Getting to 'yes' on the state budget
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Finalizing a state budget requires varying degrees of compromise from the governor and legislature. But knowing when and where you have to give and when your negotiating partners will give a little more or won't budget another inch, is a key aspect of executing this annual dance in Planet Albany. To understand the budget choreography, host David Lombardo spoke with two veterans of the state budget process, Shontell Plummer, a partner with Tusk Strategies, and Miguelina Camilo, chief of staff for the New York City Council speaker. They also recount amusing remarks from the floor and how...
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Hochul budget strategy relies on time and special interest attacks
Dispatches from Planet Albany
The state budget is three weeks late and a deal does not appear imminent. Eventually all the pieces for a final budget will fall into place - seemingly all at once - but we wanted to explore how Gov. Kathy Hochul is approaching that point, as she utilizes one of her favorite tactics and one new one. To analyze these machinations we spoke with Nick Reisman, the Albany bureau chief for Politico New York. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter...
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The uphill battle of going red to blue in rural New York
Dispatches from Planet Albany
The race for an open Assembly seat in Trump Country is getting an unusual amount of coverage because Republican Marc Molinaro has chosen to mount his political comeback in the district. But Democrat Thomas Boomhower is hoping to disrupt the script and is running a longshot campaign, which will first require a primary win in June. He visited the studio to talk about the components of a potential upset, explain how his mom inspired him, and describe how he would serve in the Assembly. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast (because...
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Election Law 101: Ballot objections
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Now that campaign signatures have been collected and submitted for ballot access, we're entering the phase of the election calendar in New York when candidates wait to see if they'll withstand any administrative or legal challenges to their petitions. To learn about this process we talked with Adam Fusco, one of the small cadre of election lawyers in the state, who explained how he looks for defects, navigating the courts, and why - despite primarily working for Republicans - he takes on Democratic clients in parts of New York City. Plus, on The Capitol Pressroom, Adam discusses his work on...
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Could Tom DiNapoli lose the Democratic primary?
Dispatches from Planet Albany
The general consensus is tha state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is the prohibitive favorite to be the Democratic nominee in November, when he seeks a fifth full term in office. But we wanted to explore the variables and conditions that could lead to a Democratic outsider pulling off the biggest statewide upset in more than three decades, so we're checking in with Alex Elmasri, vice president of operations and growth for The Parkside Group. Spoiler alert: The smart money is still on DiNapoli. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast...
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Planet Albany Power Rankings revisited and budget timing accountability
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer responds to last week's discussion by explaining the ebb and flow of power at the Capitol and identifies who was underrated and overrated on the lists. She also takes a victory lap for her of a budget that would be at least four weeks late. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / Follow the show on Twitter / Follow the show on Instagram / Follow the show on Facebook /
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The Planet Albany Power Rankings
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Who are the five most powerful people in Planet Albany? That's the question for this episode, as host David Lombardo, Bloomberg Government Capitol reporter Raga Justin and Assemblymember Josh Jensen, a Rochester-area Republican, share their personal lists. The only rules are they can't include Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Also, we don't define what constitutes power or "Planet Albany." After you hear the episode, make sure you and let us know (anonymously) about your power rankings. And if you enjoy , please leave us...
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Former assemblyman eyes Capitol comeback 15 years after departure
Dispatches from Planet Albany
After following a traditional career trajectory for three decades, Marc Molinaro is mixing things up this year as he looks to return to the state Assembly, a chamber he left in 2012. The decision is a head scratcher for most in Planet Albany, so we talked with the Greene County Republican about why serving in the Assembly is the right fit for him at this point in his life. We also explore the North Country congressional run that never materialized, the state of the gubernatorial race and how he'll fit in at the Capitol as a freshman lawmaker. And if you enjoy , please leave us a...
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One battle after another for the Blakeman campaign
Dispatches from Planet Albany
In the best of circumstances, a Republican bid to be governor of New York is going to be a longshot. And the landscape has been less than ideal for the first three months of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul. We explore the current polling (down 20 points), fundraising (outgunned and potentially excluded from public financing) and environment (Trump in the White House and Hochul on cruise control) with the help of Nick Reisman, the Albany bureau chief for Politico New York. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming...
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Assemblyman Al Stirpe unpacks budget contention and process
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Assemblyman Al Stirpe, a Syracuse-area Democrat, provides a reality check on budget negotiations and considers how the points of contention might play out in the coming weeks. We discuss the prospects of a two-way agreement on immigration reform, the potential for a compromise on Gov. Kathy Hochul's attack on the CLCPA, and the lack of substantive disagreement on the money in the state budget. We also explore the possibility for pension reform and how Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie navigates his majority conference. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming...
info_outlineThis week is a sampling of Planet Albany voices, as we check in on the budget process, consider the appointment of a new DEC commissioner, and examine why there was no major investment in the child care workforce.
We'll hear from New York State Budget Director Blake Washington, Assembly Children & Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, and ReInvent Albany's Rachael Fauss. And if you're yearning for more policy-focused discussions, you can check out our Capitol Pressroom conversations with all these guests.
We're also hosting a free, live recording of the podcast on the morning of May 20 at the Bull Moose Club with Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Smith and NY Working Families Party co-Director Jasmine Gripper. Reserve your spot today!