The Capitol Pressroom

Podcast by WCNY

TikTok savy lawmaker discusses social media regulations

October 10, 2025- Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, a Bronx Democrat. talks about her visits to the TikTok offices and shares her thoughts on regulating social media.

10-10
12:29

SUNY police officers call for centralized system

October 10, 2025- The union representing police officers at SUNY campuses is looking to standardize and centralize their operations, which they argue will increase efficiency and performance. Our guest is Kurt Nolan, executive director of the PBA of New York State.

10-10
13:59

Federal changes poised to grow need for civil legal services

October 10, 2025- In the wake of the annual judiciary hearing on improving the delivery of civil legal services in New York, we check in with Adriene Holder, chief attorney of the civil practice for The Legal Aid Society.

10-10
17:19

Addressing MTA toll and fare evasion

October 9, 2025- Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein explains how fare and toll evasion cost the New York City transit system about $1 billion in 2024 and highlight strategies to curtail bad actors in the future.

10-09
22:18

New leader at helm of public authorities watchdog

October 9, 2025- Joshua Norkin was tapped this spring to lead the New York Authorities Budget Office, an obscure agency overseeing hundreds of quasi-governmental authorities all over the state. We talk about his new role and his oversight plans.

10-09
17:48

Hochul administration explores ADK land preservation

October 9, 2025- A massive piece of property in the Adirondacks that has long been coveted by conservationist is in the process of changing hands, so there is renewed pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to secure at least some of the land for preservation. We discuss the issue with Claudia Braymer, executive director of Protect The Adirondacks.

10-09
15:23

A plan to shake up the state comptroller's office

October 8, 2025- Raj Goyle, a former Kansas state lawmaker and co-chair of a New York City think tank, explains why he's looking to take on state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in the Democratic primary next year.

10-08
09:49

Disability advocates look to flex political power

October 8, 2025- In an excerpt from Dispatches from Planet Albany, we explore how advocates for New Yorkers with disabilities are hoping to wield more clout at the Capitol. Our guest is Mike Schweinsburg, president of the 504 Democratic club, which endorsed Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's bid for governor.

10-08
12:29

Erie Canal turns 200!

October 8, 2025- It's the 200th birthday of the Erie Canal, so we're exploring how this milestone is being celebrated and what's in store for the future of the system with Rebecca Hughes, executive deputy director of the New York State Canal Corporation.

10-08
13:59

Rules proposed to regulate social media access for minors

October 8, 2025- State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, a Brooklyn Democrat, weighs in on proposed rules from the state attorney general's office to implement his legislation designed to keep the most addictive features of social media away from kids.

10-08
17:09

The growing case against Hochul’s ‘inflation refund’ checks

October 7, 2025- Gov. Kathy Hochul championed $2 billion for "inflation refund" checks, but new reporting from Gothamist/WNYC Capitol reporter Jimmy Vielkind indicates that some of that money will be collected back by the federal tax man.

10-08
09:49

Democratic hopeful for purple North Country assembly seat

October 7, 2025- Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman, the Democratic nominee in the November special election for a North Country assembly seat, talks about why he's running, his approach to serving, and why he voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

10-07
12:29

Counties face rising costs from 'Big Beautiful Bill'

October 7, 2025- Oswego County Administrator Phil Church, president of the New York State Association of Counties, explains how federal changes to the administration of Medicaid and food assistance programs will cost local government millions of dollars without relief from the state.

10-07
13:59

New York poised to restrict disposable Styrofoam coolers

Sept. 29, 2025 - After imposing restrictions on Styrofoam food containers and packing peanuts, the state is going to prohibit the sale of disposable polystyrene containers next year. We consider this environmental initiative with Jeremy Cherson, associate director of government affairs for Riverkeeper.

10-02
09:49

Feeding all of New York's students

Sept. 29, 2025 - An additional $340 million in this year's state budget is supposed to make breakfast and lunch available in schools to students all over New York without any out-of-pocket costs. We learn about the implementation of universal school meals with Katy Headwell, the Director of School Nutrition Services at Shenendehowa Central School District

10-01
21:17

New York sued over relaxed private school oversight

September 30, 2025- The Hochul administration is being taken to court for relaxing state laws designed to ensure private school students are receiving a basic education. We discuss the lawsuit with Michael Rebell, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, and Adina Mermelstein Konikoff, executive director for Young Advocates for Fair Education.

09-30
13:59

The case for age restrictions on Kratom sales

Sept. 29, 2025 - A wide range of products derived from Kratom are showing up on shelves all over New York, so Assemblymember John McDonald, a capital region Democrat, makes the case for imposing age restrictions on sales.

09-29
13:59

Checking in with the state senate environmental leader

Sept. 29, 2025 - State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the approval process for a controversial new gas pipeline and outlines his advocacy agenda for 2026.

09-29
13:59

The case for another gas pipeline in New York

September 26, 2025- Environmentalists are hoping a gas pipeline proposal for New York City gets rejected by state regulators for a fourth time, but interested business and labor groups think it deserves new consideration. We talk about the controversial proposal with Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy.

09-26
26:28

New state museum director hired at inflection point

September 26, 2025- We get to know Jennifer Saunders, the new head of the state museum in Albany. We discuss why she was interested in the leadership role, the future of long-stalled renovations, and navigating turf wars at the Capitol.

09-26
23:48

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