Nov. 4, 2024 - Riverkeeper staff attorney Victoria Leung explains the rationale behind legislation requiring state environmental officials to proactively disclose the results of background radiation monitoring they're conducting.WCNY

Nov. 1, 2024 - A new survey of former service members in New York is providing a fresh perspective on the challenges facing veterans and how to meet their needs. We discuss these findings and what should come next with Derek Coy, a senior program officer for the New York Health Foundation, which commissioned the study.…

Nov. 1, 2024 - Chronic absenteeism spiked during the pandemic around the country and continues to be a problem, with nearly one in three kids meeting this distinction in the 2022-2023 school year in New York, according to a report from the state comptroller's office. We discuss the issue and how it can be addressed with Lynn Jennings, senior direct…

Nov. 11, 2024 - In light of the severe and unique mental health needs of some veterans there is an effort to treat them with specially trained mental health providers. We discuss the idea behind a veterans mental health training initiative with Dr. Frank Dowling, an associate professor with Stony Brook University, and Aynisa Leonardo, a licensed cl…

Oct. 31, 2024 - SUNY is looking to build on the existing partnerships between local news outlets and students journalists with a summer internship program starting in 2025. We explore the potential benefits of these relationships with Todd Franko, project manager for the Center for Community News, which is working with SUNY on these initiatives.…

Oct. 31, 2024 - In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, more than 200 state and local government employees from New York were deployed to help communities across the South. We talk about this experience with Adam Picket, Nick Johnston, and Erin Hanczyk, who are part of the state's incident management team and were deployed to Nor…

Oct. 31, 2024 - To better prepare for future wildfires the State Department of Environmental Conservation is partnering with the early warning weather detection system at the University at Albany. We discuss the new partnership with June Wang, director of the New York State Mesonet at UAlbany, and Scott Jackson, a captain with the state forest rang…

Oct. 31, 2024 - Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, wants to get creative with federal and state resources by doling out an $1,800 cash payment for families on Medicaid who have a child.WCNY

Oct. 30, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses the effort to bring higher education into New York's prisons, ensure a smooth transition for transferring students, and a campaign to automatically accept qualifying students into select public institutions.WCNY

Oct. 30, 2024 - New York is not on track to hit its green energy and emission reduction goals for 2030, so the Citizens Budget Commission says it's time to reset our goals so our response to the climate crisis can be recalibrated. We examine this argument, including what it means for an effort to cap pollution, with Andrew Rein, the group's preside…

Oct. 29, 2024 - We talk with Alexi Ashe Meyers, the director of anti-trafficking policy at Sanctuary for Families, about the increased brothel activity in a Queens neighborhood and discuss why she thinks the response to situations like this is to decriminalize the role of prostitutes, while enforcing criminal penalties against people who patronize …

October 29, 2024 - Times Union data reporter Emilie Munson discusses her examination of how law enforcement in New York dispose of seized drugs and explains why some practices are dangerous and even illegal.WCNY

Oct. 29, 2024 - We discuss regulations governing the licensing and certifying of mental health care providers in New York with Keith Brennan, a former assistant counsel with the State Office of Mental Health and is now of counsel at the Barclay Damon law firm.WCNY

Oct. 28, 2024 - Assembly Aging Committee Chair Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, discusses a public hearing examining a state-funded program providing services to keep low-income seniors, who don't qualify for Medicaid, in their homes and out of institutional settings.WCNY

Oct. 28, 2024 - While some of New York's big green energy and emission reduction goals are out of reach, state policymakers were successful in deploying 6 GW of distributed solar projects before 2025. We explore the significance of this accomplishment and how it happened with Doreen Harris, president & CEO of the New York State Energy Research and …

Oct. 28, 2024 - New York Power Authority President & CEO Justin Driscoll gives an update on the state's effort to develop and operate new renewable energy projects and explains why the state's existing hydropower facilities need additional support.WCNY

Oct. 25, 2024 - Should New Yorkers face fees to access government benefits? Legislation pushed through by Democratic lawmakers would end the practice for electronic benefit cards, including debit cards for unemployment benefits. We discuss this proposal and financial fees more broadly with Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Projec…

Oct. 25, 2024 - We explore the potential benefits of a state Parkinson's disease registry with Zach Hardy, state government relations manager for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.WCNY

Oct. 25, 2024 - The state's chief information officer, Dru Rai, is in the studio discussing the behind-the-scenes response to this summer's global computer outage, plans for the state Office of Information Technology's staff and budget, and the state government's use of artificial intelligence. We also get to know his personal technology habits.…

October 24, 2024 - We explore the role mental health peers play in supporting New Yorkers struggling with mental illness. Our guests are Luke Sikinyi, director of public policy and public engagement at The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and Harvey Rosenthal, the group's CEO.WCNY

Oct. 24, 2024 - The construction and demolition industries are major contributors of waste and have a significant carbon footprint, which could be limited by promoting a more circular construction process. We explore potential changes to the building process with Felix Heisel, an assistant professor and the director of the Circular Construction Lab…

Oct. 24, 2024 - State lawmakers unanimously support adding an insurance industry liaison to the state's Disaster Preparedness Commission, so we examine the intersection between disasters and insurance with the help of Cassandra Anderson, executive vice president for the New York Insurance Association.…

Oct. 23, 2024 - The Hochul administration has put the finishing touches on regulations intended to keep 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen, out of household products. We discuss the root of this precaution and how it's being implemented with Conor Shea, section supervisor for the pollution prevention unit of the state Department of Environmental Cons…

Oct. 22, 2024 - Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, a Brooklyn Democrat, explains why he wants the state to study a transition to renewable energy sources for New York's cell phone towers.WCNY

Oct. 22, 2024 - Assemblymember Grace Lee, a Manhattan Democrat, talks about her legislation increasing the security of transactions made over peer-to-peer payments services on smartphonesWCNY

Oct. 22, 2024 - The acting head of the state Office of Cannabis Management, Felicia Reid, joins us in the studio for a status check on New York's marijuana landscape, including addressing a backlog of license applications, increasing access to medical marijuana, hiring state cannabis regulators, reviewing existing regulations, and reversing the eff…

Oct. 21, 2024 - State lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul honed in on the backlog of early intervention needs in this year's budget, but not much progress has been made solving this critical problem. We discuss what the state is doing and could be doing to delivery more early intervention services with Brigit Hurley, chief program officer for The Child…

Oct. 21, 2024 - The United States Environmental Protection Agency is mandating drinking water systems replace all their lead pipes by 2037, but how will it be accomplished? We explore the path forward, including the needs for funding, with Rob Hayes, senior director of clean water for Environmental Advocates NY.…

Oct. 18, 2024 - Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, a Bronx Democrat, talks about her legislation intended to keep renters in New York aware of bed bug infestations in their buildings.WCNY

Oct. 18, 2024 - New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is hoping the governor signs his bill shining a light on state contracts that have been adopted outside of his office's scrutiny.WCNY

Oct. 17, 2024 - Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her legislation preventing debt collectors from using social media platforms to contact New Yorkers.WCNY

Oct. 17, 2024 - The 50th Senate District in Central New York is an open race this fall and is shaping up to be one of the most competitive state legislative elections. We talked with Republican candidate Nick Paro and Democratic hopeful Chris Ryan about their candidacies.WCNY

Oct. 16, 2024 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwen Craig discusses her reporting on bear euthanasia in the Adirondack Park and explains how human activity is prompting needless deaths.WCNY

Oct. 16, 2024 - New York State of Health Marketplace Executive Director Danielle Holahan talks about health insurance coverage available through the state's marketplace, including a plan from the Hochul administration intended to limit out-of-pocket costs for more than 100,000 low-income New Yorkers.…

Oct. 16, 2024 - Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates President Allegra Schorr explains how an updated federal regulation will make it easier to treat New Yorkers for opioid abuse.WCNY

Oct. 15, 2024 - Democratic state lawmakers want to make all workers in New York eligible for stress-related workers' compensation benefits, expanding this perk beyond first responders. We discuss the rationale for this expansion and how much it might cost with Joe Canovas, special counsel for the New York State AFL-CIO.…

Oct. 11, 2024 - Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner talks about a campaign to deploy non-partisan poll watchers to help voters cast their ballots. She also reflects on changes to this year's election administration and the future use of drop boxes for voting.WCNY

Oct. 10, 2024 - The gambling landscape in New York has changed dramatically over the last two decades, which underscores the archaic nature of the state's regional off-track betting organizations, which were set up more than 50 years ago to handle bets on horse racing. We talk with Bennett Liebman, a former top racing and wagering official in the C…

Oct. 10, 2024 - New York businesses operate under a lot of regulations, so state policymakers have put in place a law directing state regulators to promote compliance education over civil penalties in certain situations. We discuss the benefits and limitations of this effort with Frank Kerbein, director of the Center for Human Resources at the Busi…

Oct. 9, 2024 - We get an update on changes to the administration of a popular state home care program, including the potential unionization of the workforce, from Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy.WCNY

Oct. 9, 2024 - Lara Kassel, coalition coordinator for Medicaid Matters NY, talks about a state program being developed to help New Yorkers with disabilities and their families navigate the supports and services available to them.WCNY

Oct. 9, 2024 - Parent advocate Mansie Meikle and EdTrust-New York Director of Partnerships & Early Childhood Policy Jenn O'Connor discuss barriers to accessing family assistance programs and how it could be easier to utilize these critical benefits.WCNY

Oct. 9, 2024 - We highlight an effort to lower the retirement threshold for more than 1,000 state police officers, which has led to a public spat between Gov. Kathy Hochul and the officers' union. Our guest is PBA of New York State Executive Director and Counsel Kurt Nolan.WCNY

Oct. 7, 2024 - Every inch of New York's 750-mile Empire State Trail isn't always open for business, so state policymakers want to make sure there are relevant detours when the path is off limits. We talk about this idea and the potential of the trail system with Dylan Carey, director of policy and planning at Parks & Trails New York.…

Oct. 7, 2024 - New York State Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan discusses the rollout of the 9-8-8 hotline, which is intended to help New Yorkers dealing with a mental health or substance abuse crisis.WCNY

Oct. 4, 2024 - New York State Budget Director Blake Washington swung by The Capitol Pressroom studio to talk about the current fiscal year, including potential revenues from a Medicaid managed care tax, and the upcoming budget process, including potential revenue from fees to polluters, savings from the administration of home care, and controlling …

Oct. 4, 2024 - New York Farm Bureau CEO Deanna Fox and New York State Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball discuss the implementation of the governor's directive for state agencies to procure at least 30 percent of their food purchases from New York producers by 2027.WCNY

Oct. 4, 2024 - In order to reduce the trauma a child can experience when their parents or guardian is arrested, state lawmakers want to direct law enforcement to implement child-sensitive procedures. We discuss what those steps could look like and why they're important with Tanya Krupat, vice president of policy and advocacy for the Osborne Associa…

State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa and one of her top deputies join the show to discuss the statewide results from standardized tests administered in the spring, which found that about half of kids grades three through eight were proficient in English and math.WCNY

October 3, 2024 - Is it time to lower the threshold for keeping jurors anonymous from criminal defendants? Not according to Kevin Stadelmaier, chair of the legislative committee for the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, who says legislation advancing this effort is overly broad and unnecessary.…