The Capitol Pressroom

Assemblymember Steve Otis, a Westchester County Democrat, makes the case for legislation intended to speed up the timeliness of power restoration by utilities after major storms. (Originally aired August 21)

Oct. 29, 2026- Greg Anderson, commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation, sheds light on his time working for Governor Kathy Hochul as Deputy Director of State Operations and how it prepared him for his current role leading "New York's Strongest."

Oct. 29, 2026- Public polls show Gov. Kathy Hochul with a commanding lead in her bid for another term in office, but should the results be trusted or could an upset be brewing? We talk with Siena Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg about Siena’s latest survey of likely voters, how they model election turnout, and why trailing candidates typically attack pollsters.

Oct. 28, 2026- Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, discusses the 2026 midterm election, wrangling different factions of the Democratic party, and how he assigns leadership positions in the legislature.

Oct. 28, 2026- New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario talks about the group’s annual sales tax report that reveals fiscal concerns and strengths in the state economy.

Oct. 27, 2026- A landmark new state study shows that many of New York's museums are understaffed, operating on shoestring budgets and have a massive backlog of needed maintenance. Assemblymember Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, and Sarah Van Anden, executive director of the Museum Association of New York, join us to discuss the path forward.

Oct. 26, 2026-New York has tried for decades to find an effective approach at caring for people experiencing homelessness. Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Manhattan Democrat, joins us to discuss a new strategy he’s proposing at the state level.

Oct. 26, 2026- Mark McGuire, a veteran journalist and former executive sports editor of the Daily Gazette of Schenectady, talks about the rise in harassment and assault of referees in youth sports that has driven a shortage of officials and threatens the future of youth sports.

Oct. 23, 2026- Mary Snow, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll, discusses the New York governor's race and the major issues that are determining how New Yorkers will vote.

Oct. 23, 2026- We check in with Barbara Van Epps, executive director of the New York State Conference of Mayors, about the rising costs and limited revenues faced by local governments and how that will soon impact taxpayers.

Oct. 22, 2026- John Sheehan, director of communications for the Adirondack Council, discusses the group’s annual report that details the challenges and successes in the Adirondack State Park.

Oct. 22, 2026- There are plenty of obstacles to housing development in New York, including the cost. Tom Stebbins, executive director of the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York, says changes to a longstanding state law could make it easier.

Oct. 22, 2026- Jihoon Kim, president and CEO of InUnity Alliance, pulls back the curtain on the Executive Chamber to discuss the grueling daily reality of managing more than 10 state agencies that focus on the lives of vulnerable New Yorkers.

Oct. 21, 2026- Blair Horner, senior policy advisor at the New York Public Interest Research Group, discusses the increased use of artificial intelligence in campaign advertising, and how voters can avoid being duped as a new state law faces its first big test this election year.

Oct. 21, 2026- Laura Darman, executive deputy commissioner at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, unpacks what her role as the second-highest-ranked staffer at a large state agency actually entails.

Oct. 21, 2026- Bob Spitzer, an author and member of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, says a legal challenge to a new state law on sales of convertible weapons is one of many challenges across the country.

Oct. 20, 2026- Paul Francis, founder and chairman of the Step Two Policy Project, talks about efforts to create a “report card” for New York state government.

Oct. 16, 2026- Alyson Silkowski, senior policy advisor at New America's New Practice Lab, discusses utilizing her team's timely 2026 national and NYC parent surveys to explore how multi-billion dollar state budget investments can better address neighborhood childcare deserts, soaring costs, and the evolving needs of working families.

Oct. 19, 2026- Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, a Bronx Democrat, discusses balancing her law school coursework with advocating for her constituents on pressing issues like a recent Legionnaires' disease outbreak.

Oct. 19, 2026- The New York Civil Liberties Union looked at sex education at 50 school districts in New York and found that many of them are teaching students medically inaccurate information, using outdated materials and placing a special focus on abstinence. Report authors Aliyah Ansari and Quinn Martha joined us to discuss.

Oct. 16, 2026- Nick Reisman, the Albany bureau chief for Politico New York, breaks down the only scheduled debate between New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Oct. 16, 2026- New York approved a state law a decade ago that requires schools to test for lead in their drinking water and remediate it if enough is found. But a new report finds that’s not happening. Blair Horner from the New York Public Interest Research Group, one of the report’s authors, joined us to share the findings.

Oct. 15, 2026- Paul Sonn of the Raise Up New York coalition of unions and worker advocates supports a proposal to change a 2023 law so that the minimum wage will rise again in January.

Oct. 15, 2026- Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, a Western New York Republican, discusses the homeowners in his district grappling with concerns over radioactivity on their properties, not far from Love Canal.

Oct. 15, 2026- Mary Beth Koslap Petraco with Let's Get Immunized NY reacts to Gov. Kathy Hochul's executive order on measles and urges people to stay up to date on vaccinations.