The Capitol Pressroom

Feb. 6, 2025 - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons discusses a proposed capital investment intended to get kids off their smartphones and into pools, playgrounds and community centers

Feb. 5, 2025 - A new survey of New Yorkers by the Siena College Research Institute examined the popularity of President Donald Trump and support for some of Gov. Kathy Hochul's priorities for 2025. We break down the results with Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.

Feb. 5, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to overhaul the state's discovery laws, arguing they can be improved without jeopardizing access to a speedy trial, but defense attorneys say this isn't the case. Legal Aid Society Supervising Attorney Kalle Condliffe explains what the changes could mean and identifies updates to the discovery process that could improve the disclosure process.

Feb. 5, 2025 - Association of School Business Officials of New York Executive Director Brian Cechnicki talks about the governor's proposed allocation of state education aid and makes the case for school districts recouping money owed by the state.

Feb. 5, 2025 - New York State Committee on Open Government Executive Director Shoshanah Bewlay discusses transparency issues that arose in 2024 and identifies some of her group's 2025 priorities, included in their annual report.

Feb. 4, 2025 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses the transportation proposals in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, including money to cover rising capital costs, work zone cameras, and catching impaired drivers.

Feb. 4, 2025 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed investments in higher education, including free community college for adults pursuing degrees from in-demand career paths.

Feb. 4, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, gives us an update on his legislation seeking to ban the use of face coverings with the intent to intimidate and harass.

Feb. 4, 2024 - Supportive Housing Network of New York Executive Director Pascale Leone and New Destiny Housing CEO Nicole Branca make the case for more capital funds and operating dollars to support supportive housing services, especially for older programs that get less money than newer programs.

Feb. 3, 2025 - New York could do a better job reducing smoking levels, according to the American Lung Association. We break down the anti-smoking efforts in the state and identifying where policymakers are falling short with Michael Seilback, assistant vice president of nationwide advocacy of the ALA.

Feb. 3, 2025 - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris explains the status of New York's "cap-and-invest" program and the governor's proposed spending on clean energy. We also get an update on the state's development of new nuclear projects.

Feb. 3, 2025 - Scrutinize founder Oded Oren explains how judges have been undermining changes to pre-trial detention in New York, which were intended to make bail more affordable than tradition bondsmen services.

Feb. 3, 2025 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for building on the governor's proposals addressing child poverty and child care access.

Feb. 03, 2025 - Children's advocacy centers oversee a coordinated response for kids who have been abused and Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to double their state funding after years of stagnant support. We discuss this important work and impact of the budget with Theresa Roth, executive director of the New York State Children's Alliance.

Jan. 31, 2025 - New York Chief Information Officer Dru Rai, head of the state Office of Information Technology Services, discusses the governor's budget proposal and making the state's websites more user friendly.

Jan. 31, 2025 - New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray talks about a media literacy toolkit being deployed to schools, efforts to boost volunteer firefighter numbers, and reflects on her work as acting director of policy for the governor.

Jan. 30, 2025 - Jason Cone, chief public policy officer for the advocacy group Robin Hood, analyzes the governor's proposed anti-poverty initiatives and offers up some of his own ideas.

Jan. 30, 2025 - The state legislature may be on the cusp of implementing restrictions on single-use plastic packaging, but the industry is pushing back against mandates that could alter their business practices. We talked with Matt Seaholm, president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association.

Jan. 30, 2025 - New York State Catholic Conference Director of Government Relations Kristen Curran voices opposition to increased state funding for reproductive health care, backs Gov. Kathy Hochul's expansion of the child tax credit, and weighs in on expanded access to emergency contraception.

Jan. 30, 2025 - Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, addresses a proposed expansion of involuntary commitments, makes the case for implementing Daniel's Law, and calls for an investment in the mental health sector workforce.