The Full Story

Hartford and Albany were hard at work this week. New York finalized its budget and Connecticut pondered reaping revenue from vices. Our guests: David Lombardo, capitol reporter, Albany Times Union David Schwartz, environmental reporter, Newsday Ebong Udoma, senior political reporter, WSHU Ken Dixon, state capitol reporter and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media Keith Phaneuf, economic reporter, Connecticut Mirror

Climate change is having an impact in our region. Allergy experts say the mild winter has resulted in a severe pollen count this spring. A ferry service on Long Island is taking action to deal with the sea level rise around Shelter Island. And a marine biologist at UConn has documented the temperature increase on the Long Island Sound over the past 45 years. Our guests: Hannes Baumann, Ph.D., assistant professor of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut Stella Lagudis, general manager, North

The AFL-CIO in Connecticut is crying foul over a bill they say would roll back safeguards for clean contracts. The bill was submitted by Democrats on behalf of Governor Lamont. Lawmakers say they neither support nor oppose the bill. But union leaders say it would bring back the bad old days of Governor John Rowland. Our guests: Gary Rose, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Government, Politics and Global Studies, Sacred Heart University Sal Luciano, president, Connecticut AFL-CIO Josh

Connecticut environmentalists release a draft of their Blue Plan for the Long Island Sound . Now they’re getting input from the public. In New York a recent report found black women to be more likely to die in childbirth than white women. Lawmakers are calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to create a review board to investigate. Our guests: James Albis, senior advisor to the commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Tony Hwang, Connecticut state senator, R-Fairfield

Developers in New York say a bill on pay parity will slow down public projects. Two former congressmen go to campuses to excite students about public service. And, an anti-racism group wants schools on Long Island to make their curriculum more multicultural. Our guests: Mitch Pally, CEO, Long Island Builders Institute John Brooks, New York state senator, D-Seaford Robert Weygand, former U.S. congressman, D-RI; professor, political science, University of Rhode Island Gil Gutknecht, former U.S.

State budgets are the main story in our region this week. Will New York approve a ban on plastic bags or a property tax cap? What about campaign finance reform or congestion pricing? And is legal marijuana really done for this session? In Connecticut tolls are still front and center in the budget debate while lawmakers approved a new economics commissioner. And we get the latest in the Yale school admissions cheating scandal. Our guests: Michael Gormley, Albany reporter, Newsday Joe Shaw,

Should we have the right to die? Connecticut and New York are considering bills that would allow doctors to help terminally ill patients end their lives. Some say it’s immoral. Others say it would bring peace to patients who are suffering while they wait for time to pass. Our guests: Timothy Quill, M.D., Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Distinguished Professor of Palliative Care, University of Rochester School of Medicine John Kelly, regional director, Second Thoughts Cathy Ludlum, disability rights

Taxes are on the minds of both residents and lawmakers in our area. Homeowners are just beginning to understand the impact of the Trump administration’s changes to the state and tocal tax deductions. New York Governor Cuomo is pushing for a permanent property tax cap. Meanwhile in Connecticut, legislators are considering taxes on sugary drinks and plastic bags. And what’s happening with the gas tax as electric cars become more popular? Talking taxes with our guests: Anthony Basile, Ph.D.,

Legalizing recreational marijuana may be out of New York’s budget proposal and some say it’s Long Island’s fault. In Connecticut, sports betting, new casinos and tolls move ahead in the legislature. We’ll talk about these and other top stories this week on The Full Story. Our Guests: Karen DeWitt - WSHU’s Albany Capitol Correspondent Michael Gormley - Newsday Albany Reporter Ebong Udoma - WSHU’s Senior Political Reporter Ken Dixon - Hearst CT Media State Capitol Reporter and Columnist Keith

In the United States, over 1.5 trillion dollars is owed in student debt. In Connecticut, students carry a debt load of $17 billion overall. On Long Island, the average student owes about $35,000. It’s burning a hole in their pockets, and it’s a never ending problem. What are experts saying we can do to fix this? Our Guests: