New York State Budget

(Airs 03/06/25 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with David Lombardo, Host of the Capitol Pressroom on WCNY about the major items left to be resolved in budget negotiations, how federal cuts will impact New York, the New York City Mayoral race, and much more.

Members of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s cabinet appeared in Albany Monday to highlight executive budget proposals.

(Airs 02/27/25 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with Natasha Pernicka, Executive Director of The Alliance for a Hunger Free New York, about the growing problem of hunger across the state.

(Airs 02/06/25 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with Steven Greenberg from the Siena College Poll. We’ll talk about the latest numbers on Governor Kathy Hochul and her proposals as well as how New Yorkers feel about President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s $252 billion budget proposal includes measures to address the demand for energy efficiency driven by artificial intelligence and the preservation of natural resources. But some advocates are upset about the governor’s exclusion of language included in last year’s budget specifically referencing the NY HEAT Act — which stalled last session — that would eliminate the so-called “100-foot” rule and protect utility customers from bearing the cost of investments in fossil fuel infrastructure and the cap and invest program. WAMC's Samantha Simmons spoke with Rich Schrader, Director of New York Government Affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council, who says it could set back the state’s clean energy goals.

Earlier this week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposed a $252 billion budget with plans to provide free schools meals for schoolchildren, ban the use of cellphones in school, and distribute tax relief checks. However, some Republican legislators are concerned by the size of the budget. State Assemblyman Scott Bendett of the 107th District says it doesn’t address the state’s largest problem: lagging population growth. WAMC spoke with the Republican, whose district includes parts of Albany, Rensselaer, Washington and Columbia counties, in North Greenbush on Thursday about the proposed budget.

(Airs 01/24/25 @ 10 p.m.) The Legislative Gazette is a weekly program about New York State Government and politics. On this week’s Gazette: New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposes a $252 billion budget, we’ll have reaction from state lawmakers and more on what’s in the proposal, and we’ll take you to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik appeared this week in her confirmation hearing to be UN Ambassador.

Following Governor Kathy Hochul’s budget address this week, New York state Senator Jake Ashby says he’s unsure where the funding is coming from for the $252 billion budget.

(Airs 01/23/25 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with New York state Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes about Governor Hochul’s budget proposal, affordability and affordable housing, the new Climate Superfund Act law, Congestion Pricing, and much more.

State lawmakers are reacting to New York Governor Kathy Hochul's $252 billion dollar budget proposal.