Before Assemblyman Micah Lasher departs Planet Albany for the nation's capital, the Manhattan Democrat joined us for an exit interview.

We did a deep dive into his state government experience, from his time pushing Michael Bloomberg's New York City agenda nearly 20 years ago to integrating himself into the people's house after working for Gov. Kathy Hochul. We also discuss navigating the legislative process, his policy mandate working for the governor, and an idea for improving the flow of bills in the state legislature.

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Retirements, a primary defeat and other moving parts mean the leadership structure in the state Senate will be remade in 2027.

Some of the big prizes that we know about are deputy leader and chairs of the housing and labor committees, but there is also speculation that the finance post will also be relinquished by Chair Liz Krueger. To discuss how these posts might get filled, as well as the head of the political arm of the Senate Democrats, we're joined by Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer.

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The shifting political landscape in New York is getting a lot of attention, but have we seen this story before?

At least to some degree, with the insurgent left and Democrats banking on an anti-Donald Trump mood, this is the same narrative that unfolded in 2018, when AOC burst on the scene, Democrats flipped control of the state senate and Andrew Cuomo cruised to re-election.

To consider this dynamic, we're checking in with Loren Amor, an executive vice president with BerlinRosen. We'll discuss whether the enthusiasm on the far left will translate in purple districts, share expectations for Kathy Hochul's re-election bid, and reflect on where Pat Ryan is heading.

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If Goldilocks was choosing a lobbying firm, she might gravitate toward Statewide Public Affairs.

The 13-year-old operation isn't a household name or one of the biggest earners at the Capitol, but with their list of blue chip clients and big ticket issues they're still a force to be reckoned with in Planet Albany. And they're getting bigger.

We reflect on the firm's history and future, with founder and managing partner Chris Duryea. We talk about his approach to attracting new business, working with friends and where he was during the failed Bragman coup.

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Protests at the Capitol are taken as a given when state lawmakers are in town, but do they actually influence the agenda in Planet Albany?

That's the question we put to Rebecca Garrard, co-executive director of the liberal advocacy group Citizen Action of New York. Rebecca has a long history of pushing policies at the Capitol and discusses what makes a protest effective.

We also explore when protests can backfire and if there is a type of protest that can move the notoriously intransigent Gov. Kathy Hochul.

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Lobbyist and consultant Patrick Jenkins joins the show to discuss his work and reflect on life in Planet Albany.

The Queens power broker talks about lobbying against single-use plastic restrictions, navigating ethical boundaries, and the direction of the Assembly next year.

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Retirements and progressive wins in the Democratic primaries are poised to shakeup the Assembly in 2027.

To assess the impact of the incoming members and consider who might fill major leadership posts in the chamber, we check in with Miguelina Camilo, the former counsel for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. As part of the conversation, host David Lombardo gets feedback on his list of contenders to fill top committee vacancies and the open majority leader job.

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Assemblymember Amy Paulin is one of the most active lawmakers at the Capitol and 2026 was no exception, with the Westchester County Democrat leading her colleagues in bills approved by both chambers.

We checked in with the veteran legislator to understand what separates her from the pack and she shared some of her secrets, including finding the right legislative partners, preparing well in advance, and limiting opposition. Paulin also reveals some legislative regrets from the past session and forecasts her upcoming push for medical marijuana.

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New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs discusses the primaries in New York City, tapping into the enthusiasm of the state's progressives, and crafting a winning narrative for November.

The Long Island Democrat also reflects on his future leadership role and offers career advice for the Erie County Democratic Party chair.

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The story from the Democratic primary results in the Big Apple appears to be the ascendency in the party of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America.

We're joined by City & State NY Editor-in-Chief Jeff Coltin to talk about the enthusiasm edge for DSA candidates, the fall of incumbent state lawmakers and what's in store for the Brooklyn Democratic leadership.

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