Wonder who is on the rise in New York? Curious what campaign are heading in the wrong direction?

Patrick Wildes, director of Albany Law School's Government Law Center, and Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, join host David Lombardo to offer trading tips on issues and people for our Capitol stock market.

They make predictions on the future of Sen. Andrew Gounardes, treatment courts, efforts to promote affordability, and much more.

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).

New York policymakers will face some hard choices in 2026 about the state's health care system as the result of changes coming from Washington D.C. that include cuts to providers and regulations that could bounce people off government-run insurance.

Advocates of the New York Health Act, which would create a state-run, single-payer health insurance system, hope the state's predicament will make their legislation more appealing to state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Campaign for New York Health Executive Director Melanie D'Arrigo discusses the obstacles to passing this comprehensive bill in the past and how the measure is being positioned in advance of next year's legislative session.

Raj Goyle is one of a growing list of Democrats looking to wrest their party's state comptroller nomination away from incumbent Tom DiNapoli. The former Kansas state lawmaker argues that the powers of the comptroller's office have been wasted and makes the case that his background makes him the optimal change candidate.

We touch on his voting record in the Wheat State, the type of primary voter who will gravitate toward his longshot bid, and his vision for future audits.

For Working Rules we chat with Politico New York reporter Bill Mahoney about the state's top court upholding a law changing some municipal election dates and pontificate about the appetite in Albany to upend more elections.

New Yorkers with disabilities have no problem finding rhetorical support in Albany, but champions willing and able to deliver meaningful funding and policies are harder to find.

We explore this dynamic, including how it might change, with Michael Schweinsburg, president of the 504 Democratic Club, a political advocacy group that endorsed Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado for governor. We touch on the demands of New Yorkers with disabilities and Gov. Kathy Hochul's record.

Then Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark joins us for Working Rules to discuss the latest round in the battle between state Sen. James Skoufis and the governor.

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 Empire State Plaza and Capitol are in a period of transition that includes road work, restoring an historic staircase and a potential reimagining of how the complex is integrated into the community.

We were joined in the studio state OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy to discuss these moving parts and whether the escalators and elevators will work during the 2026 legislative session.

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 getting tested in the fires of the Brooklyn Democratic Committee for three years, James Christopher has launched his own communications firm. Now that he's escaped the orbit of this high-profile and controversial political machine, we ask him about navigating political landmines in Brooklyn and what's in store for his future.

Then we talk with WNYC/Gothamist Capitol reporter Jimmy Vielkind about his latest reporting on the distribution of "inflation refund" checks, which will not be tax free. We discuss the politics of this $2 billion initiative championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

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 latest game of musical chairs at the Capitol has resulted in Assemblymember Jen Lunsford serving as assistant majority leader, a role that puts her third in line to run the chamber during ordinary operations.

We talked with the Rochester-area Democrat about why she got this post after just five years (she's a nerd with perfect attendance), considered her growing debate responsibilities, and explored what leadership roles might be appealing in the future.

Then New York Playbook PM author Jason Beeferman joins us for Working Rules to discuss "Menorah-Gate," the fallout from a Rosh Hashanah social media post by Rep. Elise Stefanik that erroneously featured a menorah. He'll also weigh in on the great debate over the name of a cookie.

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 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).