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...

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...

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. 

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 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).

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. 

A...

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 Capitol Pressroom conversation 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...

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 Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a ra...

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 Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us...

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 if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Al...

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 documented the increasing use of the technology in politics. 

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

The race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid.

In the second part of our conversation, the Tusk Strategies partner reveals that progressives wanted to work behind the scenes for the former governor, reflects on the mayoral campaigns of Brad Lander and Zellnor Myrie, defends Cuomo talking points on the pandemic, and identifies some of her favorite political analysts on Twitter.

...

The race to be the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City is in the rear view mirror, so Shontell Smith is making good on her promise this spring to peel back the curtain on her work for Andrew Cuomo's unsuccesful primary bid.

The Tusk Strategies partner explains what she did as political director for the Cuomo campaign, addresses possible missteps by the team, and discusses what was going on with state senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos.

We'll have more in part two!

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please l...

Assemblyman Pat Burke thinks everyone needs to calm down about his Queens colleague, who may be the next mayor of New York City.

The western New York Democrat is responding to what he feels are misplaced fears about Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's personal beliefs and agenda, as well as the Democratic politicians falling all over themselves to denounce or embrace the movement launched in New York City.

Burke explains all of this and his expectations for a Mamdani mayoral agenda in Albany. 

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave us a ra...

After more than a decade of working for other people, political pollster Adam Carlson is ready to work for himself and has launched a new polling and research firm. He joins the show to discuss his business model and how he hopes to drum up business, before wading into the New York City mayoral polling, Gov. Kathy Hochul's reluctance to embrace Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, and his incessant tweeting. 

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 mon...

A commanding victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary this summer by Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist from Queens, raises new possibilities and challenges for the New York City Democratic Socialists of America.

We discuss the NYC DSA's role in uplifting Mamdani's campaign and how they'll support his agenda moving forward with NYC DSA co-Chair Grace Mauser and Assemblymember Pharra Soufrant Forrest, a Brooklyn Democrat and member of the DSA.

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

Politicians on both sides of the aisle talk about their support for families, so why is it so hard to get major policy and spending initiatives enacted in Planet Albany that demonstrably improve their lives?

Universal child care is still years away at best. The effort to reduce child poverty in half is going in slow motion. And the health care system is in need of an overhaul.

We explore what it's like to lobby on some of these key issues with Jenn O'Connor, founder of Jenn O'Connor Consulting, who has worked in the state...

We're drafting again at the urging of Assembly members Josh Jensen and Ed Ra.

The Assembly Republicans join Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, Raga Justin, a Capitol reporter for the Times Union, and David Lombardo, the host with most, to pick Planet Albany's best dressed, funniest, and best talker, as well as the Capitol reporter who would make the best state lawmaker. 

Don't forget to vote on the winner!

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider becoming a recurring contributor to help keep the podcast alive.

V...

We're handing out "The Dispatches" awards for the 2025 legislative session! 

Host David Lombardo, Times Union Capitol reporter Raga Justin, and Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark recognize the environmental movement, smartphone restrictions in school, Medical Aid in Dying, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, "affordability," Sen. James Skoufis and many more at this prestigious event.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider becoming a recurring contributor to help keep the podcast alive.

The lobbying restrictions were off Shontell Smith this past legislative session, so we talked with the Tusk Strategies partner about her efforts this year to move bills through the state Assembly and Senate.

We discuss a controversial measure paving the way to a casino in Queens, the stress of last-minute bill amendments, asking for meetings with state lawmakers, and reflect on how difficult it is to get legislation across the finish line at the Capitol.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider becoming a recurring contributor to help keep the podcast alive.

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado has embarked on a longshot bid to be the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2026, so we wanted to explore what the path looks like to beating Gov. Kathy Hochul next June.

Mapping out this course is Rebecca Garrard, co-executive director of Citizen Action of New York, which is playing footsie with Delgado. In the second part of our conversation we touch on the role of the Working Families Party in a Democratic gubernatorial primary, the implications of a multi-candidate field, and Delgado's messaging skills.

In the first part of our conversation we...

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado has embarked on a longshot bid to be the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2026, so we wanted to explore what the path looks like to beating Gov. Kathy Hochul next June.

Mapping out this course is Rebecca Garrrard, co-executive director of Citizen Action of New York, which is playing footsie with Delgado. In the first part of our conversation we touch on the benefits of a "tax the rich" message, the importance of fundraising, boosting name recognition, and what lessons should be learned from Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign.

And if you...

The passage of four years since the legalization of marijuana has done little to calm these rocky waters and bring stability to this chaotic industry. To discuss how the wind is currently blowing in the cannabis landscape, we checked in with Katie Neer, who is of counsel with Dickinson & Avella.

Katie and host David Lombardo talked about an anonymous letter from staff at the Office of Cannabis Management, the legislative approach (or lack of one) to marijuana issues, and forecasted the next big cannabis conundrum.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider...

There are two weeks left on the legislative calendar and staff, lobbyists and state lawmakers are already feeling the crunch. So we explore what it's like navigating this stressful time period and whether anything big will get done down the stretch this session with former Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, a lobbyist with Brown & Weinraub.

Host David Lombardo talks with the Rockland County Democrat about pending environmental bills, his new hybrid truck, and next year's gubernatorial election.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider becoming a recurring contributor to help keep the podcast alive.

We're drafting again and this time we've got a new cast of characters selecting their favorite political movies.

Host David Lombardo is joined by Amanda Henning Santiago, of The Parkside Group, and Sam Alberti, formerly of the executive chamber. We're picking six different categories of films, exploring what constitutes a political movie, and debating how to push your favorites on to other people.

And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please consider becoming a recurring contributor to help keep the podcast coming. Visit capitolpressroom.org/donate to support the show. 

The state budget is in the rear view mirror, so we pick through some of the leftover crumbs and consider what tasty stories are left for the rest of session with Shontell Smith, a partner with Tusk Strategies.

We also explore the budget dynamics between the state legislature and governor with former state Budget Director Bob Megna, who also reveals if his opinion was ever solicited on non-fiscal issues during the budget process.

Controversial legislation allowing terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives with the help of a doctor received a vote in the Assembly this spring, surprising Capitol observers because the measure divided important constituencies in the Assembly majority, has no guarantee of getting a vote in the Senate and might be dead on arrival if it gets to the governor.

To learn how the floor vote came together, we talked with the measure's Assembly sponsor, Westchester County Democrat Amy Paulin.

And then we're joined by Times Union Capitol reporter Raga Justin to recap our experience...

Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Smith and Capitol Pressroom host David Lombardo try to explain why "Medical Aid in Dying" legislation got a vote in the Assembly this week. Then they talk about the state of the budget (which we still haven't seen) and whether any of the highlights championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul will resonate with voters.

Along the way they also reveal how their significant others consume this podcast. 

The field of Republican candidates for governor in 2026 is starting to take shape, so we wanted to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the big names who are out there and consider what it will take for the GOP to win back the executive mansion in next year.

Our guest is Chapin Fay, a conservative communications and political strategist, who is founder of Lighthouse Public Affairs. 

Tusk Strategies partner Shontell Smith brings the fury and wrath of a vengeful god to this episode, as she responds to last week's political draft on the podcast, when her firm was not selected in the "Most Powerful Lobbying Firm" category.

She addresses this omission and other categories from the draft, before discussing state budget negotiations and a potential run for governor by Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Based on the success of our first Dispatches from Planet Albany draft, we're going back to the well and drafting new categories.

We're drafting most powerful interest groups, most effective PR consultants, best LG choice for Governor Hochul in 2026, and much more. Teams are being assembled by Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter for the Times Union, Raga Justin, a Capitol reporter for the Times Union, and David Lombardo, keeper of the Excel spreadsheet.

After you listen to the podcast, visit The Capitol Pressroom’s Twitter account to vote on who drafted the bes...

At this point in the state budget process, a few days into the new fiscal year and high-level negotiations still hammering out major sticking points, there isn't much for rank-and-file state lawmakers to do when they're at the Capitol.

We talked with Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, now working on her fifth budget, about how she prepares for this period and what she does to occupy her time.

We also check in with Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Smith to recognize her budgetary prediction powers and learn how a final budget comes together. 

State Sen. James Skoufis may not have gotten to lead the DNC, but he did get the next best thing: an invite to this podcast.

We talked with the Orange County Democrat about his unsuccessful national leadership bid, his political ambition in New York, the 2026 race for governor, and reforming the Democratic state party. 

This week's Dispatches from Planet Albany episode features content that couldn't fit on the radio, but is perfect for political nerds looking for inside baseball conversations.

We peppered state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli about his political ambitions, who he's backing for governor in 2026, the debate over aging elected officials, and how he'll approach oversight of the new CDPAP contract.

And Richard Rifkin, legal director for the Government Law Center at Albany Law School, gets into the weeds on the court ruling that upheld COELIG and shares some reflections as a former ethics watchdog. 

Did you know you can legally bet on political outcomes in America? And not just big elections, but obscure political races in New York City or the fate of Gov. Kathy Hochul's rebate check proposal.

In light of host David Lombardo jumping into this world with both feet, we explore the odds behind some of the most hotly discussed elections in Planet Albany and consider what other political events in New York are worth a bet. Our guest is Alex Elmasri, a vice president with The Parkside Group.

And first we'll check in with Shontell...

We explore what contributed to the wildcat strike by prison guards around New York and whether there is a long-term solution to the underlying tension in the state corrections system. Our guest is Chris Gelardi, a reporter with New York Focus. 

For our banter with Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Smith, we discuss the conscious decoupling between Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Then we reflect on the governor's underwhelming effort to put so-called guardrails on the powers of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Our deep dive this show is into the 21st Congressional District and whether Democrats should be spending any of their blood, sweat and tears on this GOP-controlled seat when it becomes up for grabs in a special election. We talk about the Democrats' longshot chances to flip this district with SKDK Managing...

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado formally detached his political future from Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday, announcing he would not be running for re-election in 2026.

In light of this shakeup in the political landscape, we had to do a bonus episode of the podcast and we turned to Rich Azzopardi, a veteran of years of gubernatorial drama and now the founder of Bulldog Strategies.

We discussed the next steps for Delgado, unpacked in real time the response from the Hochul administration, and considered whether this creates openings for other Democrats hoping to be governor.

We're breaking new ground on the podcast and holding our first ever fantasy draft, where we choose elected officials for six different categories. Our teams will be assembled by Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter for the Times Union, Raga Justin, a Capitol reporter for the Times Union, and David Lombardo, home cook.

After you listen to the podcast, visit The Capitol Pressroom's Twitter account to vote on who drafted the best team. 

If you enjoy this podcast format, please suggest other draft formats that could intersect with Planet Albany. 

This weekend is one of the biggest celebrations in Planet Albany, as the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators hosts its 54th Annual Conference. We talk about the glitz and glamour, the workshops, overhauling the association's scholarships, and the code of conduct with Charlene Gayle, the organization's executive director.

We also gab about the past week's political headlines with Shontell Smith, head of the New York practice for Tusk Strategies. 

Democratic consultant Bradley Honan, president and CEO of the Honan Strategy Group, is making the case that power in state government has become more diffuse (while still acknowledging that the legislative leaders and governor still call the shots). 

We also get our first "Delgado Watch" update from Jason Beeferman, author of the Politico New York Playbook PM, who tracked down Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado this week to discuss his relationship with Gov. Kathy Hochul.