Podcast
Dispatches from Planet Albany
Hosted by WCNY · EN
Dispatches from Planet Albany is brought to you by David Lombardo, host of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom. The weekly conversations are a smart and funny encapsulation of the discussions reporters and sources have off the microphone at the Capitol in Albany.
This inside baseball is for listeners who know the acronym ELFA, anxiously await the legislative calendar drop each December, or fondly recall the Poozer Politics podcast.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
New York's political landscaping evoking memories of 2018
4d ago00:32:40Tap to summarizeThe shifting political landscape in New York is getting a lot of attention, but have we seen this story before? At least to some degree, with the insurgent left and Democrats banking on an anti-Donald Trump mood, this is the same narrative that unfolded in 2018, when AOC burst on the scene, Democrats flipped control of the state senate and Andrew Cuomo cruised to re-election. To consider this dynamic, we're checking in with Loren Amor, an executive vice president with BerlinRosen. We'll discuss whether the enthusiasm on the far left will translate in purple districts, share expectations for Kathy Hochul's re-election bid, and reflect on where Pat Ryan is heading. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →Your lobbyist's favorite lobbyist
1w ago00:35:30Tap to summarizeIf Goldilocks was choosing a lobbying firm, she might gravitate toward Statewide Public Affairs. The 13-year-old operation isn't a household name or one of the biggest earners at the Capitol, but with their list of blue chip clients and big ticket issues they're still a force to be reckoned with in Planet Albany. And they're getting bigger. We reflect on the firm's history and future, with founder and managing partner Chris Duryea. We talk about his approach to attracting new business, working with friends and where he was during the failed Bragman coup. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →The power of protest
2w ago00:27:51Tap to summarizeProtests at the Capitol are taken as a given when state lawmakers are in town, but do they actually influence the agenda in Planet Albany? That's the question we put to Rebecca Garrard, co-executive director of the liberal advocacy group Citizen Action of New York. Rebecca has a long history of pushing policies at the Capitol and discusses what makes a protest effective. We also explore when protests can backfire and if there is a type of protest that can move the notoriously intransigent Gov. Kathy Hochul. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →Albany through the eyes of Patrick Jenkins
3w ago00:32:44Tap to summarizeLobbyist and consultant Patrick Jenkins joins the show to discuss his work and reflect on life in Planet Albany. The Queens power broker talks about lobbying against single-use plastic restrictions, navigating ethical boundaries, and the direction of the Assembly next year. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →The shape of things to come in the Assembly
4w ago00:33:54Tap to summarizeRetirements and progressive wins in the Democratic primaries are poised to shakeup the Assembly in 2027. To assess the impact of the incoming members and consider who might fill major leadership posts in the chamber, we check in with Miguelina Camilo, the former counsel for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. As part of the conversation, host David Lombardo gets feedback on his list of contenders to fill top committee vacancies and the open majority leader job. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →The secret of her success
Jul 300:36:02Tap to summarizeAssemblymember Amy Paulin is one of the most active lawmakers at the Capitol and 2026 was no exception, with the Westchester County Democrat leading her colleagues in bills approved by both chambers. We checked in with the veteran legislator to understand what separates her from the pack and she shared some of her secrets, including finding the right legislative partners, preparing well in advance, and limiting opposition. Paulin also reveals some legislative regrets from the past session and forecasts her upcoming push for medical marijuana. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →NY Dems chair on primaries, November, and his future
Jun 3000:26:22Tap to summarizeNew York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs discusses the primaries in New York City, tapping into the enthusiasm of the state's progressives, and crafting a winning narrative for November. The Long Island Democrat also reflects on his future leadership role and offers career advice for the Erie County Democratic Party chair. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →The DSA's big night in New York City
Jun 2500:29:19Tap to summarizeThe story from the Democratic primary results in the Big Apple appears to be the ascendency in the party of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. We're joined by City & State NY Editor-in-Chief Jeff Coltin to talk about the enthusiasm edge for DSA candidates, the fall of incumbent state lawmakers and what's in store for the Brooklyn Democratic leadership. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →The art of campaign mail
Jun 1900:31:08Tap to summarizeCampaign mail is still a critical tool for candidates, but only if it's done strategically and with the right messaging. To discuss what effective campaign mail looks like in 2026, host David Lombardo checked in with political consultant Trip Yang. He talked about the goals of campaign mail, who to target, the photos that get under the skin of opposing candidates and how he's using artificial intelligence. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
Transcribe →Inside the strategy of Gov. Kathy Hochul
Jun 1600:25:19Tap to summarizePolitico New York Albany Bureau Chief Nick Reisman joins host David Lombardo to discuss insights and observations he gained from an extended one-on-one interview with Gov. Kathy Hochul. They discuss how to prepare for this type of conversation, the governor's relationship with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Hochul's approach to negotiating immigration reforms that made it into the state budget. And if you enjoy Dispatches from Planet Albany, please leave a rating and consider becoming a recurring contributor to support the podcast (because we could really use the money). Subscribe to our newsletter / https://www.publicmediasubscriptions.org/WCNY/subscription/pressroom Follow the show on Twitter / https://twitter.com/CapPressRoom Follow the show on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/capitolpressroom/ Follow the show on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/thecapitolpressroom
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