March 19, 2025 - New York Birth Control Access Project and Action Fund co-Executive Director Jenna Bimbi makes the case for legislation ensuring pharmacists can administer a birth control shot and get reimbursed by private insurance plans for doling out hormonal birth control.
March 18, 2025 - The state's commercial ambulance providers want a multi-million dollar investment in Medicaid rates to keep up with the growing costs of providing their life-saving services. We discuss this campaign with Bryan Brauner, CEO of Twin City Ambulance in Western New York and head of the legislative committee for the United New York Ambulance Network.
March 18, 2025 - The state's domestic violence services could be thrown into disarray by funding cuts at the federal level. We explore how the state should boost its services to survivors of domestic violence with Joan Gerhardt, director of public policy and advocacy for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
March 18, 2025 - Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates President Allegra Schorr discusses regulatory changes in New York to make medication assisted treatment more accessible and outlines the funding needs of her providers.
March 17, 2025 - Northern Rivers Family of Services Executive Director Bill Gettman discusses the rising insurance costs facing voluntary foster care agencies, which could hinder their ability to find homes and services for foster kids across the state.
March 14, 2025 - State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald talks about access to obesity medication and dental services, while also providing an update the transition of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program.
March 14, 2025 - State Sen. Patricia Fahy, an Albany Democrat, explains why New Yorkers in powered wheelchairs need more options for getting their vehicles repaired and discusses the broader "right to repair" campaign.
March 14, 2025 - New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy discusses her mandate to improve state government efficiency and promote innovation.
March 13, 2025 - New York Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball talks about the governor's budget and provides an update on eligibility for the state's farmworkers tax credit.
March 13, 2025 - Warmer weather means a possible encounter with a coyote, so we get some tips on how to avoid conflicts with these wild animals from Mandy Watson, a wildlife biologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
March 13, 2025 - We discuss the governor's spending plan and the possibility of unemployment insurance cost relief for businesses with Assemblymember Ed Ra, a Long Island Republican.
March 13, 2025 - New York State Committee on Open Government Executive Director Shoshanah Bewlay unpacks rulings from the state's top court that ensure the public has access to police disciplinary records from before 2020, including records about unsubstantiated complaints.
March 12, 2025 - Progressive tenant advocates and state lawmakers want to expand the pathways for municipalities to demonstrate a housing emergency that would let them participate in rent stabilization regulations. We hear concerns about this proposal from Richard Lanzarone, executive director of the Hudson Valley Property Owners Association.
March 12, 2025 - The largest public safety net hospital on Long Island, the Nassau University Medical Center, is warning that they might have to shut their doors without additional millions from the state. The center's CEO, Megan Ryan, joins the program to discuss the institution's financial conditions and the path forward.
March 12, 2025 - The 2-1-1 hotline helps connect New Yorkers with services in their communities, but the network needs additional investment, according to Therese Daly, president and CEO of the United Way of New York State.
March 12, 2025 - We talk about the security needs of private, religious schools, state oversight of yeshivas, expanding the state's child tax credit, and overseeing vaccine records with Yeruchim Silber, director of New York government relations for Agudath Israel of America.
March 10, 2025 - Members of the Graduate Student Employees Union have descended on the Capitol to make the case for a new contract with the State University of New York, arguing for better compensation, more flexibility, and other benefits.
March 10, 2025 - State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, wants to codify an effort to reduce vehicle miles traveled in New York and is pushing legislation ensuring future capital funds for roads aren't tailored solely to passenger vehicles.
March 10, 2025 - Adirondack Explorer reporter Gwen Craig highlights the stalled campaign to develop an official gateway to the Adirondacks, which has been slowed in part by state land title practices.
March 7, 2025 - State Commission on Judicial Conduct Administrator Robert Tembeckjian looks back at the commission's work in 2024 and discusses their ability to weigh in on certain complaints, like compliance with New York's pre-trial detention laws.
March 7, 2025 - State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee Chair, Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, discusses the evolving world of gambling in New York, including expanding and restricting sports gambling bets, regulating betting markets on non-sports, and increasing aid for gambling addiction services.
March 7, 2025 - What would Micron get? That's the question that Ken Girardin, research director at the Empire Center for Public Policy, thinks smalls businesses should ask when they're looking for incentives to grow, in light of the local and state sweeteners deployed to attract the high-tech manufacturing company to central New York.
March 6, 2025 - Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, discusses the implementation of restrictions on the availability of gas appliances in most new homes starting in 2026.
March 6, 2025 - Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin discusses the local Bronx economy and weighs in on the governor's budget proposal, including what could help and what is missing.
March 6, 2025 - Ever wonder why New York's health care system is so expensive? Well we've got answers for you, courtesy of Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president of health initiatives for the Community Service Society of New York, which recently studied the issue.
March 6, 2025 - In an excerpt from this week's Dispatches from Planet Albany episode, Chris Gelardi, a reporter for New York Focus, discusses the ongoing correction officer strikes in New York.
March 5, 2025 - We discuss an effort to expand mental health outpatient services in New York with Alice Bufkin, associate executive director for policy and advocacy at the Citizens' Committee for Children of New York, and Brad Hansen, public policy director at Families Together in New York State.
March 5, 2025 - Environmental Advocates NY Director of Clean Water Rob Hayes highlights language in the governor's budget proposal to make capital funding available for private drinking water testing and remediation.
March 5, 2025 - Assembly Banks Committee Chair Clyde Vanel, a Queens Democrat, discusses balancing competing interests in the financial sector, legislation allowing public banking, and the state regulatory approach to cryptocurrency.
March 5, 2025 - Legislation advanced by Democratic state lawmakers would put new guardrails on the collection and use of New Yorkers' electronic health data. We explore this digital privacy issue with Allie Bohm, senior policy counsel for the New York Civil Liberties Union.
