Category: CPNYS NEWS

CHAIRMAN KASSAR’S WEEKLY WRAP-UP 4/14

Tax Day Burden

As Tax Day approaches, the New York State Conservative Party would like to remind hardworking taxpayers across the state of the burden they face under the current tax system. Despite promises of fiscal responsibility, the size of the federal budget continues to grow, and we keep giving the government more of our hard-earned money. This is unacceptable.

America was founded on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and economic freedom, not on taxes. Our forefathers fought for the right to govern themselves and to have control over their own lives. They did not envision a country where the government would take more and more of our money to fund endless bureaucracy and wasteful programs.

Unfortunately, the current Democratic Party seems to have forgotten these principles. They believe that the government is the solution to all our problems, and they are constantly seeking to increase taxes to fund their big-government programs. They do not understand that raising taxes only hurts hard working Americans and stifles economic growth.

The size of the federal budget continues to grow and there seems to be no end in sight. The government spends this money on countless programs, many of which are wasteful and ineffective. Taxpayers are left with the bill, while politicians continue to promise more and more handouts to win votes.

Furthermore, Democrats are looking to lift the debt cap, which would only mean more taxes for hard working Americans. We cannot continue to let our government spend money it does not have and then turn to taxpayers to bail them out.

The New York State Conservative Party believes in the principles of limited government, individual liberty, and economic freedom. We believe that our citizens should be allowed to keep more of their hard-earned money and that our government should focus on cutting spending, not increasing taxes.

Tax Day should be a reminder to all Americans that we need to demand more accountability from our elected officials. We cannot continue to let our government grow larger and more wasteful, while taxpayers foot the bill. The New York State Conservative Party is committed to fighting for the principles of limited government and economic freedom, and we will continue to push for real change in our government.

STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
April 14, 2023

REMARKS FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BANNING CATHOLIC PRIESTS AT WALTER REED

Brooklyn-NY…“We almost couldn’t believe what we were reading: How could the administration of an ostensibly Catholic President ban Catholic priests, through a ‘cease-and-desist’ letter, from providing pastoral care, during Holy Week no less, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where they’ve been serving patients for the past 20 years? Does President Biden really not understand the right of Americans to worship as they see fit? Has his administration really become that radicalized?

“The Conservative Party finds this Biden Administration action downright inexplicable. This has nothing to do with an expired contract and everything to do with the right of Walter Reed patients to seek religious comfort as they see fit, in this case through the good works of the Holy Name College Friary.

“We are hopeful that President Biden will feel the burn of embarrassment and  immediately reverse course in this matter. This cannot stand.”

###

STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
April 10, 2023

REMARKS FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON LATEST BUDGET EXTENDER, TROY CITY HALL ROBBERY

Brooklyn-NY…“As New York State under one-party Democratic rule continues to flounder, New Yorkers are increasingly losing any faith they may once have had in state government. Crime remains rampant, the budget process has stalled out in the form of another extender, and, just this past weekend, Troy City Hall, a local symbol of government, was ransacked. This is what happens when ideology prevails over common sense.

“When laws repeatedly go unenforced and government abandons all vestiges of accountability, people no longer respect their state leadership — or government itself.

“Whatever Governor Kathy Hochul is doing in Albany isn’t working.  It’s time to raise a warning flag.”

###

Statement from NYS Conservative Party Chairman Kassar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
April 4, 2023

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON ARREST OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

Brooklyn-NY…“Today’s action has more to do with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg than it does with former President Donald Trump. It’s a political prosecution that should chill every American to the core, whether one supports Mr. Trump or not.

“Mr. Bragg campaigned on prosecuting Mr. Trump without having seen any evidence of lawbreaking. He promised that, if elected, he’d use the power of his office to destroy the former President and current presidential candidate, and that’s what he’s now trying to do for political advantage.

“This is not how the American judicial system is supposed to work, and even liberals are privately communicating unease with what D.A. Bragg is doing. By setting this frightening new precedent, Mr. Bragg could be opening up the nation to an ugly new type of political warfare. This is a dangerous moment for our nation.”

###

CHAIRMAN KASSAR’S WEEKLY WRAP-UP 3-31

The Changing Political Landscape in Our State

In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in voting patterns away from the left in our state, as demonstrated by the results of the 2022 election. Research and numerous articles have pointed to a shift towards Conservative/Republican candidates within the Asian and Hispanic communities. Blocks of Orthodox Jewish voters and Eastern European immigrants have also been incrementally moving away from the Democrats.

This shift can largely be attributed to the failure of the Democratic Party to address issues that are vitally important to most New Yorkers, such as crime, education, and the economy. Recent polls conducted by Siena as well as McLaughlin and Associates confirm that the majority of New Yorkers agree with what the Conservative Party considers simple common sense.

During this year’s state budget process, we asked the legislature to focus on several key issues (Press Release). First, we believe that there should be no new taxes or fees imposed on the hardworking people of our state. Second, we advocate for meaningful bail reform that ensures the safety of our communities while treating all individuals fairly. Third, we support the reform of disclosure laws which are currently handcuffing DA’s.

In addition, we believe in keeping local control of zoning, as well as the continued use of clean natural gas stoves. We also advocate for lifting the cap on charter schools and repealing the Raise the Age laws for murderers and other violent criminals.

Even polling in Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s district shows that he is out of touch with his constituents’ views. It is clear that our state is experiencing a political shift, and it is important for our leaders to listen to the concerns of their constituents and address the issues that matter most to them.

GOP HOUSE KEEPING ITS PROMISES

The Conservative Party has every reason to take pride in their role in flipping the House of Representatives Republican. The new House undoubtedly leans right in its philosophy, which is reflected in their “Commitment to America.”

Since January, Speaker McCarthy and his majority have been working hard to keep their commitments. They have created committees to investigate COVID, the events of January 6th, and the weaponization of the federal government. They are meeting, taking testimony, and learning truths that have been kept bottled up by the Democrats and Biden administration.

The House Republicans have passed important legislation, such as the Parental Rights Bill, HR 1 to lower energy costs, the Born Alive Act, the Strategic Production Response Act, and denouncing the horrors of socialism.

They are now negotiating a budget that looks to control spending, respect the debt cap, and avoid new taxes. It is refreshing to see promises made and promises kept.

With their clear focus on core conservative values such as small government, individual rights, and fiscal responsibility, the House Republicans are staying true to their word. This commitment to their principles will help them continue to move the country forward in a positive direction.

Please Consider Helping Support the Conservative Party

As we approach the end of March, I would like to once again ask for your support in making a contribution to the Conservative Party. The days of operating on an event-to-event basis are long gone, and we need to continually replenish our state and federal campaign accounts, pay for rent, conferences, salaries, and utilities. This requires us to closely monitor our cash flow, which is why online donations have become crucial to the success of our party.

By making a one time donation, or joining our monthly recurring program, you can help ensure that the Conservative Party runs smoothly throughout the year. Your support is critical to our ability to promote conservative values and policies, elect candidates who will fight for those values, and hold those in power accountable.

We appreciate all that you do for us, and we hope that you will consider making a contribution to support our cause. Thank you for your continued support of the Conservative Party!

STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
March 29, 2023

NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OUTLINES SEVEN KEY BUDGET ISSUES TO HELP EVERYDAY NEW YORKERS

Brooklyn-NY…“The New York State Conservative Party today urged Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature to focus on seven key issues being determined during the ongoing budget process that greatly matter to the average New Yorker.

They are: no new taxes or fees; meaningful bail reform; reform of disclosure laws that are handcuffing district attorneys; local control of zoning; the free use of clean natural gas stoves; lifting the cap on charter schools, and repeal of the raise-the-age laws for murderers and other violent criminals.

“Lawmakers in Albany who aren’t careful quickly find themselves living in a bubble in which it’s easy to forget the needs and priorities of everyday New Yorkers,” said State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “We thought it might be helpful, therefore, to highlight a few of the issues that New Yorkers actually care about.  In a nutshell, they want to live in a safe, affordable state where they can send their children to good schools; they want to make their own decisions over what household appliances they purchase, and they don’t want a faraway government dictating what can and cannot be built in their local communities. In other words,”Mr. Kassar continued, “they want a government that makes decisions based on common sense, not left wing pipedreams.”

Chairman Kassar urged the Governor and Legislature to listen to their constituents before voting on the budget bills.

“I guarantee you that a majority of New Yorkers, as indicated by both public opinion polls and basic common sense, agree with the Conservative Party positions on these issues,” Mr. Kassar said. ”So why is New York about to move radically left when New Yorkers want just the opposite? We need real leadership in Albany to resist ill-conceived progressive impulses that have dominated the State Capital for the past several years. We’ll soon see if that leadership exists.”

###

Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap-Up 3-24

Alvin Bragg

When he was running we called for his defeat, when he was elected we called for his resignation, when he refused to uphold the law and prosecute criminals we demanded the Governor remove him. He is not focused on making New York a safer place. In fact, he has shown that is last on his priority list. His obsession with former President Trump makes that very clear.

Selective enforcement is a page right out of the Bragg prosecutorial play book. Our gubernatorial candidate, Lee Zeldin, made Bragg’s refusal to prosecute murder to the fullest extent of the law, together with his desire to prosecute only the most serious of crimes, a center piece of his campaign. Many listened, but not enough. 

Elections do have consequences.

Environmental, Social, and Corporate Investing

On March 1st the US Senate joined the House in voting to adopt a measure to overturn a Labor Department rule making it easier for fund managers to consider environmental, social and corporate governance, and ESG issues for investments and shareholder rights decisions, such as through proxy voting. Although not truly bipartisan the two Democratic votes for the measure in the Senate caused it to pass.

This past week President Biden vetoed the Congressional measure. There is little to no chance at an override.

Investments, particularly trillions in retirement, should be managed from the perspective of growth and safety. I suspect those who were touched by Silicon Valley Bank understand how woke investing can backfire.

The rule was a mistake and Biden’s veto of the measure overturning the rule another mistake. It is also another reason to change Presidents and leadership at the Labor Department. This need not be a long-term problem as we have the opportunity to fix this in the near future—Election Day 2024.

Petitions Last Call

If you are a registered member of the Conservative Party, and there are 153,000 of you, I would strongly urge you to sign a party nominating petition. In the very near future, we will be filing the paperwork with the county and state boards of election.

Some say if you do not vote, do not complain. If you claim to care and do not make some effort to sign a petition for public and party office, the same can be said.

If you do not know who your local leader or contact person is, please call us at 718-921-2158 or reach us by e-mail at Eileen@cpnys.org.

J. Daniel Mahoney Awards Final Call

Our J. Daniel Mahoney Award reception is on Monday, March 27th at 5:30 at the Fort Orange Club in Albany. Our award recipients are Monroe County Chairman Donald Mazzullo and Greene County Chairman Michael Buttino.

If you would like to purchase a ticket you may do so online here or by calling the Conservative Party at 718-921-2158. We look forward to seeing you in Albany.

Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap-Up 3-17

One-House Budget

Albany is not only the Capitol of NYS, but also the likely originating point of the expression going from “bad to worse.” Let us take the Democratic Senate and Democratic Assembly’s “One-House Budgets” released this past week. Both houses took the largest State Budget in NYS history submitted by Governor Hochul and made it a lot bigger. The Governor supported in her budget an increase in Charter Schools, both one-house budgets eliminate the increase. As it pertains to disastrous bail reform, the Governor had moved to give judges limited ability to set bail, but the two Democratic Houses offer no changes from the current failed policy.

Much of the new spending is in the form of “tabletop” spending which contains funds that are allocated at the discretion of the Democrat-controlled legislature. Call them re-election pots if you like.

In one bright spot, the Legislative budgets did eliminate Hochul’s effort to bring local zoning under state control but many of her crazy ideas, such as phasing out gas stoves, remain.

Congratulations Chairman Cox

I look forward to working with Ed Cox the newly elected Chairman of the NYS Republican Party who during many years of prior service in the same role enjoyed a close relationship with our party.

Most recently the Party and I worked with Chairman Cox, John Faso, Allen Roth and others on a successful effort to overturn the extreme gerrymander of New York’s Congressional and State Senate Districts. This effort was ultimately credited with the creation of many fair and winnable Congressional seats. The end result, that with the votes on the Conservative Party line being key,we were able to secure eleven victories and the Majority in the U.S. House.

I have personally known Ed for many years and feel confident that we will, once again, enjoy many victories. Few know as much about politics, political history, and issues as Ed Cox. I would also like to thank Congressman Nick Langworthy, the outgoing chairman, who was a superb partner in State politics and now an excellent Member of Congress.
Read my release on Ed Cox here.

J. Daniel Mahoney Award Reception

We will be presenting our J. Daniel Mahoney Awards to Monroe County Chairman Don Mazzullo, and Greene County Chairman Mike Buttino at a cocktail reception at the Fort Orange Club in Albany on the evening of Monday, March 27th at 5:30pm. You can register for the event here. The award is named after the founder of the Party, J. Daniel Mahoney, who in 1962 had the vision to create a political organization that would move candidates and elected officials to the right on fiscal, social, national defense and international issues. Always a friend of law enforcement and an advocate for personal responsibility, protection of the 2nd Amendment, the rights of property owners and the unborn remain a major part of our focus.

I hope you can join us for what will be an enjoyable and informative event honoring two great
conservatives.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

On behalf of the State Conservative Party, I’d like to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Irish immigrants have left a tremendous mark on our society. Today, their Irish American ancestors continue to be an integral part of our success here in New York and around the nation.

STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
March 13, 2023

DISNEY/ABC MUST RETIRE JANE FONDA FROM ‘THE VIEW’

Called for ‘Murder’ of Pro-Life Americans on National TV

Brooklyn-NY…The New York State Conservative Party today called on Disney/ABC to remove Jane Fonda as a guest host on “The View” after the divisive liberal activist called for the murder of pro-life Americans while appearing on the show last week (she claimed she had been joking following powerful public backlash at her remarks.) There has been no action taken against Ms. Fonda by Disney/ABC.

“If anyone called for the murder of pro-choice Americans on national TV, he or she would be canned by the network before the show was even over,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “But not Jane Fonda, and not on the issue on abortion. To the Hollywood and show business elite, like Ms. Fonda, abortion is to be celebrated, and pro-lifers scorned and ridiculed. If Disney/ABC have any moral or intellectual integrity, they’d remove Ms. Fonda from any future appearances on ‘The View’ today.”

Chairman Kassar continued: “Being a celebrity doesn’t protect one from being a fool, which is what Ms. Fonda has been since at least 1972 when the North Vietnamese exploited her knee-jerk anti-Americanism for propaganda purposes — as American POWs were being tortured and killed in Hanoi prisons. Maybe Hanoi Jane should have stayed in Vietnam. The country has one of the highest abortion rates in the world. She’d be right at home there.”

###

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
March 13, 2023

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON ELECTION OF ED COX AS NEW YORK REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN

Brooklyn-NY…“The New York State Conservative Party congratulates its long-time friend and colleague, Ed Cox, on resuming his chairmanship of the New York State Republican Party, following a vote by the Republican State Committee in Albany this morning.

“Chairman Cox is a genuine public servant, and New York Republicans are fortunate to have him back at the helm. Chairman Cox, a personal friend, could be doing just about anything at this stage of his career, but he’s elected to get back in the trenches of New York politics, because that’s where he’s most needed. I look forward to working closely with Chairman Cox to defeat woke divisiveness and advance personal and economic liberties in a state that’s gone off the rails with one-party Democratic rule. Welcome back, Chairman.”

###

Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap-Up 3-10

Happy Birthday, Senator Buckley

On behalf of myself, the officers, and members of the NYS Conservative Party I would like to extend a very Happy 100th Birthday to former Senator, senior member of the Reagan Administration and Federal Jurist, Jim Buckley.

I was a teenager when I received an invitation to attend a speech by then Senator Jim Buckley at the Edmund Seergy Republican Club in Brooklyn. It was 1976 and the Senator was running for re-election. Of course, we were all campaigning for him back in the days when handing out literature was the standard.

The GOP Club which could hold two hundred people within its walls was so overcrowded that people were spilling onto the street. I did not get in, but was able to shake Jim Buckley’s hand and listen as best I could.

The hold the Buckley family, and in particular Jim and his brother Bill Buckley, had on the conservative movement in New York and the nation during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s could best be described as seminal. The family founded Young Americans for Freedom at their home in Sharon, CT. YAF in turn created the American Conservative Union and the annual Conservative Political Action Conferences. Jim and Bill Buckley were regularly in attendance. As a young man I had the honor of serving as a National Board Member of Young Americans for Freedom and considered speaking with Jim and Bill a highlight of my involvement.

Jim and Bill were key to Ronald Reagan’s 1976 effort to become the Presidential nominee and just as important in 1980 when he was elected President. Jim went on to serve in several senior Reagan Administration positions and for many years as a federal Court of Appeals Judge for the District of Columbia.

Currently, Jim Buckley has not been honored by the Federal government through the naming of a park, building or other federal installation. That could change. Senator Buckley was the sponsor of the legislation creating Gateway National Recreation Area in the New York City region. United States Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, a onetime legal intern for Judge Buckley, and Republican Conservative Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of Staten Island/Brooklyn have sponsored legislation to name the Staten Island portion of the national park after Senator Buckley. We will be strongly advocating for its passage.
Read my full press release here on Senator Buckley.

New Taxes to Pay for Biden Budget

It is a mainstay of the conservative movement that elections have consequences. Here is one: out of touch, left-wing manipulated President Biden has submitted a bloated federal budget that depends on tax increases to assist in covering its ballooning costs. Speaker McCarthy, Ways and Means Chairman Jason Scott, and the GOP House Majority have declared new taxes a non-starter. The end result will be that we win and Biden loses. Elections have consequences.

STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
March 9, 2023

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON 100TH BIRTHDAY OF FORMER SENATOR/JUSTICE JAMES L. BUCKLEY

Brooklyn-NY “Fifty-three years ago, the New York State Conservative Party shocked the political world by electing James L. Buckley to the United States Senate on the Conservative Party line alone, defeating both the Republican and Democratic Party candidates for the seat.

“Following his time in the Senate, Mr. Buckley, a World War II Navy veteran (Pacific Theater), served as Undersecretary of State in the Reagan Administration, President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty during the Cold-War 1980’s, and, later, as a U.S. Court of Appeals Justice for the D.C. Circuit, the nation’s second-most important court. He is the only known living American to have served in such senior capacities in all three branches of government.

“Today, Mr. Buckley reaches a new milestone — his 100th birthday — and the Conservative Party thunderously applauds the occasion, as well as Mr. Buckley’s  lifelong devotion to his country. It is as perplexing, as well as upsetting, to note on such a day that no public parklands, buildings, or structures to date have been named for this truly outstanding American.

“Mr. Buckley, one of the Senate’s great conservationists, was crucial in strengthening the Federal Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, and, closer to home, was instrumental in creating New York’s and New Jersey’s Gateway National Recreation Area, which has been enjoyed by tens of millions of Americans. We are pleased to see that Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-C, Staten Island) has sponsored legislation to recognize Senator Buckley’s work in creating and maintaining Gateway. We urge bipartisan passage of her legislation this year in both the House and the Senate.

“Jim Buckley has never stopped making the New York State Conservative Party proud. He is a genuine public treasure, and we salute him, not only on his 100th birthday, but for his goodness, devotion, and hard work. Happy birthday, Senator Buckley.”

###