The Capitol Pressroom

Feb 03 2025 500 ep. 15 mins 99

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Assemblyman Hevesi talks child poverty and child care

Feb 03 2025 15 mins

Feb. 3, 2025 - Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi, a Queens Democrat, makes the case for building on the governor's proposals addressing child poverty and child care access.

Report finds judges undermining goal of bail law changes

Feb 03 2025 12 mins

Feb. 3, 2025 - Scrutinize founder Oded Oren explains how judges have been undermining changes to pre-trial detention in New York, which were intended to make bail more affordable than tradition bondsmen services.

Governor Hochul's green energy priorities

Feb 03 2025 15 mins

Feb. 3, 2025 - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President & CEO Doreen Harris explains the status of New York's "cap-and-invest" program and the governor's proposed spending on clean energy. We also get an update on the state's development of new nuclear projects.

Room for improvement in NY anti-smoking efforts

Feb 03 2025 13 mins

Feb. 3, 2025 - New York could do a better job reducing smoking levels, according to the American Lung Association. We break down the anti-smoking efforts in the state and identifying where policymakers are falling short with Michael Seilback, assistant vice president of nationwide advocacy of the ALA.

Checking in with New York's emergency response czar

Jan 31 2025 28 mins

Jan. 31, 2025 - New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray talks about a media literacy toolkit being deployed to schools, efforts to boost volunteer firefighter numbers, and reflects on her work as acting director of policy for the governor.

NY chief information officer talks budget and user experience

Jan 31 2025 21 mins

Jan. 31, 2025 - New York Chief Information Officer Dru Rai, head of the state Office of Information Technology Services, discusses the governor's budget proposal and making the state's websites more user friendly.

Child advocacy centers offer support following abuse

Jan 31 2025 13 mins

Feb. 03, 2025 - Children's advocacy centers oversee a coordinated response for kids who have been abused and Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to double their state funding after years of stagnant support. We discuss this important work and impact of the budget with Theresa Roth, executive director of the New York State Children's Alliance.

Senate Mental Health leader talks 2025 issues

Jan 30 2025 19 mins

Jan. 30, 2025 - Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester Democrat, addresses a proposed expansion of involuntary commitments, makes the case for implementing Daniel's Law, and calls for an investment in the mental health sector workforce.

The Catholic agenda at the Capitol

Jan 30 2025 9 mins

Jan. 30, 2025 - New York State Catholic Conference Director of Government Relations Kristen Curran voices opposition to increased state funding for reproductive health care, backs Gov. Kathy Hochul's expansion of the child tax credit, and weighs in on expanded access to emergency contraception.

Plastics industry pushes against waste reduction bill

Jan 30 2025 13 mins

Jan. 30, 2025 - The state legislature may be on the cusp of implementing restrictions on single-use plastic packaging, but the industry is pushing back against mandates that could alter their business practices. We talked with Matt Seaholm, president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association.