TRAVELS

I spent a good part of the past week on the road supporting our candidates, visiting with party leaders, supporters and attending events across the state. 

Joe Cairo, the Nassau GOP Chairman, invited myself and Nassau Conservative Party Chairman Dan Donovan to join the GOP organization at Nassau Night in Albany. Elected officials ranging from County Executive Bruce Blakeman, State Senators, Assemblymembers, local elected officials, party officials and Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, were a reminder of how strong the GOP and Conservative Parties are in Nassau County. 

The next day began with an early breakfast with Albany area financial supporters of the Party. I then made my way down the Thruway to Orange County where I held a press roundtable with Congressional candidate Alison Esposito, Assembly candidate Tom Lapolla, and Orange County Conservative Party Chairwoman Grace White. We had good press coverage with many of our party people in attendance including the esteemed former Chairman John DeLessio.

Dorey Houle, the Republican and official Conservative Party candidate for State Senate in Orange County faces a Conservative Party primary from Tim Mitts, who re-enrolled as a Conservative on February 14th – the last possible day. It is clear that he is a spoiler put up by liberal Democratic Senator James Skoufis to drain votes from Dorey, who came within a hair of beating him two years ago.  Grace, Allison, and Tom used the roundtable to not only discuss important issues in their campaigns, but also to express our strong support for Dorey.

Then, onto Tappan in Rockland County with our Director of Operations, Andrew Davis, to push for the re-election of Assemblyman John McGowan. The Assemblyman, a former Prosecutor, has a 92% Conservative Party rating. He faces a serious challenge from a well-funded Democratic local office holder.  Once again there is a Conservative Party primary by a candidate who is quick to admit that he is no more than a spoiler candidate.  John is the official party nominee. I was pleased to be joined by County Executive Ed Day, GOP Chairman Lawrence Garvey and Conservative Party Regional Vice Chairman Bill Beckmann for the enlightening press conference. 

Later in Eastchester, I gave remarks at State Senate candidate Tricia Lindsay’s incredibly successful fundraiser. It was wall-to-wall people in a large room with enthusiasm and excitement permeating the air. Our Eastchester Chairman, Bob Fois, was front and center. It was great to share speaking duties with Bobbie Anne Cox, State Senator George Borrello, County Legislator Jimmy Nolan, Joe Pinion, and GOP Chairman Doug Colety. 

I hope to spend many days over the next six months on the road meeting with Party leaders, candidates, the press, supporters and anyone wishing to help the Conservative cause.

Trump Verdict

In a deeply flawed decision, President Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts in a highly biased Manhattan courtroom. This was a verdict most Americans view as a culmination of a prolonged and politically motivated campaign to undermine a president who has consistently championed American values and fought against the entrenched establishment.

I accompanied President Trump for one day of the trial, at which time I saw firsthand the prejudice displayed by Judge Merchan against President Trump. In addition to the judge, I watched the prosecutors given every opportunity to affect the jury outcome, while the defense attorneys were stymied at every opportunity. It was a Manhattan jury, probably the worst place in America for Trump to get a fair trial. Unfortunately, I was proven right. 

In my opinion, this conviction backfired on the Democratic party; Americans will remember this come November. 

This relentless pursuit of President Trump has diverted significant resources and attention away from pressing national, state, and local issues that New Yorkers really care about. As you saw in the deep blue Bronx last week, New Yorkers are fed up with failing Democrat policies, and this distraction will not deter them from voting for Trump. 

Looking ahead to November 5th, the New York State Conservative Party is committed to rallying behind President Trump, confident that the American people will see through this unjust prosecution and vote to restore common sense back to office. The New York State Conservative Party, and our members, proudly stand with President Trump.

2024 NYS Equal Rights Amendment 

THE ISSUE: The NYS State Legislature has adopted a proposed constitutional amendment — the Equal  Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA will appear as Proposition 1 this November 2024 on our statewide  ballot. 

New York’s ERA is the first proposed state constitutional amendment in the United States to include transgender and abortion rights. Specifically, the ERA expands existing state constitutional  protections to include, among other things, rights of all persons, including minors, regarding sexual  orientation, gender identity, gender expression and reproductive healthcare. Appendix I contains the  language of the ERA.  

Proponents portray this amendment as required to protect abortion rights in New York. Abortion was  legalized in New York in 1970 and this law is not under any genuine threat of modification or repeal.  Further, the 2019 Reproductive Health Act greatly expanded abortion rights in state law. Moreover, New  York’s Constitution and numerous state laws already protect all persons from discrimination.  

So why is the ERA being placed before the voters this year? Simple: Partisan policymakers think by  falsely portraying abortion rights as under threat they will inspire enhanced voter turnout for their side.  It is a cynical move, but one with alarming implications.  

The broad and ambiguous language of the ERA would create new constitutional rights and likely become  the subject of litigation by activist groups seeking to create new “rights” inconsistent with the views of  most New Yorkers. Serious unintended consequences are likely to result. Among these new “rights” are  “gender identity” and “gender expression” covering “all persons” including minor children. The ERA would grant minors the right to medical transgender procedures without parental consent or  notification. As a new constitutional “right”, the ERA would override any existing statutes limiting  medical interventions to minors. Schools would likely be banned from disclosing students becoming  transgender to their parents. Indeed, parental non-disclosure is current State Education Department  policy. Passage of this amendment would also prohibit schools from barring biological males from  participation on female sports teams, jeopardizing the fairness of such contests.  

The ERA bars “discrimination” based on “age.” Without clarity this provision could also be construed as overriding specific statutory provisions protecting minors against rape or sexual abuse by those over 18  years of age. Laws which enhance penalties for committing crimes against those over the age of 64 may  be challenged as illegal age-based distinctions under interpretations of this amendment. The ERA will  also have a chilling effect on free speech for religious organizations or charitable groups providing  medical, educational, or other services including adoptions and foster care.  

Amplifying these concerns, the legislature will likely consider the following bills – all placing further  limits on parental rights: 

• S.352 /A.6761 : Allows minors to make their own medical decisions without parental knowledge or  consent.  
• S.762-A / A.276-B : Provides treatment for sexually transmitted diseases to minors without a parent’s  or guardian’s consent.  
• A.4604: Requires comprehensive “sexuality instruction” for grades K-12.

New York’s Department of Education released a legal update in 2023 entitled “Creating a Safe,  Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students” setting  up an adversarial relationship between parents and children whereby children of any age can determine  if their parents should be involved with their decision to transition. The Education Department advises  school administrators to inform parents of their child’s purported desire to change genders but only if  the child grants permission for the school to do so. 

The ERA is not what its sponsors would have you believe. All the new “protections” contained in the  amendment are now contained in current state law. The amendment is unnecessarily vague and subject  to judicial interpretation. One thing is clear however: the sponsors intend to dramatically curtail rights of  parents over their minor children in their efforts to enhance transgender rights. 

WHAT VOTERS SHOULD KNOW: Concerned New Yorkers formed a Ballot Proposition Committee to  oppose Proposition 1. The Coalition to Protect Kids-NY (CTPK) aims to educate voters on the  unintended consequences of the ERA. See www.protectkidsny.com for additional information. 

CTPK conducted a poll in October 2023 and found that without being fully informed there is 63%  support and 24% opposition against the amendment, with 13% undecided. However once informed,  support plummeted to 29% with 49% against with 22% undecided.  

THE STRATEGY: 

1-Litigation: On October 30, 2023, Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes filed a civil action against New  York’s Senate and Assembly leadership and the state Board of Elections. The claim was grounded in the  fact that the legislature failed to follow the New York State Constitution’s deliberate and clear process  designed for the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution. Oral arguments will be held in  Rochester in mid-April.  

2- This ballot initiative will be up for popular vote on November 5th and proponents are effectively  mobilizing across New York State to characterize the Amendment as a right to abortion. CTPK seeks to  educate voters — and especially parents — through communications and political outreach utilizing a  strong team of seasoned political and communications professionals as well as grass roots community  leaders and organizations. CTPK has a fundraising team and is developing a diverse grassroots network  of policy influencers across New York State. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP 

Spread the Word: Please circulate the messaging contained in Appendix II. More information can be  found in CTPK’s website www.protectkidsny.com. 

APPENDIX I – TEXT OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (PROPOSITION 1 ON 2024 November ballot) 

The text in BOLD capital letters is new; the text in yellow highlight (strike through in brackets [ ] ) is old  law and will be omitted. 

• 11. A. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, creed [or], religion, OR SEX, INCLUDING SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, PREGNANCY, PREGNANCY OUTCOMES, AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE AND AUTONOMY, be subjected to any discrimination in [his or her] THEIR civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation, or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, PURSUANT TO LAW. 

1. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL INVALIDATE OR PREVENT THE ADOPTION OF ANY LAW, REGULATION, PROGRAM, OR PRACTICE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT OR DISMANTLE DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF A CHARACTERISTIC LISTED IN THIS SECTION, NOR SHALL ANY CHARACTERISTIC LISTED IN THIS SECTION BE INTERPRETED TO INTERFERE WITH, LIMIT, OR DENY THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ANY PERSON BASED UPON ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC IDENTIFIED IN THIS SECTION.

Appendix II Messaging: Proposed NYS State Constitutional Amendment: Equal Rights Amendment 

• New York State’s government seeks more authority than parents in making medical decisions for  their children.  
• The State Legislature has adopted a proposed constitutional amendment dubbed the “Equal Rights  Amendment” which will appear as Proposition 1 this November 2024 on our statewide ballot. 
• Partisan policymakers will portray this amendment as necessary to protect the right to abortion in  New York. Abortion was legalized in New York in 1970 and this law is not under any genuine threat of  modification or repeal. Further, the 2019 Reproductive Health Act further enshrines into state law  the right to abortion. 
• New York’s Constitution and numerous state laws already protect all persons from discrimination.  However, the broad language contained in the amendment would create new constitutional rights  which will be the subject of litigation and efforts by activists groups to create new “rights” not  consistent with the views of most New Yorkers.  
• Among these new “rights” are “gender identity” and “gender expression” and language would cover  “all persons” including minor children. If adopted by the voters, the ERA would grant minor children  the right to medical transgender interventions without parental consent or even notification. The  amendment makes no provision to protect specific statutory provisions which protect minors against  rape or sexual abuse by those over 18 years of age or laws which enhance penalties for committing  crimes against those over the age of 64. All such age-based distinctions could be considered  “discriminatory” under interpretations of this amendment.  
• The ERA will have a chilling effect on free speech for religious organizations or charitable groups  providing medical, educational, or other services including adoptions and foster care.  
• Amplifying this, the Albany legislature will be ideally positioned to pass the following bills sitting in  committee – all placing further limits on parental rights: 

o S.352 /A.6761 : Allows minors to make their own medical decisions without parental  knowledge or consent.  

o S.762-A / A.276-B : Provides treatment for sexually transmitted diseases to minors without a  parent’s or guardian’s consent.  

o A.4604: Requires comprehensive “sexuality instruction” for grades K-12. 

• The NYS Department of Education released a legal update in 2023 entitled “Creating a Safe,  Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students”  which essentially sets up an adversarial relationship between parents and children whereby children  of any age can determine if their parents should be involved with their decision to transition. The  Education Department advises school administrators to not inform parents of their child’s purported  desire to change genders.  
• A ballot proposition committee has been formed to oppose Proposition 1. The group – www.protectkidsny.com – is seeking to organize grass-roots opposition to this proposal. Please  circulate their website among all your social media channels so that voters may be informed as to  this dangerous proposal. 

Click the YouTube Link below for a short explainer Video “Vote No To Stop The Parent Replacement Act”

FINAL SCHEDULE (1)

CONSERVATIVE PARTY RELEASES LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

The Conservative Party has released its 2024 NYS Legislative Program. The program appears as one document, but essentially is in two parts. The first part consists of a statement of principle on important issue areas such as Taxes and Finance, Law Enforcement, Education, Government and Ethics, just to name a few. The principles are followed with specific legislative recommendations.

The second part is our 2024 Legislative Priorities. These are current items such as opposition to sanctuary cities, congestion pricing, another Congressional Reapportionment, and several other items. If these priorities come up for a vote, the Members of the Legislature are notified that we will rate them.

I recommend that candidates are given a copy, and the program makes its way to public events such as county fairs, campaign stops, etc. Ultimately, this will help grow our movement and help navigate you through the year.

SCHUMER NEEDS TO MOVE BILL BANNING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS FROM PUBLIC LAND

A few months ago, The House of Representatives passed legislation with bipartisan support offered by Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis which entailed banning the use of federally owned public lands such as parks, from being used to house asylum-seeking migrants that have arrived in NYS by the hundreds of thousands.

She had Floyd Bennett Field in mind when she offered the legislation, but there are countless applications around the nation.

As I mentioned, this very sound piece of legislation passed the House and has been sitting in the US Senate as a hostage to Majority Leader Schumer’s support for Biden’s “open border” policy. As a New Yorker, who coincidentally lives fifteen minutes from Floyd Bennett Field, he should know better. As a national leader, he should be hearing the pleas of his colleagues from both parties in the House and Senate.

Schumer needs to act on this bill now.

 NYC COUNCIL AT IT AGAIN

As you may have read, NYC Mayor Adams vetoed a piece of anti-policing legislation that came out of the City Council. You can view the bill here. The bill would be another blow to the NYPD doing their job by creating a mound of new, albeit completely unnecessary, paperwork.

The City Council has indicated that in the next few weeks they will vote to override. There are many Council members committed to opposing an override. The Conservative Party believes we must flip only a handful of members. To that end, we have embarked within the City of New York on a social media campaign urging New Yorkers to contact their local Council Members.

The NY Post article can be found here, as well as a link to the City Council website for telephone numbers here.

View and share our Ad on Facebook, and X (Twitter): If you wish to help the Party expand its buy, please donate.

PROPERTY RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK PODCAST

For our 18th episode of Patriots Podium, I was delighted to be joined by Michael Tobman of the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA). I am grateful to have known Mike for many years, and he has a notable political background as a communications professional, the author of many OP-ED pieces, and a former consultant to both campaigns and professional associations. Mike is currently the Director of Member Relations for the RSA which is the state’s largest landlord association. This was truly a phenomenal episode and I know many of our members/supporters are landlords, deal with rent, own properties, etc. With Democratic policies handcuffing landlords, it is the RSA that stands up for the rights of small property owners. Tune in as we discuss the attack on property rights, good cause eviction, regulation rent laws, and much more! Click any of the links below to listen:

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