The Capitol Pressroom

Aug. 10, 2026- The marijuana industry is bracing for the ramifications of legislation imposing a wage board on licensed cannabis businesses. We discuss the potential fallout of this measure and the status of cannabis beverage regulation with Katie Neer, of counsel with the lobbying firm Dickinson & Avella.

Aug. 10, 2026- In an excerpt of Dispatches from Planet Albany, we talk to State Sen. Shelley Mayer about her new role as chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. The Westchester County Democrat also identifies potential pickups in the state senate.

Aug. 7, 2026- We get to know attorney David Siffert, who won a Democratic Primary in June for a downtown Manhattan Assembly seat. We talk about why they ran, where they'll fit into the Assembly and their legislative priorities.

Aug. 7, 2026- State lawmakers are looking to codify a legal settlement requiring New York's Medicaid program to cover medically necessary dental procedures. We talk about the legislation and access to dental services with Belkys Garcia, a staff attorney in the Civil Law Reform Unit at the Legal Aid Society.

Aug. 7, 2026- This week a state law took effect allowing terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives with the help of a physician. We discuss the implementation of the measure with Nathalie Chara, program director for End of Life Choices New York.

Aug. 6, 2026- We get to know Frank Jereis, who won a Democratic Assembly Primary in June to succeed his retiring boss in a Yonkers-based seat. We discuss his family, the needs of Yonkers schools, and whether he's prepared to buck the Democratic establishment.

Aug. 6, 2026- An independent review of New York's program for court-mandated mental health treatments makes the case that the state should do more to promote voluntary programs. We discuss the findings and the future of the coerced treatment with Dr. Miriam Tepper, chief medical officer at the State Office of Mental Health.

Aug. 6, 2026- Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny, a Southern Brooklyn Republican, makes the case for his re-election bid as he prepares for a rematch this fall against Democrat Chris McCreight.

Aug. 5, 2025- New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn discusses the administration and funding for SNAP benefits, addressing child poverty and whether her office is due for a name change.

Aug. 5, 2026- We are continuing to get to know some of the new faces heading to Albany next year and on this episode we're checking in with attorney David Orkin, a Democratic Socialist who won a Queens Assembly primary in June against incumbent Jenifer Rajkumar.