Governor Cuomo wanted to change the name of Start-Up NY, but Governor Cuomo didn’t get his way.  The legislator’s extended the program for two years, despite its poor record.  There was, however,  a major change in the Start-Up NY program —  whether by design or rushed bill drafting —  reporting requirements for the participants in Governor Cuomo’s costly economic boondoggle are no longer required to file annual reports.  Will this be fixed when the legislators return to Albany?  

According to reports, Gov. Cuomo has all he wants from this legislative session.  The NY Post laments the fact that ethics reform wasn’t passed, to which we say…all of the ethics reform possible will not change people who do not have a moral compass.  True ethics reform is in the hands of the voters!  Since the Governor thinks all of the work in Albany was accomplished with the NYS budget, (especially since the NYS budget has incorporated policy along with fiscal issues) it is time to send the legislators home.  Think of the money taxpayers would save if the legislative session ended now.   

Bob Hardt writes in his NY1 Political ItCH column about family ties in Albany.  The last paragraph is priceless.  

Donald Devine explains how EPA Attack on ‘Little Guy’ Gas Stations Does Nothing for Environment.  

Is anyone surprised by this:  Labor Spent $1.7 Billion on Politics in 2016, Mostly for Dems.  

Or this:  More Than 70 Liberal Groups Partnered for Anti-Trump Tax Day Protests.  

Associate Justice Gorsuch marks his first day with humor, humility, irritation and a little of Justice Scalia’s sarcasm.  

Dennis Prager:  Two Weeks of Great Clarity.  

As more and more people have a chance to review the NYS Budget, there is increasingly more grumbling than in previous years.  You know you have problems with a “progressive” program when the NY Times questions if it was well thought out.  The Tribune Review called it an illusion, not a solution. The Sun says “free” tuition includes “golden handcuffs,.” while the Empire Center says “free” tuition police comes with strings and baggage.   Tom Precious writes in the Buffalo News how students react to the “free” tuition plan that locks them in New York for years.  

Another section of the NYS Budget will allow coverage of fertility services for low income women; one more section where experts say the language is “jumbled and confusing.”  Read what Chairman Mike Long had to say about the costly coverage.    

Mr. Mayor:  Seriously?  Another case of Mayor de Blasio not following his own advice.  

The citizens editorial board at Auburn.com says the Governor’s “middle class recovery act” is another state mandate that amounts to busywork that will costs taxpayers.   This is how the NY Post editorial explained it:  Cuomo’s phony win against a phantom menace.  

Jim Geraghty opines in NationalReview.com and send out a Morning Jolt.   The one he wrote for today has a very interesting section on American’s West and America’s Rest.  It is the second segment on the page and it does not have a permanent link.  Read it today to learn what could be happening in the main stream media.  

Congressman Ken Buck (R-CO) says the corruption on Capitol Hill is worse than you think.  

Matt Vespa writes in Townhall.com about tin foil hat time.

Record intake in federal taxes, and we are still run a deficit.  

Pyongyang’s strategy could be a ticking time bomb.  

When Cuomo says ‘reform,’ he’s planning a power grab.  

Eva Moskowitz: State budget a ‘travesty’ for charter schools.  

Bob McManus writes in the NY Post:  With this year’s budget, Cuomo betrayed charter schools.  

The Daily Signal writes about the true costs of New York’s free college program.  

Kudos to university President Rita Cheng (Northern Arizona University) takes her responsibilities to heart — gives students the right message.  

David Keene takes us back in history in a  powerful column that looks at the foul fruits of Woodrow Wilson.  Mr. Keene also opines on the half-baked lies of Susan Rice.  

Speaking of Susan Rice, the more we know the more we need to know.  

Congressman Joe Crowley’s family is back to Queens Supreme Court…for jobs..

Sessions: The Border is Not Open, Do Not Come.  The Daily Signal has 5 takeaways from AG Sessions border trip.  

Tillerson says US-Russia relations at ‘low point,’ calls for improving ties after Putin meeting.  BREAKING NEWS:  Russia votes NO … UN resolution to condemn Syria  chemical attack fails.  

Grandparents and parents:  Be aware of the books you are buying for your young ones to read. Ben Shapiro writes about the insanity of the left’s child gender confusion agenda.  

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams and his excellent wisdom.  

E. J. McMahon has an excellent article on Gov. Cuomo’s thought-free tuition offer.  As always, he makes excellent points on the illusion of free college tuition.  The NY Post editorial on Gov. Cuomo’s headline grabbing idea will deepen the student-debt crisis.

Empire Center advises us that the latest NYS Budget spends at $5,169 per second.  For more on their analysis of the budget:  click here.  

Report: New York Gives Corporations More In Tax Breaks Than Any Other State.  

Donald Devine asks this question in the Imaginative Conservative:  Is capitalism the enemy of the family?  

Surprise: Trump’s calm, competent global leadership.  

Newt Gingrich: Three critical things everyone needs to know about Trump’s Syria airstrikes.  

Rich Lowry has this to say:  Turns out Obama was the real Russian stooge.  

Kudos to Peggy Noonan!  The Pulitzer for commentary is indeed a rare honor for a conservative.  

Maryland lawmakers come to their senses and withdraw a bill that would have made Maryland a sanctuary state.   

Is Barack Obama attempting to influence how Germany will vote in September?  

Cal Thomas, never one to mince words, has a few words of wisdom in this week’s column.  

Gillibrand criticizes Trump’s spending priorities.  Here is how Chairman Long’ responds to her criticism.   

It is Official: (Photo Credit:  AP Photo/Evan Vucci)  The judge becomes Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch!  Congratulations to Justice Gorsuch and to President Donald J. Trump who understood how important it is to have men of his stature on the US Supreme Court.  Chairman Long had this to say in a recent interview on Justice Gorsuch. Now that Associate Justice Gorsuch is settled, it is time to start filing other vacancies in the federal courts.  

The Trump Administration is back to square one on tax reform, as they do not want the pitfalls encountered with health care.  

This judge is not making the decisions that will lead him to a seat on the US Supreme Court.  His decision to allow NYC to destroy personal records of those who applied for the NYCID card is misguided and should be overturned on appeal. 

For all the public employees counting on writing off their union dues, please read this., 

The recently passed budget will only encourage hard working New Yorkers to move out of state, where they will only have to work to pay their own children’s tuition and not the tuition of children they do not know, where the is no pork-barrel fund that gives away cash with no oversight, that does not have the most generous subsidies in the nation for film and TV,  and millionaires are not punished with additional taxes, among other ill-conceived policy — Raise the Age– that the budget contains.   

E. J. McMahon and Rob Astorino were both on Fred Dicker’s radio program this morning with more on the budget.  (E. J. begins at the 9:20 mark)

I’m really tired of being talked down to by Governor Cuomo.  Does his press release on his Easter Egg Hunt at the Governor’s Mansion, (remember he does not live there but apparently is already pretending to be president) have to include ” that weapons and controlled substances as well as bags, backpacks, luggage, parcels, briefcases and similar articles are strictly prohibited from the event.”  He must really think that he is the only intelligent person in NYS. 

Heather MacDonald speaks out for free speech, especially on college campuses.  

Stephen Moore opines on how government makes the poor poorer.  

So, The Obama Administration Knew Syria Didn’t Hand Over All Its Chemical Weapons, But Lied To Us Anyway?  

Tom Precious, writing in the Buffalo News, has a good update as to what is and isn’t in the NYS Budget and what is still not resolved.   State of Politics reported on the NYS Budget this way in their morning memo.  The latest, according to Twitter, is that the Democrats are huddling with Speaker Heastie.  One thing is certain, Gov Cuomo and Sen. Jeff Klein want your tax dollars  to pay for immigration services.  Notice how the headline are article omit the word illegal!!   The NY Post headline appears to lay the blame for the lack of a budget on Charter Schools, thank the democrats for not wanting your children to have better opportunities in education.   Wait, the latest is that the democrats will accept the compromise on Charter Schools. and the other two “obstacles.”.  Here is the latest from State of Politics.  Just remember, we have been at this juncture before.  

The “nuclear option” is done.  And you can thank the democrats.  Now that they are not in control, they aren’t happy about the “nuclear option.”  It wasn’t that long ago when liberal pundits praised Harry Reid for going nuclear.  We shouldn’t be surprised, so many are hypocrites on far too many subjects.  

The Federalist is reporting that the Obama spying scandal started long before Trump.  And the latest on this is that the unmasking was not broad, rather it revealed personal details.  Here is what Investor’s Business Daily has to say on the subject.  Michael Goodwin thinks Ms. Rice’s record damages her credibility.  

The Heritage Foundation explains how big government actually hurts the poor.  

It appeared NYS has a budget, but, the details were still murky.  We know that the millionaires tax remains in place for two more years and that the Raise the Age issue was agreed to, but the latest information says Raise the Age is back on the table according to this report filed by State of Politics at 12:43 PM. The reality is that until the actual votes are taken, no one, including the members,  will really know what is and isn’t in the budget.  Zack Fink posted this on State of Politics at 1;59 PM, interesting background on the Raise the Age issue.  Here is what the NY Post had to say about the budget…note that it was written last night.  Here is another article on the budget, written by Tom Precious for the Buffalo News.  

Where does the NYC Council think the money they want to spend comes from?  NYC Council proposes millions for discount MetroCards for poor, Citi Bike expansion.  Council Members:  if you continue spending the only New Yorkers left in the City will be poor.  

Betsy McCaughey gives us some food for thought in her latest article: In America’s drug crisis, pandering pols emerge as big part of problem.  

New Yorkers’ initial reaction to Congressman Kevin Brady will most likely be that the tax overhaul being considered is unfair — and NY politicians will scream foul — however, the real problem is that New York State taxes are out of control, far too high and getting higher every day with proposals to take care issues that government should not be involved with.  It is no wonder that 1 million people have already left New York since 2010.  This, Governor Cuomo is your legacy.  USA Today confirms New York State has the highest tax burden….California is 10th!

Can we please let Catholic Schools stay Catholic?  

Oh my, Chris Cuomo goes off the deep end calling the Susan Rice story a “fake scandal.”   Meanwhile,  a former CIA analyst says Susan Rice’s NDA demasking denials don’t add up.  The Federalist opines on why Susan Rice’s role in the Obama spying story is a big deal  Charles Hurt writes in the Washington Times that Susan Rice somehow manages to make Benghazi cover-up seem minor.  

US Ambassador Condemns Syrian Gas Attacks, Urges United Nations to Act. 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams. 

Even the NY Daily News editors reached a correct decision regarding the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch,  albeit some of their reasoning is faulty.  “Unwilling to register their disapproval of the eminently qualified Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch via a “no” vote on the Senate floor — a vote they’d lose, with some of their own voting “aye” — Democrats are hell-bent on launching an endless talkathon to filibuster his nomination to death.”  It isn’t often that we agree with the NY Daily News but they are right when the say “Wrong move, Chuck.”

If you haven’t signed our petition, please do so now.  

Rich Lowry’s article — Gorsuch filibuster will be the dumbest in US history — slams Sen. Schumer’s political stand as “an act of a sheer partisan pique against the wrong target, with the wrong method, at the wrong time.”  

Guy Benson writes in Townhall.com:  History Lesson: On Judicial Nominations, GOP Must Punish Democrats for Decades of Unprecedented Escalations.  

Susan Rice, Obama’s Hatchet Woman, Proves Lord Acton Right Again.   Apparently, Ms. Rice finds it difficult remembering the things she has done for her former boss and her BFF Valerie Jarrett.  Here is Bloomberg News’ coverage of the newest “gate”: Ricegate.  This is how Investor’s Business Daily is covering the explosive news regarding Ms. Rice.  

Some progressives want to ease voter registration…they are considering Europe’s registration at birth.  

NYC Council Wants $12 Million in Tax Dollars to Give Free Lawyers to Immigrants Facing Deportation.  It isn’t enough that immigrants are here illegally, but now they want our money to defend them!!

Jimmy Vielkind writes in PoliticoNY that the Extender gives Cuomo nearly $1.8 billion for economic development projects.  (Even after START-UP NY continues to have less than stellar results.) It appears that Gov. Cuomo is no longer in a rush to finish the budget, but did say there is a conceptional agreement on it.  (We’ve been there before.)  The State of Politics has more on the current budget morass.  The Poughkeepsie Journal has even more on the conceptional agreement here that apparently agrees to extend the millionaires tax for two years.    Bill Hammond’s article explains how the two bills already passed are more than just extenders.  

This week is shaping up as a busy news week both in Washington and Albany.  Albany has no budget, not surprising, since so many components of the proposed NYS budget do not belong in it as they are policy issues.  Governor Cuomo has offered “an extender” budget bill to supposedly prevent a shutdown of government, however the extender bill contains over 1700 pages and seems to have more than budget issues in it daring the legislators to shut-down government.  Chaos reigns again.  (Could this turn into a good chaos if the members of the legislature insist that policy issues do not belong in the budget, ah, but I dream.)

One of the major reasons the NYS budget spends far too much is due to Medicaid costs.  George J. Marlin confirms ideas brought forward will contain, even trim back, some of NY’s costs.  Bill Hammond, writing in the NY Torch explains how some members of the legislature keep adding to Medicaid costs by introducing legislation that ultimately become unfunded mandates on taxpayers. His column really is a fascinating look into how the costs have become unsustainable.  

The Washington Free Beacon had a short column yesterday with this headline:   Schiff Can’t Say There’s Evidence of Trump Campaign Colluding With Russia.  Rest assured, if Congressman Schiff had come across a scintilla of evidence, he would be shouting from the mountain tops. The fact that he is reserved, should lead people to believe what he saw in the evidence that there is far more to this story.  We need Paul Harvey back.  Do you remember this gem that Paul Harvey delivered 52 years ago today? 

The US Senate Judiciary Committee is voting today to advance Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination, which will be filibustered by Sen. Charles Schumer.  Shame on him.  Does he not remember what he has said and done in the past?  Chris Cuomo is becoming more like his partisan brother every day.  Sen. Schumer picks up another misguided democrat.  

Did you see this on Fox and Friends this morning?  Explosive news that is breaking (despite the main stream media trying its best to suppress it) on the surveillance of Trump and his associates for a YEAR.  And this afternoon it is being reported that Susan Rice is the unmasker.!  Yes, the very same Susan Rice who outright lied about Benghazi.  

Paul Harvey warned us 52 years ago, many did not listen then, if we don’t do something now, it really will be a lost cause.  Begin by stopping Sen. Schumer from denying a good man, Judge Neil Gorsuch,  his place on the US Supreme Court.  Call his office, even if you have already called.  Washington Office 1-202-224-6542 or the NYC office:  1-212-486-4430

The Investigative Post finalizes its series with an article lamenting how difficult it is to analyze the results of subsidies to companies.  In other words, government makes it difficult to assesses if the investment is a good one for taxpayers, probably because most times it isn’t. 

Governor Cuomo’s wants more of your money to spend the way he wants to…so one of the tax increases he is calling for is taxing and restricting the use of e-cigarettes using the guise it is harmful.  His conclusions are not based on sound science.  Read more here. 

No surprise here:  The Conflict of Interests Board rules AGAINST Mayor Bill de Blasio!  Calls his plant to pay for his defense illegal.  

The Mayor’s pandering to the progressives is an insult to all hard working citizens in New York city.  His plan to employ every inmate who served time in jail — to the tune of $10 million of YOUR money — is outrageous when there are people who have lived by the rules and cannot find a job.  What is he thinking?  Does he want to push all of the responsible people out of the greatest city in the nation?  And while he is employing former felons, he has no problem giving them a place to live also.  

Yesterday we told you about the 10,000 petitions signed by people who do not want Judith Clark released on parole… citizens like you and I that believe the cold-blood killing of two police officers and one guard requires the people responsible for the heinous crime should serve the maximum term.  Today we learn of a group of elected officials who want to parole Judith Clark. We though you should know who they are. 

The Empire Center explains defunding the NY SAFE Act actually does nothing to dismantle this ill-conceived idea.  

Take Two-and-a-Half Minutes to See How Hypocritical Democrats Are on Filibustering Supreme Court Nominees.  But it appears that isn’t going to stop the Senate republicans:   It’s On: GOP Appears Ready to Go ‘Nuclear’ if Democrats Mount Indefensible, Unpopular Filibuster of Gorsuch.  Robert W. Merry writes in the Washington Times about his concerns if the filibuster is used or “nuked” by the once prestigious US Senate. 

North Carolina’s democratic governor puts money over safety…republicans cave to pressure.  

The third installment of Investigative Post deals with the lackadaisical  manner of vetting subsidy seekers.  It is astonishing how many companies (that do well financially) manage to obtain taxpayer’s dollars to stay in New York.  I’ve yet to see the major studios listed, but we do have two more installments.  

If the taxes on businesses were not so exorbitant in New York, the companies listed in Investigative Post probably would not need subsidies.  Let’s think about this for a minute, government keeps the taxes high, companies must pay them so they charge patrons more in order to pay the taxes; then they ask for government subsidies to offset other costs.  Seems to me the taxpayer gets hit twice — is it any wonder why New Yorkers are leaving the state in droves?

Six US Senators are asking for an investigation into the numerous grants given over many years by the State Department and its subsidiary, the U.S. Agency for International Development, to groups funded by left-wing billionaire George Soros..  More of your tax money being spent unwisely.  Kudos to President Trump for recommending cuts to the Department of State budget.

A new undercover video appears to indicate that Planned Parenthood continues to harvest high-quality body parts and indicates possible cover-up of infanticide.. Your tax dollars are still funding Planned Parenthood.

The Daily Signal writes that Trump’s sweeping executive order on climate policy has been sorely needed, but  it appears that Governors Brown and Cuomo vow to fill the void left by President Trump’s action.  Is this the reason why Gov. Cuomo jumped on board so quickly?  

Do you think Gov. Cuomo has a benefactor to fix FDR’s old Packard?  He does — all of the taxpayers.  

The NY Post editorial believes that De Blasio’s ‘sanctuary’ stunts are bad for New York. 

Thousands oppose parole for Brinks robbery getaway driver.  And many others have signed our petition to name the new Tappan Zee bridge the Brown Paige O’Grady bridge after the 3 heroes gunned down during the robbery.  Click here to add your name.  

Sen. Schumer’s iron grip is purely political.  

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams.  

The Daily Signal gives us insight on how AG Jeff Sessions plans to fight sanctuary cities.   Here is how Fox News covers the plan.  Unfortunately, far too many city leaders across America will defy the very oath they took when they accepted the responsibility of elected office.  

Why does a company that had $1.5 billion in profits need state subsidies?  

The NY Post opines on money for nothing: Cuomo’s $25 billion upstate-jobs failure.  

Stephen Moore opines on the false compassion of liberalism and Brian M. Riedl opines in the NY Post on the fact that President Trump’s “heartless” budget doesn’t slash the safety net.  

Dan Profit has an excellent in depth podcast with David Keene that you can listen to here.  

Cal Thomas has some great advice for President Trump.  

Good news on climate change:  President Trump signs executive order to end most of President Obama’s climate change regulations.

More good news:  Dems unable to win seats in elections so far in 2017. 

Did the Democrats celebrate too soon?  The NY Times says the AHCA is back.  

Guy Benson writes in Townhall.com how Sen. Schumer is closing in on 41 votes to filibuster Judge Gorsuch.  Have you signed the petition yet to have Senator Schumer stop the politics?. Do it now, then call his office.   (Washington Office 1-202-224-6542 or the NYC office:  1-212-486-4430)

Tuesdays with Dennis Prager.