May 7, 2025 - State Sen. Dean Murray, a Long Island Republican, and Ken Pokalsky, a vice president of The Business Council of New York State, express their objections to an evolving plan to fund the state's share of a $68 billion capital plan for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which would include cutting the payroll tax for small New York City area businesses and raising it for large employers. 

Pushback to state's funding plan for MTA capital plan

May 8, 2025 - Former Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy, now the president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, discusses changes to the selection process of future lieutenant governors that was included in the state budget at the behest of Gov. Kathy Hochul, who had a public break with her number two. The Rochester Democrat also talks about a healthy relationship between a lieutenant governor and the governor.

New York reforms lieutenant governor selection process

May 8, 2025 - Rose Duhan, president and CEO of the Community Healthcare Association of New York State, discusses how funding in the state budget and cuts to Americorps will impact the services provided by community healthcare centers. She also makes the case for expanding the scope of practice for health care professionals.

The future of NY's community healthcare centers

May 9, 2025 - We check in on the state of New York's marijuana landscape, including special showcase events, language in the state budget, and a backlog of license applications, with Joe Belluck, chair of the state's Cannabis Advisory Board.

State cannabis advisor on evolving marijuana landscape

May 9, 2025 - Patrick Wildes, director of Albany Law School's Government Law Center, discusses language in the state budget making it easier for New Yorkers to be involuntarily committed and considers what the implementation will look like.

New York codifies expansion of 'involuntary commitment' power

May 9, 2025 - Rockefeller Institute of Government President Bob Megna, a former state budget director, talks about the power governors have to unilaterally control spending and addresses Gov. Kathy Hochul's expanded authority over budget cuts.  

Hochul gets expanded authority to make mid-year budget cuts

May 12, 2025 - Katie Schaefer, director of advocacy and organizing, at the Center for Community Alternatives, makes the case for eliminating fees in the criminal justice system, which she argues are predatory.

Progressives look to retire court fees

May 12, 2025 - We discuss the state budget's effect on public schools with Brian Fessler, chief advocacy officer for the New York State School Boards Association. We break down funding for public education, relaxing a transition to zero-emission school buses, and implementing free school meals.

School boards association weighs in on state budget

May 12, 2025 - Fountain House CEO Ken Zimmerman explains how clubhouses promote therapeutic social engagement for New Yorkers with serious mental illnesses and talks about their funding in the state budget.

State invests in clubhouses addressing serious mental illness

May 12, 2025 - We explore the state's investment in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library with Jenn O'Connor, director of partnerships in early childhood policy for Education Trust-New York, and Peter Gannon, president and CEO at the United Way of the Greater Capital Region. The guests also weigh in on other elements of the state budget affecting kids.

State invests in 'Imagination Library' for kids

Sept. 28, 2020 - New York’s plastic bag ban survived a legal challenge and will go into effect next month. We talked with Mike Durant, President and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York State, about how stores across the state are adjusting to the ban.

Take 2 on New York’s plastic bag restrictions

The Capitol Pressroom