The Capitol Pressroom

Aug. 28, 2026 - We check in with Katherine Nadeau, deputy executive director for Environmental Advocates NY, to discuss the group's scorecards for state lawmakers, including their methodology. We also look ahead to their 2027 legislative agenda and how they'll get it done.

This is an excerpt from an upcoming episode of Dispatches from Planet Albany.

Aug. 28, 2026 - Genealogists are hoping the governor will approve a bill increasing the accessibility of mental health records for deceased New Yorkers under the care of the state. Our guest is Alex Green, who teaches at the Harvard Kennedy School and is a scholar of disability rights.

Aug. 27, 2026 - We unpack a legislative effort to regulate the practice of listing properties for sale in exclusive marketplaces. Our guest is Mike Kelly, vice president and chief lobbyist for the New York State Association of REALTORS.

Aug. 27, 2026 - New York State Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe discusses a controversial law restricting formal collaboration between police departments and federal immigration officials. He also explains why more than a dozen sheriffs are suing to block the measure.

Aug. 27, 2026 - State environmental officials could soon gain the authority to issue deer management permits across northern New York. We discuss the issue with Brian Bird, field operations coordinator for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

Aug. 27, 2026 - We explore two bills designed to smooth out the licensure process for aspiring social workers. Our guest is Todd Karlin, chief program officer at Astor Services.

Aug. 26, 2026- A new state initiative is offering one-on-one sustainability counseling for small businesses in New York. We discuss the program with NY DEC Director of Sustainability Brendan Woodruff and Empire State Development Environmental Services Unit Director Rebecca Miller.

Aug. 26, 2026- We get an update on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and consider how it could be a roadmap for economy-wide carbon restrictions in New York. Our guest is former state environmental official Jon Binder, executive director of the Model Climate Laws Initiative.

Aug. 26, 2026- A new report highlights the abundance of watchdogs for New York's state government, but questions whether they're setup to succeed. We explore these structural challenges with Reinvent Albany Senior Policy Advisor Rachael Fauss.

Aug. 25, 2026- State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham discusses the flow and destination of money intended to combat the opioid epidemic secured from legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors.