Melissa Moore, New York State Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, recently joined the podcast to chat about legalized cannabis in New York State. We discuss how New York is not the first state but perhaps the "most ambitious" state with marijuana policies. We also examine realistic expectations for state projected revenues, employer protections, and how the federal government may use New York's law as a possible future national standard.

The Empire Center's E.J. McMahon joined the podcast to talk about the historic $212 billion New York State budget agreement. E.J. discusses how the spending in this budget compares to previous spending throughout State history and why this is a "turning point"  in New York's history. We also dive into the actual impacts of the SALT cap and who the cap most affected.  

Jeremy Wladis, President of The Restaurant Group, and five different restaurants from New York City to Charlotte recently joined the podcast to discuss the pinch restaurants are feeling in New York City due to restrictions and the pandemic. Wladis also discusses the differences in restrictions from state to state, the current difficulties of operating in Washington DC, and how he survived the 2015 Amtrak train crash.  

Barstool Sports founder and President, Dave Portnoy, joined the podcast to discuss his small business fundraising venture. To date he has helped raised almost $20 million for businesses struggling from the pandemic. The money has gone nationwide, including to a few businesses in New York State. He also dishes on the best pizza in New York.  

Gareth Rhodes recently joined the podcast to discuss the coronavirus response and vaccine rollout in New York State.  The member of the Governor's COVID-19 Response Task Force discusses how many vaccines New York State expects by the new year, who will get them and what the company he is watching most that he believes will have a significant impact on general population inoculation. 

Ian Rosenblum, Executive Director of The Education Trust-New York, recently joined the podcast to discuss affordable and available childcare in New York State. A recent survey by Raising NY, a coalition of business groups and organizations, shows both employees and employers are negatively impacted by a lack of childcare in New York State. Ian and Heather discuss the survey and options on how to help the problem so both employees and businesses can thrive.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner, Roberta Reardon, recently joined the pod to discuss the State's COVID response, how large the call volumes and unemployment claims have been, and just how much the State and federal government have paid out in claims since March

In this episode Heather and Liz have a casual and open conversation about COVID-19, the state and federal response, and how it has impacted people and businesses. The two also discuss how upcoming elections will be impacted by mail in voting forms and if the current equality movement will impact the elections. 

Alicia Barton, President & CEO of NYSERDA, recently joined the podcast to discuss what current projects are moving forward, what is on hold and how many clean energy sector job losses there have been all thanks to COVID-19. We also dissect the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and find out where current contracts and projects stand, how coronavirus may impact timelines, what role natural gas will have in a long term transition and how public/private partnerships will be vital to future solutions and goals. 

Congressman Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) recently joined the podcast to discuss federal relief for businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hear his thoughts are on the Paycheck Protection Program funds being depleted, how much more money Congress could approve in a second round of funding and how he and other representatives are managing working from home.