The Capitol Pressroom

July 16, 2025 - Assemblymember Micah Lasher, a Manhattan Democrat, talks about legislation empowering the state attorney general's office to go after unfair business practices and addresses a critique that the measures doesn't go far enough.

July 16, 2025 - We check in with Benjamin Pomerance, deputy counsel at the state Department of Veterans' Services, to discuss services for marginalized veterans, addressing the risk of suicide among veterans, and closing holes in the social safety net.

July 14, 2025 - State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson swings by the studio to explain how the Hochul administration plans on spending record levels of funding for crime victims and discusses the challenges of getting this money to the right people.

July 14, 2025 - Business Council of New York State Vice President Ken Pokalsky reflects on the manufacturing landscape in the Empire State and considers why the industry looks the way it does.

July 14, 2025 - Earlier this year, state Office of General Services Commissioner was tasked with overseeing the improvement of government services. So we're checking in with OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy on these efforts, including the launch of a new state office.

July 11, 2025 - In response to the demand for more mariners the state has launched a revolving loan fund to help cover the cost of hands-on training needed for U.S. Coast Guard license. We talk about this investment with SUNY Maritime President John Okon.

July 11, 2025 - Politicians on both sides of the aisle talk about their support for low-income families, so why is it so hard to get major policy and spending initiatives enacted in Planet Albany that demonstrably improve their lives? We try to answer that question on Dispatches from Planet Albany with Jenn O'Connor, who has been working on these issues for years and launched her own consulting firm.

July 9, 2025 - Siena College Research Institute Director Don Levy breaks down a recent survey of New Yorkers, who weighed in on the end of the legislative session and their potential gubernatorial choices for 2026.

July 10, 2025 - The federal spending legislation approved by Republicans in Washington D.C. over the July 4th holiday looks to dramatically cut federal support that makes its way to Planned Parenthood chapters. We discuss the ramifications of funding reductions, which are being challenged in court, with Robin Chappelle Golston, president & CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts.

July 10, 2025 - The State Birding Trail has been updated with 12 locations, so we explore this resource designed for bird watchers of all experience. Our guests are Erin McGrath, New York state policy director for the National Audubon Society, and Laura McCarthy, senior manager of network engagement for the New York and Connecticut offices of the National Audubon Society.

July 10, 2025 - Environmentalists are hoping the governor will sign legislation overwhelmingly approved by the legislature that is designed to expand the proliferation of crossbows. We hear the case for the measure from Paull Gallery, stewardship manager for the Nature Conservancy in New York, and Bill Cooke, a policy advisor with the Nature Conservancy in New York.

July 9, 2025 - We check in with the Randy Simons, commissioner pro tempore at the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, to discuss an updated map of state resources, the planning for a major golf tournament on Long Island, keeping an eye out for sharks, and preparing for the country's 250th birthday.

July 8, 2025 - Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, an Albany Democrat, makes the case for expanding the authority of the state attorney general's office, including streamlining and defining powers.

July 8, 2025 - Hotels are supposed to be a last resort for housing the homeless in New York, but they're becoming a key solution for upstate communities, according to Spencer Norris, an investigative reporter for New York Focus and ProPublica.

July 8, 2025 - Katherine Haas, a staff attorney with the prisoners' rights project at the Legal Aid Society, provides an update on the court battle to reverse the Hochul administration's suspension of a law governing the use of solitary confinement in prisons.

July 8, 2025 - After months of build up, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state energy officials to get the ball rolling on developing a new upstate nuclear power project. We consider what the implementation could look like with Gavin Donohue, president and CEO of the Independent Power Producers of New York

July 7, 2025 - We check in with Dr. Andrew Talal, a member of the state's Hepatitis C Elimination Task Force, who provides an update on New York's goal of eliminating the transmission of the virus by 2030. He discusses work being spearheaded by the University of Buffalo and recommendations for state policymakers.

July 7, 2025 - New York is on the cusp of rolling out a state-run retirement program for private sector workers without access to a retirement option at work. New York State Department of Taxation & Finance Strategic Initiatives Deputy Commissioner Alexandra Greene discusses a pilot program being implemented in advance of a full deployment.

July 7, 2025 - New York State Energy Research & Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris talks about the state's energy plan and weighs in on the future use of nuclear power and fossil fuels in the Empire State.

July 3, 2025 - Communication 4 ALL founder and Executive Director Elizabeth Bonker makes the case for codifying a communication bill of rights to ensure that New Yorkers with a disability have access to services and tools that help them communicate with the outside world.