Author: Gerard Kassar

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
cpnys.org  @cpnys
February 22, 2022

Brooklyn, NY – “Harry Wilson’s support for radical Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg makes him ineligible for serious consideration by Conservative and Republican voters. Mr. Wilson claims, hypothetically, that he’d remove an Alvin Bragg as governor, but his actions speak louder than words. By giving Mr. Bragg a $1,000 donation, he effectively endorsed him for office, an extraordinary lapse in judgment.

“Mr. Wilson’s decision to enter this race just days before the Conservative and Republican Party conventions — after remaining politically dormant for the past 12 years — also strikes us as more destructive than constructive. Where has he been all these years?

“The Conservative Party reiterates its firm support for Congressman Lee Zeldin for governor. Congressman Zeldin has the background, knowledge, and understanding of issues needed to make a great leader of our state. He is a proud combat veteran with a work ethic like no other candidate. Congressman Zeldin will make an outstanding Conservative Party nominee, and an even more outstanding governor.”

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Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses the state Democratic Convention, on the road again and our upcoming statewide nominating convention.

State Democratic Convention

 Hillary Clinton addressed the NY State Democratic Convention this week and sounded more like a candidate than surrogate for the state party. Clearly Clinton is not yet over her defeat at the hands of President Trump in the 2016 election as evident by her speech Thursday in which she continued to obsess over Trump and Fox News.

Though she finally did get around to endorsing Gov. Hochul, it is clear the power hungry Clinton may not be ready to go away just yet and it is abundantly clear that there is dissention within the New York Democratic Party.  A sizeable contingency of attendees voiced their displeasure with the party’s endorsement of Hochul, instead opting to support Rep. Tom Suozzi who intends to primary Hochul this June.

While the Conservative and Republican Parties are unified together, the same cannot be said for the Democrats who will face their toughest challenge in years.

On the Road

 What’s better then attending a county Conservative Party event with 350 people in the room? Having your keynote speaker the next Governor of New York. That is exactly the enviable position I found myself in when I attended the Monroe County Conservative Party annual dinner in Rochester. Congrats to Chairman Don Mazzullo who put together an amazing dinner filled with energy and positive vibes for the year ahead.

Our presumptive nominee for Governor, Congressman Lee Zeldin, once again proved if you want leadership in New York – you want Zeldin. We were happy to also be joined by US Senate candidate Joe Pinion and Attorney General candidate John Sarcone.

I look forward to more successful county organization events as we continue our march towards November.

Conservative Party to Nominate Statewide Ticket

The New York State Conservative Party will hold its State Committee meeting to nominate our candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Controller and US Senate on Saturday, February 26 at 2pm with the venue being at the Westchester Manor, 140 Saw Mill River Rd., Hastings-On-Hudson, NY 10706.  The convention is open to the public, we ask non-delegates to please register by calling headquarters at 718-921-2158.  We encourage everyone to attend and join us for what will be a good afternoon providing great insight into the convention process.

153,941 migrants stopped at border in January, nearly double from a year ago.

A Year Without Rush.

DCCC internal polling show majority of voters agree Dems pandemic response went too far.

Poll: Only 35 Percent Approve of Joe Biden’s Job Performance

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses the state Democratic Convention, on the road again and our upcoming statewide nominating convention.

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on the Murder of Christina Yuna Lee Allegedly by Man on Cashless Bail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 15, 2022

Brooklyn, NY – “Christina Yuna Lee was an accomplished and beautiful young woman in the prime of her life. Her brutal and senseless murder, allegedly at the hands of a man who should have been in jail at the time — not on cashless bail — is an infuriating example of just how far New York has fallen because of Albany and City Hall criminal justice policy blunders. How many more neighbors will we lose before no-cash-bail is repealed and Broken-window policing is restored? How much more evidence do we need that these progressive, soft-on-crime experiments aren’t working?

“Ms. Lee’s murder should shake this city to its core because it shows just how vulnerable we all are when chaos is allowed to rule the streets. But more than that, it demands the return of common-sense policing in New York.

“The Conservative Party mourns the loss of Ms. Lee, and prays that her family finds peace again one day. We will not forget her, nor will we forget the policy that kept her alleged assailant on the street when he should have been in jail.”

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Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses reapportionment, Gov. Hochul’s meeting with DA Bragg and our sold-out CPPAC!

REAPPORTIONMENT

 The Democratically controlled Legislature, to no one’s surprise, passed a Congressional, State Senate and Assembly reapportionment that constituted a highly partisan attempt to gerrymander Conservative/Republican members out of office.

Communities of interest were split with no consideration for citizens or their views. Strange configurations that resulted in a Congressional District running from Buffalo to Fort Drum (24th), and another running from the Upper West side of Manhattan to New York Harbor in Brooklyn, connected by a mile long strip of Brooklyn (10th), are just two examples.

The same can be said for the state senate and assembly where most every state senate district went through major changes and the existing highly partisan assembly reapportionment, already in place, became worse. Lawsuits from both the right and left are being filed. Many NYC left leaning organizations who submitted maps believe the democrats ignored their concerns.  We believe the democratic controlled legislature in passing an extreme reapportionment has shown its moral corruptness.  Of course, we will be supporting various lawsuits and alternative plans.

We will be nominating many candidates over the next few weeks who will speak of the many failures that have been brought about by one-party controlled government. In 2021 we expect to beat the democrats at their own game by taking our case directly to the people.

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON DEMOCRATIC GERRYMANDERING IN NEW YORK.

Hochul Meets with Bragg

Governor Hochul met with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg last week. Nothing happened, and that should surprise no one.

Hochul is worse than an apologist for this mad man masquerading as a District Attorney. She is a political animal more concerned with protecting herself from the socialist Democrats in her party rather than having the safety of all New Yorkers in mind.

The Conservative Party continues to call for Hochul to remove Bragg from office due to malfeasance. Please sign our petition here to stop empowering criminals and restore order back to our street.

Additionally, we have come out strongly in support of legislation introduced by State Senator Pat Gallivan and Assemblyman Mike Lawler (S8176 / A8682) that mandates life without parole for anyone who murders a law enforcement officer or first responder. Bragg has indicated in writing that his office will request for first degree murder sentencing of no more than twenty years, a small price to pay for taking one’s life.

CPPAC 2022

Our 54th Conservative Party Political Action Conference was a great success. Our lunch and dinner were sold out, our speakers were highly informative and the reaction from all those who

attended or watched our live feed was positive. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our conference. You can watch the entire event or selective speakers here (scroll down).

New York Democrats Have Gerrymandered Their Way to a Huge Advantage.

Michael Gianaris once railed against gerrymandering — now he’s pushing for it in NY.

Gov. Hochul says she cut Manhattan DA Bragg ‘some slack’ on soft crime stance.

Kids Full of Life, Adults Obsessed with Death.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses reapportionment, Gov. Hochul’s meeting with DA Bragg and our sold-out CPPAC!

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Democratic Gerrymandering in New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 1, 2022

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Democratic Gerrymandering in New York

Brooklyn, NY – “The proposed State Senate and Assembly district lines make clear that New York Democrats are terrified of political competition, just as the proposed congressional lines show how desperate Nancy Pelosi is to hold onto power.

“New York Democrats are so afraid of a healthy exchange of ideas that they altered longterm election norms last year to get rid of as many third parties as possible. Then they worked to change voting laws weeks after New Yorkers overwhelmingly rejected those same proposed changes at the ballot box. Now, they foolishly think they can kill off the Republican and Conservative parties with the most blatant gerrymandering this state has ever seen.

“Some of these district lines are downright comical in their configurations; Democrats should be embarrassed to put them forward. But the careful observer sees what they truly are: a profound statement of political weakness. A party confident in its performance, ideas, and convictions doesn’t need to resort to subterfuge. It welcomes open debate. New York Democrats are just the opposite. They’re circling the wagons, and for good reason. New Yorkers are quickly getting to know what one-party rule feels like.”

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SEN. GALLIVAN, ASSEMBLYMAN LAWLER, CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR, CALL FOR LIFE-WITHOUT-PAROLE PRISON SENTENCES FOR NEW YORK COP KILLERS;

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com

SEN. GALLIVAN, ASSEMBLYMAN LAWLER, CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR, CALL FOR LIFE-WITHOUT-PAROLE PRISON SENTENCES FOR NEW YORK COP KILLERS; 

Urge Gov. Hochul to Remove Manhattan D.A. Bragg from Office

Latham, NY-Jan. 31…New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, and Assemblyman Michael Lawler today called for passage of legislation (A. 8682) that would impose mandatory life-without-parole prison sentences for the first- or second-degree murder of police officers or other New York first responders. Senator Gallivan and Assemblyman Lawler are prime sponsors of the measure in their respective houses. The announcement was made during the Conservative Party’s 54th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC) held in Latham, NY.

“As a former State Trooper and Sheriff of Erie County, I know first-hand how law enforcement officers and other first responders risk their lives to protect our communities,” Senator Gallivan said. “An attack on these brave men and women represents an attack on the community at large and our rule of law and order.  Any individual who is convicted of murdering a police officer, peace officer, corrections officer or first responder must be held accountable and should never be eligible for parole.”

“As a society, we must stand up for those who serve and protect our communities every day,” Assemblyman Lawler said. “In recent years, too many cop-killers have been released on parole without a second thought for the victims and their families. Assembly Bill A 8682 would ensure that anyone who is convicted in the death of a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, or first responder would receive a mandatory sentence of life without parole. In the wake of the horrific killing of Officers Rivera and Mora, we must pass this bill without delay. Anything less is a signal to criminals across our state that it’s open season on law enforcement.”

“New York Democrats have made major criminal justice errors over the past few years, and New Yorkers and law enforcement officers working to keep them safe are paying dearly for it,” Chairman Kassar said. “The Conservative Party strongly supports this life-without-parole legislation, just as we urge reversal of the no-cash-bail law that sparked the ongoing statewide crime wave.”

Chairman Kassar also highlighted at the news conference an active petition signed by nearly 2,000 New Yorkers to date, calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to immediately remove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg from office. The controversial D.A. announced earlier this month that his office would no longer pursue prison sentences for a host of serious crimes.

“Gov. Hochul needs to make a choice between public safety and runaway progressivism; there is no in-between,” Chairman Kassar said. “When a district attorney refuses to prosecute serious crimes, he must not remain in office. We call on Gov. Hochul to stand on the side of public safety by dismissing Mr. Bragg from his position this week. There isn’t a moment to waste.”

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Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses the Big Lie, Identity Politics and this weekend’s political action conference.

The Big Lie

New York Democratic Leaders at all levels backed a fair and independent reapportionment until it became time to support a fair and independent reapportionment for the legislature and congress.

After hundreds of witnesses, numerous official plans, along with countless suggested plans, and millions of dollars spent, the independent commission folded like a cheap suit. Why? Because Democratic commissioners refused to work with their GOP counterparts.

Within days the Democratic controlled legislature took control of the process and without hesitation fully formulated gerrymandered districts proving that the whole process up until their intervention was a sham.

Fortunately, there can be no steal until all federal and state constitutional requirements are met. The Conservative Party and our attorneys will be watching closely. We will be ready to act swiftly to ensure districts are represented appropriately and held hostage under Democrat power grabs.

Identity politics

With the news of Supreme Court Justice Breyer’s retirement, President Biden will lead the search for a new Supreme Court Judge. He started this search by indicating that he will not be nominating the most qualified person, instead using identity politics as the vehicle driving the search.

Without question there are many highly qualified jurists regardless of race and gender, but when you set out to exclude, instead of include, all you do is lead to greater division.

We should not be filling quotas to satisfy a mob more interested in what you look like rather than what your accomplishments are. Finding the best possible candidate to fill a position is not only common sense, it’s the right thing to do. Putting the interest of the American people first means appointing individuals capable and qualified to do the job. It is my sincere hope we fill this empty Supreme Court seat with a fair and balanced justice, no matter what their ethnic background is, but filling it to check a box is short-sided, wrong, and a dereliction of duty.

 54TH Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference

Our annual conference kicks off at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 400 Old Latham Road, Latham, NY 12210 (518-783-6161)   this Sunday and we are pleased to announce our agenda:

Sunday ~ January 30, 2022

Noon Registration ~ Atrium

Master of Ceremonies ~ Jason McGuire, Reg. Vice-Chair/Livingston County Chair

12:15 PM  Opening Remarks ~ State Chairman, Gerard Kassar

12:30 PM  Elizabeth Lupo Tesoriero ~ America’s Come Back: Children First

1:00 PM Betsy McCaughey ~ How to Run for School Board

1:30 PM Joseph T. Burns, Esq ~ Election Law

2:30 PM Joe Mahoney ~ Icarus on the Hudson: The Fall of Andrew Cuomo

3:00 PM Brittany Grome Antonacci, Acting Cayuga DA ~ Bail Reform A View from the Trenches

3:30 PM John Faso ~ Saving Democracy; Fighting Gerrymandering in NYS

4:00 PM Edmund G. Smyth, Huntington Town Supv. ~ Governing as a Conservative Republican

4:30 PM Karen Cross, National Right to Life ~ Being Pro-Life is NOT Extreme

5:00 PM Congresswoman Claudia Tenney ~ The Biden Administration; More Reasons Why You Should Be Scared

Monday ~ January 31, 2022

8:30 AM Late Registration ~ Atrium

9:00 AM Senator Thomas F. O’Mara ~ Problems and Failures with the NYS Budget

9:30 AM Prospective AG Candidates ~ Michael Henry and John Sarcone ~ Presentation

10:00 AM James Mermigis, Esq. ~ Fighting Vaccine Mandates

10:30 AM NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov ~ Non-Citizens Voting

11:00 AM Prospective US Senate Candidates ~ Aleksander Mici and Joe Pinion ~ Presentation

11:30 AM John McLaughlin ~ The Coming Conservative Wave

12:00 Press Conference in the Atrium

12:30 PM Luncheon ~ Gazebo

Featured Speaker ~ Tim Hoefer, President & CEO of Empire Center

6:00 – 7:00 PM Reception ~ Gazebo

7:00 – 9:00 PM Dinner ~ Gazebo

Presentation of Highest Conservative Rating Awards to: Senators Gallivan, Helming, Jordan, O’Mara, Ortt, Rath, Tedisco and Assembly Members Angelino, DiPietro, Lemondes, and Manktelow takes place at the Dinner.

Our Legislative Program is released at the dinner.

If you have not registered yet, click here.  

‘Worst I’ve Ever Seen’: Violence Against Law Enforcement Skyrockets in January

Democrats stiff Biden as poll numbers hit low point.

Fallen NYPD Officer Jason Rivera honored with miles-long procession, hundreds flock to St. Patrick’s Cathedral

McConnell warns Biden not to ‘outsource’ Breyer replacement to ‘radical left’

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses the Big Lie, Identity Politics and this weekend’s political action conference.

Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses US Senate Bill fails, Gov. Hochul’s budget, NYC crime spree and our 54th Annual CPPAC.

Federal Democrat Election Bills Fail

Senate Democrats failed on Wednesday to use the “nuclear option” to circumvent the filibuster that would have allowed two far left election reform bills to pass the Senate and be sent to the President’s desk for signing.

Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer’s scheme was defeated by two members of his own party reminding us that although he may have “Majority Leader” in his title, he certainly does not command one.

The Democrats attempt to federalize elections and take power away from the states did everything to make voting less free and secure when it completely failed to implement any checks, balances, and safeguard against registration concerns. Simply put the bill, H.R. 1, did nothing but further erode how American’s view elections.

Easier to vote, harder to cheat is something we can all get behind but this legislation did just the opposite. If Democrats are really interested in safeguarding elections, they will work to implement voter ID which has immense support from voters. Until then, we should all be weary of any elected representative that wishes to take power away from the individual states and hand it over to the federal government.

Hochul Budget

 The more you spend, the more you save seems to be the philosophy behind Governor Hochul’s over the top spending document.

More than 200 nations around the world have budgets smaller than the $216 billion state budget behemoth Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed today. Her budget is more than those of Texas and Florida combined — each state with significantly higher populations than ours.  New York is narrowly competing only with California, a state with twice our population, for the most expensive state government in America. The Hochul budget is almost half the size of Russia’s — Russia’s!

Meanwhile, the moving trucks keep arriving. Boy, do we need a change of direction in Albany.

NYC Crime Spree

 Crime continues to increase and quality of life continues to decrease. This has been the story for the last 8 years and this one seems and feels no different.

Rape, shooting incidents, shooting victims, assault, robbery, and hate crimes are once again outpacing the previous years numbers. The subways of New York City have become a bastion for violent crime and above ground the streets can feel no safer.

It is simple, the more that those most willing to commit crimes are empowered by District Attorneys and the City Council, the more brazen we’re going to see these bad faith actors become. This has led to more liberties being taken by criminals which has directly resulted in more law abiding citizens being the victim of crimes.

The job of our government and elected officials is to first and foremost keep us safe. They have failed. If District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the New York City Council were doing their jobs and allowing the NYPD to do theirs, Michelle Go, who was pushed in front of a moving train last week, would be alive today.

We’re seeing the consequences of “woke” city leadership, far left ideologies, and lack of voter engagement every time we see someone shoved in front of a train or read of a baby struck by a stray bullet.

We will have one more opportunity to correct these disasters this year when Lee Zeldin is on the ballot. Only with new leadership in Albany can we start to move to protect hard working, law abiding tax payers of New York City and New York State.

In case you missed it:

In his first memo to staff on Monday, Jan 3rd, Alvin Bragg said his office “will not seek a carceral sentence” except with homicides and a handful of other cases, including domestic violence felonies, some sex crimes, and public corruption.

Sign the petition to stop Bragg here.

54TH Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference

Our annual conference is just around the corner and our growing list of speakers includes experts across many fields including: National Pollster John McLaughlin, Journalist Joe Mahoney, newly elected NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, National Right to Life PAC Chairwoman Karen Cross, Former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey, Senior Republican Member of the Senate Finance Committee Tom O’Mara, Elections Attorney Joe Burns, newly elected Town of Huntington Supervisor Edmund J. Smyth and other conservative leaders, legislators, and candidates, maybe even a surprise or two. Our gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin as well as other members of our statewide ticket will be in attendance.

Registration begins at Noon on Sunday and the last session on Sunday will end at approximately 6:00 PM.  Monday’s registration begins at 8:30 AM, Sessions begin at 9:00 AM, and lunch is scheduled for 12:30 PM.  The evening concludes with a festive Cocktail Reception and Dinner beginning at 6:00 PM with invited conservative endorsed legislators.  At the dinner, we present our 2021 Legislator of the Year awards and we release our 2022 Legislative Program.

For more information and registration please click here.

CNN’s Van Jones Pans Biden Press Conference As ‘Foggy’ And ‘A Real Problem’

WATCH: Republican Reps. call for IOC to lose tax-exempt status for pandering to China

Poll: Majority of Americans Say America on the ‘Wrong Track’ One Year into Biden’s Presidency.

Jim Jordan previews investigations he’ll lead as Judiciary Committee chairman

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses US Senate Bill fails, Gov. Hochul’s budget, NYC crime spree and our 54th Annual CPPAC.

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Governor Hochul’s 2022-23 State Budget Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 18, 2022

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Governor Hochul’s 2022-23 State Budget Proposal

Brooklyn, NY – “More than 200 nations around the world have budgets smaller than the $216 billion state budget behemoth Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed today. Her budget is more than those of Texas and Florida combined — each state with significantly higher populations than ours.  New York is narrowly competing only with California, a state with twice our population, for the most expensive state government in America. The Hochul budget is almost half the size of Russia’s — Russia’s!

“Meanwhile, the moving trucks keep arriving. Boy, do we need a change of direction in Albany.”

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Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap-up discusses Non-Citizen Voter Law Suit, the Supreme Court Split Mandate Decision, our Petition to Remove Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and an update on the 54th Annual CPPAC.

Non-Citizen Voter Law Suit

I have joined a lawsuit brought by New York Republicans against the City of New York in an attempt to block their new law that gives voting rights to 800,000 non-residents. I am a plaintiff as both a resident of Kings County and Chairman of the State Conservative Party.

This outrageous new law is almost certainly unconstitutional, and it cannot stand. Voting in modern America is properly reserved for U.S. citizens — and U.S citizens alone — and attempts by the Democrat Party to erase all distinctions between citizen and non-citizen are dangerous and wrong.

One almost misses the days when the City Council was simply an object of humor: (Q. What’s the difference between the New York City Council and a rubber stamp? A. A rubber stamp leaves an impression.)

There’s nothing funny, whatsoever, about the City Council now. Its radicalism knows no bounds.

Supreme Court Split Mandate Decision

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Thursday blocking the Biden administration from mandating vaccines for large employers, but allowing a separate rule that applies to health care workers who work at facilities that receive federal funding.

While we are in complete agreement that the federal government does not have the right to impose mandates on private businesses with over 100 employees, their ruling that the right to mandate vaccinations on healthcare workers and federal employees is upsetting and certainly does not make those impositions the right thing to do.

The ruling falls short of resolving local business mandates which will continue to hurt small businesses and those whom they employ.

Petition to Remove Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg

 Newly elected Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg released his “Day One’ memo in which he instructs his staff not to prosecute serious crimes, including armed robbery.

The Conservative Party, through a petition that we hope to obtain thousands of signatures on, is calling on Governor Hochul to use her constitutional authority to remove DA Bragg for malfeasance in office.

Bragg’s memo detailed the following instructions for prosecutors to reduce charges filed by cops in various cases:

Armed robbers who use guns or other deadly weapons to stick up stores and other businesses will be prosecuted only for petty larceny, a misdemeanor, provided no victims were seriously injured and there’s no “genuine risk of physical harm” to anyone. Armed robbery, a class B felony, would typically be punishable by a maximum of 25 years in prison, while petty larceny subjects offenders to up to 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Convicted criminals caught with weapons other than guns will have those felony charges downgraded to misdemeanors unless they’re also charged with more serious offenses. Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony, is punishable by up to 7 years behind bars.

Burglars who steal from residential storage areas, parts of homes that aren’t “accessible to a living area” and businesses located in mixed-use buildings will be prosecuted for a low-level class D felony that only covers break-ins instead of for more serious crimes. Those more serious crimes, class B and class C felonies would be punishable by up to 25 and up to 15 years in prison respectively.

Drug dealers believed to be “acting as a low-level agent of a seller” will be prosecuted only for misdemeanor possession. Also, suspected dealers will only be prosecuted on felony charges if they’re also accused of more serious crimes or are actually caught in the act of selling drugs. That felony would mean facing up to seven years behind bars.

To read Bragg’s memo in its entirety and to sign the petition please visit our website here.

54th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference

I am pleased with how our annual conference is coming along and look forward to being with you all once again in Latham for two days where we will hear from guest speakers, candidates, consultants, and more Conservative thought leaders.

I am pleased to announce our current list of speakers that includes: Elizabeth Lupo Tesoriero, Betsy McCaughey, Joseph Burns, Joe Mahoney, Brittany Grome Antonacci, John Faso, Karen Cross, Claudia Tenney, Mark Fonte, Louis Gelormino, Inna Vernikov, Tom O’Mara, and John McLaughlin.

We look forward to seeing you all there for what is shaping up to be a great conference.

To register, please click here.

Top Dem backs local control for noncitizen voting while party pushes federalized elections

Democrats Block Plan to Remove Foreign Nationals from Voter Rolls.

Biden acknowledges election overhaul bills may fail in the Senate.

Jobless claims rise more than expected to 230,000 as omicron spikes

Microsoft Office’s ‘Woke’ Spellchecker Is Perfectly Fine and Will Cause Nobody to Freak Out.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap-up discusses Non-Citizen Voter Law Suit, the Supreme Court Split Mandate Decision, our Petition to Remove Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and an update on the 54th Annual CPPAC.

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Non-Citizen Voting in New York City Elections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 10, 2022

Brooklyn, NY – “I’m proud to join with Republican officials in signing onto litigation to prevent voting by up to 800,000 non-U.S.-citizens in future New York City municipal elections.

“This outrageous new law is almost certainly unconstitutional, and it cannot stand. Voting in modern America is properly reserved for U.S. citizens — and U.S citizens alone — and attempts by the Democrat Party to erase all distinctions between citizen and non-citizen are dangerous and wrong.

“One almost misses the days when the City Council was simply an object of humor: (Q. What’s the difference between the New York City Council and a rubber stamp? A. A rubber stamp leaves an impression.)

“There’s nothing funny, whatsoever, about the City Council now. It’s radicalism knows no bounds.”

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Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses the Governor’s State of the State, Manhattan’s new District Attorney and our upcoming CPPAC on January 30 – 31, 2022

State of the State

Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her first State of the State Address Wednesday, her first since taking over the reins from disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Though it was just a different voice delivering the same empty promises.

It’s amazing how little substance a 237-page State of the State report can contain. Governor Kathy Hochul’s mercifully abbreviated address said even less — which tells us everything.

Six months after taking office as governor, and seven years after becoming lt. governor, Mrs. Hochul showed today that she has almost no helpful ideas for New York. Her State-of-the-State announcements were simply retreads of old, unaffordable proposals, and double-downs on failed policies implemented by her former partner Governor Andrew Cuomo.

We hoped Governor Hochul would address rising crime rates caused by no-cash-bail. We hoped she’d push back against deluded progressives like Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg who just announced that he’s forgoing prison sentences for crimes including Armed Robbery.

We hoped Mrs. Hochul would apologize for firing healthcare workers in the middle of a pandemic; that she’d speak out about racial preferences for life-saving medical care, and finally address New York’s counterproductive tax burden that’s chased a million and a half former New Yorkers, and jobs, out of state.

Instead, we got more of the same, and more of the same isn’t good enough.

New Yorkers looking for change — actual, hopeful change — learned today that it isn’t coming under this administration. Fortunately for them, this is an election year.

Listen to Congressman and Gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin deliver his rebuttal to Gov. Hochul here.

Manhattan D.A.

Insanity, that’s the only word to describe the actions of new Manhattan District Attorney.

Alvin Bragg released a memo his third day in office, ordering Manhattan prosecutors not to seek prison sentences for a number of crimes and to downgrade charges for robberies, commercial burglaries, trespassing, resisting arrest and more.

Bragg’s memo included the following instructions for prosecutors to reduce charges filed by police officers:

  • Armed robbers who use guns or other deadly weapons to stick up stores and other businesses will be prosecuted only for petty larceny, a misdemeanor, provided no victims were seriously injured and there’s no “genuine risk of physical harm” to anyone. Armed robbery, a class B felony, would typically be punishable by a maximum of 25 years in prison, while petty larceny subjects offenders to up to 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
  • Convicted criminals caught with weapons other than guns will have those felony charges downgraded to misdemeanors unless they’re also charged with more serious offenses. Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony, is punishable by up to 7 years behind bars.
  • Burglars who steal from residential storage areas, parts of homes that aren’t “accessible to a living area” and businesses located in mixed-use buildings will be prosecuted for a low-level class D felony that only covers break-ins instead of for more serious crimes. Those more serious crimes, class B and class C felonies, would be punishable by up to 25 and up to 15 years in prison respectively.
  • Drug dealers believed to be “acting as a low-level agent of a seller” will be prosecuted only for misdemeanor possession. Also, suspected dealers will only be prosecuted on felony charges if they’re also accused of more serious crimes or are actually caught in the act of selling drugs. That felony would mean facing up to seven years behind bars.

There is a cautionary note here for all New Yorkers who choose not to vote. Sometimes the danger is not simply electing someone who disagrees with you. On occasion the failure to participate can result in an actual unqualified person being elected, one who is a danger to you and your family.

Depending on how he implements his demented view, Governor Hochul possess the authority to remove him from office for malfeasance. I very much doubt she has the strength or leadership ability to take on any NYC Progressive. But I can hope.

54th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference Sunday, January 30 and Monday, January 31, 2022 in Albany

Come meet Conservative Party leaders and conservative thinking activists from throughout the state for a two-day series of seminars and panels on issues and political techniques designed to enhance your ability to deal with the key problems facing the state and nation.

Our growing list of speakers includes Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, National Pollster John McLaughlin, Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Antonacci, Journalist Joe Mahoney, newly elected NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, National Right to Life PAC Chairwoman Karen Cross, Senior Republican Member of the Senate Finance Committee Tom O’Mara, Elections Attorney Joe Burns, and other conservative leaders, legislators, and candidates.

Our gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin as well as other members of our statewide ticket will be in attendance.

Registration begins at Noon on Sunday, January 30, 2022 and the last session will end at approximately 6:00 PM.  Monday, January 31, 2022 registration begins at 8:30 AM with Sessions beginning at 9:00 AM, and lunch is scheduled for 12:30 PM.  The evening concludes with a festive Cocktail Reception and Dinner beginning at 6:00 PM with invited conservative endorsed legislators.  At the dinner, we will present our 2021 Legislator of the Year awards and we release our 2022 Legislative Program.

For more information and event registration  click here.  Or call 518-356-7882 for more information.

US hiring cools in December as economy adds just 199,000 new jobs.

BREAKING: Joy Reid to lose MSNBC show in the spring: source.

Advisers ‘Plea’ With Biden To Change His Coronavirus Strategy As He Fails To ‘Shut Down The Virus’: Report

NYC Is Turning COVID Treatment Into A Racial Hunger Games.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses the Governor’s State of the State, Manhattan’s new District Attorney and our upcoming CPPAC on January 30 – 31, 2022