The storylines we can't quit from 2025 (and a new game)!
Release Date: 12/28/2025
Are Hochul and Mamdani on a collision course?
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani have largely been able to paper over their ideological differences, but the financial situation in the Big Apple could test that dynamic. Host David Lombardo and Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer consider whether the mayor and governor's unholy alliance can withstand this public disagreement and if the ultimate outcome is increasing taxes or some other solution to fund New York City's budget. We also reflect on how interest groups in Albany had to change their lobbying approach when the state Senate flipped hands in 2019 and how much...
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Getting to know Assemblyman Brian Cunningham
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Assemblymember Brian Cunningham's public profile has gone up a notch or two since of running mates for Gov. Kathy Hochul, but the Brooklyn Democrat is still far from a household name (even among Albany insiders). So host David Lombardo sat down with Cunningham in the studio at the Capitol to discuss his background (he interned with Sen. Kevin Parker), whether he's been vetted for the LG role (he hasn't), and the untold story behind his first name (you'll have to listen for that one). And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a to support the podcast (because...
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Handicapping the odds of Blakeman's LG choice
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Host David Lombardo and Lighthouse Public Affairs founder Chapin Fay handicap the odds for the contenders to be Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's running mate on the Republican ticket to win the executive mansion in Albany. 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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Handicapping the odds of Hochul's LG choice
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Because a reunion between Gov. Kathy Hochul and her number two, Antonio Delgado, is unlikely, she'll be running with a new lieutenant governor candidate in 2026. But who? The Dispatches from Planet Albany number crunchers have run the odds on a variety of options and host David Lombardo has The Parkside Group Vice President Alex Elmasri assess whether the lines should be higher or lower. They cover some of the frontrunners, names that would be good choices, and a couple jokes. You decide which is which. And if you enjoy , please leave us a rating and consider becoming a ...
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What you might have missed in the executive budget
Dispatches from Planet Albany
The highlights from Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget have permeated the consciousness of Planet Albany, but what about the other tasty morsels from the fine print? Host David Lombardo and Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark share some parts of the executive proposal that they think have been underappreciated, including new fees on lobbyists while cutting funding for the ethics watchdog and giving retroactive subsidies to New York City's theater productions. 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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No new taxes? No problem
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Gov. Kathy Hochul is planning to propose a budget that makes major investments into child care, increase spending on education and boosts the state's commitment for health care, but without raising taxes. How does that math work? We consider how Hochul and her budget team will make the numbers add up in her executive proposal with the help of Rockefeller Institute of Government President Bob Megna. The former budget director talks about the state's recent cash reports, which show revenues dramatically exceeding expectations, and considers how reserves might address future ambiguity. Then...
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About that recreational marijuana rollout in New York....
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Nearly five years since the legalization of marijuana in New York and the effort to standup a recreational marketplace is still facing challenges. To discuss some of the recent headaches, including leadership turnover at the state's marijuana regulator, and some ideas for addressing the illegal products ending up on shelves in New York, we spoke with Herb Barbot, the former director of operations at the state Office of Cannabis Management and now the chair of the Empire State Green Standard Alliance. Then we have another episode of "Know Your Politicos," with an internal Marathon...
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Drafting Lawmakers for the 2026 Fantasy League
Dispatches from Planet Albany
To commemorate the for 2026, we held a live draft in the Capitol. Host David Lombardo was joined by Assemblyman Josh Jensen, a Rochester-area Republican, and Bloomberg Government Capitol reporter Raga Justin to assemble a roster of six state lawmakers. They explained their preparation strategy, revealed some of the names at the Capitol they can't pronounce, and responded to some of the team names that were selected for the league. (SPOILER: Some are great.) And don’t forget to assemble your state lawmakers for the . Make your selections by 5 pm on Jan. 16 and follow along to see who is...
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How do you judge an effective state lawmaker?
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Since 2017, The Center for Effective Lawmaking has been trying to gauge the effectiveness of state and federal legislators. And they recently turned their analytical skills to the New York state lawmakers from the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions. We broke down with the help of Craig Volden, the organization's co-director and a professor with Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy at the University of Virginia. He explained how they calculate their scores, addresses the challenges of quantifying effectiveness, and considers how the analysis could be improved in the...
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Predictions and hopes for the 2026 session in Albany
Dispatches from Planet Albany
In advance of the legislative session, host David Lombardo and Tusk Strategies partner Shontell Plummer are making some predictions for the year ahead and putting out into the world their hopes and dreams for life in Planet Albany. They discuss the timing of the budget, the potential for increasing taxes, funding for child care, overhauling alcohol laws and the possibility of seeing dogs at the Capitol. And don't forget to assemble your state lawmakers for the . Make your selections by 5 pm on Jan. 16 and follow along to see who is the all-knowing expert on the legislative process.
info_outlineBefore we say goodbye to 2025, we want to remember some of the narratives and events that captivated us (for good or bad) during the year.
For this trip down memory lane, host David Lombardo is joined by Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark and Bloomberg Industry Capitol reporter Raga Justin. They discuss cursing from politicians, the election law changes that never happened, turnover at the Capitol, and the survival skills of Jay Jacobs.
We also had the inaugural run of our "Know your Politicos," where we test the ability of guests to recognize voices from Planet Albany.
And if this type of insider discussion is your cup of tea, you may be interested in our holiday offer for supporters of the program. For a $50 contribution or a recurring commitment of $5 a month we’ll give you a 12×9 poster celebrating life on Planet Albany.