All taxpayers should be relieved that DOC Commissioner Ponte will be repaying the City for the abusive misuse of his city issued vehicle.  What is absolutely appalling is the explanation by the spokesman of DOC:  Peter Thorne said Ponte’s misuse of the agency-assigned vehicle was in part due to top officials not fully understanding city rules. (Yes, you read that right.)  Read more here. Unfortunately, Commissioner Ponte is not the only person to abuse the use of a city-owned car.  

The Daily Signal explains why conservatives are disappointed in the massive spending bill Congress agreed to to keep government open. The White House and Speaker Ryan are stressing what was good in the budget.  However, if Congress does not cut spending in the new fiscal year, rest assured, the citizens who put them in Congress, will not hesitate to take them out.  Spending is out of control; we did not become the greatest nation in the world by having government pay for our every need, nor will we remain the greatest government in the world if is allow government to continue its spending spree.  What has happened in Venezuela conceivably could happen here.  Venezuela was at one time a democracy, but since 1998 the rapid change has devastated the once beautiful country.   Was yesterday’s May Day violence  in America a precursor of our future if we do not take control of spending back?

When government is so out of control, things like this are inevitable.  

The Daily News editorial is right:  Renew Kendra’s Law now and protect all of us. 

John Crudele writes in the NY Post that De Blasio’s war on cigarettes should focus on smugglers too.  

This is heartbreaking:  The Syracuse Post Standard reports the counties with the highest number of babies born with a drug addiction.  

Wes Pruden opines on the pity party of the unloved press. 

Thank you, Thomas Sowell for another brilliant article.  

Chris Matthews, the longtime liberal host of Hardball, agrees that the Democratic Party has moved too far left on cultural issues.  His remarks came in response to Matthew Continetti’s column in the Washington Free Beacon on Friday that examined the democrats’ first 100 days.  

Hollywood icon Richard Dreyfuss leaves Tucker Carlson almost speechless with his defense of the United States Constitution.  Kudos to Dreyfuss for stating quite clearly that he is a constitutionalist. The American Thinker also reviews the segment on Tucker Carlson Tonight.  

Sen. Schumer appeared on Fox News Sunday and slammed the idea of repealing Obamacare and indicated that President Trump’s first 100 days was hardly a success.  He complains about the President Trump is going it alone.  Well Sen. Schumer, do you remember when President Obama essentially said “I won, deal with it!”  Where were you then about bi-partisanship?  The Senator quotes the NY Times and the Washington Post….when did they become bipartisan?  Sadly, Sen. Schumer is an obstructionist without a bipartisan thought in his mind.  

Nicole Gelinas writes about a tax cut to save the city’s businesses., and E. J. McMahon and Josh B. McGee opine on diffusing the city’s pension bomb.  . 

Naomi Schaefer Riley opines on the only way to stop the college revolt against free speech.  Robert Knight gives us his thoughts on the method to PC madness.  

Assisted suicide distorts doc’s duty.  The author, John Rhee, has a master’s degree in public health and is a fourth-year medical student at the Ichan Medical School at Mount Sinai and explains that what drew him to medicine, and what he hopes draws future generations, was the responsibility to protect vulnerable, hurting patients — including those who need and deserve our help from harming themselves. New York now threatens that precious contract.

Another 255 New Yorkers losing their jobs in upstate New York.  

There has been endless speculation and analysis about President Trump’s first 100 days in office, but to me the most fascinating take is from the President himself – read what he has to say here.

President Trump has amassed a number of accomplishments since his Inauguration – there are promises kept and not kept… the good, the bad, and the ugly, as one commentator puts it.  But overall, I think it’s fair to say that America’s “downhill trajectory” has been reversed under our new President.

Our new Weekly Poll is focused on this topic. The three questions I have for you this week are: 

1. How would you rate your satisfaction with President Trump’s First 100 Days in Office? 
2. Which issue do you think President Trump has made the BEST progress on since he took office? 
3. Which issue do you expect to see the MOST progress on over the next 100 days of the Trump Administration? 

It certainly has not been a good 100 days for the political media, and the Democrats’ “resistance” has only resulted in “disunity, obstruction, incoherence, obsession, and obliviousness.”

Tax relief is the next big fight, and the Daily Signal says President Trump’s plan is a strong starting point for reform – but getting the job done will take a major effort.

Have a great weekend!

The Daily Signal explains why high tax states like New York and California will disproportionately affect wealthy people.  It is a fact that his federal deduction basically encouraged states to hike taxes – which New York and California took advantage of. Don’t count on it being added back into the proposed tax changes.  Here is E. J. McMahon’s quick analysis of the proposal., and  Charles Gasparino’s opinion in the New York Post. 

The NY Post editorial has this to say about the President’s plan:  Trump’s tax plan aims to deliver the jobs America needs.  

National Review believes the “devil is in the details” but says lower corporate tax rates would be good for everyone.  

This is good news: President Trump to pull feds out of K-12 education.  

Mayor de Blasio has lost his mind.  This is what happens when you are a progressive, you become so wrapped up in running other peoples lives with other peoples’ money you just lose all sense of what is real.  $16.4 million of our hard-earned dollars for immigrant legal services.   Mr. Mayor, do you understand the oath you took???  You have no right to take our money to help people who are here ILLEGALLY!!!  Another $1.6 million to ramp up Airbnb. enforcement? Seriously?  Opioids are killing people and you want to spend $1.6 M on Airbnb enforcement?  

George J. Marlin on Governor Cuomo’s presidential budget.  

Obamacare repeal is being resuscitated.

Here’s What Ronald Reagan Did When College Kids Went Ape At UC-Berkeley.  

Robert Knight lets us know what the ACLU is up to; like me you will probably think it really crosses the line.  

Trump’s unconventionally successful first 100 days. 

Thursdays with Cal Thomas.  

National Review slams Mayor de Blasio’s need to increase the taxes on a pack of cigarettes.  Calls it unfair, ineffective, and bad policy.  It is all of that and more; each increase in price only encourages bootlegging cigarettes that in turn helps terrorists.  

Republicans should support President Trump’s 2018 budget proposal.  We signed on with other leading conservative/republican groups that are driven by fiscal conservatism.  Look at the list of what President Trump is completely cutting from the budget and the programs that he proposes major cuts in.  President Trump is keeping his word.  

Mr. President, here is another place to look for savings:  Government Employee Salaries Outpace Private-Sector Salaries by Double Digits for Similar Work.  

Here is what Investor’s Business Daily has to say about President Trump’s tax proposals, seeking to make it simple, easy and fair.  Townhall.com gives us what we need to know about the President’s plan. 

Betsy McCaughey explains that the tri-state area may have trouble with President Trump’s tax plan.  Of course, the devil is always in the details.  

Anthony Figliola writes in the Long Island Press:  Don’t be cajoled into a Constitutional Convention. 

Planned Parenthood Doc Who Wanted Lamborghini for Selling Aborted Babies Caught Selling Baby Parts Again.  

Alfred J. Regnery opines on taking the cuffs off the cops.  

David Keene writes how candidate Rob Quist (running in Montana) is hiding his socialism under his Stetson.  The Washington Free Beacon lets us know Mr. Quist is also a regular performer at a nudist resort, albeit he does wear clothes while performing with is daughter. The democrat is running on a platform of bringing the “values of Montana” to Washington, DC.  Hmmm…

As we have learned repeatedly, Judges matter!  President Trump prepares to seat Judge Thapar in the US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Good conservative choice.   

The Daily Signal tells us how wrong past environmental predictions have been. 

Brian Frankle writes in the Federalist that morality rates are increasing and wonders if Obamacare is responsible.  

The Washington Examiner explains what today’s fascists do not understand.  

The NY Post asks the question that all of us should ask:  When will Obama have made enough money?

Round Six of Governor Cuomo’s Hunger Games. 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams.  

Mayor Bill deBlasio has such naked ambitions…that we taxpayers end up paying for, not only with our money, but also with the fact that education in NYC is just not up to par. 

YAF is back, and this is great news!

Dennis Prager opines on the cowards of academia.  

A free press should liberate minds, not enslave them.  

Surprise, Surprise:  A NY Times reporter says press conferences are more democratic under President Trump than they were under President Obama.  

President Trump’s first 100 days; what the main stream media won’t tell you!

Guy Benson examines the truth behind the polls that indicate Americans want bigger government.

Grotesque: This Is The Message Bill Nye The “Science Guy” Is Sending Your Kids.  (You may not want to watch the video as it has nothing at all to do with science; rather it lets people know who the real Bill Nye is.)  Here is Rich Lowry’s take on Bill Nye’s march for science.  

Have you heard of Antifa?  It is a shadowy extremist group responsible for the riots at Trump rallies.  Read about it here. 

Former Obama Official Says Bureaucrats Manipulate Climate Stats to Influence Policy.  

More on Obama’s bad Iran Deal in today’s NY Post editorial.  And what Judge Napolitano had to say on Fox and Friends this morning.  The Federalist weighs in also. 

U. S and North Korea flex their military muscles.  

Did you watch Kellyanne Conway on Fox and Friends this morning?  If you missed it, click here. Be sure you RSVP early for our 55th Annual Dinner on June 1, 2017 when Kellyanne Conway will be our honored guest speaker.  

The 10th edition of Rich States, Poor States has been released by ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) and again New York State last in the 50 states for its economic outlook.  Today’s NY Post editorial examines why and the Nation Review explains how business friendly states are growing at the expense of those who tax and spend.   (National Review also notes that high taxes did not give us democracy.)  As troublesome as this news is to those of us who live here, this declaration by the national democrats to turn the New York State Senate to the left, should send shivers down our spines.   

The Empire Center’s new report Prevailing Waste shows us how New York drives up the costs of public construction placing hirer tax burdens on New York’s citizens.   

The hypocrisy of the city council campaign-finance program.  The campaign-finance program should just be eliminated. Period.

Senate GOP leader wants to raise city’s charter school cap.   Sen. Flanagan and Betsy DeVos have the right idea.  

John Daniel Davidson opines in the Federalist that college students should know there is no such thing as hate speech.  CUNY on the other hand, is giving a woman that promotes hate speech,  a platform that will most likely be filled with hating America.  

Robert Knight opines in the Washington Times that voter fraud oughta be a crime. 

Sweden Accepted More Migrants Per Capita Than Any Other European Country. Why That’s Changed.  

A new poll says Donald J. Trump would win again.  (Stop crying Soros et al!)

More Obama Lies About The Iran Nuclear Deal Exposed.  

President Trump continues to succeed where President Obama failed, but he’s hindered by a “do-nothing” Congress. What is the one MAIN issue you wish Congress was doing more to address? That’s the first question in our new Weekly Poll.  

Republicans should know better, but it’s hardly surprising that Democrats have done everything they can to ruin Trump’s first 100 days. Is “The Resistance” futile? There’s still a runoff election to go, but this week the Democrats failed in their effort to immediately flip a Georgia house seat. Still, it’s clear that Republicans need to hone their nationwide strategy before 2018.

Meanwhile, why are Republicans making tax reform so difficult? (Almost as difficult as it is to simply pay taxes!) The Treasury Secretary and D.C. insiders say tax cuts are coming soon, though the deadline that’s been set is looking unrealistic. Democrats, of course, are muddying the waters with their Trump hatred. 

What do you think is the biggest reason that tax relief and reform need to be enacted right away? That’s question #2 in our new Weekly Poll.

Free speech is not on the menu on college campuses – so maybe new management is needed? 

New York schools are no strangers to liberal indoctrination, hysteria, hatred and exclusion – when it comes to stifling free speech and hatred of conservatives, how do you think New York colleges and universities compare to schools in other states? That’s the third and final question in our new Weekly Poll.

Have a great weekend!
 

Michael Goodwin writes in today’s NY Post that it is a shame top democrats are too afraid to challenge Mayor de Blasio.  He writes, “It’s the shame of New York Democrats that they can’t produce a dynamic challenger against a lackluster mayor who spent the last year under criminal investigation.”  Mr. Goodwin — the democrats may be afraid to run against him, but there is an up and coming republican woman — Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis — who is considering making the run.  Imagine for a moment what that race would be like.  A young and energetic Assemblywoman — who truly understands the immigration issue — against an old and laid-back Mayor who is more interested in using his office to pursue his own agenda.  What an interesting race this would be.   

Tom Precious ask the question that is on the mind of many:  How did Governor Cuomo make $783,000 on a memoir that sold just 3200 copies?  

The NY Post editorial questions Gov. Cuomo’s choice for Secretary, not because she isn’t qualified, (she is) but they are concerned about her family ties as we noted yesterday.  

Where is the American Civil Liberties Union when it comes to the dignity and fairness of every child in the locker room.  

Joseph Best writes in the Federalist that President Trump should run, not walk, away from the Paris Climate Treaty.  

Mark Weiner writes in the Syracuse Post Standard that upstate GOP congressional members have a dilemma:  who are they loyal to President Trump, the party, or voters?  Chairman Mike Long gives his opinion here.  

The Fox is changing.

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams.  

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.  

Andrew Cuomo claims that the state’s new budget rejects “the politics of division” – in a Daily News piece in which he accuses those who disagree with him of facilitating “a surge in bias-motivated threats, harassment and acts of violence,” opposing “diversity and inclusion,” attempting to “take a wrecking ball to our health care system,” and trying to “create a religious test for immigration.” He says that conservatives – you and I – are “committed to policies that will hurt the middle class and the most vulnerable among us.”

When Cuomo talks about “unity,” he lies. He hates conservatives and everything we stand for, and has made it clear that we “have no place in the state of New York.” 

And for the record, that “surge” in violence has proven to be a surge in liberal hoaxes; left-wing politicians like Cuomo define “hate” as “anything I disagree with”; “diversity and inclusion” do not extend to anyone who disagrees with Cuomo’s Democratic Party; Obamacare itself is the “wrecking ball”; the “Muslim ban” is fake news; liberal policies, and especially Andrew Cuomo’s, hurt the middle class; and the Cuomo Administration has been one long, drawn-out ambush on “the most vulnerable among us.” 

In that same article, Cuomo states that “Never has New York… produced more impactful legislation.” I guess he’s telling the truth about that – the impact will be everything from bigger-than-ever government that New Yorkers can’t afford to more “free” programs that ensure failure, to a new migration out of our state to more taxpayer-friendly locales. 

All three questions in our new Weekly Poll are focused on the Cuomo budget. They are: 

1)    What do you think will be the WORST IMPACT of this budget? 
2)    Which part of the New York state budget do you find MOST objectionable? 
3)    Overall, how would you describe the new Cuomo/Albany budget? 

I look forward to your responses – unfortunately, there are lots of bad apples to choose from in this budget.

As I’m sure you noticed, our Weekly Wrap-Up is a day early this week – tomorrow we’ll be observing Good Friday. We’ll see you back here Monday – until then, have a wonderful Easter weekend!