Best WCNY Podcasts (2024)

1
New compensation standards eyed for brownfield cleanups 9:49

1h ago9:49

9:49

Sept. 12, 2024 - The cost of cleaning up brownfields in New York could be going up, as state lawmakers want to impose new wage standards for remediation efforts. We discuss the potential consequences of a prevailing wage mandate with Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat.…

1
Health insurance rates increase for state marketplaces 13:59

1h ago13:59

13:59

Sept. 12, 2024 - Around one million New Yorkers who get their health insurance through the state's marketplaces are facing a rate increase in 2025. We explore these increased costs, including how they may not be enough to cover the expenses of health insurers, with Eric Linzer, president and CEO of the New York Health Plan Association.…

1
State embarks on overhaul of long-term energy plan 27:16

1h ago27:16

27:16

Sept. 12, 2024 - NYSERDA President & CEO Doreen Harris discusses the state's effort to update the state's energy plan, explaining how it would be used and why new nuclear projects may be part of New York's future.By WCNY

1
Car brokers decry proposed regulatory overhaul 15:49

27m ago15:49

15:49

Sept. 11, 2024 - Automobile brokers are pushing back against a legislative effort to impose new regulations, which they claim will sink their industry. We discuss these concerns with Sloan Schickler, an attorney representing the New York Automobile Leasing Brokers Association.By WCNY

1
DraftKings highlights discontent with NY sports betting taxes 15:31

4h ago15:31

15:31

Sept. 11, 2024 - New York's sports gambling taxes have brought in a lot of money for the state's coffers, but the tax rate prompted one operator to consider imposing a new fee on its users. We talk about this aborted surcharge and the potential changes to the industry with Adam Candee, editor-in-chief of Legal Sports Report.…

1
NY wastewater monitoring promotes public health 22:17

4h ago22:17

22:17

Sept. 11, 2024 - The state's wastewater surveillance system, set up in 2021 to respond to the pandemic, has been recognized by the CDC as a "Center of Excellence." We explore how wastewater monitoring is promoting the public health with Dan Lang, deputy director at the Center for Environmental Health at the State Department of Health, and Kirsten S…

1
Report underscores administration of social services 12:29

1h ago12:29

12:29

Sept. 10, 2024 - The Children’s Agenda Director of Policy Pete Nabozny discusses a recent survey of Monroe County parents who receive social services and considers how the administration of these programs can be improved across New York.By WCNY

1
State regulators eye medication management process 9:49

1h ago9:49

9:49

Sept. 10, 2024 - Assemblymember John McDonald, a Capital Region Democrat and practicing pharmacist, discusses an effort spearheaded by state regulators to create standardized, all-encompassing oversight of an evolving trend in pharmacies.By WCNY

1
Is Governor Hochul going nuclear? 9:49

20m ago9:49

9:49

Sept. 9, 2024 - Politico New York’s Marie French explains what we learned about the state's future energy generation plans from a summit convened in Syracuse by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who appears poised to embrace new nuclear power projects.By WCNY

1
Queens lawmakers looks to regulate adult day care 9:49

5h ago9:49

9:49

Sept. 6, 2024 - After holding a hearing in 2023 on the oversight and administration of social adult day care programs, Assembly Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, has advanced legislation designed to root out bad actors in this industry that caters to older New Yorkers.By WCNY

1
Five years of New York's Red Flag law 27:58

4d ago27:58

27:58

Sept. 6, 2024 - It's been five years since New York's Red Flag law took effect, so we look back on the implementation of this gun safety measure, examine how it has evolved, and consider what it should look like in the future. Our guests are Lisa Geller and Spencer Cantrell, scholars with the regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefe…

1
Making it easier to become an organ donor 14:21

13h ago14:21

14:21

Sept. 5, 2024 - For a decade, New York has steadily improved its organ donor registration numbers by increasing opportunities to register. Aisha Tator, executive director of Donate Life New York State, explains the latest legislation to boost enrollment, which would create an opportunity when accessing electronic health records.…

1
Former gubernatorial aide allegedly working for China 15:09

5h ago15:09

15:09

Sept. 5, 2024 - WNYC/Gothamist Capitol reporter Jon Campbell discusses an indictment against a former staffer in the Cuomo and Hochul administrations, who is alleged to have steered state actions on behalf of the Chinese government in exchange for personal financial benefit.By WCNY

1
Schools want voice on local economic development agencies 13:59

5h ago13:59

13:59

Sept. 5, 2024 - Local industrial development agencies can have a significant impact on school tax revenues, so schools want a guaranteed seat at the table of the economic development entities. We discuss legislation overhauling the makeup of IDA boards with Brian Fessler, director of governmental relations for the New York State School Boards Assoc…

1
New York commits hundreds of millions to upstate airports 14:43

6h ago14:43

14:43

Sept. 4, 2024 - New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez discusses the state's decisions to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into the revitalization and expansion of upstate airports.By WCNY

1
Hemp retailers cry foul over illicit marijuana crackdown 13:59

6h ago13:59

13:59

Sept. 4, 2024 - New York's effort to curb the illicit marijuana market has resulted in an illegal crackdown of retailers licensed to sell hemp products, according to Josh Bauchner, an attorney with Mandelbaum Barrett, who represents licensed hemp retailers.By WCNY

1
Rethinking how New York doles out education dollars 23:20

6h ago23:20

23:20

Sept. 4, 2024 - Former state Budget Director Bob Megna is back in the center of Planet Albany, as he is leading the Rockefeller Institute of Government's examination of how New York doles out the bulk of its education aid and tasked with recommending a new distribution model. We talk about the process and what the future could look like.…

1
Promoting safer restaurants for food sensitivities 12:29

1d ago12:29

12:29

Sept. 3, 2024 - Assemblymember Gina Sillitti, a Long Island Democrat, discusses her legislation intended to make it easier for New Yorkers with food sensitivities to dine out at a restaurant.By WCNY

1
New York hopes to rebuild health care workforce 13:59

1d ago13:59

13:59

Sept. 3, 2024 - Iroquois Healthcare Association Executive Vice President Kevin Kerwin explains how the Hochul administration is steering about $650 million to boost the healthcare workforce in New York, with a focus on serving Medicaid patients.By WCNY

1
Responding to problem gambling in New York 17:50

28m ago17:50

17:50

Sept. 3, 2024 - With opportunities to gamble in New York seemingly growing every year, we check in with Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner of the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports, to learn what the Hochul administration is doing to address problem gambling.By WCNY

1
Remembering abolitionist Sojourner Truth 9:49

5h ago9:49

9:49

Sept. 3, 2024 - State lawmakers want to commemorate the work of abolitionist Sojourner Truth with an annual day of celebration in November. We discuss her remarkable life with Lynn Spangler, a former professor at SUNY New Paltz, who did a documentary on the former Hudson Valley resident.By WCNY

1
Imposing guardrails on late property tax bill penalties 9:49

1h ago9:49

9:49

Aug. 30, 2024 - Assembly Local Governments Committee Chair Fred Thiele, a Long Island Democrat, discusses legislation that would put down guardrails on the interest rates that municipalities can charge delinquent property taxpayers.By WCNY

1
Health official joins state's fight against opioid epidemic 19:22

1h ago19:22

19:22

Aug. 30, 2024 - The state Department of Health has brought in a former Biden administration official, Dr. David Holtgrave, to help steer New York's response to the opioid epidemic.By WCNY

1
Hardware stores concerned with proposed procurement rules 12:29

1h ago12:29

12:29

Aug. 29, 2024 - We discuss proposed changes to New York's contracting laws that are designed to prevent tropical forest deforestation. We consider the impact of the proposal with Francis Palasieski, director of government affairs for the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, and Louise Eddy, owner of Saratoga Quality Hardware.…

1
Dearth of septic systems rules and oversight in New York 12:29

1h ago12:29

12:29

Aug. 30, 2024 - A dearth of state and local rules governing septic system oversight and operations could be creating environmental problems in New York, according to Claudia Braymer, deputy director of Protect the Adirondacks, who also discusses legislation designed to give property owners information about property septic upkeep.…

1
New York expands drone inspections of energy infrastructure 13:59

1h ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 30, 2024 - New York Power Authority Robotics Program Manager Peter Kalaitzidis provides an update on the usage of drones to monitor the state's energy infrastructure.By WCNY

1
State to cap energy bills in low-income pilot program 13:02

2h ago13:02

13:02

Aug. 29, 2024 - Richard Berkley, who leads the Office of Consumer Services in the State Department of Public Services, discusses a pilot program capping the energy bills of low-income New Yorkers who electrify their homes.By WCNY

1
Utilities urged to improve consumer complaint response 13:59

12d ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 29, 2024 - State Sen. Leroy Comrie, a Queens Democrat, wants to impose new guardrails and teeth to the state law governing how and when utilities respond to consumer complaints. He also wants energy consumers to have more information before a rate hike is enacted.By WCNY

1
The barriers to new school buildings in New York 9:49

3h ago9:49

9:49

Aug. 27, 2024 - State lawmakers passed a bill this past session restricting the construction of new school buildings near highways. We discuss the bill and school construction more broadly with Brian Cechnicki, executive director for the Association of School Business Office of New York.By WCNY

1
Promoting health care proxies for New Yorkers 13:59

3h ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 28, 2024 - David Levin, a senior consultant for End of Life Choices New York, explains an update to the state's laws governing health care proxies and makes the case for end of life planning.By WCNY

1
Short-term rental industry balks at proposed state registry 16:30

3h ago16:30

16:30

Aug. 28, 2024 - State lawmakers approved legislation creating a registry of short-term rental units in New York and imposing certain standards for operating the type of property that may appear on VRBO or Airbnb. We discuss the proposal with Nathan Rotman, the Northeast policy lead for Airbnb.By WCNY

1
Increased powers to combat 'deed theft' 9:49

3h ago9:49

9:49

Aug. 28, 2024 - Assemblymember Landon Dais, a Bronx Democrat, discusses the state attorney general's expanded powers to penalize the perpetrators of "deed theft" and considers what can be done to stop illegal deed transfers from happening at all.By WCNY

1
State health officials promote RSV vaccine 13:59

3h ago13:59

13:59

Aug. 28, 2024 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald talks about the state's ongoing effort to make the RSV vaccine more accessible for pregnant women and senior citizens.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
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
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

10d 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

10d 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
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
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
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

27d 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
Low-income families get one-time tax benefit 14:55

27d 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

27d 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
Mitigating New York's risk from rising sea levels 13:59

27d 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
Shining a light on automobile brokers 9:49

28d 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

28d 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

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