The Capitol Pressroom

April 2, 2026- We get to know State Sen. Jeremy Zellner, a Buffalo-area Democrat, who won a special election earlier this year. He discusses his legislative and budget priorities.

April 2, 2026- Assemblymember Patrick Carroll, a Rockland County Democrat, makes the case for ending the state government's blanket liability exemption from vehicle damages caused by potholes during winter months.

April 2, 2026- The Building Trades Employers’ Association President and CEO Elizabeth Crowley discusses a report finding that New York's construction liability laws are driving up costs without keeping workers safer.

April 2, 2026- Assemblymember Chris Eachus, a Hudson Valley Democrat, explains his legislation designed to make pepper spray more accessible for New Yorkers looking for a non-lethal defense tool.

April 1, 2026- Assemblymember Landon Dais, a Bronx Democrat, talks about efforts to track the origin of marijuana that ends up on shelves, preventing illegal cannabis products from being sold in New York, and his leadership role on marijuana issues at the Capitol.

April 1, 2026- State Sen. Thomas O'Mara, a Southern Tier Republican, argues that the governor hasn't gone far enough to scale back New York's green energy laws and calls for an aggressive utility relief program using clean energy funds.

April 1, 2026- State Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, explains a proposal to ensure that more than 400,000 New Yorkers poised to lose their government health insurance this summer will still be covered by the state.

March 31, 2026 - In an excerpt of Dispatches from Planet Albany, Republican Marc Molinaro explains why he is running for the state Assembly more than a decade after he left the chamber and got elected to multiple other offices.

March 31, 2026- Assemblymember Steven Raga, a Queens Democrat, and Katy Lasell, of the New Economy Project, make the case for rewriting New York's consumer protection laws to regulate the latest evolution of payday lenders that are skirting existing restrictions on loans.

March 31, 2026- A report from the state's Rural Ambulance Services Task Force paints a bleak picture on the reliability of emergency medical services in rural communities, while also offering ideas for improving the landscape. Our guests are task force members Aidan O'Connor, executive director of Greenport Rescue Squad, and Michael Benenati, an EMS coordinator with Ulster County.

March 30, 2026- Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, an Albany Democrat, makes the case for requiring a portion of state "Raise the Age" funding to go to community-based organizations providing alternatives to incarceration. We also check on the status of budget negotiations, including the possibility of compromise on outstanding points of disagreement.

March 27, 2026- In 2022, Democratic state policymakers rushed through a gun control law following the mass shooting in Buffalo. Now the state is having to walk back a part of the law requiring the disclosure of social media accounts to apply for a concealed carry permit. We discuss the problems with this defunct initiative with Adam Scott Wandt, an associate professor of public policy at the John...

March 27, 2026- Following a failed attempt to use a drone to deliver prison contraband, we explore what items are forbidden in prisons and the efforts to keep them out. Our guest is Jennifer Scaife, executive director of the Correctional Association of New York.

March 26, 2026- We explore what the Empire State is doing this year to commemorate the founding of America with David Frank, assistant commissioner at the State Education Department, which co-leads the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission.

March 26, 2026- Empire State Association of Assisted Living Executive Director Lisa Newcomb makes the case for increased state funding to help cover the cost of specialized care for New Yorkers with Alzheimer's.

March 26, 2026- We examine the logistical, fiscal and regulatory burdens preventing  vacant commercial properties upstate from being converted into housing. Our guest is Jeff Buell, the principal with Sequence Development.

March 25, 2026- New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels makes the case for extending mayoral control of public schools in the Big Apple. He discusses accountability measures, input from stakeholders and compromises with state lawmakers.

March 25, 2026- We examine the implementation of New York's "Green Amendment," which has been narrowly interpreted in court rulings since 2002. Our guest is Thomas Berkman, a partner at Hodgson Russ and former general counsel for the State Department of Environmental Conservation.

March 25, 2026- We explore the availability of high-speed, affordable internet in New York and consider increasing the state's oversight of internet providers. We speak with Becca Miller, director of the Legislative and Political Department at the Communications Workers of America District 1.

March 24, 2026- In light of the Trump administration's inquiry into New York's Medicaid program, we consider the existing oversight of the program and the potential for more efficient spending. Our guest is Carlos Cuevas, founder of Safety-Net Health Advisors and former senior policy advisor to the New York State Medicaid Director.

March 24, 2026- We explore the shortage of engineers in New York and the potential of liability reforms for engineering work done as part of disaster relief. Our guest is John Evers, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York.

March 24, 2026- Earthjustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's potential rollbacks of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and argues the changes won't prevent energy cost increases.

March 23, 2026- We highlight the struggle to access supervised visitation in New York and consider how a well funded state system could keep families together. Our guest is Sheila Schwanekamp, a member of the New York State Coalition for Supervised Visitation.

March 23, 2026- State Sen. Anthony Palumbo, a Long Island Republican, discusses an ethics complaint against New York's chief judge, who commented on the type of judges voters should elect.

March 23, 2026- We explore the health of New York's nursing homes and how they could be strengthened with Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of New York State Health Facilities Association and New York State Center for Assisted Living.