albany.Por WCNY

Dec. 18, 2024 - New York Focus Senior Reporter Sam Mellins shares what he uncovered about the working conditions and compensation for Assembly staffers, which may be contributing to a brain drain at the institution.Por WCNY

Dec. 18, 2024 - State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri discusses an effort to ensure uninterrupted health insurance for kids, gives an update on the Medicaid "unwinding" effort, and addresses allegations of ineligible New Yorkers getting government health insurance.Por WCNY

Dec. 18, 2024 - New York City Campaign Finance Board Executive Director Paul Ryan compares the state's nascent public financing program to the long-established system in New York City and addresses a recent decision to deny matching funds to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.Por WCNY

Dec. 17, 2024 - Video conferencing provides an easy medium for connecting with people behind bars, but criminal justice advocates don't want it to replace in-person visits. We highlight legislation ensuring in-person visits continue with Tanya Krupat, vice president of policy and advocacy at The Osborne Association, and Jamila Small, a youth fellow…

Dec. 17, 2024 - John Olsen, co-chair of the emerging technologies and innovation practice for Statewide Public Affairs, discusses the artificial intelligence regulatory landscape in New York, including moving new bills through Albany in 2025.Por WCNY

Dec. 17, 2024 - Wildfires that hit the Hudson Valley this fall reached a scope that hasn't been seen in New York in more than a decade. We discuss the state's response to these fires, which claimed the life of one responder, with state Forest Ranger Major Bob Rogers and state Forest Ranger Bryan Gallagher.…

Dec. 17, 2024 - More than a dozen municipalities, including Albany, have taken advantage of a state law that allows local speed limits to be set at 25 miles per hour. We talk about this safety measure with NY SAFE Streets Coalition members Anne Savage and Rose Quinn.Por WCNY

Dec. 16, 2024 - State Senator Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, makes the case for imposing financial control board on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.Por WCNY

Dec. 16, 2024 - We get to know the work of Peter Reuben, director of the state Office of Indian Nation Affairs with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, including the process of contacting different communities and working within the Hochul administration.Por WCNY

Dec. 16, 2024 - Environmental activists want to pay for billions of dollars of infrastructure upgrades - responding to the threats of climate change - by retroactively penalizing major past emitters of greenhouse gases. We hear the case against this legislative effort from Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, whic…

Dec. 16, 2024 - We talk with Paul Pettit, public health director Genesee and Orleans counties, about a new law lowering the professional standards for who serves on county boards of health so rural communities can fill these important positions.Por WCNY

Dec. 13, 2024 - Long Term Care Community Coalition Executive Director Richard Mollot discusses staffing levels at nursing homes in New York and considers what they mean for the quality of care being received.Por WCNY

Dec. 12, 2024 - Junior political analyst Isaac Olshan discusses the presidential election results, the political interests of his fellow zoomers, and where New York's political scene is moving.Por WCNY

Dec. 13, 2024 - Brian Fessler, of the New York State School Boards Association, and Bob Lowry, of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, think the Rockefeller Institute made some good first steps with their review of education funding distribution in New York and are waiting to see how policymakers use their state-commissioned report…

Dec. 12, 2024 - Hunger persists as a major problem in New York, so a coalition has come together to push for a package of measures to address food insecurity in the budget. We discuss these solutions with state Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse-area Democrat, and Ryan Healy, advocacy manager for Feeding New York State.…

Dec. 12, 2024 - The state senate held a hearing this fall to examine the efficacy of economic development subsidies included in the budget. We explore this fact finding effort and how it should inform future actions with state Sen. Sean Ryan, a Buffalo Democrat.Por WCNY

Dec. 12, 2024 - Medical marijuana companies hoping to open recreational dispensaries have taken the Hochul administration to court over proposed license fees. We discuss the industry's case withgiste Abebe, spokesperson for the state Medical Cannabis Industry Association, and Matthew Schweber, an attorney who filed the lawsuit.…

Dec. 11, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses an enrollment bump at the state's public colleges and universities, providing operating aid to upstate campuses, and transforming a teaching hospital in Brooklyn. state of the SUNY system, enrollment, and the opportunities for prospective students to receive financial aid.…

Dec. 10, 2024 - The latest survey of New Yorkers by the Siena College Research Institute - conducted in early December - has some worrisome omens for Gov. Kathy Hochul, identifies the top priorities for voters heading into the 2025 legislative session, and gauges attitudes about the incoming Trump administration.…

Dec. 12, 2024 - New York Farm Bureau Senior Associate Director of Public Policy Renée St. Jacques talks about the fiber landscape in the Empire State and how this agricultural asset could be utilized in the future.Por WCNY

Dec. 10, 2024 - Increasing literacy in New York has become a major focus of state policymakers, and to that end there is a new plan on how to prepare future educators to teach reading and writing skills. We discuss how to prepare teachers with Ruth Genn, executive director of the Literacy Academy Collective.…

Dec. 10, 2024 - New York is doling out federal dollars to help low- and moderate-income families afford electrical upgrades in their homes and purchases environmentally friendly clothes dryers. We talk about this initiative with Chris Corcoran, assistant director of codes, products and standards for the New York State Energy Research and Developmen…