Jimmy Vielkind talks 'Big, Beautiful' and GOP state politics

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Andrew Waite

Published July 22, 2025 at 3:21 PM EDT

New York Congressman Mike Lawler speaking at a town hall at Mahopac High School.

Summer is typically a slower time in New York state government. But this year, Governor Kathy Hochul has already gathered her cabinet in Albany to discuss the effects of the new federal domestic agenda package. The Democrat warns President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” has set up a health care cliff in New York, among other impacts. Speaking with WAMC’s Andrew Waite, the New York Public News Network’s Jimmy Vielkind says state officials are facing uncertainty.

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Andrew Waite

Andrew Waite is WAMC’s news director. His journalism career dates to 2009, when he was a cub reporter for community newspapers in Montana and Alaska. He has since worked as an editor at the inflight magazine for Seattle-based Alaska Airlines and as the featured news columnist for The Daily Gazette in Schenectady. Andrew has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, an MFA in creative writing from Pacific University and is a proud Albany High School graduate. He's honored to be back home helping to cover news in the Capital Region, where he lives with his wife, daughter and son.

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