Best Capitol Pressroom Podcasts (2024)

1
PFAS ban proposed for everyday products 13:59

1h ago13:59

13:59

April 23, 2024 - With the Biden administration adopting new drinking water regulations for PFAS, Kate Donovan, northeast director of environmental health for the Natural Resources Defense Council, wants state policymakers to do more to limit PFAS in everyday products.By WCNY

1
Poll asks about asylum seekers, marijuana sales, and congestion pricing 10:28

1h ago10:28

10:28

April 23, 2024 - Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg talks about a new survey of New York voters, which examined the asylum seeker crisis, illegal marijuana sales, and congestion pricing.By WCNY

1
Fiscal Policy Institute weighs in on state's budget priorities 13:59

1h ago13:59

13:59

April 23, 2024 - Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf weighs in on the topline spending figures in the new state budget and argues that New York could have spent more given inflation.By WCNY

1
Rowan Wilson puts stamp on state's top court 14:03

1h ago14:03

14:03

April 23, 2024 - Albany Law professor and New York Court Watcher blog author Vin Bonventre discusses how New York Chief Judge Rowan Wilson has steered the state's top court.By WCNY

1
Interim commissioner takes the helm at DEC 13:59

8h ago13:59

13:59

April 22, 2024 - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation interim Commissioner Sean Mahar talks about his new leadership role and the short-term challenges he faces.By WCNY

1
Popular Adirondack destination continues reservation system 12:29

8h ago12:29

12:29

April 22, 2024 - We discuss parking in the Adirondack Park, as the state plans another year of reservation parking for the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. We speak with DEC Deputy Commissioner of Natural Resources Katie Petronis and interim Commissioner Sean Mahar.By WCNY

1
Legal limbo for NY's pay frequency law 18:14

2h ago18:14

18:14

April 19, 2024 - New York's pay frequency law requires manual workers get paid weekly, but the implementation of this requirement is the subject of various legal challenges, according to Jared Cook, a senior counsel for Tully Rinckey's Rochester office.By WCNY

1
A cyberattack and budget framework at the Capitol 28:56

4h ago28:56

28:56

The week began with Gov. Kathy Hochul announcing the parameters of a conceptual budget deal, which news to Democratic state lawmakers who thoughts they were still working on the state's overdue spending plan. Things got weirder from there, with a cyberattack on the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission and more details emerging about the widely pann…

1
Debate over involuntary drug tests for pregnant women 13:59

6h ago13:59

13:59

April 18, 2024 - We consider legislation requiring informed consent to screen pregnant and postpartum mothers for drugs and alcohol with the help of Jenna Lauter, policy council for the New York Civil Liberties Union, and Desseray Wright, a family defense practice policy advocate with The Bronx Defenders.…

1
Lawmaker eyes wider array of opioid reversal agents 9:49

12h ago9:49

9:49

April 18, 2024 - Assembly Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses his legislation to expand the types of opioid reversal agents that are widely deployed in New York.By WCNY

1
State campaign to preserve New York's native plants 13:59

6h ago13:59

13:59

April 18, 2024 - We talk about the importance of preserving New York's native plants with Ed Toth, director of the Mid-Atlantic Seed Bank, and Janice Wiles, co-founder of a native seeds and plant nursery in the Finger Lakes.By WCNY

1
Expanding access to creative arts therapy 12:29

6h ago12:29

12:29

April 18, 2024 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, and Maya Benattar, a licensed creative arts therapist, make the case for legislation expanding access to creative arts therapyBy WCNY

1
State policymakers strike compromise on education aid 13:59

6d ago13:59

13:59

April 17, 2024 - New York Council of School Superintendents Deputy Director Bob Lowry weighs in on the preliminary details that are emerging about state education in the budget.By WCNY

1
Regulations lag for 'all-electric buildings' law 14:08

1d ago14:08

14:08

April 17, 2024 - Rewiring America New York Policy Director Michael Hernandez explains the lack of regulatory action to implement New York's transition to all-electric buildings.By WCNY

1
Senate gambling leader discusses shifting landscape 13:59

2d ago13:59

13:59

April 17, 2024 - Senate Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee Chair Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, talks about the gambling landscape in New York, including the effort to issue new casino licenses, expanding sports gambling options and authorizing online casino games.By WCNY

1
The latest in Brian Benjamin's corruption case 9:49

2d ago9:49

9:49

April 16, 2024 - We get an update on the legal maneuvering in the corruption case against former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin from Jon Campbell, the reporter at the Capitol for Gothamist & WNYC.By WCNY

1
Marijuana farmers desperate for financial aid 12:29

2d ago12:29

12:29

April 16, 2024 - New York marijuana farmers are operating at a loss and the industry is at risk of collapsing if the state doesn't offer financial relief, according to Joseph Calderone, co-founder and president of the Cannabis Farmers Alliance.By WCNY

1
Challenges persist for New York's marijuana marketplace 26:28

3d ago26:28

26:28

April 15, 2024 - Attorney Fatima Afia, of the Rudick Law Group, talks about legislation addressing illegal marijuana retailers and explains multiple legal challenges to New York's retail marijuana regulations.By WCNY

1
New York lawmakers approve adultery legalization 9:49

3d ago9:49

9:49

April 15, 2024 - Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the illegality of adultery in New York and why he's trying to repeal this section of the state's penal code.By WCNY

1
Preventing and addressing tick-borne diseases 13:59

6d ago13:59

13:59

April 12, 2024 - With ticks beginning to emerge after the winter, we consider how to prevent and address tick-borne illnesses with Royale Scuderi, executive director of the Central New York Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance.By WCNY

1
Smoothing out the 'Raise the Age' rollout 22:18

6d ago22:18

22:18

April 12, 2024 - Across the political spectrum there are concerns about the implementation of Raise the Age, so we examine how it can be improved. Our guests are Alison Lake, executive director of the Westchester Children's Association, and Julia Davis, director of youth justice and child welfare for the Children's Defense Fund-New York.…

1
Getting to know what's in your food 13:59

6d ago13:59

13:59

April 12, 2024 - Democratic state lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations and more awareness of additives put into food, which are generally overlooked by federal officials. We learn about this public health initiative from Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports.By WCNY

1
No pets or budget deals at the Capitol 25:31

6d ago25:31

25:31

On this week's episode we breakdown the big news from Planet Albany: a ban on pets at the Capitol and Legislative Office Building. We also talk with Shontell Smith, head of the New York practice and partner for Tusk Strategies, about the final pieces that need to be put into place for a budget deal and learn how the legislature prioritizes bills at…

1
Grand housing bargain could leave everyone unhappy 27:58

7d ago27:58

27:58

April 11, 2024 - Is this the year of a grand bargain on tenant protections and housing creation? We consider what should be in a deal with Jay Martin, executive director of the Community Housing Improvement Program.By WCNY

1
Incentivizing work opportunities 9:49

13d ago9:49

9:49

April 11, 2024 - Business Council of New York State Executive Vice President Paul Zuber makes the case the for the state to replicate a federal tax credit designed to encourage employers to hire people who usually struggle to find employment.By WCNY

1
Potential savings in consumer directed personal assistance 12:29

7d ago12:29

12:29

April 11, 2024 - The state's consumer directed personal assistance program is one of the fastest growing Medicaid costs, but controlling costs and retaining the integrity of the initiative requires a nuanced approach, according to Lindsay Miller, executive director of the New York Association on Independent Living, and Doug Hovey, CEO of Independen…

1
Gathering information about New York's wolves 12:29

8d ago12:29

12:29

March 10, 2024 - After a wolf was detected in central New York, environmentalists have been calling on the state to gather more information about this endangered population. We discuss this issue with Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Peter Bauer and Protect the Adirondacks Deputy Director Claudia Braymer.…

1
Youth activists push environmental agenda in Albany 13:59

10d ago13:59

13:59

April 8, 2024 - The push for environmental issues at the Capitol is getting new energy from young activists, such as Keanu Arpels-Josiah, a high school senior and policy co-lead of Fridays for Future NYC.By WCNY

1
Enforcing New York's flavored vaping ban 13:59

10d ago13:59

13:59

March 8, 2024 - Despite New York banning the sale of flavored vaping products in 2020, Democratic lawmakers and health officials worry that more needs to be done. We talk about additional enforcement tools with Kevin O'Flaherty, director of advocacy for the northeast region of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and Max Ferris, director of environm…

1
Disclosing artificial content in political ads 12:29

10d ago12:29

12:29

March 8, 2024 - The proliferation of artificially generated political content is prompting calls for greater disclosure requirements. We consider how those new rules should be applied with Daniel Weiner, director of the elections and government program at the Brennan Center.By WCNY

1
NY Dems hope to regain ground with Asian American voters 28:42

14d ago28:42

28:42

Over multiple elections in New York, Republicans made inroads with Asian American voters, but Democrats are hopeful that the results of a recent special election for Congress is an indicator that the pendulum is swinging back in their favor. Trip Yang Strategies President and founder Trip Yang discusses what the Democratic Party needs to do to win …

1
Non-union construction firms leery of project labor agreements 13:59

19d ago13:59

13:59

April 5, 2024 - Brian Sampson, president of the Empire State Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors, explains why he is against an effort to mandate project labor agreements on SUNY construction projects worth at least $3 million.By WCNY

1
Comptroller's office warns about governor's borrowing habits 12:29

15d ago12:29

12:29

April 5, 2024 - New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has some concerns about the borrowing habits being embraced by the governor, which we explore with Maria Doulis, deputy state comptroller for budget and policy analysis.By WCNY

1
Revisiting New York's sexual consent laws 9:49

19d ago9:49

9:49

April 5, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for legislation addressing sexual consent after becoming voluntarily intoxicated.By WCNY

1
Solar eclipse offers boost to New York tourism 9:49

20d ago9:49

9:49

April 4, 2024 - New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association President Mark Dorr discusses how the incoming solar eclipse could bring a million people into the parts of New York along the path of totality.By WCNY

1
Health care providers look to refocus Medicaid watchdog 12:29

20d ago12:29

12:29

April 4, 2024 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, wants to focus the state Office of the Medicaid Inspector General away from what health care providers call clerical errors.By WCNY

1
Constitutional amendment would allow for more state judges 13:59

20d ago13:59

13:59

April 4, 2024 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for a constitutional amendment that would pave the way to increasing the number of state supreme court judges in the New York City area.By WCNY

1
Is it time for flexible interest rates on money judgements? 12:29

21d ago12:29

12:29

April 3, 2023 - After more than four decades of imposing 9 percent interest on money judgements, Empire Center for Public Policy adjunct fellow Cam Macdonald says its time to make the rates more flexible.By WCNY

1
NY graduation rates raise red flag for advocacy group 13:59

21d ago13:59

13:59

April 2, 2024 - High school graduation rates in New York didn't change much from 2022 to 2023, which is raising some red flags for Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, executive director of Education Trust-New York.By WCNY

1
NY Democrats clarify past requests for Constitution changes 9:49

21d ago9:49

9:49

April 2, 2024 - Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski, a Rockland County Democrat, explains why Democratic state lawmakers took steps to nullify past resolutions calling for a national constitutional convention.By WCNY

1
State hosts youth justice conference 12:29

22d ago12:29

12:29

April 2, 2024 - New York State Division of Criminal Justice Commissioner Rossana Rosado talks about the state's first youth justice conference at the Capitol and the positive outcomes she hopes it can promote.By WCNY

1
Updated 'Move Over Law' takes effect 9:49

22d ago9:49

9:49

April 2, 2024 - We discuss the update to the state's Mover Over Law to cover non-emergency vehicles with Lauren Paterno, senior government affairs adviser for AAA Northeast.By WCNY

1
Promoting internet connectivity at temporary housing 9:49

23d ago9:49

9:49

April 1, 2024 - Temporary housing needs to be more than just a place for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to lay their heads, it also needs to offer internet connectivity, according to Adolfo Abreu, housing campaigns director for VOCAL-NY.By WCNY

1
COLA debate excludes some human services workers 12:29

23d ago12:29

12:29

April 1, 2024 - The debate at the Capitol over a cost of living increase for human services workers is omitting some of the non-profit staff serving vulnerable New Yorkers, according to Association on Aging in New York Executive Director Becky Preve and Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley Executive Director Denise Figueroa.…

1
Judicial sentencings prompt push for transparency 13:59

23d ago13:59

13:59

April 1, 2024 - Scrutinize founder Oded Oren discusses a report his organization co-authored on excessive sentences from trial judges and how more transparency in the judiciary is needed.By WCNY

1
Assemblyman Stirpe talks grocery deserts and budget focus 9:49

26d ago9:49

9:49

March 29, 2024 - Assemblymember Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, highlights incentives to open food retail stores in underserved communities and outlines some outstanding budget priorities.By WCNY

1
Addiction treatment inaccessible at some prisons 13:59

26d ago13:59

13:59

March 29, 2024 - Despite New York prisons being mandated to provide medication treatment for substance use disorder, the correction system has a mixed record of serving incarcerated New Yorkers, according to Spencer Norris, a reporter at New York Focus.By WCNY

1
Investigative reporter exposes Speaker Heastie's conflict of interest 13:59

26d ago13:59

13:59

March 29, 2024 - New York Focus Capitol Bureau Chief Chris Bragg discusses his exclusive story on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie's secret relationship with a lobbyist. We talk about the steps the speaker has (and hasn't taken) to avoid a conflict of interest and learn about the fallout from Bragg's reporting.…

1
Education 2024: The good, the bad, and shifting alliances 34:50

22d ago34:50

34:50

The education headlines of a decade ago are back in the news on Planet Albany, with policymakers fighting over state aid to public schools and teacher evaluations up for debate. To make sense of these big stories, as well as the conversations around zero-emission school buses and why no one is talking about charter schools, we spoke with Katelyn Co…

1
NYC's housing 'moonshot' rests on Albany action 12:29

27d ago12:29

12:29

March 27, 2024 - New York City Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer visited the Capitol this week to urge state policymakers to promote home creation in the five boroughs and swung by the studio to discuss what's on the table.By WCNY

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Capitol Pressroom Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide