Best Capitol Dispatch Podcasts (2025)

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The storylines we can't quit from 2025 (and a new game)! 32:59

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5h ago32:59

32:59

Before we say goodbye to 2025, we want to remember some of the narratives and events that captivated us (for good or bad) during the year. For this trip down memory lane, host David Lombardo is joined by Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark and Bloomberg Industry Capitol reporter Raga Justin. They discuss cursing from politicians, the election law…

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Former budget butcher explains how the fiscal sausage is made 32:14

2d ago32:14

32:14

Former state Budget Director Bob Megna, now the president of the Rockefeller Institute of Government, joins the show to explain how the Hochul administration is navigating lost federal funding. We discuss the wiggle room in the state's spending plan, the potential for cutting agency red tape, and how serioulsy to take projected holes from the Divis…

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BONUS: Elise Stefanik suspends bid for governor 18:29

6d ago18:29

18:29

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik suspended her short-lived bid for governor on Friday afternoon, so we're breaking down her anouncement and the ramifications of the decision, including what this means for the Republican gubernatorial landscape. Our guest is Chapin Fay, a Republican strategist and founder of Lighthouse Public Affairs. And if this type o…

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Senate Dems look to go on the offensive in Hudson Valley 28:48

6d ago28:48

28:48

On paper, a Hudson Valley Senate District that includes the communities of Poughkeepsie, Newburgh and Beacon would seem made for a Democratic representative, but since redistricting it has been occupied by Republican Rob Rolison. In 2026, Poughkeepsie City Councilman Evan Menist is hoping to flip control of the seat by riding a blue wave and talkin…

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122 bills on the governor's desk 26:46

9d ago26:46

26:46

It's the season of giving: Giving somewhat controversial bills to the governor for her signature, veto, or the promise of future amendments. There are 122 bills awaiting action by Gov. Kathy Hochul (at the time of the podcast recording), so we're reflecting on the process of delivering bills at the end of the year and unpacking some of the pending …

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Bruce Blakeman emerges as GOP gubernatorial alternative 34:37

13d ago34:37

34:37

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's flirtation with a run for governor became official this week, as he announced his bid to be the GOP nominee to take on Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026. We explored his path to a primary victory and an upset in November with Michael Dawidziak, a Long Island-based Republican strategist. We talked about Blakeman's re…

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Broome County GOP chair sees strong bench as path to victory in blue New York 36:27

18d ago36:27

36:27

While Democrats were making inroads all over New York in November, they were turned back in the race for mayor of Binghamton, where the GOP incumbent secured re-election despite a major enrollment disadvantage. This got us interested in the larger Broome County Republican apparatus, so we're checking in with their 31-year-old chair, Benji Federman.…

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The evolving gambling landscape in New York 24:29

23d ago24:29

24:29

After years of anticipation, plus some twists and turns along the way, there is clarity about the future casino landscape in the New York City area. We broke down the significance of the state siting board's decision with Bennett Liebman, one of the architect's of the 2013 law that paved the way to the proliferation of casino licenses in New York. …

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Could Elise Stefanik be leading the race for governor? 22:05

26d ago22:05

22:05

The race for governor of New York won't be decided for another eleven months, but a snapshot of the contest from the fall by a conservative think tank suggests the election is winnable for Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. We unpack the findings, including Gov. Kathy Hochul's underwhelming performance in New York City, and the poll's methodo…

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Debunking Albany conspiracies and handicapping Hochul's LG field 30:16

1M ago30:16

30:16

Tusk Strategies partner Shontell Smith Plummer is back on the podcast after a lengthy absence to discuss whether a leak from the Hochul administration was accidentally done on purpose, the possibility of tax increases in next year's state budget, and whether Democratic lawmakers at the Capitol are going to veer to the left because of possible prima…

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A new chapter for former LG Brian Benjamin 46:14

1M ago46:14

46:14

In 2022, corruption charges blew up the career trajectory for then-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin. More than three years later, with the case dropped by federal prosecutors, the Harlem Democrat has a new life and a new perspective on the legal system and his life's journey. Benjamin visited the studio to reflect on the allegations of bribery from his time…

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Won't somebody think of the businesses?!?!? 29:16

1M ago29:16

29:16

A recent report from the Business Council of New York State made the case that employers in the Empire State don't feel like they're being heard by state policymakers. Putting aside that every interest group feels like this, it's undeniable that business interests do play a lot of defense during the legislative session in Albany. To discuss the lob…

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A letter to New York Democrats 30:16

1M ago30:16

30:16

What does it mean to be a Democrat? That's the question being posed to the party faithful in New York by Matt Castelli, who is best known in the Empire State for his 2022 congressional shellacking at the hands of Rep. Elise Stefanik. The former CIA operative has regrouped in Dutchess County, where there is speculation about a 2027 run for county ex…

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Navigating Planet Albany with Zohran's Bronx Assembly ally 30:54

1M ago30:54

30:54

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has a short list of accomplishments in Albany during his time in the Assembly, but his plans for the Big Apple will require him to be successful at the state's Capitol. We talked about that path to success with Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, a Bronx Democrat, who has been described as part of Mamdani's "brai…

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Rep. Elise Stefanik officially jumps in 29:17

2M ago29:17

29:17

After months of flirting with a gubernatorial run, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik jumped into the race in November. We discuss the North Country Republican's longshot path to the Executive Mansion in Albany with Chapin Fay, a veteran GOP strategist and founder of Lighthouse Public Affairs. We talk about the importance of New York City for Stefanik in…

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An election post-mortem for NY Democrats 42:39

2M ago42:39

42:39

Democrats made inroads all over New York on Election Day, including flipping some Republican-held county legislatures, and the party's mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, got the highest number of votes in decades. We break down this good news for the Democratic Party, the not-so-good news in Nassau County, the status of the New York party infrastruct…

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LG Antonio Delgado's vision for the NY Dems 17:12

2M ago17:12

17:12

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado joins the show to talk politics, including share his grievances with the New York Democratic Party under the control of Gov. Kathy Hochul and NY Dems Chair Jay Jacobs. The gubernatorial hopeful also discusses the future of U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and what he's looking for in a number two. You can catch our conversation abou…

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And then there were three casino projects 36:38

2M ago36:38

36:38

The field of contenders for three downstate casino licenses has been whittled down to three options and the selection process could conclude imminently, so we're checking in on how we got there and what might happen next. Crain's New York Business political reporter Nick Garber discusses the surprise decision by MGM to abandon their casino bid, hig…

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Hochul struggles to connect with Mamdani's base 27:57

2M ago27:57

27:57

After documenting the challenging working conditions and underwhelming compensation for central staff in the Assembly, New York Focus senior reporter Sam Mellins reports that at least the pay is getting better for the behind-the-scenes personnel that make the people's house run. Mellins discusses who is getting a raise and the status of unionizatio…

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Buying and selling Andrew Gounardes, treatment courts, and affordability 26:13

2M ago26:13

26:13

Wonder who is on the rise in New York? Curious what campaign are heading in the wrong direction? Patrick Wildes, director of Albany Law School's Government Law Center, and Dan Clark, author of the Capitol Confidential newsletter, join host David Lombardo to offer trading tips on issues and people for our Capitol stock market. They make predictions …

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NY Health Act advocates hope federal chaos aids their cause in 2026 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

New York policymakers will face some hard choices in 2026 about the state's health care system as the result of changes coming from Washington D.C. that include cuts to providers and regulations that could bounce people off government-run insurance. Advocates of the New York Health Act, which would create a state-run, single-payer health insurance …

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Former Kansas Democrat sets his sights on DiNapoli 26:39

2M ago26:39

26:39

Raj Goyle is one of a growing list of Democrats looking to wrest their party's state comptroller nomination away from incumbent Tom DiNapoli. The former Kansas state lawmaker argues that the powers of the comptroller's office have been wasted and makes the case that his background makes him the optimal change candidate. We touch on his voting recor…

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Disability advocates look to flex political muscle in Albany 35:56

2M ago35:56

35:56

New Yorkers with disabilities have no problem finding rhetorical support in Albany, but champions willing and able to deliver meaningful funding and policies are harder to find. We explore this dynamic, including how it might change, with Michael Schweinsburg, president of the 504 Democratic Club, a political advocacy group that endorsed Lt. Gov. A…

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Construction Update: Work is underway at the Capitol complex 25:24

3M ago25:24

25:24

The Empire State Plaza and Capitol are in a period of transition that includes road work, restoring an historic staircase and a potential reimagining of how the complex is integrated into the community. We were joined in the studio state OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy to discuss these moving parts and whether the escalators and elevators will work d…

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The growing case against Hochul's 'inflation refund' checks 21:39

3M ago21:39

21:39

After getting tested in the fires of the Brooklyn Democratic Committee for three years, James Christopher has launched his own communications firm. Now that he's escaped the orbit of this high-profile and controversial political machine, we ask him about navigating political landmines in Brooklyn and what's in store for his future. Then we talk wit…

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Herding cats in the Assembly takes a responsible nerd 30:33

3M ago30:33

30:33

The latest game of musical chairs at the Capitol has resulted in Assemblymember Jen Lunsford serving as assistant majority leader, a role that puts her third in line to run the chamber during ordinary operations. We talked with the Rochester-area Democrat about why she got this post after just five years (she's a nerd with perfect attendance), cons…

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Zohran puts live-event ticket regulations back in the spotlight 21:21

3M ago21:21

21:21

The campaign to reform live-event ticket regulations in New York, which was expected to be in a public coma until the 2026 legislative session in Albany, got a boost of publicity this summer when NYC Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani called on FIFA to adopt consumer friendly measures for World Cup ticket sales. The assemblyman has given a n…

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100 dispatches from Planet Albany! 51:11

3M ago51:11

51:11

We celebrate 100 episodes of Dispatches from Planet Albany with Tusk Strategies Partner Shontell Plummer (you read that right), Capitol Confidential author Dan Clark, and Times Union Capitol reporter Raga Justin. We take questions from listeners, reflect on more than two years of podcast recordings, and consider the next 100 episodes of the show. A…

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Mr. Jones and me look into the past 27:04

3M ago27:04

27:04

Former Assemblyman D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, zooms in for his exit interview to discuss why he's leaving the Capitol, reflect on his relationship with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and consider the importance of majority representation in the legislature. We also touch on his hair legacy and whether he might run for office again in …

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Lobbyists prepare for 2026 legislative session 34:01

4M ago34:01

34:01

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 thei…

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NYC mayor's race thrusts sex work debate into spotlight 31:38

4M ago31:38

31:38

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 th…

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They don't make 'em like Danny Donohue anymore 35:34

4M ago35:34

35:34

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 Strategie…

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Four years of Kathy Hochul 31:39

4M ago31:39

31:39

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 mo…

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Planet Albany journalist joins the dark side 40:49

4M ago40:49

40:49

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 relationsh…

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Longshot comptroller candidate calls 'bullshit' on status quo 29:09

4M ago29:09

29:09

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 tou…

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Kathy Hochul goes on the PR offensive 29:29

4M ago29:29

29:29

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 wh…

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Good government groups sidelined in NY redistricting dialogue 30:55

4M ago30:55

30:55

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? …

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New York Dems prepare for redistricting battle 30:08

5M ago30:08

30:08

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…

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Political campaigns look to harness artificial intelligence 31:16

5M ago31:16

31:16

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…

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Shontell reflects on the Cuomo mayoral primary campaign - Part 2 29:14

5M ago29:14

29:14

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 th…

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Shontell reflects on the Cuomo mayoral primary campaign - Part 1 29:48

5M ago29:48

29:48

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 mis…

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A western NY perspective on Zohran Mamdani's meteoric rise 27:37

5M ago27:37

27:37

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 denounc…

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Radical transparency and progressive politics at core of new polling firm 33:59

5M ago33:59

33:59

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 Ass…

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Where does the NYC DSA go from here? 32:16

5M ago32:16

32:16

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 f…

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The uphill battle of lobbying for kids and families 28:55

6M ago28:55

28:55

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 syst…

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Assembly Republicans have joined the drafting!!! 1:02:13

6M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

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 rep…

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The 1st Annual Dispatches Awards! 50:51

6M ago50:51

50:51

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 man…

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In the Albany lobbying trenches with Shontell Smith 30:09

6M ago30:09

30:09

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 s…

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Antonio Delgado's path to the executive mansion - Part 2 20:27

7M ago20:27

20:27

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 par…

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Antonio Delgado's path to the executive mansion - Part 1 32:34

7M ago32:34

32:34

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 par…