Power & Politics

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.

  1. 2D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. MAR 13

    Jackie Salvatore, Columbia County Sheriff, March 13th, 2026

    Jackie Salvatore, the first woman of color to be elected Sheriff in New York State, joined Power & Politics for a wide ranging interview on Thursday evening. Salvatore, a Democrat who had been Columbia County Undersheriff since 2022, was elected in November 2025.  Chapters: Historic First & Early Months in Office [0:00:00 – 0:04:30] Becoming sheriff, being the first woman of color sheriff in NYS, key breaks in her career. Women in Policing & Personal Identity [0:04:30 – 0:06:30] Changes for women in law enforcement, stereotypes, and separating the job from who you are. Immigration, Warrants & Technology [0:06:30 – 0:12:30] Philosophy on ICE cooperation, jail vs. traffic-stop policies, and use of cameras for investigations—not immigration. Community Roots, Culture & Recruitment [0:12:30 – 0:21:00] Being from Hudson, expectations of deputies, body cameras, community events, morale, and recruiting through positive engagement. Race, Representation & Public Perception [0:21:00 – 0:25:00] Growing up with parents from segregated schools, becoming the sixth Black woman in NYSP, and seeing “people as people.” Mental Health, Training & Safety [0:25:00 – 0:27:30] Mobile crisis response, why officers should still be present, and ongoing training with county mental health. Opioids, Harm Reduction & Treatment in Jail [0:27:30 – 0:31:00] Overdose trends, medically assisted treatment in jail, access issues, and Narcan/harm-reduction philosophy. Scams Against Seniors & Community Protection [0:31:00 – 0:33:30] Common scams, financial safeguards, and encouraging seniors to call police. Vision for Columbia County & Success [0:33:30 – 0:36:56] Post‑COVID population shifts, why the job is rewarding, specialized units, and her definition of a successful department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min

  6. MAR 6

    Stuart Amoriell, NY-21 Democratic candidate, March 6th, 2026

    Stuart Amoriell, a Democratic candidate running in New York's 21st Congressional District, joined Power & Politics this week, discussing his background, his campaign and some of the major issues facing New Yorkers, and Americans right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min

  7. MAR 5 ·  BONUS

    "Meeting the mission" Rep Mike Lawler (R) reacts to U.S./Israel military action in Iran, March 5th, 2026

    Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican representing New York's 17th Congressional District, speaks with CBS6's Tom Eschen about the United States and Israel's military action in Iran. They discuss the legality of the move by the Trump Administration, the messaging the by the federal government and Congress, along with his push to pass DHS funding to provide safety at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 min

  8. MAR 3 ·  BONUS

    Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY18), on U.S. military action in Iran, March 2nd, 2026

    New York House Rep. Pat Ryan (D) , a veteran who represents New York's 18th Congressional District, is opposing the Trump Administration's military action in Iran, saying he doesn't see a clear strategy, and that he's concerned history will be repeating itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    15 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

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
    176
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sinclair Broadcast Group
  • Show Website
    Power & Politics

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