Power & Politics

With the New York State FY2027 Executive Budget due in a little more than a month, New York State Budget Director Blake Washington joined Power & Politics this week. Right now, the Division of Budget is hearing budget recommendations for the next year, while also assessing the State's current fiscal status in FY2026. He says economics have changed since they adopted the FY2026 budget in late Sprin...

Albany Mayor Elect/Chief City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs and Tom Dworetsky of Camoin Associates break down the release of the City of Albany Housing Audit. The audit detailed the issues being faced by residents, organizations, developers and elected officials, and provides a tool for Applyrs, as Mayor-Elect, to utilize when she takes office in January. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

Dr. Irwin Redlener, a pediatrician, discusses the CDC's revised vaccine safety statement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Eschen speaks with Jason Palmer, a venture capitalist and impact investor in this space, who says he has invested in eight companies where AI is a key part of their work. "The biggest reason is because AI is going to transform our economy," he says. "It's going to be more important than electricity, more important than oil and gas. It's actually going to really transform our society. And this...

Dylan Hewitt, a South Glens Falls native who is running for New York's 21st Congressional District seat joined Power & Politics on Thursday. The conversation ranged from his stance on the Government shutdown, the Epstein files, tariffs and trade, immigration, agriculture, Elise Stefanik, and winning as a Democrat in a district dominated by the Republican party for the last decade. Learn more about...

 In a comprehensive exclusive interview, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman sat down with CBS6, discussing his potential run for New York Governor, which would include a primary of Elise Stefanik in order to potentially take on incumbent Kathy Hochul Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Girardin of the Manhattan Institute talks about Zohran Mamdani's proposals, and if they can be implemented in the midst of the State's current financial situation. He also provides his perspective on the calls to "Tax the Rich". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colin Seeberger, Senior Adviser at the Center for American Progress, joined Power & Politics on Thursday to discuss the 2025 General Election. The Center for American Progress is a progressive think tank based in Washington, D.C. Seeberger also discussed:-Wins for Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey-Impact of Government Shutdown/Donald Trump-Democrats not emulating Mamdani-Face of the Democratic...

Brett Eby, Republican Candidate for Saratoga County District Attorney, sat down with CBS6's Tom Eschen for a comprehensive conversation as Election Day approaches. Interview conducted 10/24/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bobby Logan, Democratic Candidate for Saratoga County District Attorney, sat down with CBS6's Tom Eschen for a comprehensive conversation as Election Day gets closer. Interview conducted 10/24/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the government shutdown began, the U.S. Travel Association website has featured an increasing "Travel Spending Lost Since the Government Shutdown" counter. As of Thursday's conversation, the number had breached $3 billion. Hansen says hotels, small businesses, and a variety of other industries have been impacted. "A billion dollars a week every hour the shutdown goes on," Hansen told CBS6. "...

With Election Day less than two weeks away, Rensselaer County Executive Democratic candidate Tiffani Silverman joined CBS6 for a Town Hall on Wednesday evening. Rensselaer County Executive Republican Steve McLaughlin, who is running for reelection, was invited, but did not participate. CBS6 has opened the invitation for him to field questions from voters up until Election Day. Silverman addressed...

Trent Griffin-Braaf, a Capital Region business leader and entrepreneur, joined Power & Politics on Thursday.  Griffin-Braaf shared his journey of incarceration to his escalation in the business world, founding several successful initiatives along the way. He discussed ventures like the Tech Valley Shuttle and Success Map Initiative, which includes his work with justice-impacted individuals.  He al...

Saratoga Springs Incumbent Mayor John Safford (R) and challenger Saratoga County Supervisor Michele Madigan (D) debate inside the CBS6 Studios on Thursday, October 9th, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A day after proposing the final budget of her 12-year tenure as the Mayor of the City of Albany, Kathy Sheehan joined Power & Politics this week. At the same time, the Mayor is also advocating for the Common Council to go back to the pre-2023 inclusionary zoning ordinance, writing a letter to the Council to reconsider their veto override in 2023. Then, the Council approved a measure expanding incl...

The Federal Government is on the verge of a shutdown, as Congressional leaders will need to agree on a stopgap funding plan by midnight on Tuesday. CBS6 spoke with NY-17 Congressman Mike Lawler (R) on Monday: "What's a non negotiable for you at this point that you think you need to hold the line?" "We have passed Continuing Resolutions to keep the government funded year after year after year when...

As the 2026 legislative session approaches, Tom Tatun, Executive Director of the Retired Public Employees Association discusses their legislative priorities. Those include enhanced pension and healthcare benefits, along with COLA increases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natasha Pernicka discusses the rising service levels at food pantries in the Capital Region, up five percent this year from already record levels last year. She discusses the impact of rising food costs, inflation, and the impending SNAP benefit changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NYS Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston) discusses the recent efforts by Governor Kathy Hochul to have bipartisan stance against political violence, and Walsh's role as Assembly Minority floor leader in that aspect. Also a Family Court attorney, she also discusses the potential for changes to New York's Raise the Age and Bail Reform. We also touch on her involvement in calls for changes t...

Despite multiple meetings with community leaders, advocates, organizations, & those with experience inside Albany County Correctional Facility claim their voices are not being heard. Silenced Behind Bars discusses the conditions inside Albany Correctional Facility. Participants: Pastor Jim Ketcham The New York State Council of Churches  Ta-Sean Murdock, Executive Director of The Center for Law and...

Morgan Hook, Democratic Consultant and Partner at BlueJacket Strategies, analyzes Governor Kathy Hochul's endorsement of Zohran Mamdani Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lizzie Andrus, who took up a project as a high school Sophomore at Shenendehowa to help push for Universal School Meals to its eventual implementation, joined Power & Politics on Thursday. "Growing up in my family we talked so much at the dinner table, so [civics] really had piqued my interest from a young age," Andrus said. "And then I focused on Universal Free Meals, specifically an effort at th...

Terry Strada, who lost her husband in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, shares her story on the day of the attacks, and the years since. She also speaks of her advocacy, fighting for accountability and justice for her, and the hundreds of families impacted by the terror attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli joined Power & Politics this week, discussing his most recent analysis of the State FY2026 Budget. He touched on the impact of the economic outlook, the potential for federal budget cuts, and the impacts of changes to SNAP and Medicaid at the federal level. DiNapoli also addressed the weight of the New York City Mayoral election on the rest of the State's finances, and...