The Capitol Pressroom

October 9, 2025- Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein explains how fare and toll evasion cost the New York City transit system about $1 billion in 2024 and highlight strategies to curtail bad actors in the future.

October 9, 2025- Joshua Norkin was tapped this spring to lead the New York Authorities Budget Office, an obscure agency overseeing hundreds of quasi-governmental authorities all over the state. We talk about his new role and his oversight plans.

October 9, 2025- A massive piece of property in the Adirondacks that has long been coveted by conservationist is in the process of changing hands, so there is renewed pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to secure at least some of the land for preservation. We discuss the issue with Claudia Braymer, executive director of Protect The Adirondacks.

October 8, 2025- Raj Goyle, a former Kansas state lawmaker and co-chair of a New York City think tank, explains why he's looking to take on state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in the Democratic primary next year.

October 8, 2025- In an excerpt from Dispatches from Planet Albany, we explore how advocates for New Yorkers with disabilities are hoping to wield more clout at the Capitol. Our guest is Mike Schweinsburg, president of the 504 Democratic club, which endorsed Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's bid for governor.

October 8, 2025- It's the 200th birthday of the Erie Canal, so we're exploring how this milestone is being celebrated and what's in store for the future of the system with Rebecca Hughes, executive deputy director of the New York State Canal Corporation.

October 8, 2025- State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, weighs in on proposed rules from the state attorney general's office to implement his legislation designed to keep the most addictive features of social media away from kids.

October 7, 2025- Gov. Kathy Hochul championed $2 billion for "inflation refund" checks, but new reporting from Gothamist/WNYC Capitol reporter Jimmy Vielkind indicates that some of that money will be collected back by the federal tax man.

October 7, 2025- Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman, the Democratic nominee in the November special election for a North Country assembly seat, talks about why he's running, his approach to serving, and why he voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

October 7, 2025- Oswego County Administrator Phil Church, president of the New York State Association of Counties, explains how federal changes to the administration of Medicaid and food assistance programs will cost local government millions of dollars without relief from the state.

Sept. 29, 2025 - After imposing restrictions on Styrofoam food containers and packing peanuts, the state is going to prohibit the sale of disposable polystyrene containers next year. We consider this environmental initiative with Jeremy Cherson, associate director of government affairs for Riverkeeper.

Sept. 29, 2025 - An additional $340 million in this year's state budget is supposed to make breakfast and lunch available in schools to students all over New York without any out-of-pocket costs. We learn about the implementation of universal school meals with Katy Headwell, the Director of School Nutrition Services at Shenendehowa Central School District

September 30, 2025- The Hochul administration is being taken to court for relaxing state laws designed to ensure private school students are receiving a basic education. We discuss the lawsuit with Michael Rebell, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, and Adina Mermelstein Konikoff, executive director for Young Advocates for Fair Education.

Sept. 29, 2025 - State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the approval process for a controversial new gas pipeline and outlines his advocacy agenda for 2026.

Sept. 29, 2025 - A wide range of products derived from Kratom are showing up on shelves all over New York, so Assemblymember John McDonald, a capital region Democrat, makes the case for imposing age restrictions on sales.

September 26, 2025- Environmentalists are hoping a gas pipeline proposal for New York City gets rejected by state regulators for a fourth time, but interested business and labor groups think it deserves new consideration. We talk about the controversial proposal with Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy.

September 26, 2025- We get to know Jennifer Saunders, the new head of the state museum in Albany. We discuss why she was interested in the leadership role, the future of long-stalled renovations, and navigating turf wars at the Capitol.

September 25, 2025- The Hochul administration has green lit an overhaul of the Capitol complex, including a $25 million commitment to integrate the Empire State Plaza into the surrounding community. We explore this mandate - in a Dispatches from Planet Albany excerpt - with OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy.

September 25, 2025- State regulations for cannabis beverages can be limiting for producers and confusing for consumers, so the manufacturers of hemp-derived drinks want more latitude in New York. We talk about the regulatory landscape with Jake Bullock, CEO of Cann, a THC-infused beverage producer.

September 25, 2025- It's been about three years since Micron Technology announced a major development for central New York and work on the project could begin this fall. We get an update on the implementation of this potentially $100 billion investment with Glenn Coin, a reporter with Syracuse Post-Standard and Syracuse.com.