Feb. 14, 2025 - The Hochul administration is hoping to improve the experience New Yorkers have when interacting with the state government, so we get an update on these efforts from Tonya Webster, the chief customer experience officer for New York. We talk about digitizing working papers, improving state websites, and much more.…

Feb. 14, 2025 - Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado visited the studio for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on his push for New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign, his relationship with Gov. Kathy Hochul, his plans for 2026, and issues being discussed at the Capitol.Por WCNY

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado thinks New York’s state government needs to be proactive in its response to the Trump administration, which has the potential to dramatically alter life in the Empire State.Por WCNY

Feb. 14, 2025 - State Sen. Jake Ashby, a Capital Region Republican, wants to require websites with pornography to verify that visitors to their site are least 18, which is the law in more than a dozen states.Por WCNY

Feb. 13, 2025 - An exam required to be a licensed master social worker is disproportionately keeping ethnic minorities from entering this critical field, according to proponents of repealing the exam requirement. We examine the positives and negatives of the status quo with Luis Lopez, executive director of the Latino Social Work Coalition & Schola…

Feb. 13, 2025 - New York Apartment Association CEO Kenny Burgos makes the case for more aggressive efforts to build up the state's housing supply and revisiting the laws governing rent regulation.Por WCNY

Feb. 13, 2025 - New York's groundbreaking law intended to make large polluters pay billions for climate resiliency projects is tied up in the courts, but we still wanted to consider what implementation could look like for the state. We considered the merits of the lawsuit and the next steps for environmental regulators with Lee Wasserman, director …

Feb. 13, 2025 - Car repair shops say it is time for state policymakers to raise what they can charge for vehicle inspections in order to cover their labor expenses. We discuss increasing this annual cost and addressing the workforce shortage at car repair shops with Wayne Bombardiere, executive director of the New York State Association of Service …

Feb. 12, 2025 - The transit system serving the New York City area may get all of the attention, but transit operators around the state need some more love too, according to James Morrell, director of public transportation for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and president of the New York Public Transit Association.…

Feb. 12, 2025 - In the best of times, nonprofit organizations contracting with the state are facing an uphill battle, with long waits to execute contracts and rates that don't cover the full cost of programs. But 2025 is far from the best of times explains Megan Allen, CEO of the New York Council of Nonprofits, who outlines all the challenges facin…

Feb. 11, 2025 - New York is dramatically expanding who can use its free, direct file tax software this year, so we wanted to explore who is eligible and what the service is like. Our guest is Sara Carlson, director of community engagement for the State Department of Taxation and Finance.Por WCNY

Feb. 11, 2025 - Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Bill Magnarelli, a Syracuse-area Democrat, weighs in on the governor's budget, including what it means for road upkeep and upstate transit systems.Por WCNY

Feb. 11, 2025 - New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Executive Director Emily Miles talks about the services that should be available to survivors of sexual assault, including specially trained medical personnel at hospitals.Por WCNY

Feb. 11, 2025 - New York's nascent system of using tax dollars to amplify local political contributions to state legislative candidates had a major impact on fundraising practices during the 2024 cycle, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center. We discuss their findings and the program's future with Marina Pino, a counsel with the center's el…

Feb. 10, 2025 - There has been a month of congestion pricing in Manhattan, so how is it going? We try to wrap our arms around this issue with Danny Pearlstein, director of policy and communications for Riders Alliance, which championed the toll that went into place in January.Por WCNY

Feb. 10, 2025 - Non-profit organizations looking to become land stewards in the Empire State have been slowed by the state policies governing title ownership We discuss a potential reform to this backlog with Erik Kulleseid, head of the Open Space Institute.Por WCNY

Feb. 10, 2025 - We examine potential changes to the workers' compensation system designed to make it easier to access a medical provider and consider the impact of changes to short-term disability insurance benefits. We talk with Workers' Compensation Board Chair Clarissa Rodriguez, Executive Director Steven Scotti and Medical Director Dr. James Ta…

Feb. 10, 2025 - The governor's budget proposal doesn't do enough to ensure New Yorkers with disabilities will have access to the staff they need, according to Mike Alvaro, head of the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State and president of New York Disability Advocates. We discuss a cost of living increase for staff and whether there should …

Feb. 7, 2025 - Human Services Council Executive Director Michelle Jackson explains why the state government's proposed 2.1 percent cost of living adjustment for non-profits that contract with the state won't cover their growing expenses.Por WCNY

Feb. 7, 2025 - New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen discusses funding to cut down on waitlists for senior services and other programs impacting older New Yorkers.Por WCNY

Feb. 7, 2025 - The Home Energy Assistance Program makes federal dollars available to subsidize energy bills of low-income New Yorkers, but the program is facing an uncertain future this winter following a temporary halt to applications in January. We talk about this drama and what should come next with Laurie Wheelock, executive director of the Pub…

Feb. 6, 2025 - Tom Clark, the Consul General of Canada in New York, discusses his recent visit to the Empire State's Capitol and the potential fallout of increased tariffs between the North American neighbors.Por WCNY

Feb. 6, 2025 - Open New York Executive Director Annemarie Gray says the state has taken some good first steps in promoting housing growth, but argues there are some basic proposals policymakers should embrace this year to increase the housing supply, such as making it easier for religious institutions to develop homes and superseding local zoning r…

Feb. 6, 2025 - We examine efforts to reduce the transmission of hepatitis C in New York with Sarah Cushman, senior manager for Hep C and community prevention services at Trillium Health, and Zaida Aguilar, a Hep C peer advocate at Housing Works.Por WCNY

Feb. 6, 2025 - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons discusses a proposed capital investment intended to get kids off their smartphones and into pools, playgrounds and community centersPor WCNY

Feb. 5, 2025 - A new survey of New Yorkers by the Siena College Research Institute examined the popularity of President Donald Trump and support for some of Gov. Kathy Hochul's priorities for 2025. We break down the results with Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.Por WCNY

Feb. 5, 2025 - Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to overhaul the state's discovery laws, arguing they can be improved without jeopardizing access to a speedy trial, but defense attorneys say this isn't the case. Legal Aid Society Supervising Attorney Kalle Condliffe explains what the changes could mean and identifies updates to the discovery process tha…

Feb. 5, 2025 - Association of School Business Officials of New York Executive Director Brian Cechnicki talks about the governor's proposed allocation of state education aid and makes the case for school districts recouping money owed by the state.Por WCNY

Feb. 5, 2025 - New York State Committee on Open Government Executive Director Shoshanah Bewlay discusses transparency issues that arose in 2024 and identifies some of her group's 2025 priorities, included in their annual report.Por WCNY

Feb. 4, 2025 - Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester-area Democrat, discusses the transportation proposals in Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, including money to cover rising capital costs, work zone cameras, and catching impaired drivers.Por WCNY

Feb. 4, 2025 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed investments in higher education, including free community college for adults pursuing degrees from in-demand career paths.Por WCNY

Feb. 4, 2024 - Assemblymember Jeffery Dinowitz, a Bronx Democrat, gives us an update on his legislation seeking to ban the use of face coverings with the intent to intimidate and harass.Por WCNY

Feb. 4, 2024 - Supportive Housing Network of New York Executive Director Pascale Leone and New Destiny Housing CEO Nicole Branca make the case for more capital funds and operating dollars to support supportive housing services, especially for older programs that get less money than newer programs.Por WCNY

Feb. 3, 2025 - New York could do a better job reducing smoking levels, according to the American Lung Association. We break down the anti-smoking efforts in the state and identifying where policymakers are falling short with Michael Seilback, assistant vice president of nationwide advocacy of the ALA.…

Feb. 3, 2025 - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris explains the status of New York's "cap-and-invest" program and the governor's proposed spending on clean energy. We also get an update on the state's development of new nuclear projects.Por WCNY

Feb. 3, 2025 - Scrutinize founder Oded Oren explains how judges have been undermining changes to pre-trial detention in New York, which were intended to make bail more affordable than tradition bondsmen services.Por WCNY

Feb. 3, 2025 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for building on the governor's proposals addressing child poverty and child care access.Por WCNY

Feb. 03, 2025 - Children's advocacy centers oversee a coordinated response for kids who have been abused and Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to double their state funding after years of stagnant support. We discuss this important work and impact of the budget with Theresa Roth, executive director of the New York State Children's Alliance.…

Jan. 31, 2025 - New York Chief Information Officer Dru Rai, head of the state Office of Information Technology Services, discusses the governor's budget proposal and making the state's websites more user friendly.Por WCNY

Jan. 31, 2025 - New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray talks about a media literacy toolkit being deployed to schools, efforts to boost volunteer firefighter numbers, and reflects on her work as acting director of policy for the governor.Por WCNY

Jan. 30, 2025 - Jason Cone, chief public policy officer for the advocacy group Robin Hood, analyzes the governor's proposed anti-poverty initiatives and offers up some of his own ideas.Por WCNY

Jan. 30, 2025 - The state legislature may be on the cusp of implementing restrictions on single-use plastic packaging, but the industry is pushing back against mandates that could alter their business practices. We talked with Matt Seaholm, president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association.Por WCNY

Jan. 30, 2025 - New York State Catholic Conference Director of Government Relations Kristen Curran voices opposition to increased state funding for reproductive health care, backs Gov. Kathy Hochul's expansion of the child tax credit, and weighs in on expanded access to emergency contraception.Por WCNY

Jan. 30, 2025 - Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, addresses a proposed expansion of involuntary commitments, makes the case for implementing Daniel's Law, and calls for an investment in the mental health sector workforce.Por WCNY

Jan. 29, 2025 - New York State Office of Cannabis Management Director of Enforcement and Investigations Daniel Haughney provides an update on the state's effort to curb illicit marijuana sales, including changing regulations that expand enforcement efforts and the impact of ongoing legal challenges.Por WCNY

Jan. 29, 2025 - We check in on the state's effort to craft a master plan on aging with Adam Herbst, a former top health official in the Hochul administration and now a partner at the firm Sheppard Mullin.Por WCNY

Jan. 29, 2025 - New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person discusses state funding for public schools, improving literacy teaching, and implementing restrictions on smartphone access for students during the school day.Por WCNY

Jan. 28, 2025 - Sen. George Borrello, a Western New York Republican, shares some highlights of his conference's agenda for 2025, including making New York more affordable.Por WCNY

Jan. 28, 2025 - State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses the environmental portion of the governor's budget proposal (including what's missing) and provides an update on his effort to reduce single-use plastic packaging waste.Por WCNY

Jan. 28, 2025 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, unpacks the governor's efforts to protect New Yorkers from the unintended consequences of artificial intelligence technology. Bores also discusses his legislation creating the New York Artificial Intelligence Consumer Protection Act.Por WCNY