Appeals Court Victory

Yesterday, Conservatives and Republicans in New York State secured a major common-sense victory in the Court of Appeals, striking down the right of non-citizens to vote. The overwhelming 6-1 ruling—delivered by a liberal-leaning court—underscores just how right we were. The Conservative Party, GOP, State Legislators, and our Congressional delegation have been fighting this injustice since 2021. In fact, I was a named plaintiff in my capacity as Chairman of the New York State Conservative Party. This victory is the result of years of hard work and financial commitment, and we are proud to see our efforts pay off.

For decades, the radical left has sought to erase the distinction between citizens and non-citizens in this country. Their latest attempt—to register 800,000 non-citizens to vote in New York City—would have set a dangerous national precedent. Fortunately, this ruling sends a clear, nationwide message: illegal immigrants do not have the right to vote in our elections.

This decision made national headlines immediately, highlighting the growing momentum for election integrity. With President Trump and Congress prepared to pass voter ID laws, we are one step closer to ensuring the safest and most secure elections possible. Read our full press release here:

Successful Reception

This past Wednesday, the Conservative Party held its 2025 Legislative Reception at the prestigious Fort Orange Club in Albany, and it was a tremendous success. Party leaders, committeemen, activists, and legislators gathered for an evening of recognition and camaraderie.

A key highlight of the night was the presentation of the J. Daniel Mahoney Award to Brett Robinson (Suffolk County Executive Committee Member) and Jim Barrett, Jr. (Schenectady County Chairman). This award honors individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing conservative values in our state. The inscription reads:

“In grateful appreciation for your many years of untiring dedication to the Conservative Party and its philosophy.”

Having personally known J. Daniel Mahoney, I can say with certainty that he would have been proud to see Brett and Jim carry this honor. Congratulations to both! A special thank you to Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt and Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay for delivering remarks and presenting official proclamations to our award recipients. View photos from the event here:

Petitioning – Final Stretch!

We are in the home stretch of petitioning! A huge thank you to our Chairmen, volunteers, and committeepersons who have worked tirelessly throughout this process. Every year, we say, “This is getting harder and harder”—and yet, year after year, we rise to the challenge, setting aside personal time to get the job done.

Petitioning is a demanding process, but it is absolutely essential to getting our conservative candidates on the ballot. Here are the key dates to remember:

• March 31 – First day to file designating petitions
• April 3 – Last day to file (you can collect signatures until this date if needed!)

If you have any questions, contact our Director of Operations, Andrew Davis, at (845) 522-1915. I have also included a petitioning tip sheet below to assist in these final days.

On behalf of myself, the Conservative Party, and our candidates, thank you for your dedication and hard work!

ASSEMBLY & SENATE DEMOCRATIC BUDGETS STINK

One thing Governor Hochul and the Democratic majorities in the State Senate and Assembly consistently have in common year after year is massive increases in state spending. Since Kathy Hochul became governor in 2021, the state budget has skyrocketed by over $46 billion, reaching a record-breaking $259 billion. If that weren’t enough, both the Senate and Assembly Democrats are demanding even more. Their solution? Spend, spend, spend—while our federal government is working to implement major cost-saving measures.

New York State could use its own version of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It also desperately needs a full audit of the MTA, a serious review of the massive waste in Medicaid expenditures, and an end to the reckless spending on housing and maintaining the growing influx of illegal aliens. Additionally, the state must prioritize repaying the billions of dollars borrowed from the federal government during COVID—funds that were lost to widespread fraud and mismanagement. There is much work to be done to salvage NYS.

We stand with the GOP in the Senate and Assembly, who are fighting for less spending, lower taxes, and smaller government. We agree that bail and discovery laws need to be rolled back as it is crushing our officers and victims. With so many pressing issues impacting our state, the Conservative Party and the GOP share a united vision for New York, especially as Democrats continue to drift further out of touch with the people they claim to represent.

POPULATION DECLINES / GOLDMAN SACHS RELOCATES THOUSANDS

Recent data indicates a troubling trend. Both New York State and New York City are experiencing population declines, with significant economic implications. Although, this is no surprise to blue states around the Country.

In 2020, NYS had a population of approximately 20,201,249. By 2025, this number is approximately 19,997,100, reflecting about a 1% drop. Similarly, NYC’s population went from 8,804,190 in 2020 to approximately 7.9 million in 2025, a decline of over 900,000 residents, or about 10%. This decline can be attributed to a plethora of factors such as high taxes, rising crime rates, affordability issues, rampant illegal immigration, and terrible policies coming out of Albany from Democrats, which have diminished the quality of life for many residents. In contrast, cities in red states, like Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, North Carolina, have experienced growth rates of 10.9% and 11.2%, respectively, during the same period. It is common sense why New Yorkers are fleeing for red states. They want leaders that prioritize safety, low taxes, affordability, and less government in their lives.

The economic environment and severe regulations in NYS have also led businesses to reconsider their operations. Just recently, Goldman Sachs, a leading financial institution, has announced expanding its operations, but not in New York. This move is part of a broader plan to reduce expenses by shifting towards more business-friendly environments. Goldman Sachs plans to expand its presence in Dallas, with a new 800,000-square-foot campus set to accommodate over 5,000 workers by 2028. That’s 5,000 jobs that could have gone to New Yorkers. The exodus will continue in NYS and the City until Democrats roll back radical policies and regulations curtailing our businesses that make New York thrive. You can read our press release here:

HOUSE PASSES CONTINUING RESOLUTION

While the Party had reservations, we ultimately determined that passing a clean continuing resolution was in the best interest of America. Keeping the government operational ensures stability while giving the Trump administration more time to take full command of the federal government and advance its agenda.

This resolution is essentially a zero-based budget, with modest but necessary increases in military and border security funding. Importantly, these increases were not achieved through reckless spending but rather by making responsible reductions and clawbacks in funding for programs that benefit those who entered our nation illegally. By prioritizing national defense and border enforcement, this measure takes a step toward restoring fiscal responsibility while protecting American interests.

STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH

President Donald Trump’s address was a tour de force of energy and ideas. It made clear that, not only is America back, Americans are back as well.

The President spoke plainly about the things Americans actually care about — U.S. job and wage growth, secure borders, public safety, peace through strength, national pride, and an education system that teaches rather than indoctrinates. These are common-sense conservative aims that have served as guideposts in the long and historically successful American experiment.

President Trump’s mandate to bring common sense back to America has captured the public’s imagination and given the nation a clear path forward for the first time in a long time. The long American winter is ending. We look forward to the next few years, as his Presidency has only just started and we’ve seen miraculous results for the American people.

Taylor Law, Patriots Podium is Back Featuring Senator Dan Stec

Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is in constant crisis. Whether it’s affordability, crime, taxation, illegal immigration, or the ongoing Correction Officers Strike, at every turn, Hochul has failed. NY Democrats have crippled our once great state, but we will not let them cripple our brave Correction Officers.

New York State Corrections Officers are striking because the Hochul Administration has failed to adequately protect officers, male and female, from years of inmate assaults spurred on by lax progressive ‘reforms.’ Now, because she failed to do her job protecting state employees, Governor Hochul is erroneously citing the Taylor Law to fire longstanding Corrections Officers, stripping their families of both income and healthcare benefits. Under the Taylor Law, public employees are prohibited from going on strike. It’s outrageous. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision will also seek fines and imprisonment for correction officers and sergeants who continue to participate in the strike. You can view our full press release here.

To dive in further, this Monday, the Party will be releasing a new podcast episode featuring Senator Dan Stec, who has been on the ground supporting our Correction Officers. The Senator and I will give real-time updates regarding the ongoing strike. You can watch our new episode on YouTube at 6:00 pm here.

Conservative Party Enrollment on the Rise—Near All-Time High!

The New York State Conservative Party continues to grow, with active enrollment now at 160,125 as of February 2025! This marks a 3.6% increase from 2020 and a 17.7% surge from 2010. Over just the past year, we’ve added nearly 6,000 new enrolled members—a 3.9% increase from February 2024.

These numbers put us within a hair of the highest enrollment in our 63-year history—171,496 in 2000. This success is a testament to the hard work of our County Chairmen, leaders, and grassroots activists who have tirelessly led enrollment drives, events, and outreach efforts.

The Conservative message is resonating with New Yorkers like never before. We will continue to build on this momentum as we fight for the principles that matter most to our state and nation.

Thank you to all who have made this possible, your dedication is making history!

ALBANY RECEPTION

Mark your calendars! On March 19, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the New York State Conservative Party will host our annual Legislative Reception at the prestigious Fort Orange Club in Albany, NY.

This year, we are proud to honor two outstanding leaders in our movement: Schenectady County Conservative Party Chairman/State Vice Chair, James Barrett Jr. and Suffolk County Conservative Executive Committee member Brett Robinson, who will both receive the esteemed J. Daniel Mahoney Award. This event is a part of our annual efforts to bring together leaders, activists, and supporters who are committed to fighting for conservative values in New York.

Get your tickets here:

PASSAGE OF HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTION

The most important part of the President’s agenda took a significant step forward this past week with the House’s passage of the budget resolution. We are pleased that all seven New York State members endorsed by the Conservative Party voted in favor of the resolution.

The resolution puts the United States squarely on track to implement trillions in savings over the next ten years. With the expected support of the U.S. Senate, the final document— which will include many details— will allow the meaningful middle-class tax cut to become law. As we will never get tired of saying: “Promises made. Promises kept.”

Furthermore, the GOP has exposed the many inaccuracies and clear lies propagated by the Democrats, designed to create fear for strictly political gain. The full scale of necessary savings cannot be accomplished solely through ending waste, mismanagement, and fraud, but it is a good start—likely resulting in several trillion in savings over the next ten years. Changes in the way agencies are run, the federal government’s priorities, and a more responsible approach to spending on programs no longer favored by the American people will save trillions more.

America, in electing President Trump, voted for change. In just over a month, the President has brought about change through many key executive orders. With the forward movement of his federal budget, the goal of a new United States economy—one more centered on everyday working men and women, will become a reality.

ALBANY RECEPTION

Mark your calendars! On March 19, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the New York State Conservative Party will host our annual Legislative Reception at the prestigious Fort Orange Club in Albany, NY.

This year, we are proud to honor two outstanding leaders in our movement: Schenectady County Conservative Party Chairman/State Vice Chair, James Barrett Jr. and Suffolk County Conservative Executive Committee member Brett Robinson, who will both receive the esteemed J. Daniel Mahoney Award. This event is a part of our annual efforts to bring together leaders, activists, and supporters who are committed to fighting for conservative values in New York.

Get your tickets here:

MORE MISSTEPS BY HOCHUL

Governor Hochul’s decision to bring in the National Guard amid the ongoing prison strike is yet another example of her administration’s failure to address the real issues facing correctional officers. Rather than listening to the concerns of the men and women who risk their lives daily to maintain order in our prisons, she has chosen a quick political fix that does nothing to solve the underlying crisis. The National Guard is not trained to handle the dangers of prison management, and their presence does not address the unsafe conditions, staffing shortages, and failed policies that led to this strike in the first place. Instead of offering a real solution, Hochul is doubling down on the very policies that have made New York’s prisons more dangerous.

A major step toward fixing this crisis would be repealing the disastrous HALT Act, which has emboldened violent inmates and stripped COs of the ability to maintain order. But once again, Governor Hochul refuses to demand changes in the law, choosing instead to appease the far left at the expense of public safety. The HALT Act has led to skyrocketing assaults on prison staff, putting officers in constant danger, yet Albany Democrats ignore these facts. Republicans and conservatives have been clear, this law is a failure, and it must be repealed.

Hochul’s disregard for the health, welfare, and safety of correctional officers is shameful. These brave men and women are being forced to work under increasingly violent and dangerous conditions while the governor and her allies in Albany look the other way. Rather than supporting COs and ensuring they have the resources and protections needed to do their jobs safely, Hochul’s policies have only made their workplaces more dangerous. Correctional officers deserve a governor who respects their sacrifices, listens to their concerns, and takes real action to protect them, not one who treats them as an afterthought. Democrats own this crisis, and the time for excuses is over.

PETITIONING HAS STARTED

Many registered conservatives will soon be contacted by their local Conservative Party leaders asking them to sign a nominating petition form. I know nobody likes people coming to their doors, but without the signatures of party members, we cannot run candidates for office.

If contacted to sign a nominating petition by your local official party leaders, please make every effort to sign. These are members of the Party that volunteer their time with their busy schedules to help our movement, so please be kind. If you would like to get more involved, like carrying petitions, and do not know who to contact, give our Director of Operations, Andrew Davis, a call at 845-522-1915.

Congestion Pricing in NYS is Dead – Thanks to President Trump

New Yorkers can breathe a sigh of relief. The disastrous congestion pricing scheme is officially dead, thanks to President Donald J. Trump and his administration. In a major victory for working-class families and small businesses, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy formally withdrew federal approval for this deeply unpopular program, calling it “a slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners.”

Governor Kathy Hochul and her allies pushed congestion pricing as a revenue grab disguised as environmental policy, but the reality was simple: it was an unfair tax on hardworking New Yorkers who rely on their vehicles to commute, provide for their families, and contribute to the economy. Not to mention, it also forced those on a fixed income to take the crime-ridden subways, with the risks of being pushed on the tracks or assaulted at all-time highs.

As Secretary Duffy rightfully stated, “Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.” We commend President Trump and his administration for standing up for everyday New Yorkers and stopping yet another reckless tax-and-spend policy from the left. You can read our full press release here.

Join Us for the Conservative Party’s Legislative Reception

Mark your calendars! On March 19, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the New York State Conservative Party will host our annual Legislative Reception at the prestigious Fort Orange Club in Albany, NY. This year, we are proud to honor two outstanding leaders in our movement: Schenectady County Conservative Party Chairman Jim Barrett and Suffolk County Executive Committee member Brett Robinson. Both of these men have demonstrated unwavering dedication to conservative principles and grassroots activism, making them deserving recipients of the esteemed J. Daniel Mahoney Award.

This event is a part of our annual efforts to bring together leaders, activists, and supporters who are committed to fighting for conservative values in New York. More information will be released in the coming days, but we encourage all to make plans to attend. This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate our shared values, discuss the pressing issues facing our state, and recognize those who have gone above and beyond in service to the conservative cause.

Correction Officers Strike – Governor Hochul Must Act Now

Across New York State, Correction Officers are walking off the job in protest of dangerous and deteriorating working conditions. These men and women put their lives on the line every day to maintain order and protect the public, yet Governor Kathy Hochul’s policies such as the HALT Act, have left them vulnerable, unsupported, and ignored.

Instead of addressing the root cause of the crisis, rising violence, understaffing, and the reckless policies that have emboldened criminals, Hochul’s response has been nothing short of insulting; calling in the National Guard rather than fixing the broken system. This is not a solution, it’s a band-aid that does nothing to protect the hardworking officers who are being assaulted, overworked, and abandoned by the state government.

The New York State Conservative Party, myself, and our endorsed legislators stand firmly with our Correction Officers. They deserve respect, protection, and leadership that prioritizes their safety. Governor Hochul must stop appeasing radical activists and start addressing the legitimate concerns of our law enforcement community. Until then, the Conservative Party will continue to fight for policies that put our officers first and restore order to New York’s correctional facilities.

It’s time for Governor Hochul to listen, or face the consequences of ignoring those who keep our state safe.