Dispatches from Planet Albany

A 2012 report examining the state's care for people with special needs offered a holistic series of recommendations on how to improve the quality of supervision and supports for vulnerable New Yorkers, but the reaction from state policymakers at the time - and since - has largely ignored the broader conversation about the human services system.

On the third installment of the "Justice for All" series, we focus primarily on the workforce providing care to more than 1 million New Yorkers with special needs. We also examine the independence of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs and consider how abuse and neglect is reported.

This summer marks the 10th anniversary of the Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs, the state entity created in response to a 2011 exposé on the inadequate system of care for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.

On the second installment of the "Justice for All" series, we highlight the work undertaken by the Justice Center over the last decade, including their approach to investigations, role in bringing prosecutions and preventing future abuse.

Nearly 40 years before reporting in 2011 by the New York Times prompted a re-examination of the care for people with special needs, the state underwent a similar phase of introspection and reform.

On the first installment of the "Justice for All" series, we highlight this four decades of history, including New York's response to the failings at the Willowbrook school, the creation of an advocate, and a report intended to transform care for the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

June 28, 2023 - This summer marks 10 years since the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs took over as the state entity responsible for the safety of around 1 million vulnerable New Yorkers, who receive care from state-run or state-overseen facilities and programs.

In light of this milestone, The Capitol Pressroom is examining the work of the Justice Center and its record of addressing abuse and neglect over the last decade. Along this journey, we'll hear from key policymakers and lawmakers, invested stakeholders, and the journalist whose reporting shaped this slice of history in the Empire State.

Our investigation into justice for New Yorkers with special needs will debut on July 5th and new episodes will be released every Wednesday.

Shontell Smith, the co-head of the New York practice for Tusk Strategies, analyzes the recently concluded legislative session and looks ahead at what's next for Planet Albany, including closing a $9 billion budget gap, addressing housing creation and appointments from the governor.

This episode marks the end of the first season of Dispatches from Planet Albany, but we'll be back with a second season in 2024 and might drop into your podcast feed with bonus episodes later this year.

The scheduled legislative session came to an end in June, with Governor Kathy Hochul and the legislative leaders unable to agree on substantive policies that would increase the supply of new homes in New York or make housing more affordable in the near future.

But why?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

We answer that looming question with Rebecca Garrard, the deputy director of campaigns and movement politics for Citizen Action of New York, and Luis Ferré-Sadurní, the Capitol bureau chief for the New York Times.

With time running out on the legislative session, we convened a live recording of the show at the Bull Moose Club in Albany, with podcast regulars Shontell Smith, of Tusk Strategies, and Rebecca Garrard, from Citizen Action of New York.

The event consisted of a fantasy elected official draft and closed with rapid fire debates on the state of two-way deals and what 2024 could look like at the Capitol.

The power of state lawmakers from the New York City suburbs has ebbed and flowed at the Capitol in recent decades, but it peaked recently during the budget process when members from the Hudson Valley and Long Island were able to hold significant sway.

We put this latest power play into context, examine its origins and consider what the future of the suburban power could look like with Yancey Roy, Albany bureau chief for Newsday, and former state Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, a Rockland County Democrat.

P.S. Don't forget about the free, live recording of Dispatches from Planet Albany that is scheduled for June 5 at the Bull Moose Club.

Two things seem to be missing from the Capitol these days: Any sense of ambition from the Democratic majorities in the state Legislature and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.

On this week's episode, with Times Union reporter Josh Solomon and Politico New York reporter Bill Mahoney, we consider the role that Gov. Kathy Hochul's #2 has assumed after a year in Albany and what - if any - big ticket policy items will get approved by state lawmakers before the end of the legislative session.

P.S. Don't forget about the free, live recording of Dispatches from Planet Albany that is scheduled for June 5 at the Bull Moose Club.

For months, Gov. Kathy Hochul was largely able to avoid addressing the influx of asylum seekers in New York City, deferring authority to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. That dynamic is changing, with New York City needing state funds, the expiration of Title 42 and efforts to move asylum seekers - at least temporarily - outside of the five boroughs.

To understand the politics driving resettlement decisions in New York, we spoke with Luis Ferré-Sadurní, the Capitol bureau chief for the New York Times, and Joe Anuta, a City Hall reporter for Politico New York.

P.S. Don't forget about the free, live recording of Dispatches from Planet Albany that is scheduled for June 5 at the Bull Moose Club.