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).

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