The Capitol Pressroom

May 28, 2023 - After mixed success in raising wages for human services sector workers in the budget, Human Services Council Executive Director Michelle Jackson is pushing a wage board to get this critical workforce the compensation they deserve.

May 28, 2024 - A Siena College Research Institute survey examines key environmental issues being debated at the Capitol. We review those questions, and more, with Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.

May 28, 2024 - Ever wonder how the classic wood signs end up in New York's parks? We talked with George Bailey, the man in charge of NYS DEC sign shop in Fulton County.

May 23, 2024 - State education officials are proposing gender-neutral rules for school sports, which could lead to an increase in co-ed sports team. We consider the merits of this idea and potential implementation challenges with Dr. Robert Zayas, executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

May 22, 2024 - Assemblymember Alex Bores, a Manhattan Democrat, discusses his legislation designed to curb the practice of unauthorized selling of dinner reservations at popular restaurants.

May 22, 2024 - Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director Peter Bauer and Deputy Director Claudia Braymer explain why New York should build wildlife crossings on certain roadways.

May 21, 2024 - In response to mounting evidence about the negative health effects of gas stoves, environmental and health activists are pushing to curtail these popular kitchen appliances in New York. In the interim, though, there is a campaign to spread awareness about the air contamination from gas stoves, explains Tim Guinee, New York legislative-action director for The Climate Reality Project New York State Chapter Coalition.

May 21, 2024 - Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer, a Westchester County Democrat, explains the overhaul of New York's teacher evaluation law that is awaiting the governor's signature.

May 21, 2024 - We highlight an effort to prevent New Yorkers from being sent out of state for electro-shock therapy with Rhoda Gibson and Gina Barbara, members of national ADAPT. Editor’s note: The deployment of electroconvulsive therapy in New York is dramatically different than the practices in Massachusetts referenced by the guests.

May 20, 2024 - Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan discusses what the state budget does - and doesn't do - to combat hunger in the Empire State.

May 20, 2024 - New York State Economic Development Council Executive Director Ryan Silva explains the work of the state's Public Subsidies Board and how it impacts construction projects around the Empire State.

May 20, 2024 - We talk with John Howard about his decades of public service in Planet Albany, including time in the Assembly, a leadership role in the administration of Andrew Cuomo, and five years at New York's utility regulator.

May 17, 2024 - SUNY Chancellor John King discusses the impact of funding in the state budget on SUNY campuses and aspiring college students.

May 17, 2024 - New York Coalition for Open Government President, Paul Wolf and Project Coordinator Annmarie Reeb make the case for state entities to track the records requests they receive to document their compliance with FOIL.

May 17, 2024 - We analyze a multi-state lawsuit against the NCAA for restrictions on incoming college athletes with the help of David Meluni, an associate teaching professor at the Syracuse University Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

May 17, 2024 - Model Alliance Executive Director Sara Ziff urges state lawmakers to adopt new regulations for the fashion industry that she says will protect vulnerable workers.

May 16, 2024 - ProPublica reporters Jodi Cohen and Jennifer Smith Richards discuss their deep dive into a for-profit school for people with Autism in Westchester County that is going largely unregulated by the state, despite reports of unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

May 16, 2024 - In light of the college protests that have popped up around the country since October, we discuss free speech rights and implementing the principles of free speech with Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and Justin Harrison, a Senior Policy Counsel with the organization.

May 16, 2024 - We highlight Medicaid dollars that flow through health insurance companies to address health disparities through community partnerships. To talk about the Quality Incentive Program we're joined by Eric Linzer, president and CEO of the New York Health Plan Association, and Diane Mbombo Tite, a former asylum seeker who benefited from this spending.

May 16, 2024 - Dr. Oxiris Barbot, president and CEO of the United Hospital Fund, talks about the scope of adolescent mental health needs and makes the case for more preventative care to avoid serious ramifications.