New York NOW

Horner on upstate bailout for nuclear power plants

This week on the program we focus on the decision to close the Indian Point nuclear power plant and how it will affect the Village of Buchanan and northern Westchester County.  On this podcast, however, we focus our attention upstate.
Blair Horner of NYPIRG discusses their latest report on the impact of the $7.6 billion bailout for three nuclear power plants near Lake Ontario and the lack of transparency by the Cuomo administration since.  The longtime good-government advocate also recalls the surreal events around the Capitol nine years ago when Governor Eliot Spitzer was caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet a high-priced prostitute and why NYPIRG's work is never done.  

Budget Countdown Begins

March is the busiest month of the year at the State Capitol as advocates for and against ideas in the budget swarm the historic building. We wrap up the week's news in our headlines and Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio and Jon Campbell of the USA Today Network join us to help make sense of it all.  

Former EPA Admin Enck on the Future of the Agency

Longtime environmental advocate and former regional EPA Administrator, Judith Enck, expresses her concerns about the future of the agency under President Trump. Also, Casey Seiler gives a rare look at the heating and cooling complex beneath the State Capitol and Empire State Plaza.

Conference of Mayors Against Consolidation Plan

Governor Cuomo's State of the State consolidation initiative proposal drew scrutiny this past week from the New York State Conference of Mayors. Cuomo's idea requires county officials to develop localized plans to help lower property taxes  by "coordinating and eliminating duplicative services." Taxpayers would then vote on the final product in a November referendum. The Executive Director of the NYS Conference of Mayors joins us to further explain why they call the plan "just another top-down state mandate."

Blake on DNC Run; Working for Obama

Assemblyman Michael Blake, a longtime staffer for former President Barack Obama, is running for a vice-chair spot in the Democratic National Committee. The Bronx lawmaker, 34, has had people say he's too young to run for such a lofty goal. We sit down with Blake to discuss why he's running, his views on current President Donald Trump and his time working for Obama. 

NYN Throwdown: Lombardo v. Hutchins

In our latest chapter of the NYN Throwdown, David Lombardo of New York StateWatch takes on Zach Hutchins of The Business Council to determine which Capital Region native has a better grasp on (sometimes completely random) Empire State trivia. 
Questions on the Yankees, former Governor George Pataki and former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno are just three of the many thrown at our contestants.  Take a listen!

Flanagan for Governor?

Is Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan weighing a run for governor in 2018? The longtime Long Island legislator addresses the speculation and discusses the budget, his relationship with Governor Cuomo and the rocky first week of Donald Trump's administration. Also, the week in news including joint budget hearings, Conservative Party conference, and lobby day for Family Planning Advocates.

Cuomo, Trump and 'Alternative Facts'

We analyze news from Governor Cuomo's gaggle in Rochester including his claims regarding the controversial 'Start-Up New York' program. Also, Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) weighs in on the first week of President Trump’s administration.

Budget Released; Sing Sing Drama Revisited

Review and analysis of the newly released executive budget and the unorthodox roll-out by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Also, 34 years ago this month Mario Cuomo was sworn-in as New York's 52nd Governor. Barely a week into his first term he was faced with an immediate crisis: 19 guards were held hostage at the notorious Sing Sing prison.

NYN Throwdown: Bartoletti v. DeWitt

In our latest edition of the New York NOW Throwdown, Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio (and of course NYN) and Barb Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters go head-to-head in our Empire State quiz show.
Bartoletti is one of the go-to good government advocates for reporters in Albany. She has been the legislative director for the LWV of New York State since 1988.  DeWitt has been a Capitol reporter since that same time period.
Can they name Andrew Cuomo's age?  How well do they know a famous Long Island singer and can they recognize the voice of a former NYC Mayor? Take a listen to find out how well they know NYS political, geographical and pop culture trivia!