Power & Politics

WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschen
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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.

  1. 5D AGO

    AI in Government Part 2 of 2: Dru Rai as 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. Intro & Who’s in Charge of AI [0:00:00 – 0:00:36] Introduction of Dru Rai and the focus on AI in New York State government. How NY Is Rolling Out AI [0:00:36 – 0:07:32] From first AI policy and pilots with Gemini/InnovateUS to use cases like summarizing data, tracking contracts, and assisting with code. Limits, Risks & Guardrails [0:07:32 – 0:27:35] Why AI can’t fully replace human creativity, the infrastructure and privacy challenges, and the “humans in the loop” governance approach. Jobs, Modernization & Efficiency [0:16:05 – 0:22:20] How AI changes—not removes—government jobs, alongside big hiring and modernization of legacy systems. Transparency, Regulation & the ‘Black Box’ [0:27:35 – 0:35:48] New York’s push to make AI models more transparent, define their limits, and manage public anxiety. Cybersecurity & AI’s Double Edge [0:40:46 – 0:46:59] AI used for hacking and defense, the state’s growing cyber team, and cooperation with local and federal partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  2. 6D AGO

    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, and AI in New York State government. 01:12 – 04:45 — Why Focus on Government Workers?Government’s role in people’s lives and how AI can improve services and efficiency. 04:45 – 06:54 — Scale and Reach of InnovateUS200,000 learners, 50 states and cities, 80 countries; how free courses and workshops work. 06:54 – 09:13 — The AI Literacy GapHeadlines vs. real understanding, fears about AI, and how InnovateUS designs its training. 09:13 – 11:07 — The Art of PromptingWhy generative AI is unpredictable, how prompting works, and learning to “drive” AI well. 11:07 – 14:54 — Tailored Training for Different Public RolesCourses for lawyers, communications staff, public engagement, and evolving curricula. 14:54 – 18:29 — Risks, Responsibility, and Trust in Government AIData privacy, hallucinations, procurement pitfalls, and simple high‑impact uses (e.g., translation). 18:29 – 22:39 — AI, Power, and Democracy (Rebooting AI)Concentrated tech power, deepfakes, and overlooked democratic uses of AI (e.g., Brazil’s Congress). 22:39 – 26:26 — Who Should Regulate AI? Federal vs. State RolesFragmented regulation, the need for local control, and what “regulating AI” really means. 26:26 – End — What’s Changed (and Hasn’t) in Government and DemocracyBeth’s reflections on slow institutional change, democratic backsliding, and using AI to strengthen democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min

  3. APR 13 ·  BONUS

    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 – [0:02:19]–[0:09:20] Worship vs. Free Speech – [0:09:20]–[0:10:11] Immigration, ICE, and Legal Aid – [0:10:11]–[0:17:05] Climate Rollbacks & Gender-Affirming Care – [0:17:05]–end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min

  4. APR 10

    Dr. Len Cutler, Siena University professor of political science and international relations on United States and Iran, April 10th, 2026

    Dr. Len Cutler, professor of political science and international relations at Siena University, joined Power & Politics on Thursday, discussing the current conflict between the United States and Iran. Setting the Stage: Iran–U.S. Crisis Overview [0:00:01 – 0:04:10] Introduces the conflict, brief history since 1979, and Trump’s stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump I vs. Trump II: Expanding Presidential Power [0:04:10 – 0:08:21] Compares Trump’s first and second terms and how constraints on presidential power have changed. Congress, Impeachment Talk, and War Powers [0:08:21 – 0:17:17] Examines Congress’s limited role, impeachment chatter, and the practical impact of the War Powers Act. The Strait of Hormuz and Global Economic Shockwaves [0:17:17 – 0:22:19] Explores Iran’s control of the Strait, rising costs at home, and international stakes—including China’s role. Allies, NATO, and America’s Future Standing [0:22:19 – 0:24:43] Looks at NATO’s reluctance, evolving negotiations, looming deadlines, and what this may mean for U.S. global influence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  5. APR 3

    Dr. Betty Rosa, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Education, and staff, April 3rd, 2026

    NYS Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, Senior Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Matteson and Assistant Commissioner David Frank joined Tom Eschen on Power & Politics this week.They discussed the State's funding formula, student outcomes, Back to Basics reading implementation, Tier 6, America 250 and more Introduction & Funding vs Outcomes0:00:00 – 0:02:28 Funding Formula, Equity & High-Need Students0:02:28 – 0:10:08 Costs, Early Childhood & Universal Pre-K0:10:08 – 0:17:34 Science of Reading & Teacher Training0:17:34 – 0:29:02 Cell Phones, Classroom Tech & AI0:29:02 – 0:39:23 America 250 & Teaching Inclusive History0:39:23 – 0:49:01 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  6. MAR 27

    Drew Warshaw, Democratic Candidate for NYS Comptroller, March 27th, 2026

    Drew Warshaw is part of a group looking to challenge New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in the Democratic primary in June. On the heels of a campaign stop at the State Capital proposing a $20 billion affordable housing fund, Warshaw joined Power & Politics. He and Tom Eschen discussed: Introduction & Campaign Overview – 00:00–00:30 $20 Billion Affordable Housing Fund – 00:30–01:32 Pension Fund Performance & Wall Street Fees – 01:32–04:06 Firing Wall Street Managers & Index Fund Plan – 04:06–06:36 Politics, Fiduciary Duty & Risky Investments – 06:36–09:21 Tier Six Pensions & Pension Reform – 09:21–11:11 Auditing Priorities: Health Care, ICE & Insurance – 11:11–13:12 Building Codes, Construction Costs & Affordability – 13:12–15:05 Utilities, PSC & Rising Energy Bills – 15:05–17:04 Climate Law, Fossil Fuels & Divestment – 17:04–18:54 Eliot Spitzer’s Support & Campaign Backing – 18:54–19:52 Statewide Campaign Strategy & Voter Outreach – 19:52–21:15 What Sets Drew Apart & Closing Message – 21:15–22:18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min

  7. MAR 26 ·  BONUS

    Dr. Emily Eisner, Acting Executive Director at the Fiscal Policy Institute on New York State and New York City Budget, March 26th, 2026

    Dr. Emily Eisner, Acting Executive Director and the Chief Economist at the Fiscal Policy Institute spoke with CBS6's Tom Eschen providing their perspective on the current budget conversation both at the State level and for New York City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min

  8. MAR 20

    John D'Alessandro, Secretary of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, March 20th, 2026

    John D'Alessandro, Secretary of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, joined Power & Politics this week to discuss the state of volunteer firefighters in New York. His appearance comes a few weeks after a different firefighter association, the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, said the decline in volunteer firefighter staffing has become a "public safety crisis". On Power & Politics, D'Alessandro disagreed. Intro & Who Protects New York[00:00:01] – [00:03:26] Recruitment & Retention Challenges[00:03:26] – [00:09:21] More Calls, Changing Communities[00:09:21] – [00:13:41] Different Ways to Volunteer[00:13:41] – [00:17:10] Incentives & the VOLY Plan[00:17:10] – [00:21:06] Volunteers as the Backbone of Public Safety[00:21:06] – [00:22:17] Mental Health and 9/11 Impacts[00:22:17] – [00:25:37] Budget Priorities & Why It Matters to Taxpayers[00:25:37] – End Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
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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 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.

Information

  • Creator
    WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sinclair Broadcast Group
  • Show Website
    Power & Politics

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