May 23, 2025 - We explore how the state budget may transform access to mental health services in New York with Dr. Ann Sullivan, commissioner for the State Office of Mental Health. We also consider the possibility of federal cuts to Medicaid.
May 22, 2025 - We explore the topline state budget numbers, including what's driving New York's spending to record heights, with Patrick Orecki, director of state studies for the Citizens Budget Commission.
May 22, 2025 - Assemblywoman Sarah Clark, a Rochester-area Democrat, makes the case for legislation requiring law enforcement use an enhanced risk-assessment tool when responding to domestic incidents to determine if things might escalate.
May 22, 2025 - NAACP New York State Conference President L. Joy Williams discusses her vision, advocacy work in the state budget, and agenda for the remainder of the legislative session in Albany.
May 21, 2025 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Claudia Braymer explains how the state budget impacts the Adirondack Park and discusses her legislative agenda for the rest of the session.
May 21, 2025 - After a major overhaul in 2019, New York's laws governing evidence disclosure are getting tweaked again at the behest of county prosecutors. We discuss what the changes in the budget consist of and their impact with Kevin Stadelmaier, the first deputy defender for Erie County’s assigned counsel program’s criminal division.
May 21, 2025 - We explore agriculture loans, credits and grants in the state budget with Renée St. Jacques, acting director of public policy for the New York Farm Bureau, We also discuss what the group is hoping to pass and block during the remaining days of the session.
May 21, 2025 - In the aftermath of the state budget being adopted, we check in with the Siena College Research Institute's Steve Greenberg to discuss how New Yorkers feel about some of the more high profile items that were in this budget. We also get an update on the race to be the Republican nominee for governor.
May 20, 2025 - Stony Brook University Professor Robert Harrison, the interim executive director of the Empire AI, discusses the idea behind this consortium, explains the state funding going into the initiative, and highlights the ongoing research.
May 20, 2025 - Earthjustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran responds to what was (and wasn't) in the state budget that impacted the environment, including a new $1 billion initiative and a dearth of aggressive policies.
May 20, 2025 - Johanna Miller, director of the education policy center for the New York Civil Liberties Union, shares her concerns about the state's impending restrictions on smartphones in schools and makes the case for a more local approach.
May 19, 2025 - The state budget included an expansion of the child tax credit, money for child care vouchers, and a rebate check, but how will it impact child poverty? We consider these policies with Pete Nabozny, director of policy at The Children's Agenda, and Kate Breslin, president and CEO of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, who are both members of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council.
May 19, 2025 - Schenectady County Public Health Director Keith Brown explains why local health officials want timely access to unnatural death information, like autopsies, so they can steer public health decisions.
May 19, 2025 - Assembly Tourism, Arts, Parks and Sports Development Committee Chair Ron Kim, a Queens Democrat, discusses a recent hearing on the live-event ticketing industry and how it might be regulated in the future.
May 19, 2025 - Younger voters make up a small portion of the electorate in New York, but legislation promoting civic engagement on college campuses hopes to change this dynamic. We explore this effort to rock the vote with Brendan Cushing, managing director for Generation Vote.
May 16, 2025 - New York should have enough power to get through the demands of a normal summer, according to a report by the New York Independent System Operator. We review their findings and consider what needs to happen to boost the state's energy capacity with Kevin Lanahan, the organization's vice president of external affairs and corporate communications.
May 16, 2025 - We examine an effort to give law enforcement more tools to go after drivers who are impaired by drugs. Our guest is Maureen McCormick, co-chair of the vehicular crime subcommittee for the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York.
May 16, 2025 - Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson, a Rochester-area Democrat, makes the case for giving all New Yorkers the same rights and protections when considering whether to accept a severance package from their employer. We also discuss the ramifications of the state paying off its unemployment insurance debt.
May 15, 2025 - Common Sense Media Senior Counsel for Tech Policy Holly Grosshans and Counsel for Tech Policy Brenna Leasor discuss a package of bills designed to keep New Yorkers, especially kids, safe as they navigate social media and utilize artificial intelligence companions.
May 15, 2025 - Assemblymember Chuck Lavine, a Long Island Democrat, makes the case for a leadership shakeup at Nassau University Medical Center, the largest public safety net hospital on Long Island.
May 14, 2025 - Lev Ginsburg, executive director of the New York State Conference of Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, makes the case for legislation promoting hospital cost transparency and increasing prescription drug purchasing options.
May 14, 2025 - Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and New York State Power Authority President and CEO Justin Driscoll discuss their collaboration on the development of a solar farm at a closed landfill in the capital city.
May 14, 2025 - We consider what the recently adopted state budget means for New York's public colleges and universities with SUNY Chancellor John King, who talks about operating aid for campuses, free community college, and the Trump administration's attack on higher education.
May 13, 2025 - Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, discusses what his conference got into the state budget, weighs in on the possibility of reforming the budget process, and talks about the governor's authority to make mid-year spending changes.
May 13, 2025 - Mental Health Association in New York State CEO Glenn Liebman talks about state budget funding for organizations contracting with the state to provide mental health services and outlines some of his group's legislative priorities for the rest of session.
May 13, 2025 - Assemblyman Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, makes the case for lifting the constitutional cap on state supreme court judges and describes legislation that would set the number of judges by a new formula.
May 13, 2025 - New York was granted flexibility to spend some of its federal Medicaid dollars, but the Trump administration has indicated the waiver could be short lived. We discuss the ramifications of this decision with Michael Kinnucan, health policy director at the Fiscal Policy Institute.
May 12, 2025 - Fountain House CEO Ken Zimmerman explains how clubhouses promote therapeutic social engagement for New Yorkers with serious mental illnesses and talks about their funding in the state budget.
May 12, 2025 - We discuss the state budget's effect on public schools with Brian Fessler, chief advocacy officer for the New York State School Boards Association. We break down funding for public education, relaxing a transition to zero-emission school buses, and implementing free school meals.
May 12, 2025 - Katie Schaefer, director of advocacy and organizing, at the Center for Community Alternatives, makes the case for eliminating fees in the criminal justice system, which she argues are predatory.
