Jan. 10, 2025 - Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs, a Harlem Democrat, makes the case for overhauling New York's prisons, including closing a central New York facility and reforming the oversight of strip searches.
Jan. 10, 2025 - In an effort to mitigate the public health risk of lead paint in homes across aging upstate cities, the state is implementing a process for inspecting properties and remedying the danger. We get an update on this effort, which is supposed to start before the end of 2025, from Gary Ginsberg, head of the state health department's Center for Environmental Health.
Jan. 10, 2025 - The Legal Aid Society's Ellen McCormick breaks down a new law intended to drastically expand the use of e-filing in New York's courts.
Jan. 9, 2025 - Solidarity Society Founding Director Ivy Valentine and Get Free Executive Director Nicole Carty talk about the work of a state commission on reparations studying the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination and making recommendations on remedies for black New Yorkers.
Jan. 9, 2025 - Are you reading the terms of service you get served up on your smartphone apps? Those agreements can include important updates on your rights, including whether you're agreeing to arbitration in the future, which was the subject of a case before the state's top court that we break down with Lily Kim and Jeremy Cohen, attorneys with BraunHagey & Borden.
Jan. 9, 2025 - Supermarkets have rekindled their legislative effort to update the state's alcohol laws so they can sell wine. We talk with Northeast Grocery's Mona Golub about this campaign and whether they would support liquor stores selling beer as part of a larger legislative reform.
Jan. 9, 2025 - Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance President John DiNuzzo explains a bipartisan effort to change the land classification for a battlefield in Lake George in order to preserve its historic nature for future generations.
Jan. 8, 2025 - We get to know Assemblyman Patrick Carroll, a Rockland County Democrat embarking on his first term in Planet Albany. We talk about some of his priorities and balancing life at the Capitol with four kids.
Jan. 8, 2025 - We are joined in the studio by Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association, who discusses the group's priorities for 2025, including increasing the right to counsel and Medical Aid in Dying. He also weighs in on the budget for the court system and increasing access to guardians.
Jan. 8, 2025 - New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon discusses the implementation of the state's paid, prenatal leave policy and provides an update on efforts to combat wage theft and upgrade their technological capacity at the department.
Jan. 8, 2025 - Firefighters Association of the State of New York Secretary John D'Alessandro makes the case for requiring one- and two-family homes to be built with fire suppression systems.
Jan. 7, 2025 - Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, discusses the potential of new nuclear projects, the merits of the NY HEAT Act, and her priorities in 2025.
Jan. 7, 2025 - Winter conditions create new risks in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks for explorers and the state first responders tasked with rescue missions. We explore this issue, including the precautions people should take, with State Forest Ranger Lt. Chris DiCintio and State Forest Ranger Rob Praczkajlo.
Jan. 7, 2025 - Assemblymember Karines Reyes, a Bronx Democrat, makes the case for codifying restrictions on how and when state and local law enforcement will comply with federal immigration officials.
Jan. 6, 2025 - An end of the year veto by Gov. Kathy Hochul of legislation addressing the financing of school-based health centers has put a renewed spotlight on these services, and how they're funded, heading into the 2025 legislative session. Sally Dreslin, executive director of the Step Two Policy Project, explains why these services are important and the competing funding ideas in Albany.
Jan. 6, 2025 - New York has laws governing interest rates for loans, but these regulations aren't capturing some of the latest evolutions of lending. We examine legislation looking to close these loopholes with the help of Andy Morrison, associate director of the New Economy Project.
Jan. 6, 2025 - Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about recommendations from the New York State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council and how they might begin to get implemented in 2025.
Jan. 6, 2025 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer explains her opposition to the state's plan to chop down trees at viewpoints along a mountain in the Adirondacks, which she argues would violate the state constitution.
Jan. 3, 2025 - A recent audit from the state comptroller's office highlighted the waiting lists for pre-k special education services, so we decided to look at what's causing the delays and how schools are addressing the problem. Our guest is Clarkstown Central School District Superintendent Marc Baiocco, who discusses a program set up to provide specialized services and addresses the comptroller's audit.
Jan. 2, 2024 - After years of groundwork, New York is finally at the precipice of standing up state-facilitated retirement program for New Yorkers without an employer-sponsored option. We consider what is taking shape in the Empire State with the help of Angela Antonelli, executive director of the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.
Dec. 30, 2024 - Buffalo News climate and environment reporter Mackenzie Shuman explains the holes in air pollution monitoring by state environmental regulators, who have let a majority of permits for major polluters lapse.
Dec. 30, 2024 - The state's top court found that municipalities can be liable for unaddressed potholes that are reported through an online service. We explore what this means for local government, including in Albany, with Barbara Van Epps, executive director of the New York Conference of Mayors.
Dec 26, 2024 - After more than four decades in Planet Albany's orbit, LeadingAge New York President & CEO Jim Clyne is retiring. Jim discusses his time working in and around state government, including crafting bills in the Assembly and life during the pandemic.
Dec. 30, 2024 - Assemblymember Patrick Burke, a Buffalo-area Democrat, wants President Biden to use his clemency powers for a Western New York man serving a 25-year prison sentence for his role in an international marijuana trafficking network.
Dec. 27, 2024 - State policy makers are betting big on the life sciences industry, investing millions in subsidies to promote and grow these businesses. We discuss a state report on the industry and its future with Winthrop Thurlow, executive director of the trade organization Life Sciences NY.
Dec. 24, 2024 - Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a Long Island Democrat and chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian legislative Caucus, discusses her policy goals for the 2025 legislative session in New York and addresses whether her agenda is shaped by last year's election results.
Dec. 24, 2024 - Is it time to change the library system structure? We consider these regional entities with the help of Max Prime, director of government relations and advocacy for the New York Library Association, and Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System.
Dec. 24, 2024 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald discusses the state's prenatal leave policy starting in 2025 and addresses other policies to improve maternal health outcomes.
Dec. 23, 2024 - Michael Kinnucan, a senior health policy advisor with the Fiscal Policy Institute, discusses his papers on the pace of home care enrollment growth in the state and the trajectory of Medicaid spending on long-term care.
Dec. 23, 2024 - Kristen McManus, senior associate state director for advocacy at AARP New York, discusses her group's agenda for the 2025 state legislative session, which focuses on affordability issues and quality of care for seniors.
