“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it”-Ronald Reagan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 5, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “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.”
Allow me to wish all a very Happy, Safe and Productive New Year. The past year was a broadly successful year for the Conservative Party. There were countless local victories which turned the tide in our favor in county after county, town after town. Even in NYC gains were made in the Council. Considering the terrible polices the radical left has attempted to impose on us I am not surprised.
The sound defeat of propositions one, three and four that came about through our VOTENONY project received national attention by Sen. Mitch McConnell and national news organizations. This victory against forces that were more interested in partisan politics then secure elections and fair reapportionment required the party to raise and expend significant resources. The Party, supported by friends like yourself and significant allies, was able to meet the challenge.
The new year, despite continued political shenanigans by the radical left, looks to be a strong one for our party. In Lee Zeldin we have an outstanding candidate for Governor. Our entire statewide slate will be announced in the near future and I think you will be impressed. The entire Congress and State Legislature are up for election in a Democratic created environment of out-of-control inflation, a failed foreign policy, anti-policing laws and rhetoric as well as one of the greatest over reaches of government authority ever seen in our nation during peacetime.
As always, the Conservative Party will advocate in the new year for individual freedom, personal responsibility and smaller government.
Thank you for supporting the Conservative Party. Happy New Year!
On behalf of the New York State Conservative Party, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope your holiday season is filled with warmth, love and laughter as you visit with your family and friends.
“To the American People: Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.” – Calvin Coolidge, 1927
Governor Hochul’s mask mandate has been met with significant resistance as more than thirty counties have announced they will not enforce the Governor’s order. Noticeably absent from the Governor’s announcement was her Health Commissioner and Senior Advisors.
I believe Governor Hochul sets state policy on likely personal benefits miscalculated with her new mask mandate. As her popularity continues to trend southward, Hochul is attempting to play both sides and get underneath any negative pushback by indicating the state will not penalize any counties that are refusing to enforce.
Cuomo Ordered to return ill-gotten book profits.
Disgraced former Governor Cuomo’s $5 million book deal was buttressed on lies, falsified official records, coverups and deliberate delays in reporting. To add insult to injury many state employees, mostly against their will, were used to research, write, and edit the book. A clear misallocation of Government funds and time.
JCOPE was correct in ordering the Governor to repay profits from his book. Read my complete statement here.
Biden, Schumer Fail to Move Build Back Better Bill
Thanks to Senator Joe Manchin the “Build Back Better” Bill, is shelved in the United States Senate.
BBB, passed the U.S. House on a party line vote minus one Republican defector, Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Thanks to the Senate and the Senator from West Virginia, 2021 will end with no more fiscal carnage at the hands of the Democrats.
The truth is Build Back Better is just Build Back Broke. The inflationary bill would add significant debt that our country under no circumstance can afford. BBB has been the cornerstone of the Biden domestic agenda, but clearly even a member of his own party cannot fathom the financial consequences the bill would have on the taxpayers.
GOP Senators Wrong to Support Lifting Debt Cap
The best way to keep government from growing is to stop uncontrolled spending, but this week the GOP Senators allowed the Democrats to raise the debt ceiling doing all taxpaying Americans a massive disservice.
Though the idea of the debt ceiling may feel distant from the lives of ordinary Americans, how it’s handled by politicians and bureaucrats in Washington can easily wade into your own financial situation.
Many Senate Republicans are frustrated with a deal Senate Minority Leader McConnell reached, on a party-line vote, to allow Democrats to raise the debt ceiling. Republicans first said they would refuse it, but a deal was struck and the debt ceiling was raised.
While we are not yet aware of the deal Minority Leader McConnell made, I can assure you Republicans, and the taxpayers, are getting the raw end of the deal.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
December 14, 2021
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on JCOPE Ordering that Cuomo Return $5.1 Million From Controversial Book Deal
Brooklyn, NY – “Gov. Andrew Cuomo never should have profited from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is right to demand the return of the illicit $5.1 million windfall he received from his book publisher.
“JCOPE must now rule on whether Mr. Cuomo can use campaign dollars to fight this decision in court. He should be precluded from doing so; the book deal was entered into for personal profit and had nothing to do with the duties of his office.
“The Conservative Party urges the continued investigation into whether Mr. Cuomo falsified nursing home death numbers to land the lucrative book contract. Only then will the public fully understand what was going on behind the doors of the State Capitol during the early days of the pandemic.
“The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they do in fact turn.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 26, 2021
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Gov. Hochul’s Politicization of Redistricting Process
Brooklyn, NY – “As millions of New Yorkers prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday Wednesday afternoon, Governor Kathy Hochul surreptitiously signed into law legislation that would overrule the will of New York voters by giving the Democrat-led State Legislature complete control over New York’s redistricting process.
“New York voters overwhelmingly rejected a November ballot initiative that would have gutted independent redistricting; now Governor Hochul is attempting to subvert their wishes. The New York State Conservative Party will not allow Governor Hochul’s blatant politicization of redistricting to stand.
“One hopes that her machinations will be vigorously reported in the news media and criticized by good government organizations. Had a Republican governor tried to pull this off, one suspects it would be bigger news by now.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 22, 2021
Brooklyn, NY – “The deeper one looks at former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s abuses of power during his tenure in the Executive Mansion, the more one wonders how Mr. Cuomo was allowed to misbehave for so long.
“His constant bullying and sexual harassment of state employees was no secret among top advisors, evidently, and virtually nothing was done to stop him or to protect his victims. This raises serious questions about then Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s possible complicity in looking the other way. Clearly, she knew about her boss’s reputation. Did she ever speak to him about it? If not, why not?
“The release of the Assembly investigative report Monday also brought forward additional evidence that Mr. Cuomo personally tampered with nursing home death numbers at the very same time he was negotiating a $5.1 million contract for a book extolling his Covid-19 leadership skills. This remains a matter for serious criminal investigation, as does his use of state employees in the writing of the book. We trust that the various district attorneys looking into Mr. Cuomo will continue their efforts. As Mr. Cuomo’s brother, Chris, so said often of President Donald Trump on CNN, ‘no man is above the law.’”
On behalf of the New York State Conservative Party, I would like to wish you and your families a safe and happy Thanksgiving full of love and reflection. The freedom of this great country in which we live, its opportunity for achievement, and your friendship and confidence in the Party and my leadership is humbling. For all these things and more, I am forever grateful.
Though these last two years have been tough for many, it has reminded us of the need to slow down and take in all the beauty that this life has provided. This Thanksgiving it is my sincere wish you take the time to look back on all the great memories with your family and friends, while working to make more.
“In this spirit, Thanksgiving has become a day when Americans extend a helping hand to the less fortunate. Long before there was a government welfare program, this spirit of voluntary giving was ingrained in the American character. Americans have always understood that, truly, one must give in order to receive. This should be a day of giving as well as a day of thanks.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 16, 2021
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on JCOPE Rescinding Cuomo $5.1 Million Book Deal
Brooklyn, NY – “JCOPE is right to rescind former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s unholy $5.1 million book deal, but not just for the reason it cited.
“Governor Cuomo’s contract with his publisher was being negotiated at the very same time that Mr. Cuomo and his administration were doctoring records to hide thousands of senior citizen deaths caused by misguided Cuomo policy choices. It strains credulity to think Mr. Cuomo would have won this lucrative book contract had that terrible truth been known.
“Mr. Cuomo’s use of state resources alone is sufficient to rescind his contract, but there is more to this story and investigations must continue.”
Keeping with its tradition, the Conservative Party tracked legislation throughout the session, issued support and opposition memos, and determined, at an executive committee meeting, which key issues would be used. The Bills considered comprise a variety of issues including, but not limited to economics, health, safety, and pro-life issues that affect the lives of all New Yorkers.
We believe that it is necessary to keep the public informed of key votes and let the taxpayers be aware of how elected officials spend our hard-earned money. Every Bill is considered, and then we narrow the number to give voters a fair assessment of what transpires in Albany. A review of the Bills used this year will show New Yorkers how out of touch the Democratic leaders of legislature are with the average citizen; many are costly, sometimes unwarranted, and a few will show how they try to help New Yorkers.
The overall Senate ratings have consistently dropped since the Democrats took total control. In 2018 the average was 55%, in 2019 the average was 40%, in the COVID-19 shortened session of 2020 the Senate rated a meager 35%; this year the overall Senate rating was 36%. In 2018 the Democratic Senate average was 41%, in 2019 the democratic average plummeted to 14%; it slightly improved to 17% in 2020, however, this year Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins’ democrats averaged a mere 9.4%. Republican Senators, led by Senator Rob Ortt brought their average to 93% from last years’ 71%. Conservative endorsed legislators in the Senate raised their average to 90% an increase of 21% from the 2020 average.
The Assembly’s overall rating remains at 36% same as 2020 and 2019, down 6% from their 2018 rating of 42%. The Democrats in the Assembly average dropped 4.4% this year under the leadership of Speaker Heastie, from 19% to 14.6%. It was 17% in 2019, which was down significantly from their 28% rating in 2018. The 43 Republican Assembly members, under the leadership of Assemblyman Will Barclay, averaged, 89.5% up from 79% in 2020. Conservative Party endorsed Assembly Members also increased their average to 88% up by 9% from 2020.
As noted, the Conservative Republican alliance has the best interest of all New Yorkers when it comes to taxes, crime and every day “kitchen table issues.”
We encourage voters to review the ratings, and contact their legislators to let them know they are doing a good job or in the cases where the average is low, to let them know that you will vote accordingly. New York needs to reestablish a friendly place for entrepreneurs to open businesses and most importantly to create new jobs for those who have been forced out of work due to COVID-19. The current trends adopting progressive ideology – as noted by the numbers — only increases an exodus; families want a safe place to live, and a resurgence of business opportunities that made New York the beacon of hope and prosperity.
Hyper Inflation
Federal economic policies are the real turkey on your table this thanksgiving. From the cost of food, to the price of gas, and most everything else in between one thing is clear; this will be the most expensive holiday season ever.
The USDA is projecting that food-at-home costs will be up between 2.5% and 3.5% for the entire 2021 year. In comparison, the average price of Thanksgiving dinner declined in 2020 by 4% from 2019 prices to $46.90, or about $5 per person according to the Farm Bureau. The Biden administration policies, coupled with supply chain issues, have led to more than a 6% increase this thanksgiving.
With no end in sight to the supply chain issues nationwide, the price increase of everyday consumer goods shows no sign of slowing down. There is no telling where the Biden administration will take us next, but I know I can’t wait to get off this ride.
Beyond Unpopular
Once considered to be the successor to suspected one-term president Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris finds herself underwater in historic proportions.
Less than 3 out of every 10 Americans have a favorable opinion of the Vice President all but ensuring Kamala Harris never ends up as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
Harris has yet to do a single solo press conference as the White House knows putting her in front of the camera can only mean more trouble and negative approval ratings for an administration in dire need of a break.
In terms of electability, Kamala Harris has none. Her overall attitude towards the truth, inability to connect with voters and insatiable appetite for treating voters as if we are dumb has more than run its course.
It would come as no surprise to me if the VP continued to see her approval ratings plummet into the low 20’s as the middle class continues to be squeezed out of existence by the Biden/Harris administration in less than ten months on the job.
It was a great night for common sense across New York as voters turned out from all over the state and issued their own mandate; stop the insanity.
From Long Island to Buffalo and everywhere in between, Conservatives and Republicans pulled off resounding victories, sending a clear message that our voting bloc isn’t going away. In fact, we’re getting stronger, more engaged, and clearly, we’re not backing down from the fight as we head into the 2022 midterms rejuvenated and ready to bring more common sense leadership to New York.
The New York State Conservative Party is proud of the impact it had on races in every corner of the state on Tuesday. Our ballot line provided a place for voters of all parties to register their judgement on the direction of New York State politics. What voters said is significant: they’re had it with runaway progressive policies that have rendered New York less safe, less free, more expensive, and less desirable.
The Conservative Party is particularly proud of the role it played in defeating three pernicious ballot initiatives — Propositions 1, 3, and 4 — that would have weakened long established election integrity safeguards and given Democrats even greater partisan control over redistricting. This victory for common sense will reverberate nationally* and hopefully put a stake in the heart of HR1.
Looking Ahead
It has been an exciting week, but this is just the beginning. We must build on this success and begin preparing for the 2022 midterms. We are going to have competitive races throughout the state that are going to need our undivided attention.
We saw what we’re capable of when we’re dialed in, engaged, and spreading our common sense message. We demand safe communities, we demand parent’s rights, and we demand intrusive big government stay out of our lives.
Let us celebrate our historic wins accordingly, but not lose site of the fact that we are right around the corner from another highly competitive election season in which the United States House of Representatives majority is on the line.
*In case you missed what Senator Mitch McConnell said Wednesday 11/03/2021 on the US Senate Floor: One observation from last night: Governors races and state legislative seats weren’t the only things on the ballot last night. Yesterday the deep blue state of New York, New York, the home of the Senate Majority Leader, had two of America’s signature proposals for weaker elections actually on the ballot as ballot measures. Citizens got to vote directly on whether to open the door to two changes, two changes that the politicians wanted. Same-day registration and no excuse absentee voting, on the ballot in New York yesterday. And as of the latest tally a few minutes ago, both proposals were losing. They currently are both losing about 60/40. Even in deep blue New York, citizens appear to be rejecting the Democrats’ demands for weaker elections. So, I think there’s only one question left. Where will the Mets and Yankees end up now? Surely Major League Baseball can’t let them stay in New York after this.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 3, 2021
Statement from Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on 2021 New York Elections
Brooklyn, NY – “The New York State Conservative Party is proud of the impact it had on races in every corner of the state on Tuesday. Our ballot line provided a place for voters of all parties to register their judgement on the direction of New York State politics. What voters said is significant: they’re had it with runaway progressive policies that have rendered New York less safe, less free, more expensive, and less desirable.
“The Conservative Party is particularly proud of the role it played in defeating three pernicious ballot initiatives — Propositions 1, 3, and 4 — that would have weakened long established election integrity safeguards and given Democrats even greater partisan control over redistricting. This victory for common sense will reverberate nationally and hopefully put a stake in the heart of HR1.”
