The Capitol Pressroom

March 14, 2025 - Construction unions and their allies in the state legislature are hoping to rewrite the laws governing the application of prevailing wage, pushing language that would expand when it applies and eliminating an obscure review board. We discuss this legislative campaign with Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York.

March 21, 2025 - New York Focus Albany Bureau Chief Chris Bragg shares that political patronage is alive and well in the court system, despite a reform effort two decades ago to prevent connected New Yorkers from profiting off their relationships with judges.

March 20, 2025 - We break down the ruling from the state's top court that upheld the constitutionality of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government with Richard Rifkin, legal director for the Government Law Center at Albany Law School.

March 19, 2025 - The administration transition of the state Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program is scheduled to be done at the end of March, but most stakeholders say the process won't be completed on time. We explore why and what that could mean with Ilana Berger, New York political director for Caring Majority Rising.

March 19, 2025 - New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon explains the effort to place former federal workers into state government jobs. We also examine why the governor thinks it's necessary to study how to fund universal child care in New York.

March 19, 2025 - New York State Association for Affordable Housing President & CEO Jolie Milstein discusses efforts to promote the growth of affordable housing and calls for more government subsidies for developers.

March 20, 2025 - Businesses paying credit card fees are hoping the state will prohibit tacking these costs on to sales taxes and gratuities. We explore these concerns with Ashley Ranslow, state director in New York for NFIB, and Mike Durant, president & CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York State.

March 20, 2025 - New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli calls for more fiscally prudent budgeting from the state Legislature and addresses a campaign to divest the pension fund of its Tesla holdings.

March 20, 2025 - We examine the governor's proposals to target drugged driving and crackdown on fentanyl analogs with Toni Smith, state director in New York for the Drug Policy Alliance.

March 19, 2025 - New York Birth Control Access Project and Action Fund co-Executive Director Jenna Bimbi makes the case for legislation ensuring pharmacists can administer a birth control shot and get reimbursed by private insurance plans for doling out hormonal birth control.

March 17, 2025 - Northern Rivers Family of Services Executive Director Bill Gettman discusses the rising insurance costs facing voluntary foster care agencies, which could hinder their ability to find homes and services for foster kids across the state.

March 18, 2025 - Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates President Allegra Schorr discusses regulatory changes in New York to make medication assisted treatment more accessible and outlines the funding needs of her providers.

March 18, 2025 - The state's domestic violence services could be thrown into disarray by funding cuts at the federal level. We explore how the state should boost its services to survivors of domestic violence with Joan Gerhardt, director of public policy and advocacy for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

March 18, 2025 - The state's commercial ambulance providers want a multi-million dollar investment in Medicaid rates to keep up with the growing costs of providing their life-saving services. We discuss this campaign with Bryan Brauner, CEO of Twin City Ambulance in Western New York and head of the legislative committee for the United New York Ambulance Network.

March 14, 2025 - State Sen. Patricia Fahy, an Albany Democrat, explains why New Yorkers in powered wheelchairs need more options for getting their vehicles repaired and discusses the broader "right to repair" campaign.

March 14, 2025 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald talks about access to obesity medication and dental services, while also providing an update the transition of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program.

March 13, 2025 - We discuss the governor's spending plan and the possibility of unemployment insurance cost relief for businesses with Assemblymember Ed Ra, a Long Island Republican.

March 13, 2025 - Warmer weather means a possible encounter with a coyote, so we get some tips on how to avoid conflicts with these wild animals from Mandy Watson, a wildlife biologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

March 13, 2025 - New York Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball talks about the governor's budget and provides an update on eligibility for the state's farmworkers tax credit.

March 14, 2025 - New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy discusses her mandate to improve state government efficiency and promote innovation.