The Capitol Connection on WAMC

New York state Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, the powerful Democrat who chairs the Health Committee, says he has questions about the state's health impact study as Governor Andrew Cuomo decides on the future of hydrofracking. Gottfried spoke on WAMC's Capitol Connection program.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by New York Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, the former mayor and police chief of Rochester. They discuss the executive budget, hydrofracking, and mandate relief.

The day after an intraparty war of words between Syracuse mayor Stephanie Miner — co-chair of the state Democratic party — and New York Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy about Governor Cuomo’s budget and how it handles floundering localities, Duffy says he sticks by comments. Duffy spoke on WAMC’s Capitol Connection program.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by New York state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a Democrat who has held office since 2007 after two decades in the Assembly. They discuss firearm investments in the state pension fund, political spending by corporations, and the Tappan Zee project.

With the state anxious to begin construction on a new Tappan Zee Bridge, New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says his office will be keeping a close eye on the financing of the more than three billion dollar project. DiNapoli spoke on WAMC’s Capitol Connection program.

Just two days after New York legislators passed first-in-the-nation gun law reforms in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, the state’s chief financial officer says pension fund investments in firearm companies have been frozen. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli spoke on WAMC’s Capitol Connection program.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by Albany Times Union political reporter Jimmy Vielkind. They spend the program analyzing Governor Cuomo's State of the State Address this week in Albany.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by is New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Yonkers Democrat who is the new Leader of the Democratic Conference. Leader Stewart-Cousins, who has served in the Senate since 2007, is the first woman to head a legislative conference in Albany. They discuss the Senate’s unusual configuration, the minimum wage, and mandate relief.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by Dan Cantor, executive director of the Working Families Party. They discuss the party’s electoral gains, the state Senate coalition, hydrofracking, and the minimum wage.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a former Democratic member of the state Senate. They discuss the Defense of Marriage Act, gun control regulations, hydrofracking, and the new power-sharing coalition in the Senate.