Best The Capitol Pressroom Podcasts (2024)

1
Incentivizing the harvesting of sap on state land 13:59

1h ago13:59

13:59

July 19, 2024 - State lawmakers are hoping to entice more maple product producers into using state land by expanding the length of leases that are available. We discuss this proposal and the industry more broadly with Nate Williams, president of Dutch Hill Maple.By WCNY

1
Environmental officials protect resources with prescribed burns 9:49

1h ago9:49

9:49

July 19, 2024 - In order to mitigate the risk of wildfires and promote specific habitats and vegetation, state environmental officials carefully utilize prescribed fires, explains Scott Jackson, a captain with the state forest rangers.By WCNY

1
Paramedics eyed as avenue for opioid addiction treatment 13:59

2h ago13:59

13:59

July 17, 2024 - Paramedics have the tools to revive someone from an opioid overdose, but they are limited in what additional treatments they're able to provide. Dr. Michael Dailey, chief of pre-hospital medicine at Albany Medical Center, explains why emergency medical responders should also be authorized to administer buprenorphine.…

1
Mask restrictions proposed for protests in New York 12:29

2h ago12:29

12:29

July 17, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, discusses his attempt to revive New York's statutory ban on face coverings at political protests, which have been allowed since the arrival of COVID-19.By WCNY

1
Expanding the footprint of accessible public transit 15:33

2h ago15:33

15:33

July 17, 2024 - New Yorkers with disabilities have a limited ability to access specialized public transit upstate, so there is an effort to expand the geographic area of these services, explains Denise DiNoto, the executive director of the New York State Independent Living Council and Todd Vaarwerk, chief policy officer of Western New York Independ…

1
SUNY leader discusses service internship opportunities 13:59

2d ago13:59

13:59

July 18, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King talks about recruiting 500 students at New York's public colleges and universities to take on paid, civic and community internship opportunities in the fall.By WCNY

1
Tenant protections begin to expand upstate 13:59

2d ago13:59

13:59

July 18, 2024 - With a handful of municipalities around New York opting in to tenant protections authorized in the state budget, we check in with Genevieve Rand, statewide housing lead at Citizen Action of New York, to learn about the scope of the new measures and how to ensure they'll be effective.By WCNY

1
Serving the shelter needs of domestic abuse survivors 12:29

5h ago12:29

12:29

July 16, 2024 - We discuss access to emergency shelter for single, adult survivors of domestic violence and consider the ramifications of a SCOTUS ruling on gun rights of domestic abusers with Joan Gerhardt, director of policy and advocacy for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.By WCNY

1
State Liquor Authority reinvigorated under new leader 24:35

3d ago24:35

24:35

July 18, 2024 - New York State Liquor Authority Chair Lily Fan discusses reorganization efforts, bumping up against the state's archaic alcohol laws, and operational improvements made over the last year.By WCNY

1
New York's unique path to speedy lawsuit resolution 16:11

2d ago16:11

16:11

July 16, 2024 - We explore the time it takes to resolve lawsuits in New York and highlight a procedural maneuver in state law that can speed things up with Matt Smith and Brian Rich, attorneys with Barclay Damon.By WCNY

1
Lawmakers to face outside income restrictions in 2025 13:59

2d ago13:59

13:59

July 7, 2024 - Politico New York Capitol reporter Bill Mahoney talks about a court ruling on outside income restrictions for state lawmakers and highlights how some members earn money on the side.By WCNY

1
Legislating 101: A Senate Democrat’s freshman experience 27:36

22h ago27:36

27:36

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, reflects on his first two legislative sessions in Albany. We discuss the process of moving bills at the Capitol, living out of a suitcase for half the year, and taking over a newly carved up district.

1
Rebuilding the mental health infrastructure for kids 12:29

1d ago12:29

12:29

July 12, 2024 - Ron Richter, CEO of JCCA, one of the largest foster care and family service agencies in New York, weighs in on the infrastructure needed to meet the mental health needs of young New Yorkers.By WCNY

1
The roadmap to New York's energy storage goals 13:59

1d ago13:59

13:59

July 12, 2024 - The state's utility regulator has updated its plans for obtaining six gigawatts of energy storage in New York by 2030, so we explore the road ahead with David Solimeno and Ari Goldberg, attorneys with Barclay Damon.By WCNY

1
Freshman Queens Democrat navigates life in Albany 12:29

2d ago12:29

12:29

July 11, 2024 - In an excerpt from this week's Dispatches From Planet Albany, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, discusses her first term in office, including working with her colleagues at the Capitol, pushing bills to the finish line, and living out of a suitcase.By WCNY

1
New York's tax appeals processes 27:58

2d ago27:58

27:58

July 11, 2024 - We discuss the lengthy tax appeals process in New York, including the work of a three-person tribunal, with Andrew Wright and Craig Reilly, partners at the law firm Hodgson Russ.By WCNY

1
Mitigating flood risks in upstate New York 13:59

3d ago13:59

13:59

July 10, 2024 - We get an update on the work of the state's Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force from Rebecca Hughes, executive deputy director of canals at the New York Power Authority, and Ken Kemp, the authority's director of resilience.By WCNY

1
Party foul avoided at Utica Boilermaker 9:49

3d ago9:49

9:49

July 10, 2024 - State Sen. Joe Griffo, a central New York Republican, explains how the state's alcohol laws had to be updated this year after statutory change adopted in 2023 would have prevented a time honored tradition after the Utica Boilermaker.By WCNY

1
Cannabis regulator gets acting leader 29:39

3d ago29:39

29:39

July 10, 2024 - We get to know Felicia Reid, the new executive deputy director and acting executive director of the embattled state Office of Cannabis Management. We discuss her new responsibilities, the potential for future lawsuits, updating cannabis regulations, and whether she's interested in being the office's permanent leader.…

1
New York off track to hit 2030 green energy goals 12:29

4d ago12:29

12:29

July 9, 2024 - The Hochul administration has formally acknowledged New York isn't on track to hit its renewable energy goals for 2030, so what should happen next? We try to answer that question and consider how we got to this point with the help of Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.…

1
Understanding the healthcare workforce landscape 16:45

11d ago16:45

16:45

July 8, 2024 - New York Center for Health Workforce Studies Director Dr. Jean Moore and Senior Program Manager Dr. Robert Martiniano discuss the healthcare workforce landscape, including where personnel are increasing, what jobs are hard to fill, and how to address the state's recruitment needs.By WCNY

1
Underutilized sites prepared by state for green energy projects 13:59

5d ago13:59

13:59

July 8, 2024 - We get an update on the state's effort to turn underutilized sites, like former industrial properties and brownfields, into the future home of green energy projects. New York State Energy Research & Development Authority Build-Ready Program Director Gillian Black explains what it takes to make sites hospitable for private developers …

1
New York's boring primary results 24:31

10d ago24:31

24:31

The primary campaigns for state legislative races in New York may have been exciting, but the results of the elections were not. We explore why the status quo was so powerful in Democratic primaries this year and consider what the outcomes mean for governing in Albany for the next two years. Our guests are Jasmine Gripper, co-director of the New Yo…

1
Special committee advises New York on beekeeping 13:59

10d ago13:59

13:59

July 3, 2024 - Nick Hoefly, co-owner of Astor Apiaries and a member of state's Apiary Industry Advisory Committee, discusses beekeeping in New York City and how the state solicits input on policing affecting beekeepers.By WCNY

1
Teaming up with Dolly Parton to boost literacy 13:59

10d ago13:59

13:59

July 3, 2024 - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is expanding its footprint in New York, which is good news for early childhood literacy efforts, according to Education Trust New York's Jenn O'Connor and United Way of the Greater Capital Region's Peter Gannon.By WCNY

1
New York promotes doula access for Medicaid patients 12:29

10d ago12:29

12:29

July 3, 2024 - An order from the state's health commissioner should make doula services more accessible to New Yorkers on Medicaid. We cover why this move matters for maternal health with Johanne Morne, executive deputy commissioner of New York State Department of Health,By WCNY

1
State regulators pressured over industrial park 11:30

10d ago11:30

11:30

July 3, 2024 - Investigative Post reporter J. Dale Shoemaker explains how state regulatory officials are being pressured to advance a controversial industrial park in western New York that has major economic development potential.By WCNY

1
Meeting the health care needs of New Yorkers with disabilities 13:59

11d ago13:59

13:59

July 2, 2024 - Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State President & CEO Mike Alvaro discusses the state's effort to use assistive technology to meet basic health care needs of New Yorkers with disabilities in order to avoid emergency care.By WCNY

1
Building code update drafted for ‘all-electric buildings’ law 13:59

11d ago13:59

13:59

July 2, 2024 - Rewiring America New York Policy Director Michael Hernandez explains the steps that state regulators are taking to ensure that future buildings in the Empire State only use electric appliances.By WCNY

1
Improving government collaboration on opioid crisis response 12:29

11d ago12:29

12:29

July 2, 2024 - We discuss the recommendations of an interagency task force examining the state's response to the opioid epidemic with Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner at the State Office of Addiction Services and Supports.By WCNY

1
Comptroller's office scrutinizes unemployment payouts 9:49

11d ago9:49

9:49

July 2, 2024 - The Hochul administration should have recouped more than $40 million from the federal government for unemployment payouts during the pandemic, according to Tina Kim, deputy comptroller for the division of state government accountability in the state Comptroller's Office, which conducted an audit of the state Department of Labor.…

1
Hochul's pandemic review leaves stakeholders wanting 22:18

12d ago22:18

22:18

July 1, 2024 - Former Assemblymember Dick Gottfried, a long-time leader on health care issues, discusses the Hochul administration's commissioned report on New York's pandemic response and makes the case for an additional review of this critical time period.By WCNY

1
State sued over timely access to benefits 13:59

12d ago13:59

13:59

July 1, 2024 - Empire Justice Center Managing Attorney Susan Antos highlights the long delays for low-income families trying to access public benefits, including how the pace of state hearings are contributing to the problem and are the subject of a new lawsuit.By WCNY

1
New advocate for rural health care providers 13:59

12d ago13:59

13:59

July 1, 2024 - We say hello to Liz Urbanski-Farrell, who was recently selected to be the first employed executive director of the New York State Association for Rural Health, which represents a range of upstate health care providers.By WCNY

1
Behind-the-scenes of the effort to reduce plastic packaging 13:59

15d ago13:59

13:59

June 28, 2024 - Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, shares behind-the-scenes details on the legislative effort to reduce plastic packaging waste in New York.By WCNY

1
Physician assistants eyed for large primary care role 9:49

15d ago9:49

9:49

June 28, 2024 - An effort to increase access to primary care by expanding opportunities for physician assistants is facing opposition from the New York Academy of Family Physicians. We talk with the group's president, Dr. Rachelle Brilliant, about their concerns for low-income New Yorkers.By WCNY

1
Should New York restrict smartphone access in schools? 12:29

15d ago12:29

12:29

June 28, 2024 - In light of state policymakers considering restrictions on smartphones in schools, we speak with Melinda Person, president of the New York State United Teachers, about potential bans and why they make sense.By WCNY

1
Legislating 101: The end-of-session sausage making 30:03

16d ago30:03

30:03

Two bills - one imposing a controversial waste reduction mandate and the other a broadly supported employee benefit update - successfully made it through the state Senate in the waning days of the legislative session in June, but didn't end up coming up for a vote in the Assembly. Both of these measures were expected to make it to the governor's de…

1
Beating the heat in New York classrooms 9:49

18d ago9:49

9:49

June 27, 2024 - We explore legislation designed to keep New York's students out of extreme heat with Greg Berck, of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.By WCNY

1
The root of National Grid's proposed rate hike 22:18

24d ago22:18

22:18

June 25, 2024 - National Grid, like other utility companies in New York in recent years, is proposing a significant rate hike for their electric and gas customers. We explore their proposal for state regulators with Phil Decicco, the company's general counsel for business in the Empire State.By WCNY

1
Life-saving capacity of ambulance providers 13:59

18d ago13:59

13:59

June 25, 2024 - Dr. Michael Dailey, chief of pre-hospital medicine at Albany Medical Center, discusses legislation paving the way for ambulance providers to provide blood transfusions at the site of trauma scenes in New York.By WCNY

1
The state of the children's agenda in Albany 15:14

19d ago15:14

15:14

June 26, 2024 - The Children’s Agenda CEO Larry Marx discusses child care and early intervention policies addressed by state lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session.By WCNY

1
Construction injury fraud blamed for rising insurance costs 12:29

19d ago12:29

12:29

June 27, 2024 - Assembly Insurance Committee Chair David Weprin, a Queens Democrat, highlights construction injury fraud and discusses how it can be curbed.By WCNY

1
New Yorkers weigh in on legislative session 13:03

19d ago13:03

13:03

June 26, 2024 - The latest poll from the Siena College Research Institute surveys New Yorkers on the completed legislative session, including their reactions to major bills that did and didn't get approved. We go over the results with pollster Steve Greenberg.By WCNY

1
Residential deliveries of hard liquor back on the menu 13:59

19d ago13:59

13:59

June 26, 2024 - State lawmakers have OK'd the direct shipping of hard liquor to New Yorkers, but how will it work and what does it mean for distillers? We get answers from Kim Wagner, co-founder and co-owner of Stoutridge, a Hudson Vallery distillery and winery.By WCNY

1
Thruway celebrates 70th birthday 9:49

21d ago9:49

9:49

June 24, 2024 - The first stretch of the thruway system opened up on this date 70 years, so we're discussing this anniversary with Frank Hoare, executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority.By WCNY

1
New York's electric grid prepared (for now) 16:41

24d ago16:41

16:41

June 21, 2024 - New York Independent System Operator President & CEO Rich Dewey discusses the state's energy generation capacity and demand for this summer and for future summers (and winters).By WCNY

1
State looks to place New Yorkers with disabilities into jobs 13:59

24d ago13:59

13:59

June 21, 2024 - We get an update on the state government's effort to hire more New Yorkers with disabilities from Kimberly Hill-Ridley, New York's chief disability officer.By WCNY

1
NYRA sees exciting future 22:18

28d ago22:18

22:18

June 21, 2024 - New York Racing Association President & CEO David O’Rourke discusses a special weekend at the Saratoga Race Course, talks about the updates to Belmont Park, and reflects on the future of the industry in New York.By WCNY

1
Legislating 101: A Manhattan Democrat's freshman experience 26:49

23d ago26:49

26:49

Assemblyman Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, reflects on his first two legislative sessions in Albany. We discuss the end of session crunch, working with central staff, and navigating the budget process. We also have special theme music courtesy of Anthony Mazzanti.

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