Self-Funding, State Budgets, and the Struggle for a Ceasefire

Mayor Mamdani on Rent Freeze & Budgets + NYC Primary Roundtable

On this episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY’s political reporter Morgan McKay gets an exclusive sit-down with Mayor Zohran Mamdani. We cover the recent rent freeze vote, the city budget, and the impact of the mayor’s endorsements ahead of the primaries. Later in the show, political strategist J.C. Polanco and Democratic strategist Trip Yang join the roundtable to break down the hottest races in the NYC primaries, focusing on the shifting dynamics in NY-7, NY-10, NY-12, and NY-13. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

New York Lt. Governor Candidate Adrienne Adams

New York Lt. Governor Candidate Adrienne Adams sit down with Morgan McKay as the primary approaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

NY Budget Fallout & The First Responder Buffer Zone

The state budget is late, and the ripples are being felt across all five boroughs. Are businesses quietly packing their bags, and what will it take to get them to stay? This week on Politics Unusual, Morgan McKay convenes a heavy-hitting Reporter Roundtable featuring New York Times City Hall Reporter Sally Goldenberg and New York Post City Hall Bureau Chief Craig McCarthy. They break down exactly how the budget delays are impacting NYC, the devil in the details of the proposed pied-à-terre tax, and the uphill battle business leaders face in keeping jobs in the Empire State. Plus, they analyze Assemblymember Mamdani’s influence over the budget and weigh the odds of a rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments as the Rent Guidelines Board vote looms. Then, Morgan sits down with Scott Munro, President of the Detectives' Endowment Association. Munro details his aggressive push for the HALO Act—a bill that would create a strict 15-foot buffer zone around police officers, firefighters, and EMS workers. He explains the penalties for violating the zone, his upcoming lobbying efforts in Washington D.C., and the ongoing fight to make changes to Tier 2A pensions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Self-Funding, State Budgets, and the Struggle for a Ceasefire

Is New York losing its competitive edge? Congressman Dan Goldman joins the pod to defend his stance on wealth taxes and explain why he’s using his own fortune to fund his campaign against challenger Brad Lander. From the geopolitics of Iran and Israel to the local politics of the Mayoral primary, no stone is left unturned. Senator Steve Chan also stops by to discuss his transition from the NYPD to the State Senate and his mission to make public transit safer through increased criminal penalties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

War in Iran, DHS Shutdown & New York’s 4 AM World Cup Plan

On this episode of Politics Unusual, Robert Moses digs into a heavy week of national security and local celebration. First, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joins to discuss the escalating conflict with Iran and the fallout of the DHS partial shutdown. Plus, he breaks down the long-awaited rate cut coming to Connecticut electric bills. Then, we shift gears to the pitch. Justin Brannan, Governor Hochul’s Senior Director of Major Event Operations, stops by to explain New York’s massive World Cup 2026 playbook—including new 4:00 AM closing times for bars, simplified permits, and how the state is turning local neighborhoods into global fan zones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]