CENTRAL NEW YORK

I had an opportunity to spend time with Congressman Brandon Williams and his team recently at both a fundraiser and a day at the State Fair. Brandon, who is an exceptionally hard-working Congressmember was joined by Staten Island/Brooklyn Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.

The event was a success, the State Fair was a success and Brandon who always impresses me, continues to show the resolve to bring home a win in one of our Nation’s most competitive districts. A special thank you to his wife Stephanie, who is one of the most gracious people I know.

On this trip, I had a chance to have a productive visit with Cayuga Chairman Dave Pappert, Onondaga Treasurer Matt Beadnell, and State Executive Committee Member Tom Dadey.

At the State Fair, I caught up with Orange County Chairwoman Grace White, who was spending several days at the Fair with her Grandchildren. Her Grandchildren are actually there competing in the Fair’s milk cattle showing, and various other animal presentations. They had already won many medals and were anticipating winning many more. The last showing is Saturday and we wish them the best of luck, and as always, it was great seeing Grace.

A big thank you to Congresswoman Malliotakis who took the time to travel from Staten Island to help Congressman Williams in a pivotal seat this election.

MTA ADMITS BUS FARE EVASION A GIGANTIC PROBLEM

The MTA has finally gone on the public record admitting that they lose a tremendous amount of revenue through bus fare evasion. It is the worst of any major city in the United States. Incredibly, it amounts to 48% of all bus riders failing to pay – that is over $300 million a year and increasing fast.  This excludes the $285 million a year lost on subway fare evasion. You see videos on social media daily, or you may even experience in person the number of people jumping the turnstiles or entering free through the back of the bus and making a joke out of fare evasion because they know there are no consequences.

The MTA has some novel plans to address subway fare evasion. They are novel and expensive, but at least there is a plan. It seems they have just about given up on the buses, effectively ignoring the growing problem. Commuters and taxpayers are being saddled because of irresponsible ridership.

The problem has grown from something rarely seen fifteen years ago, to an epidemic. This all comes at a time when the truth about Congestion Pricing has spilled into the public domain. It was always about a new form of revenue.  A large, new form of revenue that was no more than another tax on commuters. I can only imagine what tax they will come up with next.

As the Governor signals that she is likely to lift the suspension right after the Election, we are once again reminded that the MTA’s embarrassingly incompetent leadership, supported by equally ignorant Democratic political leaders, intends to let bus fare beating go unchecked.

We must permanently end any threat of Congestion Pricing and pay for the MTA rolling stock improvements that are capital in nature and bonded out by collecting from fare beaters. It is enough to underwrite billions of capital dollars and contribute to debt service.

 PROPOSITION ONE STATEMENT FROM ELISE STEFANIK

“Proposition 1 would give our hard earned NY taxpayer dollars to illegals, fund sex change operations for minors without parental consent, and force schools to allow men and boys in women and girls sports and bathrooms. Vote NO on the radical Far Left Proposition.”-Elise Stefanik

The Conservative Party has been and will continue to fight against the disastrous Proposition One that will be on the ballot this November.