Dec. 16, 2024 - Environmental activists want to pay for billions of dollars of infrastructure upgrades - responding to the threats of climate change - by retroactively penalizing major past emitters of greenhouse gases. We hear the case against this legislative effort from Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, which represents fossil fuel businesses and organized labor.

Dec. 16, 2024 - We get to know the work of Peter Reuben, director of the state Office of Indian Nation Affairs with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, including the process of contacting different communities and working within the Hochul administration.

Dec. 16, 2024 - State Senator Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, makes the case for imposing financial control board on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Dec. 16, 2024 - We talk with Paul Pettit, public health director Genesee and Orleans counties, about a new law lowering the professional standards for who serves on county boards of health so rural communities can fill these important positions.

Dec. 13, 2024 - Long Term Care Community Coalition Executive Director Richard Mollot discusses staffing levels at nursing homes in New York and considers what they mean for the quality of care being received.

Dec. 12, 2024 - Junior political analyst Isaac Olshan discusses the presidential election results, the political interests of his fellow zoomers, and where New York's political scene is moving.

Dec. 13, 2024 - Brian Fessler, of the New York State School Boards Association, and Bob Lowry, of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, think the Rockefeller Institute made some good first steps with their review of education funding distribution in New York and are waiting to see how policymakers use their state-commissioned report.

Dec. 12, 2024 - Hunger persists as a major problem in New York, so a coalition has come together to push for a package of measures to address food insecurity in the budget. We discuss these solutions with state Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse-area Democrat, and Ryan Healy, advocacy manager for Feeding New York State.

Dec. 12, 2024 - Medical marijuana companies hoping to open recreational dispensaries have taken the Hochul administration to court over proposed license fees. We discuss the industry's case withgiste Abebe, spokesperson for the state Medical Cannabis Industry Association, and Matthew Schweber, an attorney who filed the lawsuit.

Dec. 12, 2024 - The state senate held a hearing this fall to examine the efficacy of economic development subsidies included in the budget. We explore this fact finding effort and how it should inform future actions with state Sen. Sean Ryan, a Buffalo Democrat.