Dispatches from Planet Albany

Assemblyman Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, provides a reality check on budget negotiations and considers how the points of contention might play out in the coming weeks. We discuss the prospects of a two-way agreement on immigration reform, the potential for a compromise on Gov. Kathy Hochul's attack on the CLCPA, and the lack of substantive disagreement on the money in the state budget. We also explore the possibility for pension reform and how Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie navigates his majority conference.  And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).   Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom

Anthony Hogrebe is not a household name in Planet Albany, but as communications director for Gov. Kathy Hochul he plays an outsized role in shaping the discussions in and around the Capitol. He visited the studio to explain what he does, how he uses (or doesn't use) Twitter and go through his Linkedin account. We also discuss the governor's press presence in Planet Albany and the challenges surrounding messaging a potential CLCPA budget victory this year. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).   Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom

Assemblyman Sam Berger, a Queens Democrat, visited the studio to discuss what it's like being one of a handful of Orthodox Jews in the state legislature. We discuss interactions with his colleagues, how faith informs his political values, oversight of Yeshivas and pandering on issues related to Israel. We also get to the bottom of whether there are good bagels near the Capitol. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).   Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom  

The Democratic majorities have identified their budget priorities, but now the question is what they'll fight for during negotiations with Gov. Kathy Hochul. Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer joins the show to talk about the one-house resolutions, including their approach to pension reform and increasing taxes. She also reflects on the Assembly Democrats' aversion to policy in the budget and the governor's campaign to roll back New York's statutory green goals. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).   Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom

It's a grab bag episode featuring clips from the Capitol Pressroom cutting room floor and a new interview about a polling experiment. Up first, Siena Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg addresses a decision to ask registered voters to weigh in on quotes from the gubernatorial candidates, without knowing who the statements actually came from. We consider how the experiment could have been more useful and discuss what the latest poll says about Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's embrace of the work by ICE agents. And in the rest of the show we talk about the legislative process with Sen. James Skoufis, hear a joke from Assembly Ways & Means Committee Chair Gary Pretlow, and get reactions from Assembly members Didi Barrett and John McDonald to the governor's likely push to scale back the CLCPA. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Who is the most effective state lawmaker? Will a bill become a law? What is the impact of a piece of legislation? While denizens of Planet Albany may all have opinions on these subjective questions, two veterans of Uber designed an artificial intelligence tool that is trying to bring objectivity to these issues. Cuomo alum Matt Wing and Josh Mohrer, founder of an AI-powered note-taking platform, have thrown publicly available legislative data and insights from Capitol experts into an AI blender. They discuss how the sausage is made, explain why they launched the service, and field constructive criticism from host David Lombardo.  And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).   Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom

There are many ways to getting a job at the Capitol, so we wanted to explore the efficacy of a degree from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy in pursuing a state government career. Host David Lombardo spoke with Ashley Dwyer, director of career services and employee relations at the college, and Patricia Strach, a professor with the college. They discuss the different offerings at the school, who can benefit from this experience, and the complications of the Rockefeller name.  And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).   Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom

Host David Lombardo is joined by, friend of the show, Assemblyman Ed Ra to talk about his ascension to head of the Assembly GOP Conference, including how he generated support and his approach to leadership. They discuss the Long Island Republican's relationship with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, boosting the GOP's ranks in the Assembly and whether he'll be requiring his members to embrace his love of Taylor Swift.  Then Ra and Assemblyman Josh Jensen, a Rochester-area Republican, compete in the latest round of "Know Your Politicos."  And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).   Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom

In response to this winter's energy bills, Planet Albany is rife with discussion about how to give ratepayers some relief. To cut through all the rhetoric and empty promises, we're checking in with Marie French, the energy and environment reporter for Politico New York. In addition to throwing cold water on the rate relief ideas from Democrats and Republicans, we also consider whether Gov. Kathy Hochul may insert amendments to the CLCPA down the stretch in the budget process and why a new forecasting discussion by the state electric grid monitor has stakeholders worked up. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

New York Working Families Part Director Jasmine Gripper joins the show to discuss the liberal third party's decision not to endorse a primary challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul, which may have been the final straw for Antonio Delgado's longshot gubernatorial bid.  We also talk about the consolidation of power at the WFP, their relationship with the DSA, and how they'll get involved in the state comptroller's race.  And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

In less than two years as the head of the New York Apartment Association, Kenny Burgos has cemented himself as the social media alternative to his former Capitol colleague Zohran Mamdani on housing issues (although on a much smaller scale). We sat down with the former Bronx Assembly member to discuss his commitment to short videos and how he makes them, their ability to change the narrative on housing issues in Planet Albany, and the big issue he's hoping for action on in 2026.  And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

The decision by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris not to run for re-election in 2026 could have a dramatic impact on the faces in state senate leadership. And not just on the government side, as he was also head of the Senate Democrat's political arm. Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer, who used to work closely with Gianaris in her previous life, discusses the internal roles held by the Queens Democrat for more than a decade and considers what might happen with his posts. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Redistricting is traditionally supposed to be on the menu once a decade, but it has become a recurring staple in New York, where Democrats are exploring options to redraw congressional lines before 2032. Host David Lombardo breaks down the potential outcomes from a court case challenging the NY-11 boundaries with the help of Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and distinguished adjunct professor with the New York Law School's Census and Redistricting Institute. He also discusses the outstanding constitutional amendment to rewrite New York's redistricting process and an effort to get an early start on the Census count for 2030. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Wednesday was a big day for Gov. Kathy Hochul's election campaign. The incumbent Democrat identified former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate and almost immediately lost the support of the Brooklyn Democratic Committee as a result. Then it was leaked out that NYC Mayora Zohran Mamdani would be endorsing her re-election. To understand all of these Big Apple based developments we checked in with Jeff Coltin, the editor-in-chief for City & State New York.  And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani have largely been able to paper over their ideological differences, but the financial situation in the Big Apple could test that dynamic. Host David Lombardo and Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer consider whether the mayor and governor's unholy alliance can withstand this public disagreement and if the ultimate outcome is increasing taxes or some other solution to fund New York City's budget. We also reflect on how interest groups in Albany had to change their lobbying approach when the state Senate flipped hands in 2019 and how much influence the trial lawyers still have at the Capitol. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Assemblymember Brian Cunningham's public profile has gone up a notch or two since making a short list of running mates for Gov. Kathy Hochul, but the Brooklyn Democrat is still far from a household name (even among Albany insiders). So host David Lombardo sat down with Cunningham in the studio at the Capitol to discuss his background (he interned with Sen. Kevin Parker), whether he's been vetted for the LG role (he hasn't), and the untold story behind his first name (you'll have to listen for that one). And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).  

Host David Lombardo and Lighthouse Public Affairs founder Chapin Fay handicap the odds for the contenders to be Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's running mate on the Republican ticket to win the executive mansion in Albany. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Because a reunion between Gov. Kathy Hochul and her number two, Antonio Delgado, is unlikely, she'll be running with a new lieutenant governor candidate in 2026. But who? The Dispatches from Planet Albany number crunchers have run the odds on a variety of options and host David Lombardo has The Parkside Group Vice President Alex Elmasri assess whether the lines should be higher or lower.  They cover some of the frontrunners, names that would be good choices, and a couple jokes. You decide which is which.  And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

The highlights from Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget have permeated the consciousness of Planet Albany, but what about the other tasty morsels from the fine print? Host David Lombardo and Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark share some parts of the executive proposal that they think have been underappreciated, including new fees on lobbyists while cutting funding for the ethics watchdog and giving retroactive subsidies to New York City's theater productions. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).

Gov. Kathy Hochul is planning to propose a budget that makes major investments into child care, increase spending on education and boosts the state's commitment for health care, but without raising taxes. How does that math work? We consider how Hochul and her budget team will make the numbers add up in her executive proposal with the help of Rockefeller Institute of Government President Bob Megna. The former budget director talks about the state's recent cash reports, which show revenues dramatically exceeding expectations, and considers how reserves might address future ambiguity.  Then we have another episode of "Know your Politicos," with state Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, squaring off against Assemblyman Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat.