Max Politics

City Council Member Alexa Avilés, a Brooklyn Democrat and chair of the Council's immigration committee, joined the show to discuss how New York City is preparing for Donald Trump's second presidential term with regard to immigrant communities, sanctuary city policies, and more. Avilés discusses the oversight hearing she chaired on January 16, 2025 examining the Adams administration's efforts to protect immigrant communities and relevant city and state policies. (Ep 480)

Political strategists Shontell Smith and Chris Coffey joined the show to preview 2025 in New York politics, including analysis of Mayor Eric Adams' 2025 State of the City agenda, the mayor's overall standing and the 2025 mayoral race about to unfold, Governor Kathy Hochul's standing and agenda, dynamics at play in state government as the Albany session begins, and much more. Coffey, a longtime New York political veteran, is the CEO and a Partner of Tusk Strategies and Smith, former counsel and chief of staff to the State Senate majority leader, is also a Partner at Tusk Strategies and head of its New York practice. (Ep 479)

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber joined the show to discuss the launch of congestion pricing, the future of mass transit in New York City, and more. (Ep 478)

Micah Lasher, a long-time New York politico, is heading to the State Legislature after winning election to the Assembly representing the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The former policy director for Governor Kathy Hochul, among many other roles in New York City and State politics, joined the show to discuss his priorities for Albany and many challenges facing New York, his experience in government, Hochul's political prospects, and more. (Ep 477)

On Thursday December 5, 2024 the New York City Council passed a modified version of the Adams Administration's 'City of Yes for Housing Opportunity' zoning reform proposal, which will be paired with other elements in the Council's 'City for All' housing plan that includes $5 billion in housing investments from the City and State. City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, chair of the Council housing committee, and Annemarie Gray, executive director of the pro-housing group Open New York, joined the show to discuss what it all means and how it will impact housing in New York in the years to come. (Ep 476)

Evan Roth Smith, a political consultant from Slingshot Strategies, joined the show to discuss his work as the lead pollster for Democrats' 'Blueprint 2024' project that sought to understand the 2024 electorate, the results of the elections, and what comes next for the Democratic Party. (Ep 475)

State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat who also chairs the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, joined the show to discuss the 2024 election results in New York and what's next for New York Democrats, the party's strengths and weaknesses, and more. (Ep 474)

Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican representing New York's 17th Congressional District, joined the show to discuss his reelection to Congress and interest in running for Governor in 2026, as well as Donald Trump's win and performance in New York, key policy areas, and more. (Ep 473)

State Senator Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, joined the show to discuss key dynamics and outcomes of the 2024 elections, including the significant increase in Latino support for Donald Trump and his better-than-expected performance in New York City, as well as the early phases of her 2025 campaign for New York City Mayor, and more. (Ep 472)

Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition and its political arm, NYIC Action, joined the show to discuss immigration and the 2024 elections, from border policy to the 'migrant crisis' in New York City, Trump vs. Harris, and more. (Ep 471)