Author: Shaun Marie

Press Release regarding the NYS Budget

Brooklyn, NY – The following legislative memo has been sent to the Members of the Legislature regarding this year’s budget.

2017 Legislative Memo…

NYS Budget Items…

The looming budget deadline is fast approaching and the Conservative Party is deeply concerned that the NYS Budget will spend taxpayer’s money on programs that are a colossal waste of tax dollars while also facing cuts in federal monies coming into the state leaving New York in a deep fiscal quagmire.

Now is not the time to allow Governor Cuomo to have more control of economic development funds.
Now is not the time to offer tuition free college, especially when too many students in kindergarten through twelfth grade need the basic supplies required for a good foundation in education.
Now is not the time to extend the “millionaire’s tax” and push additional wealthy New Yorkers to states that do not punish success.
Now is not the time for the NYS Budget to Raise the Age of criminal responsibility. This is an issue that does not belong in budget negotiations.
Now is the time for education tax credits, expansion of charter schools and/or funding of the non-profit children’s education scholarship fund.
Now is the time to deliver on the promise of mandate relief.
Now is the time to reduce the burden of taxes.
Now is the time to let the free-market system work with entrepreneurial ideas like UBER.
Now is the time for government to invest in protecting its citizens with good roads, bridges, and water.

New York citizens do not need lofty ideals driving the budget that ultimately fail and leave taxpayers paying the bills well into the future.

New Yorkers need a responsible budget.

LM 2017-07

Daily Update

The NY Post opines that “sanctuary” policies shouldn’t protect thugs, we agree and go a step further to say “sanctuary” policies are against the US Constitution.  People who have come to American legally do not need “sanctuary” policies as there are numerous government agencies assisting legal immigrants and refugees.  Governor Cuomo just started another one called the Liberty Defense Fund on Friday. This is an update from news that broke on Friday:  AG Jeff Sessions says he will punish sanctuary cities, cities could lose billions of dollars.  Call the White House (202-456-1111)  and tell them Thank  You for doing what you can to keel us safe!  Before progressives lose their cool, they should understand this is a policy from the Obama Administration that he just didn’t administer.

America is a fierce defender of freedom of religion and a fiercer defender of our US Constitution. One of the concerns looming in our justice system is the need for some Muslim’s to have Sharia Law upheld in America…a door that when opened will fundamentally change our justice system. 

The Daily Signal enlightens us on the consequences of immigration on America’s public schools., and gives President Trump an “A” for doing this

The Daily Signal also writes that our favorite democrat, Sen. Zell Miller, could teach President Trump how to drain the swamp.  

Jim Heaney is the talk of Albany with his InvestigativePost.com article on the State of Subsidies.  Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sunk a lot of taxpayer money – $25 billion by his estimate – into recharging upstate’s moribund economy, according to the chart in the article, upstate’s job growth under the Cuomo administration grew a paltry 2.6%.  This year’s budget will waste more of your hard earned dollars.  

Jimmy Vielkind writes in PoliticoNY on the 7 things to watch during Albany’s budget crunch week.   Remember, it is an article in PoliticoNY and Mr. Vielkind, while he has good sources, he is not in the room during negotiations.  

Monday’s with Robert Knight.  

 

Statement by Chairman Michael R. Long On the passage by the House of Representatives of the American Health Care Act.

Brooklyn, NY — Since the very beginning of our Republic, different ideas have been discussed, dissected, and destroyed, then put back together to do what is best for the citizens. Today, the House of Representatives did just that. They took a health care failure – Obamacare – and took it apart to make it better for America’s citizens.

The House has sent the proposal to the US Senate to review, and make the changes they may deem necessary to further improve the American Health Care Act. A Conference Committee will finalize any changes and both bodies will adopt the American Health Care Act that President Trump will sign into law.

The American way is to elect a variety of people from various backgrounds to discuss what must be done to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

Today, the House of Representatives took the first step to regain the Liberty and Posterity that so many Americans fought and died for…the House Members did what was necessary to repeal and replace legislation that under minded what the Preamble to the Constitution clearly states and kept the Republic from withering from within.

Daily Update

It is official:  Sen. Charles Schumer will lead filibuster AGAINST Judge Neil Gorsuch.    Sign our petition today then call his office:   Washington Office 1-202-224-6542 or the NYC office:  1-212-486-4430.  Do not let Sen. Schumer bork Judge Neil Gorsuch, a proven constitutionalist committed to the rule of law. Sen. Schumer’s statements in The Hill are so out of touch with reality it makes him look like the foolish partisan ideologue he is….all of a sudden Sen. Schumer is concerned about “executive overreach.” after 8 years of Obama’s executive overreach that even the current 8 Justices have ruled Obama overreached.   Stand up for America — Sen. Schumer NOW.

Conservatives who have been in the trenches for a long time are familiar with Donald Devine, and if you do not know who he is click here.  He is a bonafide conservative who understands governing.  He wrote this article for the American Spectator on March 20 regarding the AHCA. Obamacare is a death knell; the Conservative Party, like Donald Devine, has some reservations, but the AHCA gives us the ability to escape from Obamacare.  Tell your Congressman to vote for it.

Here is more on what Congressman John Faso and Congressman Chris Collins are doing to reduce the costly burden of Medicaid  forced on New Yorkers by unfunded mandates.  The State of Politics recaps Congressman Faso’s statements and Congressman Chris Collins has an excellent interview with Fred Dicker on Talk 1300.  (If you missed the NY Times article, click here.)

Meanwhile, Governor Cuomo is acting as if this amendment would destroy New York’s economy and taxes would have to be raised.  Not true!  Gov. Cuomo will have until 2020 to find a solution…which should include eliminating some of the benefits covered by Medicaid that are not required by the federal government.  

Here is another way, Governor Cuomo.  Perhaps you whining because you may have to give up your shadowy-spending Santa gig.  

Actually, all you have managed to do with your extravagant spending, Governor, is push more people out of New York State.  

Say it isn’t so:  NY state is considering a statewide $.05 tax on plastic bag fee.  Just another tax on people so pols can continue wasteful spending.  

Cal Thomas writes about what the main stream media has ignored for a week.  

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Update

Governor Andrew Cuomo said yesterday that Congressmen John Faso and Chris Collins “declared war on NY” with their amendment to the American Health Care Act (AHCA).  And the lemmings in the Democratic Party followed suit stating that the Faso/Collins Amendment would be detrimental to the health of New York.  Politico NY has an extensive article, authored by Jimmy Vielkind, which tries to be straight reporting, but leaves a lot out.  It neglects to include certain very important facts; for example, the federal government only requires Medicaid to cover 16 health benefits, however New York State choses to cover 41!   NY’s Cadillac coverage now has the costs of a Rolls-Royce What is detrimental to the health of New York is the years of having a Medicaid program that costs more than twice the national average.  New York’s costs are so far out of line that the state sticks local governments with a substantial share—and that, in turn, is a major reason our property taxes are so high.  Governor Andrew Cuomo has a very weak argument against the Faso/Collins amendment, there are numerous ways the state can absorb the 1.5% it would lose from the counties and if NY just provided the required 16 benefits instead of the 41 it choses to, the state and counties would both benefit.  Governor Cuomo should also read what his father, Governor Mario Cuomo said in 1994 and the NY Times agreed with.   As we said yesterday, we stand with Congressman John Faso and Congressman Chris Collins — and thank them for standing up for New York’s citizens.

Here is another article in Politico on the simmering feud between Collins and Cuomo.  

Just remember that everything Andrew Cuomo’s every move is now about his 2020 hopes.  

Another colossal waste of taxpayer’s money!

The Wall Street Journal calls the upcoming vote on the AHCA a defining moment.  (The article was posted on Twitter, so everyone should be able to access it.)

The Supreme Court limits presidential appointment power.  

Kathleen Gallagher writes in The Tablet about teens being feed fake news by the secular media. Parents, if you teenage daughter reads Teen Vogue you must read Mrs. Gallagher’s article so you know what your daughter is being exposed to by the editors of the magazine.  We recommend Grandparents read the article also to know what the youngsters of today are reading.    

 

 

Daily Update

Congressmen John Faso and Chris Collins offered an amendment to the American Health Care Act designed to help New York State taxpayers by offering mandate relief to upstate counties.  Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s reaction is to call them “Conservative Zealots,”   Congressman John Faso was on the Fred Dicker radio show this morning to explain the necessity of the amendment.  Listen to it here.  And learn more about it here in Congressman Chris Collin’s press release.  The Conservative Party fully supports this amendment to give New Yorkers some much needed mandate relief.  

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has an insatiable appetite for taxes!  Gov. Cuomo continues to find new ways to  impose and collect increasingly more taxes from New Yorkers’ and never acknowledges that the more he demands, the more people and businesses leave.  Way to go Governor, your concern for your constituents is pure malarkey.  

Here is more malarkey from some of New York’s wealthiest residents.  If they truly wanted to pay more taxes, nothing is stopping them from writing a check to the NYS Department of Taxation instead of looking for every possible write-off they can find when filing their taxes.  Hey guys, take your gross income and pay the taxes due on that.  Leave the rest of us alone.

According to this Gov. Cuomo is getting ready to play Santa Clause again next year when he distributes up to 60 discretionary funding pots, up $2 billion from last year.  His insatiable appetite for taxes — your money — will most likely be distributed in an election year to buy your vote.  

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik was center state yesterday when questioning FBI Director James Comey.  

The long, sharp knives are out for Judge Neil Gorsuch, a gentleman deemed “well-qualified” unanimously by the American Bar Association.  Be sure you sign our petition telling Sen. Schumer to stop playing politics and confirm Judge Gorsuch now.  

Do you have children going off to college?  Read this before anyone signs for a student loan.  If attending college soon, one must be prepared for this and this.  

Dennis Prager opines on the most dangerous addiction of them all: Entitlements.  

Photo credit:  IBTimes.com

 

 

Daily Update

The NY Post editorial takes the opportunity to remind Sen. Schumer of his words in 2013.  For a smart man, Sen. Schumer seems to forget — or nefariously chooses not to remember — things he has said in the past.  

We are a government of laws, not men.  

There should be a way to hold judges who make very poor decisions responsible.  As long as the left leaning democrats in the Assembly are in control, there is no hope of passing Recall.  

One judge that will probably never need to be recalled is Judge Neil Gorsuch whose hearings kicked off today.  The Senate Judiciary Committee plan to vote by April 3rd, then the floor “fight” will begin in earnest.  Charles Hurt opines in the Washington Times on Neil Gorsuch and the corpse flower.  

Another state suggests that non-citizens voted in past elections.  

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s other power grab.

National Review investigated the Meals on Wheels and found that the press was wrong.  

The Daily Signal explains that this isn’t fake news.  

Fox News has the latest on the FBI investigations of Russian ties.  FBI director, James Comey will not comment on the obvious leaks that the press have reported.  

Robert Knight opines in the Washington Times on freeing religion from government’s grip. 

Daily Update

How do you walk away from corruption charges when the District Attorney states that you “violated the “spirit” of the election law”?  How does that DA have any credibility to charge anyone with a misdemeanor/crime in the future?  It just boggles my mind how certain people get away with not abiding by the same rules that everyone else has to abide by.  

Mayor de Blasio continues to talk out of both sides of his mouth.; he takes credit for rent freezes in called for and made by the “independent” board he appointed.  

The Democrats sudden amnesia about Obamacare.  Noted economist Larry Kudlow points out the 13 tax cuts in the new Ryan health care bill that should unite republicans.  

Ryan Concedes: Yes, Things Need To Be Changed For Obamacare Replacement Bill To Pass The House

Politico Poll: Plurality Supports GOP Healthcare Plan, Trump Approval Hits 52 Percent.  

The Daily Signal says Trump’s skinny budget paves way for a leaner government.  Here is more on the Trump budget.  Education advocates will be disappointed.  

Investor’s Business Daily says Fed’s Rate Hikes Are Really A Bullish Validation Of Trumponomics.  

Sen. Schumer admits Obamacare needs help…and offer’s no real answers, says democrats can’t offer solutions if the republicans repeal it.  His interview with Bret Baier was quite an eye-opener that you can view here.

Ben Shapiro opines about more judicial overreach.  

Have you signed our petition to keep Doyle in prison?  Please do all that you can, have family and friends sign also, to keep Doyle in prison.  Click here to download petition.  Or click here for the Parole Board directly. Please sign today as he is due to come before the Parole Board in about two weeks.  

 

 

 

Daily Update

The National Weather Service is officially in the “fake news” entourage, but those who have worshiped their predictions will continue to defend what they did yesterday.  After all, the NWS has been on the doom and gloom of the “climate change is our fault train” for years.

Jimmy Vielkind is reporting in Politico that legislators are rejecting some of Governor Cuomo’s budget proposals., not enough to save taxpayer’s money as the Assembly democrats are with the Governor on extending the millionaire’s tax.   Today we learned that the Independent Democratic Conference in the State Senate has introduced its own budget resolution that includes the infamous extension of the millionaire’s tax.  It also includes raising the age of criminal responsibility — a concept that I find conflicts with many of the left’s issues —  and adopting the DREAM Act that seeks to allow illegals to obtain financial assistance for college.  A new budget is required by March 31, 2017.

Fresh signs that de Blasio’s discipline ‘reforms’ endanger kids, teachers.  

The Washington Times writes in its editorial about taking brickbats to the wall.

This gentleman takes on the snowflakes!  Good for him. 

A former Marine, Andrew McKenna,  gives his assessment of the GOP health care bill.  

Michael Goodwin has another insightful column in today’s NY Post, this one on Preet Bharara.  “But Bharara’s political grandstanding on the way out the door is doubly disappointing. In an instant, he went from white knight to a member of the Democrats’ anti-Trump resistance movement.”  Goodwin has years of experience and an acute understanding of how things work in the political world and truly gives an assessment of a situation like no one else can.  Unlike the upstate Post-Star editorial that paints Bharara as still being a “white knight” unjustly fired.  Governor Cuomo had people “in stitches” on Tuesday when he claimed that he completely missed the controversy.  (Maybe Gov. Cuomo was too busy talking to the National Weather Service.) 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams

 

Daily Update

The Board of Regents did it, they lowered the standards for teachers by eliminating the literacy exam for potential teachers.  I’m still trying to understand how they earned their teaching degree if they can’t pass a literacy exam.  Students deserve more.  Here is what Fox News is reporting on this absolutely outrageous action by the Board. Here is Ben Shapiro’s take on the decision.  

According to some female legislators in Albany, “early voting” would make it easier for more women to vote…and it lot more possible for voter fraud…but I guess that doesn’t matter to them.  

Judge Andrew Napolitano drops a bombshell on Fox and Friends this morning!  Read it here.  Former Congressman Dennis Kucinich lets you know that one should not dismiss President Trump’s claim of being “wire-tapped” without knowing all the details.   

The OMB director, Mick Mulvaney, explains the CBO assessment of the new proposed health care bill.  Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, is not a fan of this proposal as he explains in the Daily Signal.  Well all understand his concerns, yet we also know that former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey is completely opposed to Obamacare (since the minute it was released) and sees the new proposal optimistically.  Newt Gingrich would eliminate the CBO if he could. 

What has happened to Sen. Gillibrand?  There was a time that Sen. Gillibrand understood the 2nd Amendment, however, lately, it seems as if she has tossed the 2nd Amendment out the window.  

The Washington Times opines on Gamesmanship in Gotham.  

The US Attorneys appointed by former president Obama have been fired, now it is time to fire IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.  

 

 

 

 

Daily Update

This is a must watch video: Lost Voices in the Transgender Debate: Liberals and Conservatives Unite.  

Bill Hammond explains, with straightforward reporting, how the new GOP health care proposal will effect New York State here and here.  The Heartland Institute (their  mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems) examines the GOP proposal for health care.  Congressman John Faso was a guest on the Fred Dicker radio show this morning and spoke very succinctly about the new health care bill.  

Assemblyman Francisco Moya, a Queens Democrat is trying to reward those who come to New York State ILLEGALLY by allowing them to have a driver’s license.  What part of ILLEGAL does he not understand?  New York State should adopt Recall so all of the elected officials who refuse to honor the oath they took when accepting the responsibility of being an elected official can be removed.  

WikiLeaks reveals CIA files describing hacking tools.  The Washington Times reports that U.S. spies fear WikiLeaks carried out biggest intelligence breach since Snowden.  Charles Hurt had this to say about the “leak”.  Joseph Curl has this to say about all that has happened recently:  We live in truly terrifying times.   Here is what Matt Vespa writes on Townhall.com.  Then there is this:  U.S. officials aware of CIA security breach in 2016, say WikiLeaks papers authentic. Feds launch criminal probe into Wikileaks dump of CIA docs.  

Michael Goodwin’s column in today’s NY Post could be Lord Acton quote “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” instead of FBI chief Comey asserting power like no one in history.  Director Comey isn’t concerned, he’s here for another six years.  

National Review editors call for transparency in the wiretap brouhaha.  

Under de Blasio’s Renewal-Schools program, consultants win – kids lose.  

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams.  

 

 

Daily Update

Jim Geraghty writes in National Review about GOP-amacare with a critical eye.  He’s right, the bill offered yesterday leaves a lot to be desired from the conservative perspective, but there is time to make some more substantial changes, however, it will never be a perfect bill.  Government does not belong in the health care business, but that ideal is long gone unfortunately, so we have to work together to eliminate some of the more objectionable aspects of the proposal.   Here is the  first quick article by the Heritage Foundation on the proposal.  The Washington Times has another quick assessment here.   

Mayor de Blasio will do almost anything to be re-elected.  While he is right to block the “Right to Know” act, everyone knows he would sign the bill on the day after he was re-elected.  Is it any wonder why politicians are not trusted?

Seriously?  Has the Board of Regents completely lost their purpose which according to the NYS Department of Education is “Our mission is to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York. Our vision is to provide leadership for a system that yields the best educated people in the world., “How will they be able to do this if they cannot pass the Academic Literacy Skills Test, which is designed to measure prospective teachers’ reading and writing ability. I think the Board of Regents should hear from people concerned about the possibility of this passing on Monday.  Click here to let them know eliminating the Academic Literacy Skills Test is unacceptable.  

Mayor de Blasio’s questionable school consultants cost taxpayers millions.   Money that could go into actual student needs, might I add. 

New York is most unionized state – by far.  

Why do we need a $2000 credit to buy an electric car?  Aren’t you sick and tired of having government bribing you to do what they want?  If people see an advantage in buying an electric car, then buy it.  It seems to me lately that government is the only entity that gets away with bribing people. 

Why does government have to subsidize the cost of diapers?

Cal Thomas opines on the Trump effect.