Category: CPNYS NEWS

CHAIRMAN KASSAR’S WEEKLY WRAP-UP 4/21

Communist Chinese Outpost Discovered in NYC

Several arrests this week were made by the FBI in NYC resulting in an outpost of the Communist Chinese security police being discovered and ultimately closed. Among those being harassed by the Chinese agents was Yan Xiong a onetime candidate for Congress.

I have met and enjoyed conversing with Mr. Xiong. He was a student protestor in 1989 at Tiananmen Square. In fact, he is the young man in the famous photo standing in front of the tank in hopes of keeping it from moving forward. He eventually escaped China coming to the United States where he joined the Army and became a citizen. He rose to the rank of Major and along the way became a minister.

It appears the communists could not tolerate the possibility of Mr. Xiong going to Congress. As more and more details become public, there are many Americans and/or Chinese refugees who have experienced the wrath of Beijing while living in the United States.

This is intolerable. I have been in touch with members of our Congressional delegation concerning this disturbing story. To a person they are all speaking up demanding answers and pushing for definitive actions.

Inside City Hall

Political journalist Errol Lewis asked me to join him on NYC Spectrum’s nightly political show “Inside City Hall” to discuss the Party’s declaration that George Santos will not be considered for re-election and our often repeated desire that he resign. The story is being revisited because Santos this past week announced that he would be seeking reelection.

Lewis also inquired about the Party’s view of standout problems in the State Budget from our perspective. You will find our release on Santos here, our release on Cashless Bail here and a link to the interview here.

Honoring Shaun Marie Levine

Save the date on Thursday June 15th from 6pm to 8pm as the State Conservative Party will be honoring our recently retired longtime Executive Director Shaun Marie at a reception being held at the New York Athletic Club.

Shaun will be receiving a new award named in honor of Mike Long. I can hardly think of any award more appropriate for Shaun Marie. You will certainly be hearing more about what I believe will be a festive as well as an emotional evening. 

More details to follow in the coming weeks.

STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
April 21, 2023

CONSERVATIVE PARTY CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF ASSEMBLYMAN SLATER BILL TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS FROM FOREIGN ENEMIES AT HOME

Brooklyn-NY…The New York State Conservative Party is calling for immediate passage of legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Matt Slater (R-C, Putnam/Westchester) that would prohibit China, Russia, and other nations of concern from purchasing real property throughout the Empire State.

The bill, A. 5301, follows the alarming arrests of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intelligence officers who have been operating spy centers in New York City and across the nation. (These are CCP spy centers, not Chinese “police stations,” as they’ve been carelessly described.)

“Whether its spy balloons, cyber attacks or the recent arrest of Chinese Communist Party agents in New York City, America is constantly under attack by foreign enemies,” Assemblyman Slater said. “This legislation will prohibit China, Russia and any other nation of concern from owning property in the Empire State. New York must take action to protect its citizens and safeguard our property and natural resources from foreign influence.”

“The New York State Legislature has a constitutional responsibility to safeguard its citizens from foreign threats on U.S. soil,” said State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “The Party urges every elected legislator to place the long term safety of New Yorkers (and all Americans) above the acquisition of real property by foreign countries and entities that the Department of State identifies as places of particular concern. We commend Assemblyman Slater for stepping forward with bold legislation that, if passed, will send a message around the world: New York will proactively defend itself against foreign transgressions.”

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LEGISLATIVE MEMO IN SUPPORT OF A.5301-SLATER

CONSERVATIVE PARTY of NEW YORK STATE
486 78th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209
(718) 921-2158 Voice * (718) 921-5268 Fax

2023 Legislative Memo… In Support of

A. 5301 – Slater

Purpose: To protect New York State and the United States of America’s interests from foreign governments, entities and non-citizen individuals.

Party Position: As noted in the Preamble of the US Constitution, one of the primary responsibilities of government is to protect its citizens. Our state constitution is also charged with protecting people from local threats.

New York State has several areas that citizens rely on to provide its citizens with protection from her enemies; unfortunately, lately our enemies (as defined by the Department of State) are looking to obtain real property near such entities for probable nefarious reasons.

It is the responsibility of the Members of the NYS Legislature to make certain that our government buildings and military bases, as well as any other similar entities designed to protect New Yorkers, and in fact, all of America’s citizens, remain free of foreign countries being able to purchase nearby land or any other means of putting our citizens in danger.

The Conservative Party of New York State urges every elected legislator to place the long term safety of New Yorkers (and all Americans) above the acquisition of real property by foreign countries and entities that the Department of State identifies as places of particular concern.

New York, in its infancy, played a major role in making America the best country in the world; our form of government “by the People” acknowledges that “we the People” will protect our citizens. Now 234 years later, this legislative body must pass this legislation to maintain their commitment to the people who duly elected them and keep them and all Americans as safe as possible.

LM 2023-001

STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
April 18, 2023

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY ON HOCHUL BAIL REFORM FIASCO

Brooklyn-NY…“Governor Kathy Hochul sought almost nothing on bail reform and got even less. This was a complete capitulation to radical elements in the State Legislature.

“The hands of judges remain tied in sentencing criminals, and there is no change whatsoever to the cashless bail law that has driven the ongoing violent crime wave across the state.

“Governor Hochul whiffed as well, fortunately, on her senseless attempt to force  new zoning laws on suburban communities, the lynchpin of her annual agenda. This is without question the weakest governorship in modern memory. We shudder to think what’s coming.” — State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

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STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
April 17, 2023

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON REP. GEORGE SANTOS

Brooklyn-NY…“Under no circumstances will Congressman George Santos receive the Conservative Party line in his reelection run. The Party has called for his resignation and finds his pattern of deceit morally repugnant. We continue to hope that Mr. Santos will choose the redemptive path by relinquishing his seat.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.