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. 19h ago

    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 Centers, NDAs, and Public Pushback – Pennsylvania’s executive order on data centers, local approval power, NDA ban, and parallels to New York’s data center and transparency debates. 00:08:21 Albany’s $22 Million Budget Hole – How the deficit went from 22 million to 7 and back again, driven by healthcare under-projections, higher pensions, and a revenue shortfall. 00:11:40 Capitol Security with John McDonald – McDonald on tightened security at the Capitol, active-threat training, home protection for lawmakers, and coordination across law enforcement. 00:20:08 Mayor Applyrs and Bob Ward on Fixing Albany’s Finances – Multi-year plan to stabilize Albany: realistic numbers, state aid, bond rating hit, rising debt costs, and what’s on the table for taxes and cuts. 00:46:25 Power and Pop Culture: Where Is Upstate New York? – Tom and Olivia debate where “Upstate” starts—Rockland, Albany, Syracuse—and how Long Island and city perspectives shape the map. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Aug 14

    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 York State Governor Kathy Hochul's Executive Order implementing a one-year moratorium on new data center development above 50MW. Keshav speaks to their work and growth since implemented in 2024 (now EmpireAI Beta), and why it's exempt. This week, New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez announced a statewide tour, visiting 13 communities across New York where data centers, or data center proposals are happening. That includes Albany's Kenwood Commons proposal. Gonzalez is the Senate sponsor of the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which passed the State legislature in bipartisan fashion during this year's legislative session. She's pushing the Governor to sign it into law as a part of the data center omnibus. David Flynn, leader of Phillips Lytle’s Environmental Law Practice Team, works with clients who have considered data center construction in New York, saying Governor Hochul's Executive Order of a One-year Moratorium has a "bit of a chilling effect" across the industry. He speaks to the challenges developers would face in complying with a potential framework set forth when the Moratorium is lifted in July 2027...something he's concerned won't happen by then. 0:00-17:27 Introduction and Headlines 17:32-32:36 Empire AI Director of Research Computing Kiran Keshav 32:37-44:24 NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens) 44:45-1:00:54 David Flynn, leader of Phillips Lytle’s Environmental Law Practice Team 1:00:55-1:09:07 Closing Thoughts, Power & Politics & Pop Culture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Aug 7

    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 as Governor, covered portions of his time in the State Legislature, as Governor, discussing the dynamic of politics and government at play then, and now too. They also discussed 9/11, and what he believes has changed since then. New York State Acting Chief Cyber Officer Michaela Lee also joins the show, discussing $9 million will be awarded to 153 local water projects on the heels of cyber attacks in other States. 00:00 – Pataki Building & Public Service 01:45 – Governing vs. Partisan Politics 05:10 – Silver v. Pataki & Governor Power 06:40 – 9/11, Unity & Division Today 09:25 – Lock One & Reviving Downtown Albany 10:20 – Cyber Grants for NY Water Systems 15:10 – Nation-State Threats & Critical Infrastructure 17:55 – Outro & Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 31

    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 & Conservative Supermajority – [6:23–12:36] History & Birthright Citizenship – [12:36–19:05] Tariffs, Learning Resources & Executive Power – [19:05–27:26] Court Reform, Term Limits & Wrap – [27:26–end] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 24

    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 exclusive interview. "You (AI companies) created a powerful force, a technology that has the possibility of changing civilization and how we work and how we communicate, how we live. Artificial intelligence. Why can't you harness that power and ask the question: Can you receive what you need without these huge hyperscale data centers. Can they be smaller? Can they go vertical? Can they use less power? Can they use less energy? Can they use less water and make less noise? I think that they should be at the table trying to innovate this. Given that all across the country, you know, Democrats, Republican, Independent doesn't matter your party. They're losing the public relations war, and they can be a lot smarter about how they handle this." The Governor's Executive Order, in part, will establish a framework for municipalities to use while engaging with companies looking to build data centers in their area. 0:00 – Moratorium on Data Centers Governor Hochul explains her new executive order and why New York is hitting pause on large data centers. 1:21 – Protecting Local Communities How state agencies will set new rate structures, environmental standards, and a community investment framework. 3:23 – Pushing AI and Data Centers to Innovate Hochul challenges AI companies to shrink power usage, bring their own power, and improve public perception. 4:14 – Who the Moratorium Actually Hits Why only 50+ megawatt hyperscale facilities are targeted and concerns about grid readiness. 6:55 – No More Tax Breaks for Data Centers Hochul on why profitable data center companies don’t need local tax subsidies and what communities should demand. 9:47 – Empire AI and Cutting Red Tape Using the Empire AI public‑private partnership to review regulations, cut fees, and modernize state government. 12:46 – Final Word on Energy, Business, and AI Hochul’s closing message on balancing economic growth, energy costs, and the promise of AI in New York Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 17

    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 provides his thoughts on the Democratic primary, and how he'd approach the office if elected in November These interviews were taped on July 1st, 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jul 10

    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 birthday. Nagle travels to a variety of places, telling the story of interactions between settlers and Native Americans, including Upstate New York. 00:00 – 01:00 | Intro & First America 01:00 – 05:30 | New York, Sullivan’s Campaign, and Genocide 05:30 – 10:30 | What We Were Never Taught About the Revolution 10:30 – 15:30 | Founding Myths, Racism, and Erased Histories 15:30 – 21:30 | From Boston Tea Party Costumes to Chiefs Tailgate 21:30 – 27:30 | Mascots, Harm to Native Youth, and Tribal Consent 27:30 – 31:20 | Fixing the Story: Schools, Memory, and Rebecca’s Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jul 3

    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 Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D) soundly defeated his first primary challengers in nearly two decades in office, which stuck out to Jacobs. Primary Results & DiNapoli’s Win [0:00:00 – 0:02:01]Intro, Jay Jacobs’ role, what voters signaled, and Tom DiNapoli’s primary and validation. Israel–Palestine, AIPAC & Voter Priorities [0:02:01 – 0:05:28]Israel–Palestine as a factor in NYC races, losses of incumbents, AIPAC’s role, and why most voters still focus on pocketbook issues. Republican Messaging & Democratic Response [0:05:28 – 0:09:30]GOP “socialist city” rhetoric, Jacobs’ rebuttal, DSA’s growth, MAGA parallels, and the need for bold Democratic ideas. Working-Class Identity & Big Reforms [0:09:30 – 0:13:00]Are Democrats still the working-class party, party legacy (wages, Social Security, etc.), and crisis politics driving the need for large-scale reforms. Fighting Trump & Using Power [0:13:00 – 0:19:19]Frustration with “strongly worded letters,” Schumer/Jeffries/Hochul’s role, why impeachment without conviction votes is a mistake, and what Democrats would do with majorities. DSA, NY-21 & Redistricting [0:19:19 – 0:22:26]Zohran Mamdani and the big-tent argument, NY-21 and Blake Gendebien vs. “DSA” labeling, and closing thoughts on redistricting and public education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See All (207)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 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
    207
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sinclair Broadcast Group
  • Show Website
    Power & Politics

You Might Also Like