In the best of circumstances, good government groups only have so much influence over Planet Albany. And the limits of their power has been on display this summer, as New York Democrats make the partisan case for mid-decade redistricting to grow their footprint in Congress.

But is any of this new or has the subtext just become text at the Capitol?

To answer these questions and more, we're joined by Blair Horner, senior policy advisor for the New York Public Interest Research Group.

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).

Democrats around the country, including in the Empire State, are looking to fight fire with fire, in response to Republican states, at the behest of President Donald Trump, taking steps to redraw their congressional boundaries mid-decade.

Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a Manhattan Democrat, joins the show to explain why New York has a vested interest in pursuing an update to its redistricting process, makes the case that Democrats can produce a more partisan gerrymander under existing constitutional restrictions, and reflects on why his party trails Republicans on Machiavellian maneuvers.

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).

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Artificial intelligence is invading all corners of life and political campaigns are not immune from the spread, as candidates and their teams turn to this burgeoning technology for help with behind-the-scenes work and external communications.

We explore how campaigns in New York are using artificial intelligence and may deploy it in the future with Annie McDonough, a reporter with City & State New York, who documented the increasing use of the technology in politics.

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).

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The race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid.

In the second part of our conversation, the Tusk Strategies partner reveals that progressives wanted to work behind the scenes for the former governor, reflects on the mayoral campaigns of Brad Lander and Zellnor Myrie, defends Cuomo talking points on the pandemic, and identifies some of her favorite political analysts on Twitter.

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).

Instagram: @CapitolPressroom

Twitter: @CapPressRoom

#ZohranMamdani #NYCMayor #NewYorkPolitics #AndrewCuomo

The race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid.

The Tusk Strategies partner explains what she did as political director for the Cuomo campaign, addresses possible missteps by the team, and discusses what was going on with state senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos.

We'll have more in part two!

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).

Instagram: @CapitolPressroom

Twitter: @CapPressRoom

#ZohranMamdani #NYCMayor #NewYorkPolitics #AndrewCuomo

Assemblyman Pat Burke thinks everyone needs to calm down about his Queens colleague, who may be the next mayor of New York City.

The western New York Democrat is responding to what he feels are misplaced fears about Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's personal beliefs and agenda, as well as the Democratic politicians falling all over themselves to denounce or embrace the movement launched in New York City.

Burke explains all of this and his expectations for a Mamdani mayoral agenda in Albany.

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).

Instagram: @CapitolPressroom

Twitter: @CapPressRoom

#ZohranMamdani #NYCMayor #NewYorkPolitics

After more than a decade of working for other people, political pollster Adam Carlson is ready to work for himself and has launched a new polling and research firm. He joins the show to discuss his business model and how he hopes to drum up business, before wading into the New York City mayoral polling, Gov. Kathy Hochul's reluctance to embrace Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, and his incessant tweeting.

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).

A commanding victory in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary this summer by Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist from Queens, raises new possibilities and challenges for the New York City Democratic Socialists of America.

We discuss the NYC DSA's role in uplifting Mamdani's campaign and how they'll support his agenda moving forward with NYC DSA co-Chair Grace Mauser and Assemblymember Pharra Soufrant Forrest, a Brooklyn Democrat and member of the DSA.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast.

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Politicians on both sides of the aisle talk about their support for families, so why is it so hard to get major policy and spending initiatives enacted in Planet Albany that demonstrably improve their lives?

Universal child care is still years away at best. The effort to reduce child poverty in half is going in slow motion. And the health care system is in need of an overhaul.

We explore what it's like to lobby on some of these key issues with Jenn O'Connor, founder of Jenn O'Connor Consulting, who has worked in the state legislature and for nonprofit advocacy groups.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast.

We're drafting again at the urging of Assembly members Josh Jensen and Ed Ra.

The Assembly Republicans join Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, Raga Justin, a Capitol reporter for the Times Union, and David Lombardo, the host with most, to pick Planet Albany's best dressed, funniest, and best talker, as well as the Capitol reporter who would make the best state lawmaker.

Don't forget to vote on the winner!

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Vote - https://us13.list-manage.com/survey?u=e19f4c300e1ee0fb8462cb67b&id=514e75233a&attribution=false