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.

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 Dispatches from Planet Albany, p...

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. 

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Anthony Hogrebe is not a household name in Planet Albany, but as communications director for Gov. Kathy Hochul he plays an outsized role in shaping the discussions in and around the Capitol.

He visited the studio to explain what he does, how he uses (or doesn't use) Twitter and go through his Linkedin account. We also discuss the governor's press presence in Planet Albany and the challenges surrounding messaging a potential CLCPA budget victory this year.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to...

Assemblyman Sam Berger, a Queens Democrat, visited the studio to discuss what it's like being one of a handful of Orthodox Jews in the state legislature.

We discuss interactions with his colleagues, how faith informs his political values, oversight of Yeshivas and pandering on issues related to Israel. We also get to the bottom of whether there are good bagels near the Capitol.

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).

The Democratic majorities have identified their budget priorities, but now the question is what they'll fight for during negotiations with Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer joins the show to talk about the one-house resolutions, including their approach to pension reform and increasing taxes. She also reflects on the Assembly Democrats' aversion to policy in the budget and the governor's campaign to roll back New York's statutory green goals.

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...

It's a grab bag episode featuring clips from the Capitol Pressroom cutting room floor and a new interview about a polling experiment.

Up first, Siena Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg addresses a decision to ask registered voters to weigh in on quotes from the gubernatorial candidates, without knowing who the statements actually came from. We consider how the experiment could have been more useful and discuss what the latest poll says about Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's embrace of the work by ICE agents.

And in the rest of the show we talk about the...

Who is the most effective state lawmaker? Will a bill become a law? What is the impact of a piece of legislation?

While denizens of Planet Albany may all have opinions on these subjective questions, two veterans of Uber designed an artificial intelligence tool that is trying to bring objectivity to these issues.

Cuomo alum Matt Wing and Josh Mohrer, founder of an AI-powered note-taking platform, have thrown publicly available legislative data and insights from Capitol experts into an AI blender. They discuss how the sausage is made, explain why they launched the service, and...

There are many ways to getting a job at the Capitol, so we wanted to explore the efficacy of a degree from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy in pursuing a state government career.

Host David Lombardo spoke with Ashley Dwyer, director of career services and employee relations at the college, and Patricia Strach, a professor with the college. They discuss the different offerings at the school, who can benefit from this experience, and the complications of the Rockefeller name. 

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and co...

Host David Lombardo is joined by, friend of the show, Assemblyman Ed Ra to talk about his ascension to head of the Assembly GOP Conference, including how he generated support and his approach to leadership.

They discuss the Long Island Republican's relationship with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, boosting the GOP's ranks in the Assembly and whether he'll be requiring his members to embrace his love of Taylor Swift. 

Then Ra and Assemblyman Josh Jensen, a Rochester-area Republican, compete in the latest round of "Know Your Politicos." 

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Alb...

In response to this winter's energy bills, Planet Albany is rife with discussion about how to give ratepayers some relief. To cut through all the rhetoric and empty promises, we're checking in with Marie French, the energy and environment reporter for Politico New York.

In addition to throwing cold water on the rate relief ideas from Democrats and Republicans, we also consider whether Gov. Kathy Hochul may insert amendments to the CLCPA down the stretch in the budget process and why a new forecasting discussion by the state electric grid monitor has stakeholders worked up.

...

New York Working Families Part Director Jasmine Gripper joins the show to discuss the liberal third party's decision not to endorse a primary challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul, which may have been the final straw for Antonio Delgado's longshot gubernatorial bid. 

We also talk about the consolidation of power at the WFP, their relationship with the DSA, and how they'll get involved in the state comptroller's race. 

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...

In less than two years as the head of the New York Apartment Association, Kenny Burgos has cemented himself as the social media alternative to his former Capitol colleague Zohran Mamdani on housing issues (although on a much smaller scale).

We sat down with the former Bronx Assembly member to discuss his commitment to short videos and how he makes them, their ability to change the narrative on housing issues in Planet Albany, and the big issue he's hoping for action on in 2026. 

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The decision by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris not to run for re-election in 2026 could have a dramatic impact on the faces in state senate leadership. And not just on the government side, as he was also head of the Senate Democrat's political arm.

Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer, who used to work closely with Gianaris in her previous life, discusses the internal roles held by the Queens Democrat for more than a decade and considers what might happen with his posts.

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Redistricting is traditionally supposed to be on the menu once a decade, but it has become a recurring staple in New York, where Democrats are exploring options to redraw congressional lines before 2032.

Host David Lombardo breaks down the potential outcomes from a court case challenging the NY-11 boundaries with the help of Jeff Wice, a senior fellow and distinguished adjunct professor with the New York Law School's Census and Redistricting Institute. He also discusses the outstanding constitutional amendment to rewrite New York's redistricting process and an effort to get an early start on the Census count for 2030.<...

Wednesday was a big day for Gov. Kathy Hochul's election campaign. The incumbent Democrat identified former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate and almost immediately lost the support of the Brooklyn Democratic Committee as a result. Then it was leaked out that NYC Mayora Zohran Mamdani would be endorsing her re-election.

To understand all of these Big Apple based developments we checked in with Jeff Coltin, the editor-in-chief for City & State New York. 

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to...

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...

Assemblymember Brian Cunningham's public profile has gone up a notch or two since making a short list 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).

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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 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).

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 Dispatches from Planet Albany, ple...

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 Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could re...

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 we h...

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 Strategies c...

To commemorate the Planet Albany Fantasy Lawmaker League 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 2026 Planet Albany Fantasy Lawmaker League. Make your s...

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 their report 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 future.

And don't forget to assemble y...

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 2026 Planet Albany Fantasy Lawmaker League. Make your selections by 5 pm on Jan. 16 and follow along to see who is...

For the final episode of 2025, host David Lombardo talks with Politico New York Albany Bureau Chief Nick Reisman about some of the stories from the last 12 months that will likely reverberate in 2026 and the events that New Yorkers will probably not remember.

They chat about the fallout from the prison strikes, the election law changes that never materialized, restrictions on smartphones in schools and Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature inflation refund checks.

And if this type of insider discussion is your cup of tea, you may be interested in our holiday offer for supporters of the pro...

Before 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...

Former state Budget Director Bob Megna, now the president of the Rockefeller Institute of Government, joins the show to explain how the Hochul administration is navigating lost federal funding.

We discuss the wiggle room in the state's spending plan, the potential for cutting agency red tape, and how serioulsy to take projected holes from the Division of Budget. He also sheds some light on behind-the-scenes discussions about child care funding and the delivery of health care in the Empire State. 

And if this type of insider discussion is your cup of tea, you may be int...

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik suspended her short-lived bid for governor on Friday afternoon, so we're breaking down her anouncement and the ramifications of the decision, including what this means for the Republican gubernatorial landscape.

Our guest is Chapin Fay, a Republican strategist and founder of Lighthouse Public Affairs.

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.

On paper, a Hudson Valley Senate District that includes the communities of Poughkeepsie, Newburgh and Beacon would seem made for a Democratic representative, but since redistricting it has been occupied by Republican Rob Rolison.

In 2026, Poughkeepsie City Councilman Evan Menist is hoping to flip control of the seat by riding a blue wave and talking about affordability until he is blue in the face. The former senate staffer joined the show to discuss his campaign and explain why this purple seat has eluded Democrats so far. 

And if this type of insider discussion is your cup...

It's the season of giving: Giving somewhat controversial bills to the governor for her signature, veto, or the promise of future amendments.

There are 122 bills awaiting action by Gov. Kathy Hochul (at the time of the podcast recording), so we're reflecting on the process of delivering bills at the end of the year and unpacking some of the pending legislation with the help of Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter.

And if this insider discussion is your cup of tea, you may be interested in our holiday offer for supporters of the program. F...

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's flirtation with a run for governor became official this week, as he announced his bid to be the GOP nominee to take on Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026.

We explored his path to a primary victory and an upset in November with Michael Dawidziak, a Long Island-based Republican strategist. We talked about Blakeman's resume, the possibility of strategic voting by GOP primary participants, and the role of President Donald Trump in picking his party's nominee.

And if this insider discussion is your cup of tea, you may be interested in our h...

While Democrats were making inroads all over New York in November, they were turned back in the race for mayor of Binghamton, where the GOP incumbent secured re-election despite a major enrollment disadvantage.

This got us interested in the larger Broome County Republican apparatus, so we're checking in with their 31-year-old chair, Benji Federman. We talk about his pathway into political leadership, why he supports Rep. Elise Stefanik's gubernatorial bid, and how he thinks Republicans can rebuild their presence in the state legislature.

And if this insider discussion is your cup of tea, you may...

After years of anticipation, plus some twists and turns along the way, there is clarity about the future casino landscape in the New York City area.

We broke down the significance of the state siting board's decision with Bennett Liebman, one of the architect's of the 2013 law that paved the way to the proliferation of casino licenses in New York. We consider what to expect with these projects, like when they'll start asking for tax breaks, and take a broader look at New York's gambling operators. 

And if this insider discussion is your cup of t...

The race for governor of New York won't be decided for another eleven months, but a snapshot of the contest from the fall by a conservative think tank suggests the election is winnable for Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

We unpack the findings, including Gov. Kathy Hochul's underwhelming performance in New York City, and the poll's methodology with Jesse Arm, vice president of external affairs at the Manhattan Institute, where his duties include polling. 

And if this discussion is your cup of tea, you may be interested in our limited-time offer for supporters of the program. F...

Tusk Strategies partner Shontell Smith Plummer is back on the podcast after a lengthy absence to discuss whether a leak from the Hochul administration was accidentally done on purpose, the possibility of tax increases in next year's state budget, and whether Democratic lawmakers at the Capitol are going to veer to the left because of possible primaries.

We also talk about who the governor might tap to be her running mate in 2026 and whether any of the contenders need to try less.

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In 2022, corruption charges blew up the career trajectory for then-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin. More than three years later, with the case dropped by federal prosecutors, the Harlem Democrat has a new life and a new perspective on the legal system and his life's journey.

Benjamin visited the studio to reflect on the allegations of bribery from his time in the state senate, consider the role of the governor's number two and what makes a good lieutenant governor, and share his plans for the future. 

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A recent report from the Business Council of New York State made the case that employers in the Empire State don't feel like they're being heard by state policymakers. Putting aside that every interest group feels like this, it's undeniable that business interests do play a lot of defense during the legislative session in Albany.

To discuss the lobbying efforts of the business community we sat down with former Democratic Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, who is now a lobbyist with Brown & Weinraub. 

And for Working Rules we explored the relationship between New York governors and the S...

What does it mean to be a Democrat?

That's the question being posed to the party faithful in New York by Matt Castelli, who is best known in the Empire State for his 2022 congressional shellacking at the hands of Rep. Elise Stefanik. The former CIA operative has regrouped in Dutchess County, where there is speculation about a 2027 run for county executive, and is hoping to rebuild his party's brand in New York with input from the county committees.

Castelli joined the show to make the case that Democrats have to stand for more than a...