Power & Politics

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
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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
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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

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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.

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Peter Guidarelli, a GOP political strategist and former Schenectady County Legislative Chairman along with Jason Palmer, Founder of Together! and former Democratic Presidential candidate, join Tom Eschen to discuss Tuesday's primary election results


0:00 – Introduction and overviewNew York primary results; NY-21 setup and guest introductions


0:56 – Peter Guidarelli on Constantino vs. SmullenTrump endorsement, money, and outsider vs. insider framing


4:00 – Organization, county committees, and turnoutHow money plus Trump shaped the primary


7:03 – Positioning for the general in NY-21Constantino’s message, independents, DSA label on Democrats, partisan lean of the district


9:48 – Solar farms and upstate backlashClimate policy, farmland preservation, and risks for Democrats in the North Country


12:10 – “Man of the district” questionsConstantino’s business background, energy prices, and tying costs to Democratic climate policy


15:22 – Constantino’s demeanor and “reset”Tone in the primary, rap videos, why NY-21 may become a national race


17:41 – General election money dynamicsGOP strategy, Constantino’s spending, and Democratic identity crisis after DSA gains


23:54 – Younger voters and socialismAppeal of democratic socialism, GOP opportunity on environment, generational shifts in both parties


24:10 – Governor’s race: Hochul vs. BlakemanAffordability, climate policies, Trump alignment, and the Vote Affordable line


28:31 – Transition to Jason PalmerNational lens on NY primaries and DSA’s surge


28:44 – A “political earthquake” on the leftDSA wins, Mondami’s influence, party tensions among Democrats


30:31 – Person vs. label and DSA’s growthComparisons to Tea Party/MAGA and what Democrats should learn


32:22 – NY-21 from the Democratic sideModerates vs. “socialist” caricatures and messaging challenges


34:27 – Future of the Democratic PartyBig-tent vs. left insurgency and reclaiming working-class voters


35:37 – Together’s strategyYounger, centrist candidates in purple districts and a shrinking political center


36:36 – The Trump factorPrimary strength, general-election liability, and how endorsements shape both parties


39:13 – AI and politicsRegulation, backlash to data centers, and why Congress needs AI-literate members


40:23 – AI on the issue agenda & closeWhere AI ranks among voter concerns, and podcast subscribe CTA

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