Capitol Confidential

Latest Episodes:

COVID-19: New York in Crisis - Rep. Paul Tonko and a frontline nurse Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

As New York state battles the coronavirus pandemic, Washington correspondent Emilie Munson checks in with Capital Region Rep. Paul Tonko on the $2 trillion stimulus package Congress passed. Meanwhile, state editor Brendan Lyons connects with a nurse working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight at a hospital in Long Island.

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Coronavirus pandemic: Cuomo’s health commissioner on state's battle Mar 23, 2020

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New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker talks to the Times Union's Brendan Lyons about the coronavirus, how it spreads, and what New Yorkers should be doing to slow it.

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Sen. Stewart-Cousins in Conversation at Times Union's Hearst Media Center Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

What's it like to be the first woman in the room during state budget negotiations after decades of all-male closed-door talks?

A special edition of the Times Union's CapCon political podcast features a discussion with state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins that addresses that very question.

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Medicaid maladies in New York Oct 18, 2019

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Two recent reports are sounding the alarm about the state's Medicaid spending this year, which could result in future cuts to health care or education.

Mark Ustin, a health care lobbyist and veteran of the Pataki administration, joined the podcast to explain what this means for New Yorkers who use and pay for Medicaid.

The conversation touched on recent efforts to curb Medicaid spending in New York, creative budgeting practices and what might be gleaned from the state's mid-year financial update.

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New York's bet on casino gambling Sep 06, 2019

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New York's gambling landscape is far from settled, with the next big shakeup likely to be the introduction of casinos into the New York City area.

One potential recipient of a casino license is the Empire City Casino in Yonkers, where harness racing and electronic gaming is available.

Empire City Casino President Uri Clinton joined the podcast to discuss the continuing evolution of gambling in New York, the future of racing in Yonkers and the competition for gaming dollars in the region.

He also explained what the January purchase of the facility by MGM Resorts means for the development of the site.

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The Assembly's loyal opposition Aug 30, 2019

Show notes

Assemblyman Ed Ra isn't naive enough to think that even his best floor debate can stymie legislation being advanced by his Democratic colleagues, who enjoy an overwhelming majority in the chamber.

But the Long Island Republican, who serves as the assistant floor leader for the GOP, does believe he plays an important part in the legislative process by raising concerns, asking questions and (in some cases) prompting bills to be amended.

Ra joined the podcast to talk about life on the floor in the Assembly, including the preparation involved in a debate, his goals as a member of the minority, and his preferred candy for a sugar rush.

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Getting from red light to green Aug 23, 2019

Show notes

Legislation enabling undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses had a lot working against it in Albany this year.

Despite Democratic-control of the state government, the proposal was wildly unpopular with members from the New York City suburbs and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo seemed unenthusiastic about the issue.

Sen. Luis Sepulveda, the Bronx Democrat who helped shepherd the proposal across the finish line, joined the podcast to explain the uphill battle for the year's most unlikely new law.

The conversation addressed the last-minute declaration from state Attorney General Letitia James, support from upstate Senate Democrats and the governor's relationship with the legislation.

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Miss Mitchell Regrets Aug 02, 2019

Show notes

Joyce Mitchell made her case for parole on June 4 at the women's prison in Bedford Hills.

The former Clinton Correctional employee has been incarcerated for nearly four years due to her role in aiding a high-profile prison escape in 2015. Following the hearing, Mitchell was denied parole.

The Times Union has turned excerpts of the transcript from the hearing into a bonus episode, with editors Susan Mehalick and Sara Tracey lending their voices.

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Confessions of a tabloid journalist Aug 02, 2019

Show notes

For about a decade, reporters in Albany would take their Monday morning cues from Ken Lovett's weekly column, which would be filled with state government scoops.

This past February, the veteran reporter retired from journalism on his own terms after 25 years of Capitol coverage.

Lovett joined the podcast to talk about his time with the state's two prolific tabloids: the New York Post and Daily News. The conversation addressed his approach to reporting, the pressure to break news and occasions when his work took him out of Albany.

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The Paulin process Jul 26, 2019

Show notes

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin is one of the busiest lawmakers in Albany, where she routinely shepherds the most bills through the legislative process.

She joined the Capitol Confidential podcast to explain her approach, and how it has evolved since joining the Assembly nearly two decades ago.

The conversation also touched on how she finds sponsors for legislation in the state Senate, her affinity for policy details and what's on tap for next year's session. She also explained the challenge of getting a bill through the Assembly that would legalize paid surrogacy.

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