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Dispatches from Planet Albany

WCNY
Albany
Albany, United States
New York State Legislature
Budget Process
Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
New York State Budget
Election Law
Immigration
Working Families Party
Auto Insurance Reform
New York State United Teachers
CLCPA
Lobbying
Thomas P. Dinapoli
New York State Senate
Car Insurance
Drew Warshaw
Hochul, Kathy
New York Weatherization Assistance Program
New York

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 ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes168Founded3 years ago
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Latest Episodes

While state lawmakers are expected to be bogged down with hundreds of bills during the final days of the legislative session, state senators will likely also have to contend with dozens of confirmations from Gov. Kathy Hochul.

It's not clear whethe... more

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is looking to make waves outside of Western New York.

The Buffalo Democrat launched a political action committee this year to support candidates running for local offices around the country, which he believes is... more

YouTube

We're diving back into the world of New York's liberal third party.

New York Working Families Party Director Jasmine Gripper joins the show to explain why they're sitting out the Democratic primary for state comptroller, highlights efforts to resha... more

YouTube

With the 124th Legislative Correspondents' Association Show fast approaching, host David Lombardo and recovering journalist Liz Benjamin discusss whether the event should exist, review highlights from past performances and talk about the key to good ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jasmine Gripper
Head of the Working Families Party in New York
Working Families Party (WFP)
Episode: NY WFP on comptroller's race, legislative primaries, and the senate's number two
Liz Benjamin
Managing Director for Marathon Strategies, recovering journalist
Marathon Strategies
Episode: The (LCA) show must go on!
Emily Gallagher
Assembly Member, Brooklyn Democrat
New York Assembly
Episode: The legislature's airing of budget grievances
Doug Clark
Co-managing partner and government affairs team leader at Shenker, Russo, and Clark
Shenker, Russo & Clark
Episode: More transparency considered for Planet Albany lobbying
Miguelina Camilo
Former council to Speaker Carl Hasty, Chief of Staff to NYC Council Speaker
New York City Council
Episode: Getting to 'yes' on the state budget
Nick Reisman
Albany Bureau Chief, Politico New York
Politico New York
Episode: Hochul budget strategy relies on time and special interest attacks
Thomas Boomhower
Democratic hopeful in the 102nd Assembly District
Democratic candidate, 102nd Assembly District
Episode: The uphill battle of going red to blue in rural New York
Adam Fusco
Assembly Republican attorney by day, a GOP election lawyer by night and beyond
Republican Party political/legal operations in New York
Episode: Election Law 101: Ballot objections
Alex Elmasri
Vice president of operations and growth, Parkside Group
Parkside Group
Episode: Could Tom DiNapoli lose the Democratic primary?

Host

David Lombardo
Host of Dispatches from Planet Albany (WCNY) and The Capitol Pressroom.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 20 ratings
  • Off to a flying start

    Lively and frank conversations about the politics behind state government. The rapport between host David Lombardo and guests, especially the never wrong Shontell Smith, makes for fun listening. Looking forward to special off-session series.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saratoga Citizen
    United States3 years ago
  • Lively Debates

    Enjoy the lively debates about what happens in the halls of the Capitol.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Live Free of Die State
    United States3 years ago
  • Inside baseball

    A great listen about life in the Capitol.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CrazyLady2016
    United States3 years ago
  • Off to a flying start

    A lively, informative, fun and frank conversation about the politics behind state budget decisions. The participants seemed to enjoy it as much as the listener. Looking forward to future Disptaches from Planet Albany.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Saratoga Citizen
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Accessible yet insider-focused coverage of Albany power dynamics.
Lively, frank conversations about state government politics.
Behind-the-scenes insights and candid guest interactions.
Smart, humorous, and informative about budget and lobbying topics.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Could Tom DiNapoli lose the Democratic primary?
Q: Is there a potential that this is a way to expand their profile for something else, either in the short term or long term?
Yes, running a credible statewide race can increase name recognition and establish a platform for future opportunities, even if the current challenge doesn't win, and it can create leverage with other offices or during later political cycles as a measured path to higher visibility.
Could Tom DiNapoli lose the Democratic primary?
Q: Do you think Drew Warshaw is pretty clearly the only alternative to DiNapoli with a viable chance?
Drew Warshaw looks like the most organized and active challenger, with statewide endorsements and visible campaign activity, but viability hinges on sustaining momentum, fundraising, and translating endorsements into broader voter recognition; the other challengers may remain less competitive unless they rapidly close the organizational gap.
Could Tom DiNapoli lose the Democratic primary?
Q: So, you've graciously agreed to help, you know, play a little game theory with us, and I want to start with this idea that nobody knows who the controller is, and that's not just they don't know the office, they don't know Tom DiNapoli, and the most recent polling suggests that only 20% of Democratic voters have a favorable opinion, 18% unfavorable, 62% don't know or know opinion about him, according to the latest Siena Research Institute poll.
That lack of deep public recognition creates a landscape where organized campaigning and clear endorsements can be decisive; a challenger with the right message and resources can attract attention, but lacking a solid base and statewide visibility, they risk diluting votes among themselves rather than building a coherent alternative to the incumbent.
Assemblyman Al Stirpe unpacks budget contention and process
Q: Where do you see the room for compromise on CLCPA and related energy/climate issues?
There is room for compromise, especially around timing and implementation details, but the methane calculations and the pace of regulations are major sticking points; some adjustments to timelines and funding for clean energy programs could help garner broader support.
Assemblyman Al Stirpe unpacks budget contention and process
Q: Do you think immigration, though, has to get done in the context of the budget?
It seems possible to separate some immigration work from a budget settlement, but the level of alignment and timing will depend on what can be negotiated with the governor and how much flexibility the Legislature has in tying immigration to a broader budget agreement.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dispatches from Planet Albany

What is Dispatches from Planet Albany about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Insightful, insider-facing political commentary focused on New York state government, with a mix of policy analysis, budget dynamics, lobbying transparency, and strategic campaigning. The show features a seasoned host who channels off-the-record conversations into accessible discussions about Albany power, budget timing, endorsements, and the interplay between lawmakers, staff, and advocacy groups. Notable strengths include sharp humor, candid guest interactions, and a track record of unpacking complex political processes for listeners who follow state politics closely. The format tends to blend practical how-tos (ballot objections, lobbying disclosures) with strategic takeaways (endorsement criteria, power rankings), making it appealing to... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Dispatches from Planet Albany?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dispatches from Planet Albany:

1. The Capitol Pressroom
2. FAQ NYC
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. Fresh Air
5. The Brian Lehrer Show

How many episodes of Dispatches from Planet Albany are there?

Dispatches from Planet Albany launched 3 years ago and published 168 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Dispatches from Planet Albany?

Recent guests on Dispatches from Planet Albany include:

1. Jasmine Gripper
2. Liz Benjamin
3. Emily Gallagher
4. Doug Clark
5. Miguelina Camilo
6. Nick Reisman
7. Thomas Boomhower
8. Adam Fusco

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