Jan. 10, 2025 - Efforts to fight child poverty in New York are getting attention right now, so we're checking in with Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn to discuss recommendations on lifting kids out of poverty and the governor's proposed child tax credit expansion.…

Jan. 10, 2025 - Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs, a Harlem Democrat, makes the case for overhauling New York's prisons, including closing a central New York facility and reforming the oversight of strip searches.WCNY

Jan. 10, 2025 - In an effort to mitigate the public health risk of lead paint in homes across aging upstate cities, the state is implementing a process for inspecting properties and remedying the danger. We get an update on this effort, which is supposed to start before the end of 2025, from Gary Ginsberg, head of the state health department's Cent…

Jan. 10, 2025 - The Legal Aid Society's Ellen McCormick breaks down a new law intended to drastically expand the use of e-filing in New York's courts.WCNY

Jan. 9, 2025 - Solidarity Society Founding Director Ivy Valentine and Get Free Executive Director Nicole Carty talk about the work of a state commission on reparations studying the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination and making recommendations on remedies for black New Yorkers.WCNY

Jan. 9, 2025 - Are you reading the terms of service you get served up on your smartphone apps? Those agreements can include important updates on your rights, including whether you're agreeing to arbitration in the future, which was the subject of a case before the state's top court that we break down with Lily Kim and Jeremy Cohen, attorneys with B…

Jan. 9, 2025 - Supermarkets have rekindled their legislative effort to update the state's alcohol laws so they can sell wine. We talk with Northeast Grocery's Mona Golub about this campaign and whether they would support liquor stores selling beer as part of a larger legislative reform.WCNY

Jan. 9, 2025 - Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance President John DiNuzzo explains a bipartisan effort to change the land classification for a battlefield in Lake George in order to preserve its historic nature for future generations.WCNY

Jan. 8, 2025 - We get to know Assemblyman Patrick Carroll, a Rockland County Democrat embarking on his first term in Planet Albany. We talk about some of his priorities and balancing life at the Capitol with four kids.WCNY

Jan. 8, 2025 - We are joined in the studio by Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association, who discusses the group's priorities for 2025, including increasing the right to counsel and Medical Aid in Dying. He also weighs in on the budget for the court system and increasing access to guardians.…

Jan. 8, 2025 - New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon discusses the implementation of the state's paid, prenatal leave policy and provides an update on efforts to combat wage theft and upgrade their technological capacity at the department.WCNY

Jan. 8, 2025 - Firefighters Association of the State of New York Secretary John D'Alessandro makes the case for requiring one- and two-family homes to be built with fire suppression systems.WCNY

Jan. 7, 2025 - Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, discusses the potential of new nuclear projects, the merits of the NY HEAT Act, and her priorities in 2025.WCNY

Jan. 7, 2025 - Winter conditions create new risks in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks for explorers and the state first responders tasked with rescue missions. We explore this issue, including the precautions people should take, with State Forest Ranger Lt. Chris DiCintio and State Forest Ranger Rob Praczkajlo.…

Jan. 7, 2025 - Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for codifying restrictions on how and when state and local law enforcement will comply with federal immigration officials.WCNY

Jan. 6, 2025 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer explains her opposition to the state's plan to chop down trees at viewpoints along a mountain in the Adirondacks, which she argues would violate the state constitution.WCNY

Jan. 6, 2025 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about recommendations from the New York State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council and how they might begin to get implemented in 2025.WCNY

Jan. 6, 2025 - New York has laws governing interest rates for loans, but these regulations aren't capturing some of the latest evolutions of lending. We examine legislation looking to close these loopholes with the help of Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Project.WCNY

Jan. 6, 2025 - An end of the year veto by Gov. Kathy Hochul of legislation addressing the financing of school-based health centers has put a renewed spotlight on these services, and how they're funded, heading into the 2025 legislative session. Sally Dreslin, executive director of the Step Two Policy Project, explains why these services are importa…

Jan. 3, 2025 - A recent audit from the state comptroller's office highlighted the waiting lists for pre-k special education services, so we decided to look at what's causing the delays and how schools are addressing the problem. Our guest is Clarkstown Central School District Superintendent Marc Baiocco, who discusses a program set up to provide sp…

Jan. 2, 2024 - After years of groundwork, New York is finally at the precipice of standing up state-facilitated retirement program for New Yorkers without an employer-sponsored option. We consider what is taking shape in the Empire State with the help of Angela Antonelli, executive director of the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown Uni…

Dec. 30, 2024 - The state's top court found that municipalities can be liable for unaddressed potholes that are reported through an online service. We explore what this means for local government, including in Albany, with Barbara Van Epps, executive director of the New York Conference of Mayors.WCNY

Dec. 30, 2024 - Buffalo News climate and environment reporter Mackenzie Shuman explains the holes in air pollution monitoring by state environmental regulators, who have let a majority of permits for major polluters lapse.WCNY

Dec 26, 2024 - After more than four decades in Planet Albany's orbit, LeadingAge New York President & CEO Jim Clyne is retiring. Jim discusses his time working in and around state government, including crafting bills in the Assembly and life during the pandemic.WCNY

Dec. 30, 2024 - Assemblymember Patrick Burke, a Buffalo-area Democrat, wants President Biden to use his clemency powers for a Western New York man serving a 25-year prison sentence for his role in an international marijuana trafficking network.WCNY

Dec. 27, 2024 - State policy makers are betting big on the life sciences industry, investing millions in subsidies to promote and grow these businesses. We discuss a state report on the industry and its future with Winthrop Thurlow, executive director of the trade organization Life Sciences NY.WCNY

Dec. 24, 2024 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald discusses the state's prenatal leave policy starting in 2025 and addresses other policies to improve maternal health outcomes.WCNY

Dec. 24, 2024 - Is it time to change the library system structure? We consider these regional entities with the help of Max Prime, director of government relations and advocacy for the New York Library Association, and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System.WCNY

Dec. 24, 2024 - Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat and chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian legislative Caucus, discusses her policy goals for the 2025 legislative session in New York and addresses whether her agenda is shaped by last year's election results.WCNY

Dec. 23, 2024 - Environmental Advocates NY Deputy Executive Director Katie McNamara makes the case for state regulations requiring a phase out of chemical commonly found in commercial and residential cooling technology, which is a major greenhouse gas emitter.WCNY

Dec. 23, 2024 - Kristen McManus, senior associate state director for advocacy at AARP New York, discusses her group's agenda for the 2025 state legislative session, which focuses on affordability issues and quality of care for seniors.WCNY

Dec. 23, 2024 - Michael Kinnucan, a senior health policy advisor with the Fiscal Policy Institute, discusses his papers on the pace of home care enrollment growth in the state and the trajectory of Medicaid spending on long-term care.WCNY

Dec. 19, 2024 - Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat, previews the 2025 legislative session, including the likely fight over Medicaid funding, the implementation of CDPAP changes, and abortion access.WCNY

Dec. 19, 2024 - This December, a state law took effect prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores, despite the industry trying to stop the implementation in court. We talk about the legal challenge and the industry's critique of this bill with Mike Bober, CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network.…

Dec. 19, 2024 - Assemblymember Sarah Clark, a Rochester-area Democrat, responds to the governor's veto of her bill expanding child care assistance and talks about what should be done in 2025 to improve access to high-quality care.WCNY

Dec. 19, 2024 - State Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses her criminal justice priorities for the 2025 legislative session and addresses how politics could impact what's the possible in Albany.WCNY

Dec. 18, 2024 - New York Focus Senior Reporter Sam Mellins shares what he uncovered about the working conditions and compensation for Assembly staffers, which may be contributing to a brain drain at the institution.WCNY

Dec. 18, 2024 - State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri discusses an effort to ensure uninterrupted health insurance for kids, gives an update on the Medicaid "unwinding" effort, and addresses allegations of ineligible New Yorkers getting government health insurance.WCNY

Dec. 18, 2024 - New York City Campaign Finance Board Executive Director Paul Ryan compares the state's nascent public financing program to the long-established system in New York City and addresses a recent decision to deny matching funds to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.WCNY

Dec. 17, 2024 - Video conferencing provides an easy medium for connecting with people behind bars, but criminal justice advocates don't want it to replace in-person visits. We highlight legislation ensuring in-person visits continue with Tanya Krupat, vice president of policy and advocacy at The Osborne Association, and Jamila Small, a youth fellow…

Dec. 17, 2024 - John Olsen, co-chair of the emerging technologies and innovation practice for Statewide Public Affairs, discusses the artificial intelligence regulatory landscape in New York, including moving new bills through Albany in 2025.WCNY

Dec. 17, 2024 - Wildfires that hit the Hudson Valley this fall reached a scope that hasn't been seen in New York in more than a decade. We discuss the state's response to these fires, which claimed the life of one responder, with state Forest Ranger Major Bob Rogers and state Forest Ranger Bryan Gallagher.…

Dec. 17, 2024 - More than a dozen municipalities, including Albany, have taken advantage of a state law that allows local speed limits to be set at 25 miles per hour. We talk about this safety measure with NY SAFE Streets Coalition members Anne Savage and Rose Quinn.WCNY

Dec. 16, 2024 - State Senator Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, makes the case for imposing financial control board on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.WCNY

Dec. 16, 2024 - We get to know the work of Peter Reuben, director of the state Office of Indian Nation Affairs with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, including the process of contacting different communities and working within the Hochul administration.WCNY

Dec. 16, 2024 - Environmental activists want to pay for billions of dollars of infrastructure upgrades - responding to the threats of climate change - by retroactively penalizing major past emitters of greenhouse gases. We hear the case against this legislative effort from Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, whic…

Dec. 16, 2024 - We talk with Paul Pettit, public health director Genesee and Orleans counties, about a new law lowering the professional standards for who serves on county boards of health so rural communities can fill these important positions.WCNY

Dec. 13, 2024 - Long Term Care Community Coalition Executive Director Richard Mollot discusses staffing levels at nursing homes in New York and considers what they mean for the quality of care being received.WCNY

Dec. 12, 2024 - Junior political analyst Isaac Olshan discusses the presidential election results, the political interests of his fellow zoomers, and where New York's political scene is moving.WCNY

Dec. 13, 2024 - Brian Fessler, of the New York State School Boards Association, and Bob Lowry, of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, think the Rockefeller Institute made some good first steps with their review of education funding distribution in New York and are waiting to see how policymakers use their state-commissioned report…