The conversation included topics like school safety/lockdown drills, teacher shortages, absenteeism, along with the discussion around Foundation Aid and Hold Harmless during this year's budget debate.

"The perception that school districts are teaching to empty desks, that enrollment has declined so therefore we can cut funding, we really blew that myth away when we went out and talked to educators in schools," Person says. "What we saw was that districts were actually using that decline in enrollment to invest in things that they always to do in our schools."

Person said districts are providing extra co-teaching opportunities for students and investing in more extra curricular activities.

She says now the study of the Foundation Aid formula will help provide a better framework of future funding, but also that parents, teachers, superintendents and anyone who has a role in the school budget process should have a voice in the process.

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 Following the announcement of $5 million in state funding to keep the Burdett Birth Center open over the next five years, New York State Assemblyman John McDonald (D-Cohoes), joined Tom Eschen on Power and Politics.

They took a deep dive into the Birth Center funding, and why he wants the State to continue to support pre and postnatal care, and also the community members who fought to keep the Center open. That conversation continued with the issues facing emergency rooms and the root causes behind long wait times.

McDonald also discussed the movement at the State level to protect young people from addictive social media algorithms, which continued with thoughts on the current protests on college campuses across the country.

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Mantello ran her campaign on creating a "safer, cleaner" future for the City of Troy, and laid out initiatives she believes are steps in the right direction for the citizens of the City. She touches on:

-The city's workplace culture

-responding to resident issues

-vision for future of City Hall

-The potential closure of the Burdett Birth Center on June 30th

-Troy's lead pipe replacement progress

-The City's American Rescue Plan Act funding status

-Public safety

-Relationship with City Council

-Biggest difference between being Mayor and City Council President

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Dr. McLaughlin gave her perspective on several of the issues currently facing residents in the City of Albany.

-30 years of public service

-Being the first Black Albany Common Council President

-David Soares controversy

-ARPA fund update

-Vision for site of South End Grocery store

-affordability for the elderly, and young people in the City

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The City of Albany's Chief City Auditor and 2025 Albany Mayoral Candidate Dorcey Applyrs appeared on CBS6's Power and Politics this week.

She discusses:

-The recent comments by Rebecca Lobo saying "What's there to do in Albany?"

-Her background, and motivations in public service

-Endorsement from State Senator Neil Breslin

-Recent equity audit findings

-Albany Police Department adding 20 social worker positions

-Albany's inclusionary zoning ordinance

-The future of the Central Warehouse

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The wide-ranging conversation covered several of the current issues in Saratoga Springs right now, including the Belmont, First 100 Days, and Campaign of Civility, People Experiencing Homelessness, Short-Term Rentals, City Council Meetings, Saratoga Black Lives Matter, Paid Parking Proposal, Public Safety and more

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They discuss:

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Power & Politics is a podcast that explores how local political decisions impact our daily lives. Host Tom Eschen engages in frank conversations with community leaders and influential figures, asking tough questions to cut through rhetoric and hold decision-makers accountable on issues ranging from taxes to public safety and healthcare.

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