Lobbyists prepare for 2026 legislative session
Dispatches from Planet Albany
The 2026 legislative session may be months away, but lobbyists who want to be successful in Albany next year are already looking to get their ducks in a row (while also putting a bow on the recent session). Doug Clark, a co-managing partner of Shenker Russo & Clark, explains how lobbyists are working to put their 2025 issues to bed and getting their agenda set for next year, including lining up stakeholders and drumming up media attention. And for Working Rules we talk with media consultant Tyrone Stevens about the forgettable gaffe this week from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who told black...
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NYC mayor's race thrusts sex work debate into spotlight
Dispatches from Planet Albany
The effort to decriminalize sex work in New York became a political cudgel this summer, with former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Eric Adams trying to use the issue against Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. In light of the media attention, we're checking in with proponents of decriminalization for their reaction to the politicization of this issue, a status check on legislative efforts in Albany, and a sense of what incremental victories might look like. Our guests are Jared Trujillo, an associate professor at CUNY School of Law, and Melissa Brudo, legal director for Decriminalize Sex...
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They don't make 'em like Danny Donohue anymore
Dispatches from Planet Albany
The longtime leader of CSEA, Danny Donohue, passed away this summer, so we wanted to explore how he wielded power, his brash style, and whether anyone was picking up his mantle in Planet Albany. For all that insight we tapped into the institutional knowledge and insights of Liz Benjamin, a former journalist and now a big deal for Marathon Strategies. And for our Working Rules segment we check in with political gambling fiend and Parkside Group Vice President Alex Elmasri to discuss the game of political musical chairs getting started in Manhattan.
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Four years of Kathy Hochul
Dispatches from Planet Albany
It's been four years since Kathy Hochul was elevated to the executive mansion, so we're looking back at her time as governor. Breaking down the governor's successes, missteps and future is Politico New York reporter Nick Reisman, co-author of New York Playbook. We discuss the Hector LaSalle debacle, how the Hochul administration compares to four more years of Andrew Cuomo, and the looming challenges of 2026. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).
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Planet Albany journalist joins the dark side
Dispatches from Planet Albany
After 17 years in Planet Albany as a public radio journalist, Ian Pickus sold out this summer and took a communications job with the state Office of Mental Health. He joins the podcast for an exit interview to reflect on his time with the capital region's NPR affiliate, including preparing for political interviews and his station's rocky relationship with then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Pickus also explains why he was ready to move to the dark side. And in our "Working Rules" segment, the Times Union's Dan Clark discusses the turnover in the Legislative Correspondents' Association. And if you...
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Longshot comptroller candidate calls ‘bullshit’ on status quo
Dispatches from Planet Albany
For the first time since he was appointed state comptroller in 2007, Tom DiNapoli is facing a challenge to his power from another Democrat. Drew Warshaw, a veteran of the Spitzer administration, gave up his leadership post at a housing nonprofit to launch an underdog bid to be New York's state comptroller. In a we touch on his vision for the office, including how to run the pension fund and distribute unclaimed funds, but now we're turning to his campaign, the authenticity of his messaging and the importance of matching funds. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider...
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Kathy Hochul goes on the PR offensive
Dispatches from Planet Albany
In response to GOP gerrymandering efforts this summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul has tried to position herself as the champion of Democratic efforts to fight back, talking often and aggressively about mid-decade redistricting in New York. In light of this aggressive PR push, which has seen Hochul try to grab the national spotlight, we wanted to consider where and when the governor is an effective communicator. To make sense of her strengths and weaknesses, we talked with Morgan Hook, a partner with Bluejacket Strategies. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming...
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Good government groups sidelined in NY redistricting dialogue
Dispatches from Planet Albany
In the best of circumstances, good government groups only have so much influence over Planet Albany. And the limits of their power has been on display this summer, as New York Democrats make the partisan case for mid-decade redistricting to grow their footprint in Congress. But is any of this new or has the subtext just become text at the Capitol? To answer these questions and more, we're joined by Blair Horner, senior policy advisor for the New York Public Interest Research Group. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast...
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New York Dems prepare for redistricting battle
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Democrats around the country, including in the Empire State, are looking to fight fire with fire, in response to Republican states, at the behest of President Donald Trump, taking steps to redraw their congressional boundaries mid-decade. Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a Manhattan Democrat, joins the show to explain why New York has a vested interest in pursuing an update to its redistricting process, makes the case that Democrats can produce a more partisan gerrymander under existing constitutional restrictions, and reflects on why his party trails Republicans on Machiavellian maneuvers. And...
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Political campaigns look to harness artificial intelligence
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Artificial intelligence is invading all corners of life and political campaigns are not immune from the spread, as candidates and their teams turn to this burgeoning technology for help with behind-the-scenes work and external communications. We explore how campaigns in New York are using artificial intelligence and may deploy it in the future with Annie McDonough, a reporter with City & State New York, who . And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Instagram: ...
info_outlineIt's been four years since Kathy Hochul was elevated to the executive mansion, so we're looking back at her time as governor.
Breaking down the governor's successes, missteps and future is Politico New York reporter Nick Reisman, co-author of New York Playbook. We discuss the Hector LaSalle debacle, how the Hochul administration compares to four more years of Andrew Cuomo, and the looming challenges of 2026.
And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money).