PODCAST · government
Power & Politics
by WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschen
A Murrow Award winning podcast that brings you inside the issues impacting our communities. Every week, Tom Eschen sits down with local leaders and power brokers for a frank, sometimes blunt, conversation about the current political environment and how their decisions and stances shape and alter all of our lives. Whether it’s your tax bill, public safety, schools, immigration, or healthcare – politics affects every day and every aspect of your life. From the corridors of power to the heart of the debate, this podcast aims to ask the tough questions you want answered – to hold leaders accountable, to cut through the rhetoric and the canned responses. It’s a conversation that really matters.
Episodes
-
Campaign 2026: NYS Assembly District 107 Democratic Candidate Chloe Pierce
Chloe Pierce speaks with Tom Eschen about her campaign for New York State's Assembly District 107 00:00 Introduction and Candidacy 02:01 Priorities and Affordability 04:18 Taxes, Utilities, and Data Centers 08:12 Public Safety and Policing 11:23 Immigration and Professional Ethics 14:17 Cornell...
-
Campaign 2026: NYS Assembly District 107 incumbent Scott Bendett discuses reelection bid
Scott Bendett, the Republican incumbent in Assembly District 107, discusses his record and bid for reelection with CBS6's Tom Eschen 00:00 — Scott Bendett’s background and district accomplishments 03:16 — Data center moratorium and energy costs 06:18 — Municipal funding and state spending 10:14 —...
-
Campaign 2026: Senate District 46 Debate: Martha McHugh (R) vs Pat Fahy (D)
CBS6's broadcast of the Senate District 46 Debate between GOP nominee and challenger Martha McHugh and Democratic incumbent Pat Fahy. Topics included: -Juvenile Crime -Utility Costs -Data Centers -Flock Safety Cameras -Fiscally Stressed Municipalities -287 Agreements and Immigration -Clean Water...
-
Gubernatorial debate, Gaming commission rules, Quantum lab in NYC with Guests: Peter Guidarelli, Morgan Hook, Stephen Clark
-GOP strategist and former Schenectady County Legislature Chair Peter Guidarelli breaks down the line Gubernatorial debate between Governor Kathy Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman -Bluejacket Strategies' Morgan Hook provides his perspective on the New York State Gubernatorial…
more -
Campaign 2026: Devin Lander (D) discusses challenge for Senate District 43
Devin Lander, New York State Historian, speaks with Tom Eschen about his run for New York State Senate District 43. Lander discusses his platforms on health care, environmental issues, utility costs and Flock cameras. 00:00 — Devin Lander and His Senate Campaign02:09 — Cost of Living and...
-
Campaign 2026: Senator Jake Ashby (R) discusses run for reelection in Senate District 43
NYS Senator Jake Ashby, a Republican, discusses his run for reelection in New York's 43rd Senate District. He touches on his campaign, utility costs, "Local Cops, Local Crimes" law, Veterans services and more 00:00 Introduction and New York’s energy affordability 03:49 Data centers, grid…
more -
Budget breakdowns, Cornell latest, Campaign 2026 with Guests: Lee Miringoff, Joseph Hernandez, Tom DiNapoli
Incumbent Tom DiNapoli (D) is facing GOP Nominee Joseph Hernandez in one of New York's Statewide Elections this year, both joining Power & Politics to discuss their campaigns. Lee Miringoff spoke with Tom Eschen about the latest Marist Poll. Power & Politics Producer Olivia Holloway provided this...
-
Campaign 2026: NY-21st Congressional District Candidate Anthony Constantino Town Hall, October 6th, 2026
In front of a studio audience inside the CBS6 Television Station, Anthony Constantino, GOP nominee in New York's 21st Congressional District, discusses his campaign, and issues impacting residents. Constantino had agreed to six different dates for debates with Democratic nominee Blake Gendebien,...
-
October 2nd, 2026: Tax Hike proposals, Cornell latest and AI at the White House
On this week's episode of Power & Politics, Host Tom Eschen sits down with Bronx Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, talking about his legislation which he says would close a loophole in the State's sexual assault laws. Producer Olivia Holloway speaks with Asm. Amy Paulin, going over that…
more -
Campaign 2026: NYS 102nd Assembly District Candidate Janet Tweed (D)
Janet Tweed, the Democratic nominee for New York's 102nd Assembly District, speaks with Tom Eschen on Power & Politics. Tweed discusses her background in the district, her goal to pass the New York Health Act, data centers, 287g and more. Tweed is going up against Republican nominee Marc…
more -
Campaign 2026: NYS 102nd Assembly District Republican Nominee Marc Molinaro discusses campaign
Former Congressional Rep. Marc Molinaro speaks with Tom Eschen about running for New York's 102nd Assembly District, looking to make a return to the State legislature for the first time in more than 15 years. Molinaro discusses why he's looking to return to the Assembly, cost of living, rural...
-
September 25th, 2026, New NY Prediction Market lawsuit, new Siena Poll, Waymo, AI Regulation with Guests: Anthony Aguirre and Tush Nikkolaj
This week, Tom Eschen sits down with Anthony Aguirre, President & CEO of the Future of Life Institute and Tush Nikkolaj President and CEO at Logical Net Corporation, talking AI regulation and innovation Producer Olivia Holloway's Headlines: New NY Prediction Market lawsuit, new Siena Poll, White...
-
Campaign 2026: Martha McHugh discusses her campaign for New York's 46th Senate District
Republican Martha McHugh is running for New York's 46th Senate District, discussing her campaign with CBS6's Tom Eschen. She talks about job creation, solar complexes and local control, data centers and public safety. 00:14 Why she's running 00:58 District's diversity in population, density 03:40...
-
Campaign 2026: NYS Senator Pat Fahy discusses campaign for Senate District 46, September 24th, 2026
NYS Senator Pat Fahy (D-Albany), is running for reelection in New York's 46th Senate District. The interview spans from public safety to utility prices, economic investment and the City of Albany's Budget. Fahy is facing Republican nominee Martha McHugh. 0:00 Introduction: Senator Pat Fay, SD-46...
-
287g lawsuit update, data center regulation, controversial ads, with guests: PSC Chair Rory Christian and Historian Andrew Morris, Sunday August 20th, 2026
Episode recorded 9/18/2026 Host Tom Eschen speaks with PSC Chair Rory Christian and Historian Andrew Morris. Tom and Power & Politics producer Olivia Holloway go through this week's Holloway Headlines: 287g lawsuit update, data center regulation at federal and state level, and more. Tom and…
more -
PSC Chair Rory Christian and Andrew Morris, Chair of Union College Department of History, September 18th, 2026
New York is launching the Energy Affordability Index, a tool Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian says will help the commission guide decisions about rate increase proposals from companies. Christian talks about how those decisions will impact New Yorkers energy bills, and how those...
-
9/11 Air Quality, Flock Misuse, Neighborhood Street Teams, AI Warning with Guests: Andrew Carboy, George Pataki excerpt, Rep. Laura Gillen
This week, Power & Politics provides multiple perspectives on the release of thousands of documents regarding air quality in the days and weeks following the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. Guests include Andrew Carboy, Attorney for 9/11 Health Watch, Congresswoman Laura Gillen...
-
Bonus: Former Governor George Pataki on if NYS Mayor Zohran Mamdani, President Donald Trump, should attend 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Ground Zero
As mentioned on this week's Power & Politics podcast, Tom Eschen spoke with former NYS Governor George Pataki about the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. The full conversation will be available on the Anniversary, but this is the excerpt Tom was talking about in regards to the…
more -
Gov. Pataki on Mayor Mamdani, Paying for Extreme Weather, and Hochul's FEMA and Counterterrorism funding questions, Guests: Professor Kevin Reed, Professor Andrew Morris, Business Council of NYS's Ken Pokalsky, Sen. Liz Krueger, September 4th, 2026
Host Tom Eschen speaks to a variety of stakeholders in the world of climate science and policy, discussing attribution science, FEMA funding, and the New York Climate Change Superfund Act. Power & Politics producer Olivia Holloway provides Holloway's Headlines: Pataki and Mamdani, Hochul and...
-
Meta's Settlement, 287g agreement ban, congestion pricing, and Lake America Guests: Sec. Sean Duffy, Stephen Creamer
Tom Eschen speaks with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and President & CEO of the Air Traffic Control Association Stephen Creamer. Tom and producer Olivia Holloway discuss the top stories of the week via Holloway's Headlines. 00:00 – Intro and Show Rundown 01:16 – Meta Kids Settlement...
-
Threat at NYS Capitol, data center NDAs, Albany's Budget and Where's Upstate? Guests: NYS Asm. John McDonald, Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs and Financial Advisor Bob Ward, August 21st, 2026
00:00:00 Intro to Power and Politics; preview of Capitol threat, data centers, Albany deficit, and the “upstate NY” debate. 00:01:00 Thwarted Capitol Plot – FBI complaint against Jessica Bowie, alleged ISIS support, and targets from the NYS Capitol to Times Square and beyond. 00:04:34 Data…
more -
Data Centers, New Siena Poll, New Flock Standards, Municipal Budgeting and more. Guests: Kiran Keshav, Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and David Flynn, August 14th, 2026
Several voices in the data center conversation joined Power & Politics this week: Empire AI Director of Research Computing Kiran Keshav, NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens) and David Flynn, leader of Phillips Lytle’s Environmental Law Practice Team. EmpireAI is one of the exceptions to New…
more -
George Pataki, former New York State Governor, and New York State Acting Chief Cyber Officer Michaela Lee, August 7th, 2026
Former New York State Governor George Pataki appeared on Power & Politics this week, speaking with Tom Eschen on the heels of the dedication of the "Governor George E. Pataki Center" on Spring Street in Albany. The conversation, taking place in a room adorned with photos of Pataki from his tenure...
-
Ray Brescia, Associate Dean for Research and Intellectual Life at Albany Law School, on Supreme Court's latest term, July 31st, 2026
Ray Brescia, who helped pen a recent commentary piece in SCOTUSBlog, discusses the impact of the most recent Supreme Court term, and what he believes it means for the balance of power in the Federal Government. Intro & Setup – [0:00–0:42] Roberts Court & Power Shift – [0:42–6:23] Partisanship &...
-
NY Governor Kathy Hochul on data center moratorium Executive Order, July 24th, 2026
NYS Governor Kathy Hochul joined Power & Politics on Thursday, discussing her data center moratorium Executive Order. "The brilliant people at these AI companies, and we welcome AI innovation, by the way, very much so, as we welcome all innovation in New York," she told CBS6's Tom Eschen in an...
-
NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and GOP Comptroller Nominee Joseph Hernandez, July 17th, 2026
Following his Democratic primary win, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli joined Power & Politics, discussing the campaign along with other big issues impacting New Yorkers right now. He also is looking ahead to the general election in November, where he faces challenger Joseph Hernandez. Hernandez...
-
Rebecca Nagle, award winning journalist and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, July 10th, 2026
Rebecca Nagle, award winning journalist and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, joined Power & Politics this week. Nagle is the host of the "First America" podcast, which she says tells a more complete story of the founding of America, the podcast launching alongside celebrations of America's 250th...
-
Jay Jacobs, New York State Democratic Committee Chair, July 3rd, 2026
New York State Democratic Committee Chair Jay Jacobs joined Power & Politics this week, providing his reaction to the 2026 Primary Election. Zohran Mamdani-endorsed candidates won three Congressional races in New York City, creating a stir throughout the State and Country. Statewide, incumbent...
-
Peter Guidarelli, GOP political strategist and Jason Palmer, former Democratic Presidential candidate, on primary election results, June 26th, 2026
Peter Guidarelli, a GOP political strategist and former Schenectady County Legislative Chairman along with Jason Palmer, Founder of Together! and former Democratic Presidential candidate, join Tom Eschen to discuss Tuesday's primary election results 0:00 – Introduction and overviewNew York…
more -
Blair Horner, NYPIRG Senior Policy Advisor, talks late budget, Hochul, lobbyists, and more, June 22nd, 2026
Blair Horner provides his perspective on this year's legislative session, discussing Governor Hochul's approach to the budget process, the legislature's power, the bills that passed (redistricting), the ones that didn't (lobbying), and Zohran Mamdani 00:00 – Cold open and introduction to Blair...
-
NY 21st Congressional District Democratic Primary Debate, Blake Gendebien and Stuart Amoriell, June 19th, 2026
Blake Gendebien and Stuart Amoriell are competing in the New York 21st Congressional District Democratic Primary, and debated at the CBS6 studios prior to the election. The moderator is CBS6's Tom Eschen. 00:00:00 – Introduction and Debate Rules00:01:31 – Stuart Amoriell Opening Statement00:03:11…
more -
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy discusses decision to pull the plan for a new bus terminal in Albany's South End, June 19th, 2026
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy joined Power & Politics on Thursday, discussing his decision to pull the plan for a new bus terminal in Albany's South End. The decision came less than 24 hours after McCoy posted an update on the project on social media, saying: "The Advance Albany County...
-
NYS Comptroller Democratic Primary Debate, Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle, June 12th, 2026
Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle, Democratic candidates for NYS Comptroller, discuss their priorities and motivations in running for office at the CBS6 Studios in Schenectady. NYS Incumbent Comptroller Tom DiNapoli was invited, but declined the invitation. 0:00 – Introduction and Debate Setup0:24 –...
-
Bonus: Melinda Person, President of New York State United Teachers, June 8th, 2026
NYSUT President Melinda Person discusses the organizations recent resolution calling for more restrictions regarding technology and Artificial Intelligence in schools in New York State. 00:00 – Introduction and NYSUT ed tech resolution00:16 – Parent concerns, screen time, and attention...
-
Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford and Finance Commissioner JoAnne Kiernan on city's budget deficit, June 5th, 2026
Saratoga Springs, NY — Following an update on the city's finances, displaying a potential $5.1 million budget deficit, the Saratoga City Council approved a hiring freeze on Tuesday night. Finance Commissioner JoAnne Kiernan, who started her term in January 2026, showed the Council a powerpoint...
-
Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Mayor of the City of Albany provides update on budget, June 1st, 2026
Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs joins Power & Politics to provide an update regarding the city's finances. She discusses the recent historic State Aid for the City, totaling $44.4 million, which is intended to help mitigate the city's budget deficit now, and in the future. She also discusses the...
-
NY 21st Congressional District Republican Primary Debate, Anthony Constantino vs. Robert Smullen, May 29th, 2026
Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino and Assemblymember Robert Smullen, candidates in the Republican primary for New York's 21st Congressional District, took the CBS6 debate stage on Thursday evening. They debated and discussed issues like the North Country, farmers, health care, immigration,...
-
Bob Ward, former Deputy New York State Comptroller and an Albany resident on Albany Budget Deficit, May 26th, 2026
Bob Ward, former Deputy New York State Comptroller and an Albany resident, joined Power & Politics this week. Ward served as Deputy New York State Comptroller from 2012-2021, and prior to that was with Rockefeller Institute of Government. He also wrote a comprehensive look at State government...
-
Meghan Keegan, Chair of the City of Albany Common Council Finance, Taxation & Assessment Committee, provides update on Albany's budget, May 22nd, 2026
Meghan Keegan is the Chair of the City of Albany Common Council Finance, Taxation & Assessment Committee, provides an update on the City of Albany's finances. She discusses the movement towards bringing in the State Comptroller to review the City's finances, the impact State aid could have on the...
-
Former U.S. IG Mark Mark Greenblatt on impact of Minnesota's IG addition, oversight, Epstein Files audit, May 18th, 2026
Former United States Department of the Interior Inspector General Mark Greenblatt speaks with Tom Eschen about the State of Minnesota moving forward with adding a Statewide Inspector General, and how that impacts the rest of the country when it comes to taxpayer money, especially regarding...
-
NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens) and John Thickstun, Assistant Professor at Cornell University, on Artificial Intelligence, May 15th, 2026
In the midst of her 3rd annual "AI Week", NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens) joined Power & Politics. Gonzalez discussed her legislation targeting chatbots and data centers, along with the current dynamic between the federal government and state government when it comes to regulating...
-
Bonus: Lara Bryn discusses Hantavirus with NYS Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald
Lara Bryn sits down with NYS Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald for a one-on-one interview about Hantavirus and how the state is coordinating with federal health agencies to manage the outbreak. They discuss the risk level for New Yorkers, how the exposed New Yorkers are handling their...
-
Lara Blume McGee, Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Ring Survivor, and Jordan Merson, Representing Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Ring Survivors, May 8th, 2026
Lara Blume McGee and Jordan Merson discuss their trip to the New York State Capital, advocating for legislation to hold offenders accountable, and eliminate the statute of limitations. 00:00:00–00:01:40 – Testimony at the Capitol00:01:40–00:03:25 – Breaking Silence After 20 Years00:03:25–00:05:20…
more -
NYS Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D) and NYS Asm. Phil Palmesano (R-Corning), May 1st, 2026
NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney discusses his legislation aimed at creating more State regulation around prediction markets, while NYS Assemblymember Phil Palmesano talks about the late State budget, and his remarks on the floor. [0:00:00] NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney [0:00:52] What Are Prediction…
more -
Rikki Shaw, Former Jane Doe NYS Capital sexual assault victim discusses why she came forward, April 30, 2026
More than 20 years after she was a victim of gender-based violence at the New York State Capital, a former Jane Doe discussed her decision to step forward and reveal her identity on Power & Politics this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-
Walter Masterson on being arrested at the NYS Capitol, April 27th, 2026
Walter Masterson is one of 18 people arrested at the New York State Capitol with a court date in Albany this week, charged with 2nd degree Obstructing Governmental Administration. Masterson has about 5 million followers on social media, known for his political satire, street interviews and poking...
-
NYS Inspector General Lucy Lang breaks down 2025 Workers Compensation Fraud Report, April 24th, 2026
The New York State Inspector General's annual Workers Compensation Fraud Report was released this week, with 22 arrests, and $1.9 million identified ($1.7 million recovered) in fraudulent activity in 2025. The 22 arrests are more than double the 2024 total, with six of the 22 coming from…
more -
AI in Government Part 2 of 2: Dru Rai, New York State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), April 17th, 2026
Dru Rai discusses the application of Artificial Intelligence in State Government, and what training looks like for more than 100,000 State workers. He says they first wrote AI Policy in 2023, and now are invested in growing ITS staff to help facilitate implementation and responsible use of AI....
-
AI in Government Part 1 of 2: Beth Noveck, InnovateUS Founder on implementing AI training in New York State, April 16th, 2026
Beth Noveck, founder of InnovateUS, discusses the rollout of their Artificial Training to New York State's Government workforce. She also talks about her book "Reboot AI, the Race to Save Democracy" 00:00 – 01:12 — Introducing InnovateUS and Beth NoveckSetting the stage: Beth’s role, InnovateUS,...
-
Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, April 13th, 2026
Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union joins Power & Politics to discuss their perspective and priorities for the FY2027 New York State Budget, which currently is past its April 1st deadline. Policy in the Budget – [0:00:00]–[0:02:19] Protest Buffer Zones Fight –…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
A Murrow Award winning podcast that brings you inside the issues impacting our communities. Every week, Tom Eschen sits down with local leaders and power brokers for a frank, sometimes blunt, conversation about the current political environment and how their decisions and stances shape and alter all of our lives. Whether it’s your tax bill, public safety, schools, immigration, or healthcare – politics affects every day and every aspect of your life. From the corridors of power to the heart of the debate, this podcast aims to ask the tough questions you want answered – to hold leaders accountable, to cut through the rhetoric and the canned responses. It’s a conversation that really matters.
HOSTED BY
WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschen
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Power & Politics have?
Power & Politics currently has 225 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Power & Politics about?
A Murrow Award winning podcast that brings you inside the issues impacting our communities. Every week, Tom Eschen sits down with local leaders and power brokers for a frank, sometimes blunt, conversation about the current political environment and how their decisions and stances shape and alter...
How often does Power & Politics release new episodes?
Power & Politics publishes regularly with 225 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Power & Politics?
You can listen to Power & Politics on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Power & Politics?
Power & Politics is created and hosted by WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschen.
URL copied to clipboard!