Power & Politics

Latest Episodes:

Lee Kindlon, Albany County District Attorney takes a deep dive into Discovery, 4/18/2025 Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

Lee Kindlon, Albany County District Attorney, joined Power & Politics this week to take a deep dive into the State's Discovery laws, and their role in the ongoing budget debate at the State Capitol.

Alongside Governor Kathy Hochul and the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, Kindlon has been stumping for changes to the Discovery laws, which were reformed in 2019.

Hochul has been steadfast in making changes to those laws, which she says is leading to an increase in case dismissals, especially in New York City. More progressive members of the State Senate and Assembly have pushed back, with advocates saying the 2019 reforms were a step forward towards creating a level playing field for victims and those charged.

Kindlon was just elected to the post of Albany County District Attorney. Prior to this role, he was a longtime defense attorney in the Capital Region.

"I think I have a unique voice to bring to the discussion. Obviously, the first 18 years of my professional career in Albany I spent as a hard charging, fire breathing defense attorney, which gives me certain perspective, and now I'm the District Attorney in Albany County in charge of making sure that all of the discovery gets from law enforcement, various investigating agencies, to the defendants and their attorneys. So, you know, I want to make sure that my voice is heard at the table during the discussions, and so everybody gets a full picture of what's going on."

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Blair Horner, Senior Policy Advisor at NYPIRG April 10, 2025 Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

As part of the wide-ranging conversation, Horner discussed the impact of late budgets on public perception, the role of policy initiatives in the budget and how Governor Hochul's budget approach is shaping New York's legislative process.

They also discussed some of the initiatives Horner has advocated over the years, including the impact of Donald Trump's Executive Order on the Climate Change Superfund Act. Horner also spoke about the Bottle Bill, electric lawn equipment, and the evolution of the legislature during his decades at the State Capitol.

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Rep. Mike Lawler (R) on Trump economic policies, New York's budget, Elise Stefanik and tariffs, April 4th, 2025 Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

Since the 2025 legislative session began, New York's top lawmakers have often had a common theme when discussing budgeting, and that's calling on New York's Republican Congressional delegation to "protect New Yorkers" from federal budget cuts. Mike Lawler addresses those officials, and those issues, here.

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Bonus: Blake Gendebien reacts to withdrawal of Rep. Stefanik's UN nomination, March 28, 2025 Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Elise Stefanik's nomination as the United States United Nations Ambassador was pulled on Thursday, but NY-21 hopeful on the Democratic side Blake Gendebien says he's committed to the long haul. While the Republican side hadn't chosen a candidate for the potential special election, Democrats chose Gendebien as their candidate in early February.

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Blake Gendebien, Democratic nominee in potential NY-21 special election, March 20, 2025 Mar 29, 2025

Show notes

North Country farmer Blake Gendebien joins Power & Politics to discuss a variety of issues, including the conversation around a date for the special election in replacing Elise Stefanik, the impact of tariffs on farmers, immigration, keeping the government open, and more

Note: This interview was conducted prior to the withdrawal of Stefanik's U.N. Ambassador nomination

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Elise Stefanik's UN nomination withdrawn, instant analysis with Lee Miringoff, March 27th, 2025 Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

Lee M. Miringoff, Director at Marist University Institute for Public Opinion discusses the withdrawal of Elise Stefanik's nomination as U.N. Ambassador for the United States

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Rennie Glasgow, Local 3343 Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees, March 25th, 2025 Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Rennie Glasgow discusses the impact of social security employees taking the federal government's retirement offer, responding to Elon Musk's comments, including Musk saying Social Security is the "Biggest Ponzi scheme of all time".

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A System Under Siege: Fight for Prison Reform, March 19th, 2025 Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

A roundtable discussion, hosted by CBS6's Briana Supardi and Tom Eschen, with a variety of perspectives on the current state of New York's prison system.

Guests:

Patrick Stevens, Center for Community Alternatives, formerly incarcerated individual

Melanie Bishop, Mother of a currently incarcerated individual

Nate Yando, a CO who recently resigned

Bernadette Singer, Wife of a CO

Asm. Scott Gray of Watertown (R)

Asm. Emily Gallagher of Brooklyn (D)

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NYS Senate Minority's Response to Passed One-House Budget with Sen. Jake Ashby (R-Castleton), March 14th, 2025 Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

A fierce debate over the One-House Budget proposals took place at the NYS Capitol this week, as the Senate and Assembly passed their budgets, setting up negotiations with Governor Kathy Hochul ahead of the April 1st final Budget Agreement deadline.

Jake Ashby provided some of the Senate Minority's perspective on the issues, including rebate checks, NY Heat Act, prison closures, affordability and the increase of corporate tax rates.

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Deshanna Wiggins, CEO-Albany Black Chamber of Commerce, March 13th, 2025 Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Deshanna Wiggins, CEO of the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce joined Power & Politics on Thursday, discussed several topics, including the work the organization does to build minority-owned businesses and beyond in the City of Albany.

Wiggins talked about the challenges facing business owners in Albany, and the work they do to overcome them, saying collaboration is key.

The discussion also included:

-Proposed State Funding in Albany

-DEI initiatives

-Albany growing up vs Albany now

-Difference between Atlanta and Albany

-Do Semiconductor investments trickle down?

-Effectiveness of State film tax credit

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