CONSERVATIVE PARTY RELEASES LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

The Conservative Party has released its 2024 NYS Legislative Program. The program appears as one document, but essentially is in two parts. The first part consists of a statement of principle on important issue areas such as Taxes and Finance, Law Enforcement, Education, Government and Ethics, just to name a few. The principles are followed with specific legislative recommendations.

The second part is our 2024 Legislative Priorities. These are current items such as opposition to sanctuary cities, congestion pricing, another Congressional Reapportionment, and several other items. If these priorities come up for a vote, the Members of the Legislature are notified that we will rate them.

I recommend that candidates are given a copy, and the program makes its way to public events such as county fairs, campaign stops, etc. Ultimately, this will help grow our movement and help navigate you through the year.

SCHUMER NEEDS TO MOVE BILL BANNING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS FROM PUBLIC LAND

A few months ago, The House of Representatives passed legislation with bipartisan support offered by Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis which entailed banning the use of federally owned public lands such as parks, from being used to house asylum-seeking migrants that have arrived in NYS by the hundreds of thousands.

She had Floyd Bennett Field in mind when she offered the legislation, but there are countless applications around the nation.

As I mentioned, this very sound piece of legislation passed the House and has been sitting in the US Senate as a hostage to Majority Leader Schumer’s support for Biden’s “open border” policy. As a New Yorker, who coincidentally lives fifteen minutes from Floyd Bennett Field, he should know better. As a national leader, he should be hearing the pleas of his colleagues from both parties in the House and Senate.

Schumer needs to act on this bill now.

 NYC COUNCIL AT IT AGAIN

As you may have read, NYC Mayor Adams vetoed a piece of anti-policing legislation that came out of the City Council. You can view the bill here. The bill would be another blow to the NYPD doing their job by creating a mound of new, albeit completely unnecessary, paperwork.

The City Council has indicated that in the next few weeks they will vote to override. There are many Council members committed to opposing an override. The Conservative Party believes we must flip only a handful of members. To that end, we have embarked within the City of New York on a social media campaign urging New Yorkers to contact their local Council Members.

The NY Post article can be found here, as well as a link to the City Council website for telephone numbers here.

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PROPERTY RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK PODCAST

For our 18th episode of Patriots Podium, I was delighted to be joined by Michael Tobman of the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA). I am grateful to have known Mike for many years, and he has a notable political background as a communications professional, the author of many OP-ED pieces, and a former consultant to both campaigns and professional associations. Mike is currently the Director of Member Relations for the RSA which is the state’s largest landlord association. This was truly a phenomenal episode and I know many of our members/supporters are landlords, deal with rent, own properties, etc. With Democratic policies handcuffing landlords, it is the RSA that stands up for the rights of small property owners. Tune in as we discuss the attack on property rights, good cause eviction, regulation rent laws, and much more! Click any of the links below to listen:

YouTube                              BuzzSprout                                         Apple Music                                       Spotify

HOCHUL’S NYS BUDGET

You know you are in trouble when your Governor’s budget address is complimented for not being as bad as previous budgets or those of Governor Cuomo whom she played second fiddle to as his Lieutenant.

It’s real big at $233 billion, in fact, the biggest ever. It continues to spend billions on migrant issues ranging from added security, to housing, and items such as health and education; as she hopes that the flow of illegal migrants, that she and Adams welcomed, slows. It is balanced through shifts in spending, use of a rainy day fund to cover the storm the Democrats created, kicking the can down the road in some cases, and assumptions in revenue and federal aid that likely will not be realized. She offers the taxpayers of the second highest taxed state per capita in the nation the hallow good news that she will not raise Personal Income Taxes again. And she continues expensive, unrealistic, and unpopular environmental programs that will continue to drive businesses and residents to other states.

She acknowledges NYS has a public safety problem that can be attributed to bad laws. She offers no legislative approach to reversing them. Her comments on the shoplifting crisis were as credible as stopping a broken pipe with a band-aid. After failure and criticism of last year’s budget, her approach hopes to gather support by being a bad budget, instead of a very bad budget.

It is not going to change the systemic problems facing New York State. Worse yet, as a starting document it will be shredded by lobbyists, and the State Legislature looking to continue their dominance of all aspects of New York State government, since her monumental losses last year during the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals nominating process and budget negotiations.

Read my statement here:

TRUMP’S WIN

Say what you want, but President Trump fully met expectations in a decisive win in Iowa. We are close to the point in which all candidates should unite behind a single candidate to allow a focus on defeating Joe Biden, taking control of the US Senate, and holding the house.

The State Conservative Party has not made an endorsement in the election for President, but endorsements from our county organizations continue to move forward with Orange, and the Bronx, most recently endorsing President Trump.

Several Conservative Party endorsed Members of Congress including Nick Langworthy, Claudia Tenney and of course Elise Stefanik, have formally come out for Trump. Others like Nicole Malliotakis have expressed support for Trump with endorsements expected in the upcoming weeks.

Elise Stefanik has received extensive media coverage for being on a short list for Vice President. Former Congressman Lee Zeldin is reported to have undergone special media training as he too is being considered. I will keep you posted on the matter.

ALBANY CONFERENCE

Just a reminder, our 56th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference is quickly approaching this February 4th, and 5th at the Albany Hilton Hotel! We have a fantastic event planned with an array of speakers, legislators, break-out sessions, receptions, and conservative activists…ALL for the low price of $200.

Beginning Sunday, February 4th, I will kick off the day with welcome remarks at 12:15, followed by our first speaker, Joe Pinion. Joe, as a youthful conservative, will be discussing “renewing the American dream for a new generation.”  We will be joined by John McLaughlin, who will be discussing how to get in the head of today’s independent voter, political strategy, and much more. Shortly after, given horrific current events, we will be hosting a panel on “The Alarming Rise of Antisemitism in Israel’s Greatest Ally.” We will also have expert commentators on the topics of property rights, and the overwhelming migrant crisis that will be announced in the coming days.

In addition to great speakers, we are lucky enough to have informative breakout sessions throughout the day such as activating your absentee voters, potential pitfalls of operating a party, and much more!

Sunday evening, we will discuss election integrity and “Securing the Vote” with Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Followed by our Legislative Reception at 6:00 pm featuring members of New York’s Congressional and State Legislative Delegation. If you are interested in keeping the party going, you can attend our after-hour events starting at 8:00 pm and enjoy a cigar, or a drink with like-minded individuals.

The next day, February 5th, we will start our day off with a breakfast buffet, followed by a session on what New Yorkers can expect in 2024. You can also expect to have an expert panel on America’s ties to Taiwan, and US/the Republic of China relations. If you are interested in media, we have a fantastic session called “Mediating Relationships with Modern Media” featuring Ryan Girdursky, Elizabeth Benjamin, and John Fund who are all well-known in the media world. We are also grateful to be joined by Matt Valliere, the Executive Director of Parents Rights Action Fund to discuss the inhumane and inherent dangers of assisted suicide.

Around 12:00 pm Monday, Lee Zeldin will be joining us for a press conference regarding Congressional Reapportionment. As the situation is developing, Lee will give us the most updated information on the matter.

At 12:30 pm on Monday, we will kick off our luncheon with our keynote speaker, David Keene.

At 6:00 pm Monday, we will host our 2024 Reception and award dinner, which will truly be a great evening. You won’t want to miss this event. You can purchase your ticket here, or print a registration form to mail in.

In 2024, we are choosing a U.S. Senator, deciding upon members of our congressional delegation, selecting state legislators, and weighing in on a proposed constitutional amendment. It is imperative to the future of our great nation and the stability of our state that voters choose well.

STATE OF THE STATE

Should we give Governor Hochul credit for finally admitting that Democratic controlled Albany has created a state that has growing financial woes, serious issues with crime, and an open-door policy for illegal immigrants that is harming the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers?

I do not think so. Hochul has been either Governor, or Lt Governor for more than twelve years. The Democrats have controlled either most of the Albany wheels, or all of it since 2007.

Out-migration has been consistent year-over-year for more than a decade. The out-migration in the past two years has been 1.2 million, an unprecedented number. Of course, hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants have arrived with no jobs, no place to live, and in many cases, no desire to live, or assimilate in New York.

This is anything other than a one-for-one trade. The dots do connect, and no one should need to draw Hochul a picture to understand.

In my years of observing the Governor’s State of the State addresses, Governor Hochul presented a clueless summary of a state that is rudderless; a ship that she is the captain of.

These annual messages usually have a thematic approach such as Governor Carey’s, “The Days of Wine and Roses are Behind Us.” Instead, we received a dull, biased speech, littered with false pretenses. I have dubbed this State of the State a true SOS message. You can read our press release here:

THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Any state legislator who supports keeping a leading candidate for President off his Party’s primary ballot is a traitor to basic American principles of American Democracy. It is that simple.

You do not need to be for, or against former President Trump to know this to be true. Frankly, if I were the Democrats, I would be very concerned that the same hollow arguments could be used to keep Joe Biden off the ballot.

I am confident that the Supreme Court in the next few weeks will decide in favor of the Constitution and in favor of Democracy, by siding with Donald Trump against these amazingly partisan efforts to keep him off the ballots.

What do the Democrats have to fear – the public?

PATRIOTS PODIUM FEATURING ASSEMBLYMAN BEEPHAN

As we kick off 2024 with our 17th bi-weekly episode of Patriots Podium, we are thrilled to continue to bring you insightful discussions with key figures shaping the conservative landscape. We are not even two weeks into the New Year, and Democrats have wasted no time in continuing their efforts to destroy New York. Therefore, we must double our efforts to fight back against their partisan politics with a common sense approach. Our podcast covers recent events, current hot topics, and insider information you can only find here.

For this week’s episode, we had a rising star in Albany join us. One who has a high legislative rating of 84% – Assemblyman Anil Beephan, also known as AJ, representing the 105th Assembly District in Dutchess County. AJ is a young, energetic, Republican/Conservative Assemblymember, representing the ideals that resonate with the next generation of conservatives. I was honored to have him share his insights on a myriad of topics, such as immigration, reapportionment, and provide our listeners with a firsthand look into the abysmal 2024 State of the State Address.

You can watch this week’s episode on any of the links below! Please give us a like, subscribe, and share!

YouTube                     BuzzSprout                 Apple Music                Spotify

REAPPORTIONMENT

With the new year, the process to redo NYS Congressional lines – resulting from a highly partisan and likely corrupt actions by the Governor and Court of Appeals – starts anew.

The Independent Redistricting Commission, that is equally divided between Republican/Conservatives and Democratic Commissioners, is under a mandate from the NYS Court of Appeals to submit a new Congressional map by the end of February. The Court of Appeals wrongly concluded that the current lines were only good for one term. The unconstitutional gerrymander of the original lines created by the Legislature stands as well as the arguments that the countless submissions reviewed by the appointed special expert master, as well as his own knowledge of the process, resulted in the current map.

The Party’s position is simple. The Commission should resubmit the heavily reviewed, and current Congressional map. There is no logical argument, beyond raw politics, that can overcome the reality that the current map created many fair battles with a Democratic/GOP ratio that closely resembles state voting behavior.

This agreed-upon plan should be passed by the Legislature.  This will satisfy the court and is eminently fair to voters.

The GOP/Conservative Commissioners have expressed support for keeping the maps the same.

A not-for-profit group entitled “Stop NY Corruption” has organized to further educate the public on the importance of keeping the current Congressional maps. Expensive, time-consuming, confusing, and completely unnecessary. Changing the current Congressional lines can help only one special interest group – the Democratic House Minority.

THE 2024 SESSION BEGINS

This past week, I traveled to Albany per invitations from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay and Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt to attend the annual opening events their caucuses host. I was pleased to cross paths with many of our party leaders who also made the trip.

I visited with many of our endorsed Assemblymembers, and State Senators, who are eager to rejoin the fight in Albany against the gigantic illegal migrant influx, deepening budget deficits, environmental policies that are being rejected by the private sector, the anti-parental control movement, and election changes designed to suppress the opposition.

Next week the Governor will give her State of the State Address, followed two weeks later by her budget message. I do not need to read or hear the State of the State to know that she is addressing hundreds of thousands of fewer New Yorkers. The many thousands who have abandoned our State due to unchecked Democratic policies.

CPPAC

We are officially one month away from our 56th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference in the heart of Albany NY! We have a fantastic event planned, with an array of speakers, legislators, and conservative activists. Just to name a few, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney will be addressing attendees Sunday, February 4^th, on the topic of “Securing the Vote”. As Co-Chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, she will bring immense knowledge that will help prepare us for the 2024 Presidential election year. The next day, February 5^th, we are pleased to be joined by our keynote speaker, David Keene. Mr. Keene is a trusted adviser to presidents, a longtime champion of personal liberty and one of conservatism’s most respected voices. He is the former opinion editor of The Washington Times. An author, columnist and fixture on national television, Mr. Keene has championed conservative causes for decades while offering advice to Republican presidents and countless candidates. He additionally served as chairman of the American Conservative Union and president of the National Rifle Association.

In addition, you should also expect to see people like Lee Zeldin, Joe Pinion, John McLaughlin, our NY Congressmembers, and much more. You won’t want to miss this event. You can purchase your ticket here, or print a registration form to mail in.

In order to receive a discounted hotel room for lodging, please book by Wednesday, January 10, 2024 and provide the Conservative Party’s “3CPNYS” registration code when calling the Hilton at 1-866-691-1183. Alternatively, you can make a hotel reservation online here:

In 2024, we are choosing a U.S. Senator, deciding upon members of our congressional delegation, selecting state legislators, and weighing in on a proposed constitutional amendment. It is imperative to the future of our great nation and the stability of our state that voters choose well.

Happy New Year!

In 2023, we enjoyed many great victories, but not without some setbacks; overall, it was a mixed year.  We are once again burdened with the Democratic super majority in the State Legislature, a highly partisan Governor and the growing dominance of radical Democrats. The failure to break a Democratic super majority in the State Senate was critical in the Democratic Party’s ability to revisit the congressional reapportionment. You can read my full press release on reapportionment here. 

The highly partisan nature of Governor Hochul and the Democratically-controlled legislature has resulted in a Court of Appeals that is mostly focused on doing the Democratic Party’s bidding.  We can no longer count on that court to give us a fair shake.  Our victories must come at the ballot box, a place in which I believe the Conservative Party is well-equipped to fight.

We will continue to litigate, particularly in matters that involve absentee ballots, early voting by mail, and changes in the election year for local offices outside of cities from off years – to even years. The ballot box is our best hope, but the lower courts, despite the highly partisan nature of the Court of Appeals, do remain a necessary spoke in our efforts to spread our conservative philosophy and counter Democratic Party efforts to silence our voice.

As much as we accurately claim that each election year is of great importance, 2024 truly is the most important election in decades.  The presidency, control of the congress, much needed advances in the state legislature are necessary to protect our way of life.

Hochul, Biden, Jeffries and democratic leaders in the State Legislature are actively working to change the America that we have known, and in doing so eliminating vocal political opposition. 

I remain confident in the “American Experiment” with faith in the American people, and New Yorkers in particular. The American people, have long appreciated the unique nature of our government, its protections of liberty, and individual rights. It’s unfortunate that leaders like President Biden and Governor Hochul have pushed so hard against basic American beliefs and principles. The Conservative Party has been, and will continue to be, a buttress against those who wish to infringe on our way of life. 

I wish you a safe and Happy New Year, and urge you to recommit yourself to the importance of participating in the great American experience, established by our founding fathers, implanted in our Constitution, and Bill of Rights. 

Happy New Year!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
December 23, 2023

Statement on Gov. Hochul’s Tammany Hall Plot to Bury Local Elections by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

Brooklyn-NY…”Governor Kathy Hochul is every bit the Tammany Hall politician that New Yorkers of good will hoped to never see again. Her relentless attacks on our electoral system are blatantly partisan, designed only to benefit the Democratic Party at the expense of all other New Yorkers. Mrs. Hochul, who narrowly avoided defeat in 2022, knows that by moving odd-year local elections to even years, she will be relegating otherwise prominent county and local races to the bottom of the ballot. These races will get almost zero press coverage in the shadow of larger federal and state races, and voters will be more likely to vote the party line in the absence of sufficient information.

“Governor Hochul’s cynicism seemingly knows no bounds. She is systematically rigging our election processes to the benefit of county Democratic Party operations and to the detriment of democracy itself.  The Conservative Party — and others who believe in free and fair elections — will see her in court again.

Happy Holidays!

As the year draws to a close, the New York State Conservative Party extends heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a joyous New Year to all our dedicated members, supporters, and their families.

In 2023, together, we achieved numerous successes and milestones, underscoring our commitment to conservative principles. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in these accomplishments, and for that, we are truly grateful.

As we embrace the holiday season, let us celebrate the spirit of Christmas and the Festival of Lights – a time of joy, unity, and reflection. May the warmth of family and friends surround you, bringing happiness and cherished moments.

Looking ahead, the New York State Conservative Party is excited about the opportunities that 2024 holds. With the upcoming Presidential year, we are gearing up for new challenges and victories that align with our core values. Your continued dedication is vital as we navigate this path together, but for now, enjoy a well-deserved break with loved ones.

In the spirit of the season, let us carry the goodwill and optimism into the coming year. May 2024 be a year of prosperity, unity, and success for our party and the conservative values we hold dear.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Thank you for being an integral part of our conservative family.

“On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer, feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we experience it in our hearts. For, more than just a day, Christmas is a state of mind. It is found throughout the year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers despair, and love triumphs over hate.” -Ronald Regan

We are pleased to announce that Congresswoman Claudia Tenney will be addressing CPPAC attendees on Sunday, February 4, 2024. As Co-Chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, Rep. Tenney will be addressing the topic of “Securing the Vote”.

Claudia Tenney was first elected to serve as a member of the United States House of Representatives on November 8, 2016. As a freshman member of the 115th Congress, she served on the House Financial Services Committee. She currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Claudia was elected to the House of Representatives for a second time in November 2020.

Prior to her election in November 2016, Claudia served as a member of the New York State Assembly. She was first elected to the Assembly on November 2, 2010.

Claudia is an accomplished attorney, longtime small business owner and true friend of the Conservative Party.

Registration is open at CPNYS.org/CPPAC.