Best Capitol Pressroom Podcasts (2024)

1
State looks to ward off bird flu in dairy cows 13:59

4m ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 22, 2024 - State agriculture regulators are beefing up precautions to prevent New York dairy cows from contracting highly pathogenic avian influenza. We discuss the precautionary measures and cow health more broadly with Dr. Carie Telgen, a veterinary consultant.By WCNY

1
New York's AG and anti-abortion groups head to court 9:49

4m ago9:49

9:49

Aug. 22, 2024 - The safety and efficacy of an abortion reversal pill is at the center of multiple lawsuits involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and anti-abortion groups, according to Don Chesworth, a partner in the Rochester officer of the Tully Rinckey law firm.By WCNY

1
What's like a union, but not quite a union? 14:57

4h ago14:57

14:57

Aug. 21, 2024 - For nearly five decades, the Organization of NYS Management Confidential Employees has been a voice in Albany for public sector workers in a managerial role that are excluded from union representation.By WCNY

1
Walter Mosley settles in as New York's secretary of state 17:50

4h ago17:50

17:50

Aug. 21, 2024 - This spring, former Brooklyn Assemblyman Walter Mosley took over as New York's 69th Secretary of State. He visited the studio to discuss the Department of State's variety of responsibilities and explain his interest in joining the Hochul administration.By WCNY

1
Environmentalists push broad emissions reduction program 13:59

5h ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 20, 2024 - The Hochul administration appears to be slow playing the development of a "cap-and-invest" program and limiting its potential scope, compared to what environment advocates want. New York League of Conservation Voters Policy Director Pat McClellan makes the case for a robust effort to limit emissions from large polluters, including i…

1
Ensuring the safe storage of embryos 9:49

5h ago9:49

9:49

Aug. 20. 2024 - Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses her legislative campaign to ensure the safe storage of embryos intended for in vitro fertilization.By WCNY

1
New York to greenlight new business interruption coverage 13:59

5h ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 8, 2024 - Traditional business interruption insurance wasn't worth much to businesses during the pandemic, but a new form of interruption coverage being pushed by the Hocuhl administration may be more useful during a government shutdown of activities, according to Brad Lachut, director of government affairs for the Professional Insurance Agent…

1
Shared kitchens are key to food entrepreneurs 12:29

5h ago12:29

12:29

Aug. 20, 2024 - In light of state policymakers wanting to study the economic impact of kitchen incubators, we learn how these shared facilities are used with the help of Olga Padilla-Zakour, a professor of food processing at Cornell University.By WCNY

1
Invasive plant targeted with herbicide in Lake George 11:56

12h ago11:56

11:56

Aug. 19, 2024 - Lake George Park Commission Executive Director Dave Wick discusses the deployment of a herbicide to fight an invasive plant and how it might be used in the future in the Queen of American Lakes.By WCNY

1
Watchdog questions efficacy of NYC tax break 13:59

12h ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 19, 2024 - Before skedaddling out of Albany in June, state lawmakers approved an extension of a tax break for commercial and industrial properties, which needs additional scrutiny, according to Sean Campion, director of housing and economic development studies for the Citizens Budget Commission.…

1
Democratic allies target New York's congressional battlegrounds 29:58

12h ago29:58

29:58

Aug. 19, 2024 - After a disappointing congressional performance in 2022 for New York's Democrats, a group of community and labor organizations have come together to ensure battleground seats in the Empire State go blue. We discuss this effort with Battleground New York's Gabby Seay.By WCNY

1
Exploring the farm to food pantry pipeline 12:29

3h ago12:29

12:29

Aug. 16, 2024 - Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo, a Southern Tier Democrat, discusses the administration of the Nourish New York program.By WCNY

1
Mitigating New York's risk from rising sea levels 13:59

5d ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 16, 2024 - In light of state lawmakers looking to revive New York's task force on sea level rise, we examine the threat of rising sea levels and how to mitigate the danger with the help of Amy Chester, managing director at Rebuild by Design.By WCNY

1
Low-income families get one-time tax benefit 14:55

5d ago14:55

14:55

August 16, 2024 - New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn talks about a $350 million effort to combat child poverty by sending checks this summer to low-income families. She also provides an update on the work of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council.…

1
State lawmakers promote cloud technology options 9:49

3h ago9:49

9:49

Aug. 16, 2024 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses how state agencies could utilize more cloud technology for data storage and management in the future, including developing its own cloud infrastructure.By WCNY

1
Shining a light on automobile brokers 9:49

8d ago9:49

9:49

Aug. 15, 2024 - Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains legislation designed to provide more consumer protections, including fee transparency, when purchasing or leasing a car with the help of an automobile broker.By WCNY

1
Expanding access to child care subsidies 13:59

2h ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 15, 2024 - Assemblymember Sarah Clark, a Rochester Democrat, discusses efforts to expand access to child care subsidies, including changing minimum wage thresholds and allowing for presumptive eligibility.By WCNY

1
State watchdog finds prisons violating solitary reforms 15:25

2h ago15:25

15:25

August 8, 2024 - The Hochul administration's implementation of a 2021 state law reforming the use of solitary confinement in prisons was the subject of a multi-year review by New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, who joins the show to discuss her findings and recommendations.By WCNY

1
Rethinking emergency health care data collection 13:59

7d ago13:59

13:59

August 14, 2024 - What can we learn about the collection and utilization of health care data during the pandemic? We explore those questions and more with Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living.By WCNY

1
Balancing the risk and reward of artificial intelligence 13:59

3h ago13:59

13:59

August 13, 2024 - Artificial intelligence is likely to play a larger and larger role in society, so how should it be regulated? We explore that question with Cornell Tech Vice Provost and Dean Greg Morrisett, who also discusses a report from the state attorney general's office on balancing the risks and rewards of this burgeoning technology.…

1
State bailout proposed for beleaguered school district 12:29

3h ago12:29

12:29

August 13, 2024 - The beleaguered East Ramapo Central School District is in desperate financial straits and stat Sen. Bill Weber says the solution rests with state funding, which he wants to dramatically increase. The Hudson Valley Republican is also opposed to forcing the community to pay higher school taxes, which they've basically balked at doin…

1
Senate transportation leader urges MTA investment 13:59

21h ago13:59

13:59

August 12, 2024 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair, Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, is urging the governor to craft a plan to meet the capital needs of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which is in jeopardy of losing out on billions of dollars from the "pause" of planned congestion pricing.…

1
Growing New York's food donation and recycling law 13:59

21h ago13:59

13:59

August 12, 2024 - Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for expanding the companies and institutions covered by New York's Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law.By WCNY

1
Process for awarding downstate casino licenses takes shape 22:17

21h ago22:17

22:17

August 12, 2024 - The process and timeline for awarding three downstate casino licenses are taking shape and we discuss the details with Vicki Been, chair of the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, which is calling the shotsBy WCNY

1
State regulator reviews utility pole attachment procedures 13:59

4d ago13:59

13:59

August 9, 2024 - The state Public Service Commission issued an order this summer to expedite the utility pole attachment process in New York. We discuss the order with Matthew Tuchman, a counsel with the law firm of Davis, Wright, Tremaine.By WCNY

1
Taking the temperature of likely New York voters 13:59

13d ago13:59

13:59

August 8, 2024 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg breakdowns a recent survey of likely New York voters about their presidential preferences, smartphones in schools, and the governor's job performance.By WCNY

1
The case for autonomous vehicles in New York 13:59

16d ago13:59

13:59

August 8, 2024 - Ruth Whittaker, director of civic innovation policy at Chamber of Progress, makes the case for New York policymakers to allow autonomous vehicles on the road across the Empire State.By WCNY

1
Promoting awareness of drug-induced movement disorders 9:49

13d ago9:49

9:49

August 8, 2024 - Mental Health Association of New York State CEO Glenn Liebman talks about legislation addressing drug-induced movement disorders, which can be caused by older medications used to treat severe mental health conditions.By WCNY

1
Preserving call center jobs in New York 9:49

6d ago9:49

9:49

August 7, 2024 - Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses an effort to prevent the displacement of call center workers when there is a change in government contracts.By WCNY

1
Strict protections proposed for horseshoe crabs 13:59

14d ago13:59

13:59

August 7, 2024 - Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito discusses legislation imposing broad restrictions on the harvesting of horseshoe crabs, which are a threatened species, but useful for biomedical development.By WCNY

1
Expanding New York's tuition assistance for veterans 13:59

6d ago13:59

13:59

August 7, 2024 - Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon, a Mohawk Valley Democrat, and Vince Scalise, a combat veteran and executive director of the Utica Center for Development, make the case for expanding a tuition assistance program for combat veterans to all veterans.By WCNY

1
Clarifying joint bank account responsibilities 13:59

18d ago13:59

13:59

August 6, 2024 - Assemblymember Monica Wallace, a Buffalo-area Democrat, wants to update New York's banking laws to prevent future disputes that arise from a lack of clarity with the establishment of jointly controlled bank accounts.By WCNY

1
New York progressing in campaign against hepatitis C 12:29

7d ago12:29

12:29

August 6, 2024 - Dr. Andrew Talal, a professor at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo and a member of the state's Hepatitis C Elimination Task Force, discusses the ongoing efforts to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat in New York by 2030.By WCNY

1
Transportation projects in jeopardy from inflation 12:20

7d ago12:20

12:20

August 6, 2024 - State transportation officials are in the process of implementing a $33 billion, five-year capital plan, but observers worry inflationary pressures may prevent the Hochul administration to completing its planned projects. We discuss this issue with NY Construction Materials Association President & CEO Ron Epstein and Associated Gen…

1
Promoting a sense of urgency for state's 'public renewables' 20:34

12d ago20:34

20:34

August 6, 2024 - State energy officials are exploring how to develop and manage their own new renewable energy projects, but advocates for publicly controlled green energy generation think they could do more. We discuss the New York Power Authority increasing transparency and moving faster with Lindsay Griffin, regulatory director of the Northeast …

1
Safeguards against digital replicas of performers 14:18

7d ago14:18

14:18

August 7, 2024 - Jeffrey Bennett, general counsel for the union representing actors, singers, and voice performers, talks about legislation designed to ensure New Yorkers have control of their voice and likeness.By WCNY

1
Subsidizing new manufactured homes for low-income New Yorkers 13:59

8d ago13:59

13:59

August 5, 2024 - The state's program subsidizing the replacement of manufactured homes for low-income New Yorkers could be getting codified and boosting the available grants for recipients, so we examine this initiative with Neil Bendel, owner and manager of Interstate Homes in the Southern Tier.By WCNY

1
Opioid settlement board prepares for next chapter 13:59

16d ago13:59

13:59

August 2, 2024 - Debra Pantin, chair of the state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, provides an update on the panel's work, including how they're preparing for diminishing resources to commit to the opioid epidemic.By WCNY

1
Reducing storm recovery costs for energy utilities 9:49

16d ago9:49

9:49

August 2, 2024 - State lawmakers are looking to make it cheaper for energy utilities to pay for storm recovery costs, but the state's former top utility regulator, John Howard, has some words of warning about the idea.By WCNY

1
New York's evolving public campaign finance system 19:09

16d ago19:09

19:09

August 2, 2024 - State Board of Elections spokesperson Kathleen McGrath provides an update on the state's public campaign finance program, including changes to the system based on the experience with the primariesBy WCNY

1
Improving New York's demographic data collection 13:59

16d ago13:59

13:59

August 8, 2024 - Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Queens Democrat, discusses a bill designed to more accurately collect data about New Yorkers of Middle Eastern and North African descent, who are currently lumped in with "white" people for demographic purposes by the state.By WCNY

1
State policymakers promote retail worker safety 17:09

17d ago17:09

17:09

August 1, 2024 - Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, discusses retail worker safety, including tougher criminal penalties and workplace training to avoid violence.By WCNY

1
Senator Salazar discusses planned prison closings 15:17

23d ago15:17

15:17

August 1, 2024 - We discuss the governor's plan to close two upstate prisons, and potentially more this year, with Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat.By WCNY

1
Does New York need a Climate Czar? 13:59

18d ago13:59

13:59

July 31, 2024 - New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe thinks the Hochul administration needs a Climate Czar to oversee the state's effort to realize the statutory goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York.By WCNY

1
Transporting students at New York's private schools 9:49

18d ago9:49

9:49

July 31, 2024 - For decades public school districts have been required to transport students at private schools, but a recent court ruling imposes some new limits on when they're required, according to Jay Worona, deputy executive director and general counsel for the New York State School Boards Association.…

1
Environmental challenge to NYC congestion pricing pause 26:28

19d ago26:28

26:28

August 1, 2024 - Dror Ladin, a senior attorney at Earthjustice, explains why a 2019 law intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a recent update to the state constitution are at the root of his organization's lawsuit against the Hochul administration's indefinite pause on congestion pricing in Manhattan, which was supposed to take effect on …

1
Remembering the late state Sen. Jim Seward 12:29

19d ago12:29

12:29

July 30, 2024 - In light of former state Sen. Jim Seward's recent death, we are replaying an excerpt of our 2020 interview with the central New York Republican, when we discussed his career at the Capitol.By WCNY

1
Should New York get into the flood insurance business? 9:49

19d ago9:49

9:49

July 30, 2024 - Without generous federal subsidies, flood insurance can be cost prohibitive for New Yorkers, so the state legislature wants to explore the cost of this coverage and how the state government could support an expanded flood insurance market. We discuss the possible future of flood insurance with Brad Lachut, director of government aff…

1
New York AG tasked with protecting minority voting rights 13:59

19d ago13:59

13:59

July 30, 2024 - Starting this fall, certain election jurisdictions in New York that want to amend their election laws will need to get their changes pre-approved by the state attorney general's office or a state court. Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and adjunct professor with the New York Law School’s Census and Redistricting Institute, explains why th…

1
Looser marijuana advertising rules floated by state regulators 13:59

23d ago13:59

13:59

July 29, 2024 - Marijuana dispensaries may soon be freed from strict marketing and advertising rules that hindered their ability to reach customers and build brand loyalty. Damien Cornwell, operator of the Just Breathe marijuana dispensary and president of the Cannabis Association of New York, talks about what the changes being considered by state …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Capitol Pressroom Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide