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Power & Politics

Power & Politics

Written by: WRGB CBS6 Power And Politics Tom Eschen
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About this listen

 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.Sinclair Broadcast Group Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • A Schenectady Man Taken into ICE Custody, Increased Registration Fees, and the Future of Albany County

    A Schenectady Man Taken into ICE Custody, Increased Registration Fees, and the Future of Albany County
    Feb 27 2026
    CBS6's Briana Supardi fills in for Tom Eschen to discuss this week in politics. On this episode: A Schenectady Man Taken into ICE Custody, Increased Registration Fees, and the Future of Albany County Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • Adem Bunkeddeko, Democratic Candidate for NYS Comptroller, February 22nd, 2026

    Adem Bunkeddeko, Democratic Candidate for NYS Comptroller, February 22nd, 2026
    Feb 22 2026
    Adem Bunkeddeko, a former Congressional candidate, discusses his run for New York State Comptroller. He breaks down his approach to the office, talking investing in entities like the Knicks, divesting, auditing, oversight and more 0:00:00 – 0:02:24 — Introduction and Why He’s Running0:02:24 – 0:07:03 — Why Comptroller and Using the Pension Fund for Housing0:07:03 – 0:13:13 — Audits, Policy, and the Role of the Comptroller0:13:13 – 0:21:28 — What the Pension Fund Is and the New York Opportunity/Trust Fund0:21:28 – 0:27:21 — Investing in New York: MSG, Local Assets, and Energy0:27:21 – 0:33:29 — Values, Divestment, and Audit Priorities0:33:29 – 0:35:25 — Petitioning Onto the Ballot and Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Peter Gannon, President & CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, February 20th, 2026

    Peter Gannon, President & CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, February 20th, 2026
    Feb 20 2026
    Peter Gannon, President & CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region joined Power & Politics this week, discussing the organizations programs revolving around housing, food, emergency assistance and more. His appearance comes less than a week after New York State announced their "Downtown Albany Strategy" plan, which involves a $200 million investment into Albany's Downtown. He also addressed their analysis of ALICE data, and how they use the tool to help address the needs of communities. The full conversation will be available via podcast at 5:00 a.m. Friday, with the video available on Youtube Friday afternoon. Albany’s $200 Million Downtown Bet (0:00–3:15) Intro to Peter Gannon and the $200M state investment in Albany, why downtown needs a bold reset, and how COVID exposed weaknesses in downtown vibrancy. Peter’s vision of downtown Albany as the hub that connects all neighborhoods, and how United Way sees community-building at the center of revitalization. Explanation of ALICE, why the federal poverty line is outdated, how two in five households in the Capital Region struggle, and why even some six-figure earners feel squeezed. How food banks and pantries are still under pressure, United Way’s summer meals for kids, the link between nutrition and learning, and the push for universal and summer school meals. How child and earned income tax credits lift families above poverty and ALICE, and Peter’s argument for getting money to families during the year instead of one big refund. Peter’s response to critics of public spending on kids, and his case for investing in the next generation as future workers and caregivers. How COVID permanently changed restaurants, retail, delivery, and work habits, and why rebuilding in-person community life is so important. United Way’s on-the-ground response to federal shutdowns, from supporting TSA workers to quickly deploying groceries and gas cards when paychecks and benefits stopped. Why charity alone can’t fix hunger, who SNAP really serves, and why federal, state, and county policy choices will determine how hard families are hit. The reality of food-insecure college students, campus pantry models, and using tech like parcel lockers to make food access dignified and discreet. Overview of the VITA free tax prep program, who it serves, and how it saves families fees while bringing millions of dollars back into the Capital Region. Peter’s response to skepticism about nonprofits, the emphasis on accountability, and examples of how relatively small grants generate large community impact. Downtown as the Region’s Crossroads (3:15–4:40) ALICE and the Real Cost of Living (4:40–10:20) Food Security and Summer Meals (10:20–13:10) Tax Credits and Cash Upfront (13:10–16:00) Why Investing in Kids Pays Off (16:00–17:10) Government Shutdowns and Rapid Response (16:31–21:40) SNAP, Safety Nets, and Public Policy (21:40–23:10) Hunger-Free College Campuses (23:10–24:35) Free Tax Prep and Local Dollars (24:35–26:42) Trust, Transparency, and Nonprofit Impact (26:42–29:10) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
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