Power & Politics - podcast cover

Power & Politics

WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschencbs6albany.com
A podcast that brings you inside the issues impacting our communities. Every week, Tom Eschen sits down with local leaders and power brokers for a frank, sometimes blunt, conversation about the current political environment and how their decisions and stances shape and alter all of our lives. Whether it’s your tax bill, public safety, schools, immigration, or healthcare – politics affects every day and every aspect of your life. From the corridors of power to the heart of the debate, this podcast aims to ask the tough questions you want answered – to hold leaders accountable, to cut through the rhetoric and the canned responses. It’s a conversation that really matters.

Episodes

Antonio Delgado, New York Lieutenant Governor, February 26th, 2025

In a wide-ranging, hour-plus long conversation on CBS6's Power & Politics, New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, among other topics, addressed his recent announcement that he won't be running on Governor Hochul's Gubernatorial ticket in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 65

Thomas Gant, Center for Community Alternatives, February 24, 2025

Thomas Gant from the Center for Community Alternatives says he believes it's not a coincidence that correction officers are putting on unsanctioned strikes as the indictment into the homicide of Robert Brooks is unsealed. He defends the HALT Act, while also advocating for legislation to improve conditions for incarcerated individuals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 25, 202517 minEp. 64

Ta-Sean Murdock, Director-Center for Law and Justice, February 17th, 2025

Ta-Sean Murdock, Director of Albany's Center for Law and Justice, joined CBS6's Power & Politics on Thursday, discussing several topics and issues facing the City of Albany and beyond. "I think it's heartbreaking," Murdock said regarding the several violent incidents in Albany this week. "We're seeing continued acts of violence all across the city of Albany, but in particular the South End. And for a while, I've been saying, 'Hey, we need to do better at finding ways to pour resources into areas...

Feb 17, 202527 minEp. 62

P&P Top 3: February 15, 2025 AG Bondi vs NY, Adams' Future in Flux, NY-21 Special Election drama

-U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces that the Justice Department is suing the State of New York over its greenlight laws and immigration policies -High-ranking State Democrats are calling on NYC Mayor Eric Adams to step down, or for Kathy Hochul to remove him from his role...the 2025 Mayoral primary is June 24th -NY State Democrats proposing a bill to align the special election timeline with general elections...why it reported is tabled because of Kathy Hochul and Donald Trump Learn more a...

Feb 16, 202515 minEp. 61

Dan Cerutti, Albany Mayoral Candidate, February 10th, 2025

Albany Mayoral Candidate Dan Cerutti joined Power & Politics on Thursday, going over his plan if elected Mayor of Albany. Cerutti's background is in the tech industry, with this campaign being his first foray into the political realm. He's an Albany native, leaving the area for college and his business career, but returned nearly 10 years ago to put down roots in the Capital Region once again. A portion of the conversation focused on the $400 million proposed State funding for the revitalization...

Feb 10, 202529 minEp. 60

P&P Top 3: February 7th, 2024, New York's Special Election timeline, Sanctuary City federal funding threat, Trump and the Gaza Strip

-New York Democrats reportedly want to extend the timeline of special elections and consolidate with primary or general election dates...which some are calling political -Pam Biondi is threatening funding municipalities who have Sanctuary Status -Donald Trump says he wants the United States to take ownership of the Gaza Strip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 07, 202511 minEp. 59

Dan McCoy, Albany County Executive, February 3rd, 2025

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy joins Power & Politics this week, discussing some of the biggest issues facing Albany County, and discussing his future as County Executive. The wide-ranging conversation covered a variety of topics, including: -Reaction as a former first responder to the tragic plane crash in D.C. -What "Sanctuary Status" means in Albany County -If he will run for Mayor of Albany in 2025 -Where he's hoping the $200 million in proposed State funding to the City of Albany will go...

Feb 03, 202550 minEp. 58

P&P Top 3 January 31st, 2025: D.C. Plane Crash, Federal Funding Freeze/UnFreeze Fallout, Sen. Hassan speaks out at RFK Jr. hearing

-Recovery continues after a helicopter and passenger jet collided in Washington D.C., falling into the Potomac River, killing 67 people on board. Reaction pouring in after Donald Trump said Diversity-Equity-Inclusion to blame, Air Traffic Controllers saying hiring process is rigorous -How would potential federal funding cuts impact non-profit organizations, and how did Democrats respond? -Confirmation hearings continued this week, with New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan making a passionate stat...

Jan 31, 202516 minEp. 57

Corey Ellis, Albany Mayoral Candidate and Common Council President, January 27th, 2025

Corey Ellis, Albany Common Council President, discussed his third run for Mayor of Albany on Power & Politics this week, outlining his vision, plans and proposals for the city's future. The conversation with Ellis continues CBS6's coverage of the Albany Mayoral race, already interviewing two candidates, Dorcey Applyrs and Carolyn McLaughlin, with plans to speak with the rest of the candidates leading up to the June 24 primary. "I'm running because of the same reason why I ran before," Ellis, who...

Jan 27, 202527 minEp. 56

P&P Top 3: President Trump's Executive Orders, Hochul says "Elections have consequences", Tik Tok gets political, January 24th, 2025

-Donald Trump's immediate Executive Orders stretch across industry and issues in the United States, including January 6th pardons -NY Governor Kathy Hochul proposed her FY2026 Budget this week, and says the State won't backfill any cuts of funding or services by the federal government -Tik Tok gives credit to Donald Trump for its return Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 24, 202513 minEp. 55

P&P Top 3: Hochul's State of the State, Trump Cabinet Confirmation Hearings, Isreal-Hamas Ceasefire? January 17th, 2025

Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her State of the State address this week, promising an agenda of affordability, which includes tax cuts to the middle class, universal free school meals and tripling the child care tax credit Trump's Cabinet picks questioned at the Capitol by lawmakers, including Pete Hegseth and Lee Zeldin Israel and Hamas appear to be on the verge of a ceasefire, but when will it be finalized? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 17, 202511 minEp. 53

Will Barclay, Assembly Minority Leader, reacts to Governor Hochul's 2025 State of the State, January 14th, 2025

Barclay reacted to the Governor's speech, saying that Hochul echoed initiatives the Republican party has been pushing for the last few years in the State legislature, mostly the Child Tax Credit. (The Governor proposed to triple the Child Tax Credit, to $1000) "Welcome to the party, Governor, because these are issues that she talked about in her State of the State that Republican Assembly members have been talking about for some time, the two biggest things, affordability and crime," Barclay sai...

Jan 15, 202519 minEp. 52

Michael Gianaris, NYS Senate Deputy Majority Leader, January 13th, 2025

Albany — Michael Gianaris, the NYS Senate Deputy Majority Leader from Queens, joined Power & Politics this week as lawmakers returned to the State Capital for the 2025 legislative session. The conversation ranged over a myriad of topics, including: affordability priorities, universal childcare, MTA funding gap, taxing the rich, Marcy Correctional, Trump-proofing policies, immigration legislation, universal school lunches and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 13, 202513 minEp. 51

P&P Top 3: California wildfires, NYS legislature "Trump-proofing?", Trump's "Gulf of America" proposal, January 10th, 2025

-California wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles communities, how is Governor Gavin Newsom reacting to the criticism thrown his way? -New York State's legislature is back for its 2025 session, are lawmakers looking to pass "Trump-proof" policies? -Why is Donald Trump pitching to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 10, 202511 minEp. 50

Brendan Cox, Albany Interim Police Chief January 6th, 2025

Albany Interim Police Chief Brendan Cox joined Power & Politics for a comprehensive interview this week, discussing his approach as he returns to the department. Cox was Albany's Police Chief from 2015-2017, and retired from policing in 2017. Until now, he had been the Director of Policing Strategies of the L.E.A.D. National Support Bureau in his time away from policing. In December, he took over for Eric Hawkins, who had been the Chief since Cox first retired. "I've been gone almost eight years...

Jan 06, 202541 minEp. 49

P&P Top 3: Attack in New Orleans/Truck explodes in Vegas, Speaker vote begins, New Year-New Laws, January 3rd, 2025

-An update on the terror attack in New Orleans, and the Cybertruck detonation in Las Vegas in front of the Trump Hotel -Will Mike Johnson have a Kevin McCarthy-like experience in his efforts to retain Speaker of the House status? -What are the new laws to watch out for now that the calendar has turned to 2025? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 03, 20257 minEp. 48

Lukee Forbes, formerly incarcerated activist on the death of Robert Brooks, 12/31/2024

Lukee Forbes joined Power & Politics on Monday, discussing the beating and death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility in December. Forbes, who is formerly incarcerated, spoke alongside other formerly incarcerated individuals and advocates at Monday's rally at the Governor's Mansion in Albany. In the interview, Forbes described his, and others experiences with correctional officers while incarcerated, saying it is a systemic, abusive culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Dec 31, 202429 minEp. 47

Department of Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, December 30th, 2024

New York Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard A. Ball joined CBS6's Power & Politics this week. As the State faces a decline in rural farmland, Ball talked about the importance of urban farming, and the need for resources to help urban farms grow. While he spoke about the need for the federal government to update the Farm Bill (especially after its most recent "extension"), he also spoke about State grant funding. "We're going to release about a million and a million and a half dollar...

Dec 30, 202426 minEp. 46

P&P Top 3: "President Elon Musk", Hochul's CDPAP confrontation, Cuomo sues with eyes on the prize? December 20th, 2024

-Elon Musk's influence felt during Congress' spending bill negotiations, some ask at what cost? -Governor Hochul confronted by an advocate against the State's CDPAP transition, what's the Health Department say? -Former Governor Andrew Cuomo sues woman who accused him of sexual assault for defamation, as he continues trying to clear his name inside, and outside the legal system Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 20, 202412 minEp. 44

Rep. Mike Lawler (R), NYS 17th Congressional District

Mike Lawler, the Hudson Valley Republican Congressman in New York's 17th Congressional District, appeared on CBS6's Power & Politics. Lawler addressed: -His anti-congestion pricing campaign -Aspirations as a potential Gubernatorial candidate -"One-party rule" in the State of New York -The Hunter Biden pardon -Kash Patel's nomination -Tariffs, lifting SALT cap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 16, 202422 minEp. 43

P&P Top 3: Governor Hochul's Grocery Bill, Luigi Mangione and the health care conversation, Donald Trump: Time Person of the Year, 12/13/2024

-How is everyone reacting to Governor Hochul's proposal to give New Yorkers $300-$500 checks? -How has Luigi Mangione's alleged act opened up the health care conversation -Donald Trump is Time Magazine's Person of the Year, a look at this week's cabinet picks, Canada as a State, and Lawmaker Lawler and Ryan reaction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 13, 202418 minEp. 42

Rep. Pat Ryan (D), NYS 18th Congressional District

Hudson Valley 18th Congressional District representative Pat Ryan (D) joined Power & Politics on Thursday, reflecting on his double-digit victory in the 2024 election (in a swing district) and what he's preparing for as a new administration takes over in January. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 09, 202423 minEp. 44

P&P Top 3: President Biden pardons Hunter Biden, Supreme Court hears arguments on gender-affirming care for minors, Anthem calls off anesthesia coverage change 12/6/2024

-Joe Biden pardons his son Hunter, reaction from Democratic Congressman Pat Ryan and Republican Congressman Marc Molinaro -What Supreme Court Justices were saying as they heard arguments over Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors -Why Politicians pushed back against a proposal that groups claimed would put time limits on anesthesia coverage, and why Anthem reversed course Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 06, 202410 minEp. 43

P&P Top 3: Trump/Sheinbaum's border call, Mexican, Canadian, Chinese Tariff Wars?, Hochul says she's governing...Rep. Torres says she's Biden

-Donald Trump says his call with Mexican President-Elect Claude Sheinbaum resulted in the border being closed, she has a different account -Mexico, Canada and China all reacting to Trump's tariff proposals, what's the reasoning, and will they retaliate? -Democratic Rep Ritchie Torres is on a media blitz criticizing current Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, setting a stage for a potential 2026 Democratic Gubernatorial primary...and now Hochul and her campaign team are reacting. Where does Republi...

Nov 29, 202410 minEp. 42