Capitol Confidential

Latest Episodes:

State comptroller’s race: Raj Goyle Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

We’re continuing to speak with candidates in this year’s competitive race for state comptroller. Raj Goyle is one of three Democrats challenging incumbent state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli for their party’s nomination in that race. He wants to use the power of the comptroller’s office to fight the federal government’s deportation efforts by changing how the state’s public pension fund is invested. He also wants to leverage the office to address the state’s energy affordability crisis.

Goyle spoke with us about that, his background and politics in New York.

Who you’re hearing:

Dan Clark (social links)
Raj Goyle

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Gov. Kathy Hochul on her future in politics, energy bills and immigration policy Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Gov. Kathy Hochul released her executive budget proposal and outlined her agenda for the year last month. But she’s also up for reelection this year, raising the stakes for what she’s able to accomplish between now and November.

We sat down with Hochul at the Hearst Media Center to talk about her future in politics, high energy bills, immigration policy and more in a wide-ranging conversation.

Who you’re hearing:

Dan Clark (social links)
Gov. Kathy Hochul

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State comptroller’s race: Drew Warshaw Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Voters will decide this year if incumbent state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli serves another term or hands off his job to someone else.

He’s facing his first serious primary challenge since he first became comptroller in 2007 from two Democrats. One of them is Drew Warshaw, who most recently helped lead a national housing nonprofit.Warshaw wants to use the state’s pension fund for public workers for new priorities and change how the money that goes into it is invested. He sat down with us to chat about his campaign.

Who you’re hearing:

Dan Clark (social links)
Drew Warshaw

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Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on the 2026 legislative session Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

It’s a new year and that means the state Legislature is back in Albany for the start of the 2026 legislative session.

Democrats have a long list of priorities and have until early June to accomplish them. The state’s cost of living is at the top of that list but lawmakers expect to face other challenges this year as well.

We sat down with state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins this week at our launch event for Capitol Confidential Pro to talk about what’s ahead for the new year.

Who you’re hearing:

Dan Clark (social links)
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins

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Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on New York’s financial future and reelection Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

New York is facing a multibillion dollar gap heading into next year’s state budget because of decisions made at both the state and federal levels. State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli joins us with analysis on how those conversations could play out at the state Capitol and what they could mean for the state’s finances.

DiNapoli is also seeking reelection next year and is facing a primary challenge from at least two Democrats. We speak with him about his record and the case he plans to make to voters.

Who you’re hearing:

Dan Clark (social links)
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli

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No New York Farms, No New York Food (Renee St. Jacques) Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

New York’s farms produce the milk in your fridge, the grapes in your wine and the cannabis I’m sure you don’t own. That work isn’t easy and it becomes even harder when government gets in the way.

We talk about challenges New York’s farms are facing this week with Renée St. Jacques, director of public policy at the New York Farm Bureau.

Who you’re hearing:

Dan Clark (social links)

Renee St. Jacques from the New York Farm Bureau

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The voice of the Assembly (Speaker Pro Tem Pamela Hunter) Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Assemblywoman Pamela J. Hunter is both the referee and the conductor of Assembly proceedings. As speaker pro tempore, she presides over session in the Assembly, where she keeps things moving while keeping the peace.

But there’s a lot you probably don’t know about her, like how she also leads a national group of legislators who work on insurance law. We spoke about her work, what led her to this moment and a new call to change the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Who you’re hearing:

Dan Clark (social links)

Assemblywoman Pamela J. Hunter (social links)

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Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on redistricting, federal cuts and his summer tour Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie has been criss-crossing the state for his annual summer tour but news that Republicans in Texas planned to redraw that state’s congressional maps brought him back to Albany this week.

We spoke with Heastie about New York’s redistricting process, why he has beef with former Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and what he expects next year amid changes in federal funding.

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Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado on challenging Hochul Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is the only Democrat who’s challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul for their party’s nomination in next year’s race for governor. He says she’s not leading on key issues important to New Yorkers.

We talk about why he jumped into the race, how New York could lower energy prices for ratepayers and why the cost of health care is so high.

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Who’s New York’s state watchdog? Inspector General Lucy Lang Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Inspector General Lucy Lang’s job is to investigate alleged misconduct at state agencies. But her office also plays a role in investigating the aftermath of a situation gone wrong. That’s what happened 10 years ago, after two men led police on a wild goose hunt after escaping a state prison in Dannemora. We chat with Lang about the breakout and what her office is focused on now, including the state’s prison system.

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