Power & Politics

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Bonus: Lara Bryn discusses Hantavirus with NYS Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald May 14, 2026

Show notes

Lara Bryn sits down with NYS Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald for a one-on-one interview about Hantavirus and how the state is coordinating with federal health agencies to manage the outbreak. They discuss the risk level for New Yorkers, how the exposed New Yorkers are handling their quarantine in Nebraska and how monitoring will continue moving forward.

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Lara Blume McGee, Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Ring Survivor, and Jordan Merson, Representing Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Ring Survivors, May 8th, 2026 May 08, 2026

Show notes

Lara Blume McGee and Jordan Merson discuss their trip to the New York State Capital, advocating for legislation to hold offenders accountable, and eliminate the statute of limitations.

00:00:00–00:01:40 – Testimony at the Capitol
00:01:40–00:03:25 – Breaking Silence After 20 Years
00:03:25–00:05:20 – Statutes of Limitations vs. Justice
00:05:20–00:07:10 – Federal Inaction and Holding on to Hope
00:07:10–00:08:40 – Grooming in the Modeling Industry
00:08:40–00:10:15 – From Constant Fear to Empowerment
00:10:15–00:12:10 – The Adult Survivors Act and What’s Still Missing
00:12:10–00:14:19 – Epstein Files, Accountability, and Men Speaking Up

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NYS Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D) and NYS Asm. Phil Palmesano (R-Corning), May 1st, 2026 May 01, 2026

Show notes

NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney discusses his legislation aimed at creating more State regulation around prediction markets, while NYS Assemblymember Phil Palmesano talks about the late State budget, and his remarks on the floor.

[0:00:00] NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney

[0:00:52] What Are Prediction Markets? – Popularity, NYC mayoral race, consumer risk

[0:02:52] Cooney’s Proposal – DFS oversight, licensing, comparison to other financial products

[0:04:12] Sports Betting Angle – Role of Gaming Commission, federal-state turf issues

[0:07:49] Ethics and State Worker Ban – Hochul’s order, insider info, need for consistent rules

[0:12:24] Asm Phil Palmesano and the late NYS Budget

[0:12:39] Palmesano on Energy Bills – Disconnect with voters, push for direct ratepayer relief

[0:15:51] Climate Law and Costs – Natural gas vs renewables, NYSERDA memo, cost impacts

[0:19:01] Transparency and Power Balance – One-party control, governor vs legislature, delays

[0:21:30] Utility Deferment Bill – Asm. Hooks’ proposal, optics of benefiting lawmakers

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Rikki Shaw, Former Jane Doe NYS Capital sexual assault victim discusses why she came forward, April 30, 2026 Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

More than 20 years after she was a victim of gender-based violence at the New York State Capital, a former Jane Doe discussed her decision to step forward and reveal her identity on Power & Politics this week.

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Walter Masterson on being arrested at the NYS Capitol, April 27th, 2026 Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Walter Masterson is one of 18 people arrested at the New York State Capitol with a court date in Albany this week, charged with 2nd degree Obstructing Governmental Administration.

Masterson has about 5 million followers on social media, known for his political satire, street interviews and poking fun at a variety of political ideals.

"I don't really get a lot of views off of this," Masterson told CBS6. "I just felt like this is something where I wanted to be on the right side of history."

He said business-wise, between a speeding ticket on I87 and the Summons to Albany City Court, he may lose money on the endeavor.

Arrest and Inside the Capitol Protest – [0:00:13 – 0:00:30]
Tom introduces Walter Masterson, fresh off his arrest at the New York State Capitol, and sets up the protest inside Governor Hochul’s office.

Why Protest Hochul: CLCPA, Pipelines, Data Centers – [0:00:30 – 0:02:11]
Walter explains the sit‑in at Hochul’s office, New York’s climate law (CLCPA), and how pipelines and AI data centers fit into the fight.

Gutting the CLCPA: Drilling, Data Centers, Tariffs, Trump – [0:02:11 – 0:04:25]
Walter outlines how weakening the CLCPA enables more drilling and data centers, and argues Hochul is using tariffs and Trump as political cover.

From Climate Progress to Climate Backslide – [0:04:25 – 0:06:45]
They question whether New York ever fully implemented the CLCPA and warn that Hochul’s moves could undo existing climate progress.

Jobs, Fossil Fuels, and Hochul’s Political Identity – [0:06:45 – 0:09:11]
Walter disputes the jobs case for oil and gas, says renewables are cheaper long‑term, and claims Hochul is governing more like a Republican.

Protest Size, Public Opinion, and Donor Politics – [0:09:11 – 0:12:22]
Walter reflects on only 18 arrests, unexpected support from some MAGA voters, and argues Hochul is mainly serving donors, not the public.

Moral Stand and Challenging the Duopoly – [0:12:22 – 0:16:43]
He frames his arrest as a moral stand that hurts his business, then broadens out to criticize unchecked power and the two‑party duopoly.

Platforming Voices and What Comes Next – [0:16:43 – end]
Walter explains how he uses interviews to amplify populist, working‑class voices, expose insidious actors, and previews future protest plans.

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NYS Inspector General Lucy Lang breaks down 2025 Workers Compensation Fraud Report, April 24th, 2026 Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

The New York State Inspector General's annual Workers Compensation Fraud Report was released this week, with 22 arrests, and $1.9 million identified ($1.7 million recovered) in fraudulent activity in 2025. The 22 arrests are more than double the 2024 total, with six of the 22 coming from Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. While the Office of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General (WCFIG) covers all state agencies along with businesses across the State, DOCCS continues to be an agency fraught with fraud. The issues date back to a 2023 report identifying the same issues.

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AI in Government Part 2 of 2: Dru Rai, New York State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), April 17th, 2026 Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Dru Rai discusses the application of Artificial Intelligence in State Government, and what training looks like for more than 100,000 State workers. He says they first wrote AI Policy in 2023, and now are invested in growing ITS staff to help facilitate implementation and responsible use of AI.

Intro & Who’s in Charge of AI
- [0:00:00 – 0:00:36]
- Introduction of Dru Rai and the focus on AI in New York State government.
How NY Is Rolling Out AI
- [0:00:36 – 0:07:32]
- From first AI policy and pilots with Gemini/InnovateUS to use cases like summarizing data, tracking contracts, and assisting with code.
Limits, Risks & Guardrails
- [0:07:32 – 0:27:35]
- Why AI can’t fully replace human creativity, the infrastructure and privacy challenges, and the “humans in the loop” governance approach.
Jobs, Modernization & Efficiency
- [0:16:05 – 0:22:20]
- How AI changes—not removes—government jobs, alongside big hiring and modernization of legacy systems.
Transparency, Regulation & the ‘Black Box’
- [0:27:35 – 0:35:48]
- New York’s push to make AI models more transparent, define their limits, and manage public anxiety.
Cybersecurity & AI’s Double Edge
- [0:40:46 – 0:46:59]
- AI used for hacking and defense, the state’s growing cyber team, and cooperation with local and federal partners.

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AI in Government Part 1 of 2: Beth Noveck, InnovateUS Founder on implementing AI training in New York State, April 16th, 2026 Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Beth Noveck, founder of InnovateUS, discusses the rollout of their Artificial Training to New York State's Government workforce. She also talks about her book "Reboot AI, the Race to Save Democracy"

00:00 – 01:12 — Introducing InnovateUS and Beth Noveck
Setting the stage: Beth’s role, InnovateUS, and AI in New York State government.
01:12 – 04:45 — Why Focus on Government Workers?
Government’s role in people’s lives and how AI can improve services and efficiency.
04:45 – 06:54 — Scale and Reach of InnovateUS
200,000 learners, 50 states and cities, 80 countries; how free courses and workshops work.
06:54 – 09:13 — The AI Literacy Gap
Headlines vs. real understanding, fears about AI, and how InnovateUS designs its training.
09:13 – 11:07 — The Art of Prompting
Why generative AI is unpredictable, how prompting works, and learning to “drive” AI well.
11:07 – 14:54 — Tailored Training for Different Public Roles
Courses for lawyers, communications staff, public engagement, and evolving curricula.
14:54 – 18:29 — Risks, Responsibility, and Trust in Government AI
Data privacy, hallucinations, procurement pitfalls, and simple high‑impact uses (e.g., translation).
18:29 – 22:39 — AI, Power, and Democracy (Rebooting AI)
Concentrated tech power, deepfakes, and overlooked democratic uses of AI (e.g., Brazil’s Congress).
22:39 – 26:26 — Who Should Regulate AI? Federal vs. State Roles
Fragmented regulation, the need for local control, and what “regulating AI” really means.
26:26 – End — What’s Changed (and Hasn’t) in Government and Democracy
Beth’s reflections on slow institutional change, democratic backsliding, and using AI to strengthen democracy.

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Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, April 13th, 2026 Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union joins Power & Politics to discuss their perspective and priorities for the FY2027 New York State Budget, which currently is past its April 1st deadline.

Policy in the Budget – [0:00:00]–[0:02:19]
Protest Buffer Zones Fight – [0:02:19]–[0:09:20]
Worship vs. Free Speech – [0:09:20]–[0:10:11]
Immigration, ICE, and Legal Aid – [0:10:11]–[0:17:05]
Climate Rollbacks & Gender-Affirming Care – [0:17:05]–end

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Dr. Len Cutler, Siena University professor of political science and international relations on United States and Iran, April 10th, 2026 Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Len Cutler, professor of political science and international relations at Siena University, joined Power & Politics on Thursday, discussing the current conflict between the United States and Iran.

Setting the Stage: Iran–U.S. Crisis Overview
- [0:00:01 – 0:04:10]
- Introduces the conflict, brief history since 1979, and Trump’s stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Trump I vs. Trump II: Expanding Presidential Power
- [0:04:10 – 0:08:21]
- Compares Trump’s first and second terms and how constraints on presidential power have changed.
Congress, Impeachment Talk, and War Powers
- [0:08:21 – 0:17:17]
- Examines Congress’s limited role, impeachment chatter, and the practical impact of the War Powers Act.
The Strait of Hormuz and Global Economic Shockwaves
- [0:17:17 – 0:22:19]
- Explores Iran’s control of the Strait, rising costs at home, and international stakes—including China’s role.
Allies, NATO, and America’s Future Standing
- [0:22:19 – 0:24:43]
- Looks at NATO’s reluctance, evolving negotiations, looming deadlines, and what this may mean for U.S. global influence.

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