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With the Super Bowl days away, it's estimated $1.7 billion will be wagered this year. With that in mind, CBS6 sat down with NYS Assembly's Standing Committee on Racing & Wagering Chair Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake) on Thursday.  "When we look at the revenue reports associated with mobile sports wagering, it is a steep slope. Every month we see more and more people playing on mobile sports wagering, or people who have been playing more frequently, the amount of money wagered in New York is going up," Woerner said. That means more revenue for the State of New York, which broke a national record for revenue in 2025, gaining nearly $2 billion from Jan 2024-Nov 2025.   "That is part of the motivation in every state for legalizing different forms of wagering, and that's been true since we legalized para mutual wagering at race tracks way back when," Woerner said. "I do think that we are seeing, however, the the emergence of significant social costs associated with the intensity of sports wagering, and so I think at this point we really need to be and New York is not the only state experiencing this. Other states are as well. Thinking back to, okay, what are the guardrails that need to be in place so that we can that we can avoid the high social costs associated with gambling, that we can take it back to it's supposed to be entertainment and not how somebody thinks they're going to pay the bills and and the intensity of the wagering, we know from the hotline calls that people are are chasing that next bet because they they need to pay the rent." Woerner says 77 bills are in Committee right now, most of which are in regards to problem gambling.  She discussed:-"Affordability windows"-banning prop bets/unders-parlays-advertising bans (SAFE Bet Act) -Polymarket/Kalshi-NYRA's CAW move -Gaming Commission's Role Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Raj Goyle, a Democratic candidate for New York State Comptroller, joined Power & Politics this week. His candidacy, along with fellow Democratic candidates Drew Warshaw and Adem Bunkeddeko have all announced campaigns, the first primary challenges against incumbent Tom DiNapoli in two decades. Goyle says he wants to leverage more power out of the Comptroller's office, hoping to counter Trump Administration policies and threats. The DiNapoli campaign responded to Goyle's interview, you can read those responses here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prior to his role with Albany Law School, Wildes managed several State Agencies, (Office of Mental Health, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs). He also played a major role in implementing the Governor's $1 billion investment into New York State's mental health system. He also addressed:Affordability and Policy in the BudgetAdvocacy and Mental Health FundingImpact of Involuntary Commitment LawsHousing and Homelessness InitiativesSubstance Abuse and Overdose PreventionOverdose Prevention Centers and PsilocybinDaniel's Law and Law Enforcement Training Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The family of Robert Brooks met with Governor Kathy Hochul at the State Capital on Monday, calling it a good first step as they advocate for prison reform. Robert Brooks was killed while in custody at Marcy Correctional Facility in December 2024, the video of his beating going viral and sparking a movement to end violence in prisons. A prison omnibus package, inspired by this movement, aimed at transparency and oversight was signed by Governor Hochul in December. Now, the Brooks family says the work will continue, with the meeting with the Governor aimed at pushing for more change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie Tighe, President of New York League of Conservation Voters, broke down her stance on the Governor signing into law the rescinding of the 100-foot rule to end 2025, and the status of New York's energy policy, and CLCPA compliance, heading into 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Harris talks New Year's prep in Times Square, a new Times Square ball, and the impact of New Year's Eve on the district Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Santa Claus joins Power & Politics to answer the tough questions about Christmas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez discusses the LOADing Act extension she hopes the Governor signs by Friday, her legislation regarding data center accountability, cybersecurity in elections, and Zohran Mamdani Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Governor Kathy Hochul has until Friday, December 19, to sign or veto a package of 10 bills aimed at creating more oversight and transparency within New York State's corrections system. The omnibus package was created in the wake of the deaths of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi while in custody, and on Wednesday, Senate sponsor Julia Salazar (D–18th Senate District) expressed optimism the Governor would sign the legislation into law, with some changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the New York State FY2027 Executive Budget due in a little more than a month, New York State Budget Director Blake Washington joined Power & Politics this week. Right now, the Division of Budget is hearing budget recommendations for the next year, while also assessing the State's current fiscal status in FY2026. He says economics have changed since they adopted the FY2026 budget in late Spring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Albany Mayor Elect/Chief City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs and Tom Dworetsky of Camoin Associates break down the release of the City of Albany Housing Audit. The audit detailed the issues being faced by residents, organizations, developers and elected officials, and provides a tool for Applyrs, as Mayor-Elect, to utilize when she takes office in January. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Irwin Redlener, a pediatrician, discusses the CDC's revised vaccine safety statement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Eschen speaks with Jason Palmer, a venture capitalist and impact investor in this space, who says he has invested in eight companies where AI is a key part of their work. "The biggest reason is because AI is going to transform our economy," he says. "It's going to be more important than electricity, more important than oil and gas. It's actually going to really transform our society. And this is the very beginning of it, and it's the right time to get involved, when there's a new technology and there's so much potential." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices