Power & Politics

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 fun at a variety of political ideals. 

 "I don't really get a lot of views off of this," Masterson told CBS6. "I just felt like this is something where I wanted to be on the right side of history."

He said business-wise, between a speeding ticket on I87 and the Summons to Albany City Court, he may lose money on the endeavor.

Arrest and Inside the Capitol Protest – [0:00:13 – 0:00:30]Tom introduces Walter Masterson, fresh off his arrest at the New York State Capitol, and sets up the protest inside Governor Hochul’s office.


Why Protest Hochul: CLCPA, Pipelines, Data Centers – [0:00:30 – 0:02:11]Walter explains the sit‑in at Hochul’s office, New York’s climate law (CLCPA), and how pipelines and AI data centers fit into the fight.


Gutting the CLCPA: Drilling, Data Centers, Tariffs, Trump – [0:02:11 – 0:04:25]Walter outlines how weakening the CLCPA enables more drilling and data centers, and argues Hochul is using tariffs and Trump as political cover.


From Climate Progress to Climate Backslide – [0:04:25 – 0:06:45]They question whether New York ever fully implemented the CLCPA and warn that Hochul’s moves could undo existing climate progress.


Jobs, Fossil Fuels, and Hochul’s Political Identity – [0:06:45 – 0:09:11]Walter disputes the jobs case for oil and gas, says renewables are cheaper long‑term, and claims Hochul is governing more like a Republican.


Protest Size, Public Opinion, and Donor Politics – [0:09:11 – 0:12:22]Walter reflects on only 18 arrests, unexpected support from some MAGA voters, and argues Hochul is mainly serving donors, not the public.


Moral Stand and Challenging the Duopoly – [0:12:22 – 0:16:43]He frames his arrest as a moral stand that hurts his business, then broadens out to criticize unchecked power and the two‑party duopoly.


Platforming Voices and What Comes Next – [0:16:43 – end]Walter explains how he uses interviews to amplify populist, working‑class voices, expose insidious actors, and previews future protest plans.

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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 Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

While the Office of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General (WCFIG) covers all state agencies along with businesses across the State, DOCCS continues to be an agency fraught with fraud. The issues date back to a 2023 report identifying the same issues.
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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.

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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.

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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

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