Dec. 8, 2025 - In light of an update to the process for requesting absentee ballots for school elections, we consider what else could be done to drive up turnout in these low-turnout races with Bob Lowry, deputy director for New York State Council of School Superintendents.WCNY

Dec. 8, 2025 - Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham talks about affordable housing creation, including a possible county-level loan fund and incentives to develop accessory dwelling units.WCNY

Dec. 8, 2025 - State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses her political future, weighs in on a potential sticking point for the 2026 legislative session, and considers what New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will need to do to be successful in Planet Albany.…

Dec. 5, 2025- New York law has a goal of reducing child poverty in half by 2032 and there is still a long way to go in achieving this initiative set back in 2021. We get a progress report and list of recommendations from Kate Breslin, head of the Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy and a member of the state Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Coun…

Dec. 5, 2025- New York policymakers and cannabis regulators are hoping that a "seed-to-sale" tracking system will prevent illegal marijuana products from ending up on legal dispensary shelves in the Empire State. We talk with Michael Johnson, CEO of Metrc, the company implementing the tracking system, about their role in stopping inversion.…

Dec. 4, 2025- After years of anticipation, plus some twists and turns along the way, there is clarity about the awarding of New York's three final casino licenses. We explore the latest news and what comes next with Bennett Liebman, who helped write the law that led to an expansion of casino gambling in New York.…

Dec. 4, 2025- The headwinds may be blowing against New York's offshore wind industry, but they're still hoping to lay the groundwork for future projects in the Empire State. We explore the landscape with Alicia Gené Artessa, executive director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance.WCNY

Dec. 4, 2025- New York State Secretary of State Walter Mosley discusses the professional licensing his office oversees, including how they ensure their requirements are relevant. We also asked him whether he wants to be Gov. Kathy Hochul's running mate next year.WCNY

Dec. 3, 2025- In response to federal cuts and competition from other states, New York's medical schools are calling for a $500 million state investment in the life sciences infrastructure. We talk about building up this industry with Jonathan Teyan, president and CEO of Associated Medical Schools of New York.…

Dec. 3, 2025- Republican Khurram Dara is hoping to be his party's nominee for state attorney general in 2026, so he joins us to discuss his vision for the office, where he fits in today's GOP, and why he thinks AG Tish James has politicized her role.WCNY

Dec. 2, 2025- Efforts to conserve thousands of acres of land in New York have been delayed by the state attorney general's office's burdensome process for approving property ownership, but that era may become a distant memory. We discuss the planned changes to the land owner verification process with Stu Gruskin, a senior advisor for The Nature Con…

Dec. 2, 2025- State environmental regulators have breathed new life into a gas pipeline proposal, which was previously stopped in its tracks during the same permitting process. We explore this reversal by the Hochul administration with Samantha Maldonado, a senior reporter with The City.WCNY

Dec. 2, 2025- For a decade state policymakers have been grappling with how to get their bang for their buck from a nearly $1 billion investment in Buffalo. With this story entering a new chapter, we talk with Jimmy Vielkind, a Capitol reporter for Gothamist & WNYC.WCNY

Nov. 26, 2025 - New York energy officials are retooling a program designed to prepare sites for renewable energy projects after it failed to generate much interest after five years. We consider why it wasn't more successful with Peter Keen, an attorney with Barclay Damon and decades of energy regulatory experience.…

Nov. 26, 2025 - Changes at the federal level could have major implications for the hemp-derived THC products on sale in New York. We consider this evolving landscape and the potential state response with Katie Neer, a lobbyist with Dickinson & Avella.WCNY

Nov. 26, 2025 - State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, shares insights he gleaned from a recent hearing into the cost of residential property insurance and discusses possible actions lawmakers might take in 2026.WCNY

Nov. 26, 2025 - State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for legislation designed to prevent residential ratepayers from shouldering the energy infrastructure costs of large data centers.WCNY

Nov. 25, 2025- After more than a decade, the state has satisfied its obligations to transition mentally ill New Yorkers out of adult homes and into supportive housing as part of a lawsuit filed after a New York Times series in 2002. We discuss the implementation of the settlement with Clarence Sundram, a court-appointed monitor for vulnerable peopl…

Nov. 25, 2025- Erie County Water Authority Chairman Jerry Schad discusses EPA requirements for replacing lead service lines in drinking water systems and how the state can support this transition in the absence of major help from the federal government.WCNY

Nov. 25, 2025 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli visits the studio to discuss why he wants another four years in office, talks about his handling of the pension fund, and explains his office's approach to audits.WCNY

Nov. 24, 2025- We discuss Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to close a North Country prison and consolidate a western New York facility with Jennifer Scaife, executive director of the Correctional Association of New York, who had made the case for prioritizing the closure of a controversial facility in central New York.…

Nov. 24, 2025- We highlight the state's effort to promote New York produced foods in cafeterias at schools in the Empire State. Our guess are Julie Raway, a registered dietitian with the Broome-Tioga BOCES School Nutrition Services, and Cheryl Bilinski, who oversees the Harvest New York Regional Farm to School Coordinator program for the Cornell Co…

Nov. 24, 2025 - Former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin addresses the corruption case against him, which alleged he secured a state nonprofit in exchange for campaign contribution, and was dropped by federal prosecutors earlier this year. Find the full conversation on Dispatches from Planet Albany.WCNY

Nov. 21, 2025- Northern Rivers Family of Services CEO Bill Gettman makes the case for the state to address the inflationary costs absorbed by nonprofits providing human services and identifies some red tape the state could cut to stretch their investment further.WCNY

Nov. 21, 2025- We discuss the governor's decision to hit pause on a broad prohibition of gas appliances in most new construction with Allison Considine, interim director for New York at the Building Decarbonization Coalition.WCNY

Nov. 20, 2025- We talk with Cannabis Advisory Board Chairman Joe Belluck about the distribution of marijuana tax revenue to organizations serving communities impacted by past drug policies. We also explore the problem of out-of-state marijuana ending up in New York's recreational market.WCNY

Nov. 20, 2025- It's all hands on deck to promote the growth of new housing, but a new report from a government accountability group argues that certain economic development agencies should not be part of the process. We consider this critique from Ron Deutsch, a senior policy fellow with Reinvent Albany.…

Nov. 20, 2025- State Budget Director Blake Washington discusses whether an expiring corporate tax rate will be extended, talks about the current year finances, and confirms that agencies are submitting efficiency plans in response to his call letter.WCNY

Nov. 19, 2025- The state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board has helped steer millions of dollars, but where is it going and who is on the receiving end? We explore those questions and recommendations on spending for the future with Toni Smith, state director in New York for the Drug Policy Alliance, which analyzed the first few years of settle…

Nov. 19, 2025- We break down the latest survey of New York voters from the Siena Research Institute, which examined a gubernatorial matchup between the frontrunners, asked about raising taxes, and where the state's senior senator stands after a quarter century in office. Our guest is Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.…

Nov. 18, 2025- Federal changes to Medicaid eligibility could hinder some New Yorkers from accessing treatment for their drug addiction, according to Allegra Schorr, president of Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates, who is hoping state policymakers will act in response.WCNY

Nov. 18, 2025- Assemblyman Jonathan Rivera, a Buffalo area Democrat, wants to ensure that government subsidies aren't going to businesses violating federal and state labor laws.WCNY

Nov. 18, 2025- The Trump administration is taking New York election officials to court for refusing to hand over sensitive voter identification information. We consider the lawsuit by U.S. Department of Justice with Erica Smitka, executive director for the League of Women Voters of New York State, who also discusses a 2026 legislative priority.…

Nov. 18, 2025 - In an excerpt from an upcoming episode of Dispatches from Planet Albany, former Democratic Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski talks about the lobbying efforts of business groups at the Capitol.WCNY

Nov. 14, 2025 - Legislation in Albany would strictly regulate what happens to the byproducts of wastewater treatment, but some operators in the space argue this approach is a costly mistake. We consider the future of biosolids with Dan Rourke, executive director of the Saratoga County Sewer District, and Darcy Sachs, a project engineer with Carollo…

Nov. 14, 2025 - Online sweepstakes games are under threat from state lawmakers and the state attorney general's office, but the operators argue that state policymakers should be working with them. We explore this unregulated industry with Jeff Duncan, executive director of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which was launched by a company with …

Nov. 13, 2025 - New York Lawyers for Public Interest Environmental Justice Director Caroline Chen talks about New York City's aging sewage system and makes the case for investing in infrastructure upgrades.WCNY

Nov. 13, 2025 - Assemblymember Bill Conrad, a Buffalo Democrat, makes the case for pausing New York's All-Electric Buildings Act, which generally prohibits gas appliances in most new construction starting in 2026.WCNY

Nov. 11, 2025- New York State Office of Cannabis Management Chief Medical Officer Dr. June Chin talks about expanding access to medical marijuana and addresses health concerns associated with the legalization of recreational marijuana.WCNY

Nov. 11, 2025- In order to give New Yorkers time to grieve the death of a loved one, Assemblyman Patrick Carroll, a Hudson Valley Democrat, has proposed legislation expanding how sick leave can be used.WCNY

Nov. 12, 2025- We check in on the state's efforts to spur innovation and promote startups with Ben Verschueren, executive director of Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation.WCNY

Nov. 12, 2025- Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Alicia Hyndman, a Queens Democrat, talks about the future of virtual learning in New York's colleges and universities.WCNY

Nov. 12, 2025- We explore the work of upstate utilities serving nearly 2 million New Yorkers, including upgrading their transmission capacity and investing in infrastructure. Our guest is Trish Nilsen, CEO of New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas & Electric.WCNY

Nov. 10, 2025- Socialism is coming to the Gracie Mansion with the mayoral election of Zohran Mamdani, but could it ever become more widespread in New York. We consider the potential pitfalls of expansion with Ken Girardin, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of the report "Socialism on the Hudson."…

Nov. 10, 2055- New York gambling regulators are looking to stop Kalshi, an online predictions market, from promoting and processing de facto sports wagers without a license. We explore the emergence of this platform and the showdown in the Empire State with Steve Ruddock, a gambling industry consultant and commentator.…

Nov. 7, 2025 - We explore some of the recent headlines from the state Office of Cannabis Management, including their crackdown of a Long Island testing lab and a business accused of renting out its license. Our guest is Stephen Geskey, executive deputy director for compliance, labs, trade practices, and licensing at the OCM.…

November 7, 2025- We get to know Patrick Mannion, a representative from central New York and the North Country on the state Board of Regents. He talks about his role and some of the important education issues being addressed by the state Education Department.WCNY

November 7, 2025- State Librarian Lauren Moore visits the studio to discuss the state's "Red Book," including a copy from more than 100 years ago, and makes the case for investing more in the preservation efforts at the state library in Albany.WCNY

November 6, 2025- If necessity is the mother of invention, could a tight state budget year lead to some creative ideas for doing more without spending more? That's what's being pitched for the delivery of addiction services in New York by Rob Kent, former counsel at the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports.…

November 6, 2025- Assembly Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, discusses the federal fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James.WCNY