Podcast by WCNY
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Central New York's Public Broadcasting Company
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Dispatches from Planet Albany is brought to you by David Lombardo, host of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom. The weekly conversations are a smart and funny encapsulation of the discussions reporters and sources have off the microphone at the Capitol in Albany. This inside baseball is for listeners who know the acronym ELFA, anxiously await the legislative calendar drop each December, or fondly recall the Poozer Politics podcast.
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SUNY looks to support students to graduation
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Sept. 19, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses a pilot program at 25 public colleges and universities to provide low-income students with additional counseling services and financial resources to ensure on-time graduation.By WCNY
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Increasing funding for spinal cord injury research
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Sept. 19, 2024 - David Carmel, co-founder of New Yorkers to Cure Paralysis, makes the case for lifting an $8.5 million cap on the revenue from a traffic violation surcharge that the state invests each year in spinal cord injury research projects.By WCNY
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Appeals court narrows application of 'Green Amendment'
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Sept. 19, 2024 - What does a constitutional guarantee to clean air, clean water, and a healthful environment mean? We're starting to get answers to that question from the court system and we explore one of the latest rulings with Dan Spitzer, a partner with the law firm of Hodgson Russ.By WCNY
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Strengthening New York's equine slaughter restrictions
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Sept. 18, 2024 - Karin Carreau-Spencer, a lobbyist in Albany and founder of the advocacy group HORSEPOWER, explains the state laws designed to ensure horses in New York don't end up being slaughtered elsewhere.By WCNY
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Consolidated landlord groups tap new leader
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Sept. 18, 2024 - Two New York City groups representing landlords merged this summer to form the New York Apartment Association and wooed Kenny Burgos away from the Assembly to be their first leader. We talked with the Bronx Democrat about his career change and the work ahead.By WCNY
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Sept. 18, 2024 - The off-track betting organization representing Western New York, which has come under fire for years, is poised to have Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown as its next leader. We discuss why the change is happening and the gambling operator's future with J Dale Shoemaker, a reporter with Investigative Post.…
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NY comptroller's office reviews MTA's future capital plans
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Sept. 17, 2024 - The New York City transit system has tens of billions of dollars in capital project needs over the next few years and its funding plan is in limbo, according to a recent report from the state comptroller's office. Deputy State Comptroller Rahul Jain discusses the findings, including the challenges Gov. Kathy Hochul might face in re…
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Funding schools that serve vulnerable students
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Sept. 17, 2024 - We explore the role of New York's special act school districts, which serve kids who struggle in traditional school settings, including students with severe emotional disabilities. Our guests are Stephen Beovich, superintendent of the Mt. Pleasant Blythedale Union Free School District at Blythedale Children's Hospital, and Dr. Haro…
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Sept. 17, 2024 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwendolyn Craig discusses the staffing levels of the New York State Forest Rangers, which are leading to high levels of overtime.By WCNY
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State releases localized air quality data
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Sept. 18, 2024 - We discuss the first round of data released from a statewide, localized air monitoring effort with Rachel Spector, a senior attorney at Earthjustice.By WCNY
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Pharmacies want more prescription drug price transparency
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Sept. 13, 2024 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, is prescribing more transparency at the pharmacy, as he pushes a bill intended to expose the true cost drivers of medications.By WCNY
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Partnerships encouraged to save safety-net hospitals
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Sept. 13, 2024 - Safety net hospitals are a lifeline for low-income New Yorkers, but these facilities are perpetually in financial jeopardy and have come to rely on increasing government support. In order to promote their long-term viability, the state is looking to promote new partnerships with these critical institutions explains Paul Francis, ch…
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New York's campaign against overdose deaths
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Sept. 13, 2024 - In light of new drug overdose death data for New York, we examine the state of this public health crisis with Jasmine Budnella, director of drug policy for VOCAL-NY.By WCNY
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Child care subsidy flexibility proposed for parents
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Sept. 13, 2024 - State Senate Children & Families Committee Chair Jabari Brisport, a Brooklyn Democrat, makes the case for expanding when parents, who work flexible or part-time hours, are eligible to receive child care assistance.By WCNY
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New compensation standards eyed for brownfield cleanups
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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.…
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Health insurance rates increase for state marketplaces
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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.…
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State embarks on overhaul of long-term energy plan
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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
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Car brokers decry proposed regulatory overhaul
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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
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DraftKings highlights discontent with NY sports betting taxes
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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.…
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NY wastewater monitoring promotes public health
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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…
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Report underscores administration of social services
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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
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State regulators eye medication management process
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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
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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
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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…
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Queens lawmakers looks to regulate adult day care
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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
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Former gubernatorial aide allegedly working for China
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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
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Schools want voice on local economic development agencies
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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…
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Making it easier to become an organ donor
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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.…
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Hemp retailers cry foul over illicit marijuana crackdown
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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
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Rethinking how New York doles out education dollars
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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.…
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New York commits hundreds of millions to upstate airports
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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
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Promoting safer restaurants for food sensitivities
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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
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New York hopes to rebuild health care workforce
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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
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Responding to problem gambling in New York
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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
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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
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Imposing guardrails on late property tax bill penalties
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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
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New York expands drone inspections of energy infrastructure
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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
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Hardware stores concerned with proposed procurement rules
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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.…
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Dearth of septic systems rules and oversight in New York
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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.…
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Health official joins state's fight against opioid epidemic
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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
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Utilities urged to improve consumer complaint response
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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
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State to cap energy bills in low-income pilot program
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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
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Promoting health care proxies for New Yorkers
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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
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The barriers to new school buildings in New York
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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
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State health officials promote RSV vaccine
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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
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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
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Short-term rental industry balks at proposed state registry
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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
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State looks to ward off bird flu in dairy cows
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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
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New York's AG and anti-abortion groups head to court
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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
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Walter Mosley settles in as New York's secretary of state
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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
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