Published - June 24, 2021
June 24, 2021 – Assemblymember Anna Kelles, an Ithaca Democrat, talks about the unsuccessful campaign she led during her freshman year to restrict cryptocurrency mining operations gobbling up fossil fuels in New York. We explore what this effort taught her about Albany and get other reflections about the Capitol.
Published - June 24, 2021
June 24, 2021 – With the border between America and Canada still tightly controlled, Assemblymember D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, is calling for unilateral action by American officials to make the crossing easier.
Published - June 24, 2021
June 24, 2021 – We’re highlighting the stories of county executives from the early days of the pandemic, which were recorded as part of the New York State Association of Counties new book reflecting on the county-level response to the arrival of COVID-19.
Published - June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021 – Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses strategies to ensure New Yorkers with mental health and substance abuse conditions receive the help they need and considers whether the merger of two state agencies is the answers.
Published - June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021 – The New York State Bar Association says it’s time to overhaul the content on the bar exam and potentially create new pathways to practicing law in the Empire State
Published - June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021 – Marijuana was immediately legalized for adult consumption this spring with the adoption of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, but many components of the new law are awaiting regulations, which can’t be issued until personnel are tapped to write the rules. New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association Vice Chair Kaelan Castetter discusses the hold up and the demand to enter New York’s burgeoning marijuana markets.
Published - June 22, 2021
June 22, 2021 – Senate Local Government Committee Chair Jim Gaughran, a Long Island Democrat, talks about his campaign to ensure big box stores pay their fair share of taxes, discusses the challenges of local tax assessors and considers the financial shape of municipalities as we emerge from the pandemic.
Published - June 22, 2021
June 22, 2021 – Kate Baker, interim director of the New York State Small Business Development Center, explains the ins and outs of an $800 million small business relief fund – including who benefits and how much they can receive – that began accepting applications earlier this month.
Published - June 22, 2021
June 22, 2021 – As part of the ongoing discussion about reforming policing in New York, a task force from the New York State Bar Association has released its own recommendations for improving law enforcement. Task force co-chair and NYSBA President T. Andrew Brown discusses the need for more training and educating of officers, changes to liability protections and reflects on the racist roots of police in the country.
Published - June 21, 2021
June 21, 2021 – Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about her end-of-session legislative victories, reflects on her first session in Albany and reviews the movie-musical In the Heights.
Published - June 21, 2021
June 21, 2021 – On Tuesday, June 22, a handful of state lawmakers from New York City are hoping to win Democratic primaries and trade in Albany for municipal jobs closer to home. City & State New York senior state politics reporter Zach Williams provides a rundown of who is trying to go where.
Published - June 19, 2021
“In the deep summer, winds create wave after wave of harvest ripeness which, when beheld by the human eye, creates a kind of emotional peace and awe.” – Libby Larsen The Summer Solstice is upon us, so let’s listen to summer music composed and performed by women. “Celebrating Summer!” Cécile Chaminade: L’été Sunny Joy Langton, soprano; Kimberly Schmidt, piano “Women at an Exposition” Koch International 7240 Antonio Vivaldi: Summer, from the Four Seasons Bolette Roed, recorder Arte dei Suonatori “Vivaldi’s Seasons” Pentatone 186875 Paul Carr: Summer was in August Rachel Smith, flute; Rachel Fryer, piano “Summer Was in August” Campion Cameo 2030 Frederic
Published - June 18, 2021
June 18, 2021 – If 2020 was a dark year for New York’s child care industry, 2021 has the potential to be the dawn of a new era, according to Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi. The Queens Democrat talks about why he’s optimistic about overhauling the system, reflects on his approach to working with the Cuomo administration and much more.
Published - June 18, 2021
June 18, 2021 – Dr. Bonnie Litvack, a member of the governor’s vaccine distribution and implementation task force, discusses the recent COVID-19 vaccine threshold hit by the state, peels back the curtain on her work with the state task force and explains the role physicians play in vaccine distribution.
Published - June 18, 2021
June 18, 2021 – Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, breaks down a slew of bills approved by state lawmakers designed to ensure veterans and their families have access to a variety of state benefits.
