Judge Hector LaSalle

The Democratic controlled State Senate Judiciary Committee voted against Governor Hochul’s nomination for Chief Judge marking the first time in history that a Governors nominee has failed to be confirmed. This is a shocking and embarrassing defeat for Governor Hochul at the hands of her own Democratic colleagues in the senate.

Judge LaSalle, who was endorsed last year in the 10^th Judicial District by the Conservative Party, is highly regarded for his fairness, intelligence, temperament and work ethic by colleagues, peers and lawyers alike. It is shameful that Judge LaSalle has not been afforded the right to go before the entirety of the New York State Senate for a confirmation vote of the full body. This does remain an open issue subject to litigation.

If it wasn’t clear already, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s (the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee) comments left no room for misinterpretation when he suggested any judge that received the Conservative Party nomination will not be considered by his committee.

The left wing crazies on the committee led by Hoylman-Sigal ensured that LaSalle never got a fair chance.

Top legal scholars, experts on the legislature and State Constitution, all agree that the advice and consent role of the Judiciary Committee is to make a recommendation to the entire 63 member Senate body.

This is yet another shameful play by Democrats in the State Senate who this time voted against one of their own because he dare enforce the law and carry out his duties as a judge.

Read my full release here.

Congressional Committee Assignments

New York’s Conservative Party endorsed Members of Congress got more good news this week as committee assignments were finalized. Many members received positions on top committees while others were assigned committees that are both near and dear to them, and most importantly, near and dear to New Yorkers.

The influence of New York around the country is front and center with the appointment of the following committees:

Rep. Nick Lalota NY-01: Homeland Security, House Armed Service

Rep. Andrew Garbarino NY-02: Financial Services, Homeland Security

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito NY-04: Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis NY-11: Ways and Means

Rep. Michael Lawler NY-17: Financial Services, Foreign Affairs

Rep. Marcus Molinaro NY-19: Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture

Rep. Elise Stefanik: Chair of the House Majority Conference

Rep. Brandon Williams NY-22: Transportation and Infrastructure, Science and Technology

Rep. Nick Langworthy NY-23: House Oversight, Agriculture

Rep. Claudia Tenney NY-24: Ways and Means

*Note: Rep. George Santos NY-03 has been assigned to Small Business; Science & Technology. However, the State & Nassau County Conservative Party position remains that he should show respect for his constituents and office by resigning. Furthermore, we no longer consider him a part of our delegation.

Mayor Adams and the Migrant Crisis

Why is it so difficult for Mayor Adams to admit that New York City cannot dig itself out of the economic hole that its economic and social policies have dug? Why does he not see that the city is still suffering from the effects of COVID turning many of our business and shopping areas into deserts of empty office space and closed stores? Why does the Mayor think that spending 2 billion dollars annually to address the migrant crisis is okay with most New Yorkers?

Mayor Adams creates more questions than he has answers. And although I do agree that Biden’s border policies are the biggest part of the problem, New York City government’s progressive rhetoric was naturally going to work against the city’s ability to serve its actual citizens from the start.

New York City couldn’t handle 2 buses of migrants without going into a state of emergency. What do they think is happening to Texas and Arizona?

Conference Update

We look forward to seeing you at our annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference. Though not nearly the first conference, it will be considerably different than in years past as we continue to evolve with the times and political landscape. We look forward to both great speakers and immensely informative breakout sessions.

We are happy to feature Lee Zeldin and Alison Esposito at Monday’s lunch, Gordon Chang on the dangers of TicTok and the growing China threat, John Mclaughlin on understanding polling, along with a panel of newly elected Congressmembers. We will also hold seminar presentations and processes with Brian Kolb on Public financing of elections, along with media training, petitions, party organizing, campaign interaction and raising money. Finally, Border security and parental rights with a closing reception honoring the super stars of last year’s legislature round out the conference.

This will, without a doubt, be our most successful conference yet!

To be a part of CPPAC, you can register here.

Post-Roe, Why We Still March for Life

Democrats Propose Constitutional Amendment to Overturn First Amendment Decision

VP Harris Did Not Do One Major Thing While Visiting Arizona

Congressional Delegation

 Our Congressional Delegation has done very well in the first set of committee announcements, many earning top positions in what will only make New York stronger as a state.

Congresswomen Claudia Tenney and Nicole Malliotakis were appointed to the Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful committee in the House of Representatives. Congressman Michael Lawler was appointed to the Financial Services Committee which oversees the Equity Markets and the Insurance Industry among its responsibilities.

They join Congressman Andrew Garbarino who was appointed a member of the Majority Steering Committee which works directly with the Speaker in managing the House Republicans.

Of course, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik the Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference is the third highest ranking member f the House Majority.

Next week appointments will be announced for the remaining members of the New York delegation. Considering our slate were the U.S. House “Majority Makers,” I expect that they too will do well.

Congratulations to all!

State of the State

 Having traveled to Albany for Governor Hochul’s State of the State, I am being kind in calling it a recipe for disaster. Maintaining the Dream which she hoped would become the thematic outline for her remarks were another reminder of the nightmare NYS government has created for most of its citizens.

There was little to offer on public safety. In fact, her approach will push off meaningful change for the  foreseeable future.

Her housing proposals are not realistic. The proposal to allow the state to override local zoning should be a non-starter. Ending the use of fossil fuels for heating in new construction which will require the use of electric heat pumps is an expensive burden for homeowners and landlords a like.

Her proposal to increase the minimum wage to above $21 and to link a cost-of-living adjustment with it, will drive more existing businesses out of the state and be one more barrier to attracting business.  Balancing budgets on ultra-expensive borrowing and federal funds that are unlikely to materialize remains her goal as she plans for a new record spending document. We need to cut spending.

Governor Hochul’s State of the State is a reminder that New York lacks a leader in the Executive Mansion. It’s a sorry State of affairs.

Read my full statement on Hochul’s speech here

Biden Caught with Classified Documents

 President Biden looked like a deer in headlights as he attempted to explain how so many classified documents came to be in his possession during his four-post Vice Presidency years in office. His Press Secretary did him no favors with her inability to articulately answer questions from the media and often times looking unprepared.

The bottom line is he cannot explain how they ended up in a totally non-secure setting. It is long overdue for the Democratic Party to hold Biden to the same standard they wish to hold President Trump. I suspect that will be impossible for a Party more focused on hate for President Trump then admitting to their own serious flaws.  My full statement is here.

BREAKING: Adam Schiff continuously demanded Twitter ban, censor, suppress criticism of self, staff, Biden: Twitter Files

Manchin opponent? West Virginia GOP governor ‘seriously’ mulling Senate run against incumbent Democrat

Joe Rogan puts leftist mega-donor George Soros on blast: ‘He wants cities to fall apart, crime to flourish’

Empire Center Experts React to the 2023 State of the State

Hochul wants more changes to bail laws, Democratic lawmakers reluctant.  As the column notes, Democratic lawmakers are reluctant to make changes to the bail reform legislation that went into effect in 2020; you could change their minds.  Contact your local legislator, both Assembly and Senate, and let them know crime is out of control and changes are absolutely necessary; while phone calls are okay, a written letter is better.  If you do not make your voice head, how will they know this is important to all New Yorkers.

White House Refuses to Explain Curious Timeline of Biden’s Classified Document Fiasco

Additional documents marked classified found in Biden’s Wilmington garage

Biden spars over classified documents in garage with Fox News’ Peter Doocy

Guess Who Had Access to Classified Information in Biden’s Garage?

AG Garland Announces Special Counsel to Probe Biden’s Classified Document Scandal  “While it’s too soon to say for sure, the fact that the initial investigation necessitated Biden’s attorney general appointing a special counsel to investigate his own boss suggests that there was some “there,” there worthy of further scrutiny.”

Why the Biden Administration Is So Interested in Your Gas Stove

Meanwhile, Gov. Hochul quietly sneaks in proposal to ban sale of gas stoves, fuels outrage across New York.  The NY Post’ editorial page reaction:  Gas stove fight is more elite culture-war nonsense

Guy Benson writing in Townhall.com:   Another One: That Time Pete Buttigieg Took a Private Government Flight from DC to New York

Pro-Abortion Dems Remind America They Don’t Care About Violence Against Newborns or Pro-Lifers

Over 200 Democrats Vote Against Condemning Attacks on Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers

Victor Davis Hanson asks:  What Caused the Political Hysteria?

DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene Bemoans Rising Housing Costs While Profiting From Rent Hikes

A glimmer of hope that Congress will work together on what is best for our nation:  Dems join GOP in vote to block Biden from selling strategic oil reserves to China.

New Inflation Report Shows Insane Grocery Price Increases

Supreme Court Leaves New York Gun Control Law in Place for Now

U.S. Attorney Probing Classified Records from Biden’s VP Tenure Found at Private Office

Four Questions About Biden’s Emerging Classified Materials Scandal

FLASHBACK: Biden Shocked Anyone Could Be ‘Irresponsible’ Enough to Unknowingly Possess Classified Docs

John Kirby Insists Biden Didn’t Get a ‘Sanitized’ View of the Border Crisis

Forget Biden’s Border Photo-Op. Real Crisis Demonstrated by Democrat Governor Who Bused Illegal Immigrants Out of State.

Numbers Don’t Lie: America’s Border Crisis Is Biden-Made

Biden Promised To Refill Oil Reserves at a Profit. Now Prices Are Too High.

House Passes New Rules Package to ‘Restore the People’s House’ With Sweeping Reforms

Fight: Two GOP Governors Go to War Against Twisted ‘DEI’ Social Engineering

Steven Malanga writes in City Journal that Black Ink Brings Red-State Tax Cuts.  It also tells us that some states will not suffer as much as others if there is a recession.

Read Chairman Gerard Kassar reaction to Governor Hochul’s State of the State here.

New York ranks 3rd best state to raise a family.  When you read the article, you will find that last year WalletHub had NY in 2^nd place; and this year 14th for education and childcare and 46th for socioeconomics.  With 14^th for education and 46^th in socioeconomics, It is any wonder that Population loss could put NY on track for further losses in Congress.

Fascinating:  I’m a video game developer but this technology to drop your energy bill $820 per year is no fantasy.  With the probability of fusion energy in just 10 years, one would hope that wind turbines, solar panels and other sources of clean energy would rethink their excessive push to replace fossil fuels.  When they are no longer necessary, where will they end up…your local landfills or…?

The Most Important Scene in ‘Sin City” Reveals a Dark Truth about Violence and Power

Finding the Value in Hard Work

El Paso cleans up migrant camps before Joe Biden border visit

Cynical El Paso cleanup before Biden’s visit perfectly sums up his pathetic border policy

Biden’s ‘sanitized’ border view was ‘nothing more than politics’: Brandon Judd

Will Cain: El Paso cleaned up ahead of Biden’s arrival

Victor Davis Hanson writes about The Coup We Never Knew

Guy Benson’s column is a should read:  Surprise: New Data Shows IRS Disproportionately Targets Non-Rich for Scrutiny, Audits

The Senator Who Saved America From FDR’s Court-Packing Scheme

New York Republicans credited with helping end House speaker stalemate

House Republicans Set to Launch Probe into ‘Weaponization’ of FBI, Intel Agencies

Another result from the progressives in the NYS Legislature:  ‘Bleeding blue’: Cops flee NYPD in biggest exodus since 9/11

Pregnancy Center Hires Private Investigators to Find Pro-Abortion Firebombers

An interesting lawsuit that should be followed:  Seattle Public Schools Sue Social-Media Platforms for Intentionally Harming Children

Detroit takes Woke to the extreme by doing this: Detroit School Board Removes Ben Carson’s Name from School for His ‘Crime’ of Serving Under Trump.  As the school board noted when they named it after Dr. Carson, he is a person to be admired and emulated.

What Exactly Is Conservatism?

T.S. Eliot as Conservative Mentor

Conservative Party Legislative Conference

In the 2022 gubernatorial election, Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin, carrying the Conservative endorsement, won a higher share of the vote in each of New York’s 62 counties than President Donald Trump won in the 2020 presidential election. Additionally, the Conservative Party helped deliver the U.S. House of Representatives for the incoming GOP Majority and expanded the number of conservative allies in the State Legislature.

Now, we turn our focus to building on that success.

This winter, we are holding our 55th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC). The conference is being held on Sunday, February 5 and Monday, February 6, 2023, at a new location: The Albany Hilton (40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207 If you plan on staying at the hotel, you are responsible for making your own reservations. Special rate is good until January 20, 2023)

This year’s conference will have an emphasis on training conservative activists with the practical skills needed to make the conservative case in the public marketplace of ideas. It will offer training for conservative-minded individuals who want to win in 2023 and beyond. If you are looking to strengthen your local party and train your committee members (and we hope you are), we encourage you to get them to this year’s CPPAC.

We are anticipating the most successful conference perhaps in the history of the party. Join New York’s standard-bearer and Monday keynote lunch speaker Lee Zeldin and his 2022 running mate Alison Esposito. Other noted speakers include China relations expert Gordon Chang, former Assembly Republican leader and current Public Finance Commission member Brian Kolb, and numerous members from New York’s Congressional delegation and State Legislature.

For further details and registration visit here.

New York Delegation Arrives in Washington

 I had the privilege of attending many events in our nation’s Capital for both returning and new members of the House from New York ho were elected with Conservative Party support.

The complications of electing a Speaker aside, we have an exciting, dynamic group of Congressmembers from New York. They can be expected to be common sense legislators fighting to protect our borders, a strong national defense, fair and equitable tax policies, support for law enforcement and values-oriented legislation.

As is our habit, the State party stays closely in touch with the group concerning their own proposals as well as important votes that regularly emerge. I also hope as individuals who stay current on Washington and Albany matters, you will keep our members informed on how you feel.

Choosing a Chief Court of Appeals Judge

Regardless of your view concerning the confirmation of Judge Hector LaSalle as the Chief Judge of the NYS Court of Appeals, you should be concerned that many Democratic State Senators have expressed little to no interest in qualifications or even basic fairness.

They want as partisan a court as they can get, even a court that ignores longtime precedents. Albany Democrats will go as far as to change a committee make up in order to keep a full floor vote of

the NYS Senate from occurring on LaSalle’s nomination. They want to say we would do the same. That is not true and frankly annoys me greatly.

Yes, there is right and wrong even in politics—especially in politics. Pushing for the Chief Judge of New York to be a partisan hack is simply wrong and puts New Yorker’s and our visitors in danger.

The Democrats in the NYS Senate need to stop playing games.

Fact-Checking 5 Fibs From Biden’s Border Speech

Soros Doubles Funding to Group Aiming to Pack Supreme Court

Republicans Warn of National Security Risks as House Speaker Battle Extends Into Third Day

Biden Administration Touts Drained Emergency Oil Reserves as Top 2022 Accomplishment. Great accomplishment, draining our emergency oil reserves and selling it to our nemesis.

Biden Tells Supreme Court Veterans Law Gives Him ‘Clear Authorization’ To Cancel Student Debt; Seriously? Biden is living in his own little world thinking he is a folk hero by giving away OUR money.

It’s Biden who doesn’t care about migrants — or NY’s lack of ‘room at the inn’.  No one cared about the border towns being overrun with illegals, but now they understand better what has been going on since Biden opened the flood gates. The people coming into our country are beholden to the cartels helping them and our citizens are paying far too high a price. Housing, schools, medical care simply cannot absorb the ever increasing numbers flooding America. America has always and still is a country that welcomes immigrants; the difference now is that those flooding the border towns, no longer respect the rule of law. Ask us if we have the means to help you; don’t demand/assume that we adjust to your needs.

Biden Reveals New Plan to Finally Address Raging Border Crisis. At this point here is the only plan that is guaranteed to work Mr. President:  Build. The. Wall.

Biden says he intends to visit southern border on Mexico trip  It simply amazes me that Biden calls for the end of finger pointing, them blames Republicans. For a person who has been an elected official since 1973, has he not learned how to negotiate?

If moderates don’t rally behind Gov. Hochul and her chief judge pick, the hard left will rule the state; the unfortunate reality is that the moderates are afraid to be primaried, so they will fall in line and the hard left will get its way.

NY state Democrats pack key panel to sink Gov. Hochul’s top-judge pick Hector LaSalle; if the democrats “stack the panel” it proves that one party rule in New York (or any locality) has no or little regard for governing; they want what they want and they will do whatever it takes. Governor Hochul should have vetoed the pay raise bill to prove 1) she has a backbone and 2) is willing to fight for what she thinks is best for New Yorkers.

Beijing Threatens ‘Countermeasures’ After US Restricts Travel From China

Soros Doubles Funding to Left-Wing Legal Group Working To Upend Supreme Court

Cal Thomas asks the question:  Where have all the thinkers gone? No wonder our politics is a mess; (obviously they are watching The View.)  ‘The View’ is the biggest source of misinformation in America

Paul Ehrlich: Wrong on 60 Minutes and for Almost 60 Years

The New-Normaling of Blackouts

What the Feds Are Teaching in Diversity Training

The FDA Is Making Abortion Even More Dangerous for Women

American Made: What Sort of Worker Are You?

How Comedy, Laughter, and Humor Can Improve Your Life