The Capitol Pressroom

Dec. 10, 2025- Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill intended to give state property - that no one wanted at auction - a new life with non-profit organizations, instead of turning it into trash. We talk about the proposal with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Director of Sustainability Sue Fassler.

Dec. 10, 2025- Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses a bill that would require the state to create an online database tracking the deployment of federal immigration officials in New York.

Dec. 10 , 2025- A common accounting practice being pushed by financial institutions and their attorneys during foreclosure proceedings is costing New Yorkers money they should be entitled to. We explore this consumer protection issue with Chris Bragg, Albany bureau chief at New York Focus, and David Brand, a housing journalist with WNYC & Gothamist, the journalists who exposed this ongoing practice.

Dec. 9 2025- In order to increase access to mental health courts, state policymakers are allowing for referrals from counties without mental health courts. We discuss this diversion program with James Norton, government and community affairs manager for the New York State affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Dec. 9, 2025- New York State Association for Affordable Housing President & CEO Carlina Rivera makes the case for increased subsidies to preserve and develop affordable housing, considers how to reduce residential insurance costs, and addresses legislative efforts to get the state into the business of affordable housing constructions.

Dec. 8, 2025 - In light of an update to the process for requesting absentee ballots for school elections, we consider what else could be done to drive up turnout in these low-turnout races with Bob Lowry, deputy director for New York State Council of School Superintendents.

Dec. 8, 2025 - Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham talks about affordable housing creation, including a possible county-level loan fund and incentives to develop accessory dwelling units.

Dec. 8, 2025 - State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, discusses her political future, weighs in on a potential sticking point for the 2026 legislative session, and considers what New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will need to do to be successful in Planet Albany.

Dec. 5, 2025- New York law has a goal of reducing child poverty in half by 2032 and there is still a long way to go in achieving this initiative set back in 2021. We get a progress report and list of recommendations from Kate Breslin, head of the Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy and a member of the state Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council.

Dec. 5, 2025- New York policymakers and cannabis regulators are hoping that a "seed-to-sale" tracking system will prevent illegal marijuana products from ending up on legal dispensary shelves in the Empire State. We talk with Michael Johnson, CEO of Metrc, the company implementing the tracking system, about their role in stopping inversion.