What Good is a State?

What Good is a State?

From Firewall with Bradley Tusk by Firewall

May 14, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

Bradley Tusk and Shontell Plummer discuss the dysfunction of Albany and various political issues in New York.

Is there any level of American government that is actually doing its job well? Bradley sits down with his Tusk Strategies partner Shontell Plummer to talk through the slow-motion dysfunction of Albany. Why is the state budget late when there are no major issues at stake? How come Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani can't get along? What will gerrymandering do to the congressional map? Plus, what's going on with the NY-12 race and is Hakeem Jeffries cut out to be House Speaker? This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter and follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack .

People in this episode

Host: Bradley Tusk

Guest: Shontell Plummer

Topics covered

  • government dysfunction
  • state budget
  • gerrymandering
  • congressional map
  • political relationships
  • NY-12 race
  • House Speaker

Keywords

  • government
  • Albany
  • budget
  • gerrymandering
  • politics
  • NY-12
  • Hakeem Jeffries
  • Governor Hochul
  • Mayor Mamdani

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Albany, New York City, P&T Knitwear, NY-12

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