Dispatches from Planet Albany

The Empire State Plaza and Capitol are in a period of transition that includes road work, restoring an historic staircase and a potential reimagining of how the complex is integrated into the community . We were joined in the studio state OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy to discuss these moving parts and whether the escalators and elevators will work during the 2026 legislative session. And if you en...

After getting tested in the fires of the Brooklyn Democratic Committee for three years, James Christopher has launched his own  communications firm. Now that he's escaped the orbit of this high-profile and controversial political machine, we ask him about navigating political landmines in Brooklyn and what's in store for his future.   Then we talk with WNYC/Gothamist Capitol reporter Jimmy Vielkin...

The latest game of musical chairs at the Capitol has resulted in Assemblymember Jen Lunsford serving as assistant majority leader, a role that puts her third in line to run the chamber during ordinary operations. We talked with the Rochester-area Democrat about why she got this post after just five years (she's a nerd with perfect attendance), considered her growing debate responsibilities, and ex...

The campaign to reform live-event ticket regulations in New York, which was expected to be in a public coma until the 2026 legislative session in Albany, got a boost of publicity this summer when NYC Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani called on FIFA to adopt consumer friendly measures for World Cup ticket sales. The assemblyman has given a national spotlight to an issue that is generally re...

We celebrate 100 episodes of Dispatches from Planet Albany with Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer (you read that right), Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark, and Times Union Capitol reporter Raga Justin. We take questions from listeners, reflect on more than two years of podcast recordings, and consider the next 100 episodes of the show.  And if you enjoy  Dispatches from Planet Albany ,...

Former Assemblyman D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, zooms in for his exit interview to discuss why he's leaving the Capitol, reflect on his relationship with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and consider the importance of majority representation in the legislature. We also touch on his hair legacy and whether he might run for office again in the future.  And if you enjoy  Dispatches from Pla...

The 2026 legislative session may be months away, but lobbyists who want to be successful in Albany next year are already looking to get their ducks in a row (while also putting a bow on the recent session). Doug Clark, a co-managing partner of Shenker Russo & Clark, explains how lobbyists are working to put their 2025 issues to bed and getting their agenda set for next year, including lining up st...

The effort to decriminalize sex work in New York became a political cudgel this summer, with former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Eric Adams trying to use the issue against Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. In light of the media attention, we're checking in with proponents of decriminalization for their reaction to the politicization of this issue, a status check on legislative efforts in...

The longtime leader of CSEA, Danny Donohue, passed away this summer, so we wanted to explore how he wielded power, his brash style, and whether anyone was picking up his mantle in Planet Albany. For all that insight we tapped into the institutional knowledge and insights of Liz Benjamin, a former journalist and now a big deal for Marathon Strategies.  And for our Working Rules segment we check in...

It's been four years since Kathy Hochul was elevated to the executive mansion, so we're looking back at her time as governor. Breaking down the governor's successes, missteps and future is Politico New York reporter Nick Reisman, co-author of New York Playbook. We discuss the Hector LaSalle debacle, how the Hochul administration compares to four more years of Andrew Cuomo, and the looming challeng...

After 17 years in Planet Albany as a public radio journalist, Ian Pickus sold out this summer and took a communications job with the state Office of Mental Health. He joins the podcast for an exit interview to reflect on his time with the capital region's NPR affiliate, including preparing for political interviews and his station's rocky relationship with then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Pickus also explai...

For the first time since he was appointed state comptroller in 2007, Tom DiNapoli is facing a challenge to his power from another Democrat. Drew Warshaw, a veteran of the Spitzer administration, gave up his leadership post at a housing nonprofit to launch an underdog bid to be New York's state comptroller. In a Capitol Pressroom conversation we touch on his vision for the office, including how to...

In response to GOP gerrymandering efforts this summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul has tried to position herself as the champion of Democratic efforts to fight back, talking often and aggressively about mid-decade redistricting in New York. In light of this aggressive PR push, which has seen Hochul try to grab the national spotlight, we wanted to consider where and when the governor is an effective communic...

In the best of circumstances, good government groups only have so much influence over Planet Albany. And the limits of their power has been on display this summer, as New York Democrats make the partisan case for mid-decade redistricting to grow their footprint in Congress. But is any of this new or has the subtext just become text at the Capitol? To answer these questions and more, we're joined b...

Democrats around the country, including in the Empire State, are looking to fight fire with fire, in response to Republican states, at the behest of President Donald Trump, taking steps to redraw their congressional boundaries mid-decade. Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a Manhattan Democrat, joins the show to explain why New York has a vested interest in pursuing an update to its redistricting process,...

Artificial intelligence is invading all corners of life and political campaigns are not immune from the spread, as candidates and their teams turn to this burgeoning technology for help with behind-the-scenes work and external communications. We explore how campaigns in New York are using artificial intelligence and may deploy it in the future with Annie McDonough, a reporter with City & State New...

The race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid. In the second part of our conversation, the Tusk Strategies partner reveals that progressives wanted to work behind the scenes for the former governor, reflects on the...

The race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid. The Tusk Strategies partner explains what she did as political director for the Cuomo campaign, addresses possible missteps by the team, and discusses what was going on...

Assemblyman Pat Burke thinks everyone needs to calm down about his Queens colleague, who may be the next mayor of New York City. The western New York Democrat is responding to what he feels are misplaced fears about Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's personal beliefs and agenda, as well as the Democratic politicians falling all over themselves to denounce or embrace the movement launched in New York Cit...

After more than a decade of working for other people, political pollster Adam Carlson is ready to work for himself and has launched a new polling and research firm . He joins the show to discuss his business model and how he hopes to drum up business, before wading into the New York City mayoral polling, Gov. Kathy Hochul's reluctance to embrace Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, and his incessant tweeti...

A commanding victory in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary this summer by Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist from Queens, raises new possibilities and challenges for the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. We discuss the NYC DSA's role in uplifting Mamdani's campaign and how they'll support his agenda moving forward with NYC DSA co-Chair Grace Mauser and Asse...

Politicians on both sides of the aisle talk about their support for families, so why is it so hard to get major policy and spending initiatives enacted in Planet Albany that demonstrably improve their lives? Universal child care is still years away at best. The effort to reduce child poverty in half is going in slow motion. And the health care system is in need of an overhaul. We explore what it's...

We're drafting again at the urging of Assembly members Josh Jensen and Ed Ra. The Assembly Republicans join Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, Raga Justin, a Capitol reporter for the Times Union, and David Lombardo, the host with most, to pick Planet Albany's best dressed, funniest, and best talker, as well as the Capitol reporter who would make the best state lawmaker.  Don...

We're handing out "The Dispatches" awards for the 2025 legislative session!  Host David Lombardo, Times Union Capitol reporter Raga Justin, and Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark recognize the environmental movement, smartphone restrictions in school, Medical Aid in Dying, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, "affordability," Sen. James Skoufis and many more at this prestigious event. And if you enjo...

The lobbying restrictions were off Shontell Smith this past legislative session, so we talked with the Tusk Strategies partner about her efforts this year to move bills through the state Assembly and Senate. We discuss a controversial measure paving the way to a casino in Queens, the stress of last-minute bill amendments, asking for meetings with state lawmakers, and reflect on how difficult it is...