The Capitol Pressroom

Dec. 2, 2025- For a decade state policymakers have been grappling with how to get their bang for their buck from a nearly $1 billion investment in Buffalo. With this story entering a new chapter, we talk with Jimmy Vielkind, a Capitol reporter for Gothamist & WNYC.

Nov. 26, 2025 - New York energy officials are retooling a program designed to prepare sites for renewable energy projects after it failed to generate much interest after five years. We consider why it wasn't more successful with Peter Keen, an attorney with Barclay Damon and decades of energy regulatory experience.

Nov. 26, 2025 - Changes at the federal level could have major implications for the hemp-derived THC products on sale in New York. We consider this evolving landscape and the potential state response with Katie Neer, a lobbyist with Dickinson & Avella.

Nov. 26, 2025 - State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, shares insights he gleaned from a recent hearing into the cost of residential property insurance and discusses possible actions lawmakers might take in 2026.

Nov. 26, 2025 - State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for legislation designed to prevent residential ratepayers from shouldering the energy infrastructure costs of large data centers.

Nov. 25, 2025- After more than a decade, the state has satisfied its obligations to transition mentally ill New Yorkers out of adult homes and into supportive housing as part of a lawsuit filed after a New York Times series in 2002. We discuss the implementation of the settlement with Clarence Sundram, a court-appointed monitor for vulnerable people, who also addresses oversight responsibilities b...

Nov. 25, 2025- Erie County Water Authority Chairman Jerry Schad discusses EPA requirements for replacing lead service lines in drinking water systems and how the state can support this transition in the absence of major help from the federal government.

Nov. 25, 2025 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli visits the studio to discuss why he wants another four years in office, talks about his handling of the pension fund, and explains his office's approach to audits.

Nov. 24, 2025- We discuss Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to close a North Country prison and consolidate a western New York facility with Jennifer Scaife, executive director of the Correctional Association of New York, who had made the case for prioritizing the closure of a controversial facility in central New York.

Nov. 24, 2025- We highlight the state's effort to promote New York produced foods in cafeterias at schools in the Empire State. Our guess are Julie Raway, a registered dietitian with the Broome-Tioga BOCES School Nutrition Services, and Cheryl Bilinski, who oversees the Harvest New York Regional Farm to School Coordinator program for the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Nov. 24, 2025 - Former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin addresses the corruption case against him, which alleged he secured a state nonprofit in exchange for campaign contribution, and was dropped by federal prosecutors earlier this year. Find the full conversation on Dispatches from Planet Albany.

Nov. 21, 2025- Northern Rivers Family of Services CEO Bill Gettman makes the case for the state to address the inflationary costs absorbed by nonprofits providing human services and identifies some red tape the state could cut to stretch their investment further.

Nov. 21, 2025- We discuss the governor's decision to hit pause on a broad prohibition of gas appliances in most new construction with Allison Considine, interim director for New York at the Building Decarbonization Coalition.

Nov. 20, 2025- We talk with Cannabis Advisory Board Chairman Joe Belluck about the distribution of marijuana tax revenue to organizations serving communities impacted by past drug policies. We also explore the problem of out-of-state marijuana ending up in New York's recreational market.

Nov. 20, 2025- It's all hands on deck to promote the growth of new housing, but a new report from a government accountability group argues that certain economic development agencies should not be part of the process. We consider this critique from Ron Deutsch, a senior policy fellow with Reinvent Albany.

Nov. 20, 2025- State Budget Director Blake Washington discusses whether an expiring corporate tax rate will be extended, talks about the current year finances, and confirms that agencies are submitting efficiency plans in response to his call letter.

Nov. 19, 2025- The state's Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board has helped steer millions of dollars, but where is it going and who is on the receiving end? We explore those questions and recommendations on spending for the future with Toni Smith, state director in New York for the Drug Policy Alliance, which analyzed the first few years of settlement dollar spending.

Nov. 19, 2025- We break down the latest survey of New York voters from the Siena Research Institute, which examined a gubernatorial matchup between the frontrunners, asked about raising taxes, and where the state's senior senator stands after a quarter century in office. Our guest is Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.

Nov. 18, 2025- Federal changes to Medicaid eligibility could hinder some New Yorkers from accessing treatment for their drug addiction, according to Allegra Schorr, president of Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates, who is hoping state policymakers will act in response.

Nov. 18, 2025- Assemblyman Jonathan Rivera, a Buffalo area Democrat, wants to ensure that government subsidies aren't going to businesses violating federal and state labor laws.

Nov. 18, 2025- The Trump administration is taking New York election officials to court for refusing to hand over sensitive voter identification information. We consider the lawsuit by U.S. Department of Justice with Erica Smitka, executive director for the League of Women Voters of New York State, who also discusses a 2026 legislative priority.

Nov. 18, 2025 - In an excerpt from an upcoming episode of Dispatches from Planet Albany, former Democratic Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski talks about the lobbying efforts of business groups at the Capitol.

Nov. 14, 2025 - Legislation in Albany would strictly regulate what happens to the byproducts of wastewater treatment, but some operators in the space argue this approach is a costly mistake. We consider the future of biosolids with Dan Rourke, executive director of the Saratoga County Sewer District, and Darcy Sachs, a project engineer with Carollo Engineers

Nov. 14, 2025 - Online sweepstakes games are under threat from state lawmakers and the state attorney general's office, but the operators argue that state policymakers should be working with them. We explore this unregulated industry with Jeff Duncan, executive director of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which was launched by a company with a stake in this evolving industry.

Nov. 13, 2025 - New York Lawyers for Public Interest Environmental Justice Director Caroline Chen talks about New York City's aging sewage system and makes the case for investing in infrastructure upgrades.