Dispatches from Planet Albany

The campaign to reform live-event ticket regulations in New York, which was expected to be in a public coma until the 2026 legislative session in Albany, got a boost of publicity this summer when NYC Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani called on FIFA to adopt consumer friendly measures for World Cup ticket sales.

The assemblyman has given a national spotlight to an issue that is generally relegated to trade publications, personal gripes and the continued coverage of The Capitol Pressroom. Because of the attention, we wanted to check in with State Sen. James Skoufis, an Orange County Democrat, to get a post mortem on the 2025 legislative campaign and learn how he hopes to piggyback on Mamdani's call to action.

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).

We celebrate 100 episodes of Dispatches from Planet Albany with Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer (you read that right), Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark, and Times Union Capitol reporter Raga Justin.

We take questions from listeners, reflect on more than two years of podcast recordings, and consider the next 100 episodes of the show.

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).

Former Assemblyman D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, zooms in for his exit interview to discuss why he's leaving the Capitol, reflect on his relationship with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and consider the importance of majority representation in the legislature.

We also touch on his hair legacy and whether he might run for office again in the future.

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).

The 2026 legislative session may be months away, but lobbyists who want to be successful in Albany next year are already looking to get their ducks in a row (while also putting a bow on the recent session).

Doug Clark, a co-managing partner of Shenker Russo & Clark, explains how lobbyists are working to put their 2025 issues to bed and getting their agenda set for next year, including lining up stakeholders and drumming up media attention.

And for Working Rules we talk with media consultant Tyrone Stevens about the forgettable gaffe this week from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who told black churchgoers not to spend their rebate check at a liquor store.

P.S. Time is running out to submit questions for our upcoming 100th episode of Dispatches from Planet Albany. So shoot an email, leave a note on social media, or record a voicemail message to 518-650-1463 with any questions about life at the Capitol, the show, or whatever.

The effort to decriminalize sex work in New York became a political cudgel this summer, with former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Eric Adams trying to use the issue against Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.

In light of the media attention, we're checking in with proponents of decriminalization for their reaction to the politicization of this issue, a status check on legislative efforts in Albany, and a sense of what incremental victories might look like.

Our guests are Jared Trujillo, an associate professor at CUNY School of Law, and Melissa Brudo, legal director for Decriminalize Sex Work.

And a reminder that we're still collecting questions for our upcoming 100th episode of Dispatches from Planet Albany. So shoot me an email, leave a note on social media, or record a voicemail message to 518-650-1463 with any questions about life at the Capitol, the show, or whatever.

The longtime leader of CSEA, Danny Donohue, passed away this summer, so we wanted to explore how he wielded power, his brash style, and whether anyone was picking up his mantle in Planet Albany.

For all that insight we tapped into the institutional knowledge and insights of Liz Benjamin, a former journalist and now a big deal for Marathon Strategies.

And for our Working Rules segment we check in with political gambling fiend and Parkside Group Vice President Alex Elmasri to discuss the game of political musical chairs getting started in Manhattan.

It's been four years since Kathy Hochul was elevated to the executive mansion, so we're looking back at her time as governor.

Breaking down the governor's successes, missteps and future is Politico New York reporter Nick Reisman, co-author of New York Playbook. We discuss the Hector LaSalle debacle, how the Hochul administration compares to four more years of Andrew Cuomo, and the looming challenges of 2026.

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).

After 17 years in Planet Albany as a public radio journalist, Ian Pickus sold out this summer and took a communications job with the state Office of Mental Health.

He joins the podcast for an exit interview to reflect on his time with the capital region's NPR affiliate, including preparing for political interviews and his station's rocky relationship with then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Pickus also explains why he was ready to move to the dark side.

And in our "Working Rules" segment, the Times Union's Dan Clark discusses the turnover in the Legislative Correspondents' Association.

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).

For the first time since he was appointed state comptroller in 2007, Tom DiNapoli is facing a challenge to his power from another Democrat.

Drew Warshaw, a veteran of the Spitzer administration, gave up his leadership post at a housing nonprofit to launch an underdog bid to be New York's state comptroller. In a Capitol Pressroom conversation we touch on his vision for the office, including how to run the pension fund and distribute unclaimed funds, but now we're turning to his campaign, the authenticity of his messaging and the importance of matching funds.

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).

In response to GOP gerrymandering efforts this summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul has tried to position herself as the champion of Democratic efforts to fight back, talking often and aggressively about mid-decade redistricting in New York.

In light of this aggressive PR push, which has seen Hochul try to grab the national spotlight, we wanted to consider where and when the governor is an effective communicator. To make sense of her strengths and weaknesses, we talked with Morgan Hook, a partner with Bluejacket Strategies.

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).