“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it”-Ronald Reagan
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Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
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January 10, 2023
STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
“What’s most alarming is the Governor’s apparent belief that more spending can fix the very problems that high-spending, high-taxing states themselves create.”
Albany-NY…“Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State message is a document of conflicts — she cites many of the problems New Yorkers face, but her ‘solutions’ too often would make things worse.
“The Governor calls for Band-Aids where tourniquets are needed: She proposes building 800,000 new housing units in a state that’s chased away more than a million and a half residents over the past two decades with nation-leading taxes. The Governor talks about rising crime, but refuses to end one of its root causes: cashless bail. She highlights the environment, but bans clean-energy natural gas exploration in the state, natural gas use in new construction, and she wants to require expensive and inadequate electric heat pumps in homes, making it even harder for families to keep the lights on. Mrs. Hochul talks about the high cost of living in New York, but refuses to right size the gargantuan, inefficient government causing it.
“What’s most alarming is the Governor’s apparent belief that more and more spending can fix the very problems that high-spending, high-taxing states themselves create. New York’s budgets are getting larger and larger under this Governor. That’s the problem, not the solution.
“If we are not serious about our challenges, Governor Hochul’s ‘New York Dream’ will continue as a nightmare for millions of hardworking state residents. We can do better.”
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Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 7, 2023
Brooklyn, NY – “The New York State Conservative Party congratulates House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on his historic victory tonight. The Party is particularly proud of the 11 House Republicans from New York State who presented a strong, unified, and unwavering front for Speaker McCarthy in round after round of voting. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a dynamic House leader, was one of those honored to nominate Speaker McCarthy on the House floor.
“These 11 members, each of whom was supported by the Conservative Party — the Party provided the direct margin of victory in four of those races — will play a key role in the 118th Congress, and rightly so. The Republican delegation from New York is ready and able to help lead our nation forward.”
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 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.
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.
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 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?
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.
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Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 3, 2023
Brooklyn, NY — “Huge congratulations to Assemblyman Lester Chang (R-C, Brooklyn) on being sworn in and seated in the New York State Assembly today. Assemblyman Chang is the first Asian-American from Brooklyn to be elected to state office. The Conservative Party salutes Assemblyman Chang, a retired Navy Reservist, on his historic accomplishment. We look forward to working with him as he fights to make New York safer, more affordable, and more accountable in the years ahead.”
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Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
December 31, 2022
Brooklyn, NY — “The New York State Conservative Party had significant success in 2022, and the Party is poised for another strong year ahead.
“Our successful efforts to defeat potentially corrupting ballot proposals in 2021 directly led to the litigation that forced fair, court-ordered redistricting lines across the state. With reasonable district lines established, the Conservative Party supported 11 winning congressional candidates from New York this year, four of whom won with margins provided by line “C”. Newsmax is calling the New York State Conservative Party “The Majority Makers” for its role in the Republican takeover of Congress.
“Congressman Lee Zeldin’s determined run for governor — Zeldin was among the highest statewide vote getters in the Conservative Party’s 60-year history — played a significant factor in the historic congressional wins, helped usher in six new Party-supported Assembly members, and increased our representation in the State Senate.
“Zeldin, who garnered 47% of the statewide vote, and Attorney General candidate Mike Henry received more than 313,000 votes each on the Conservative Party line, solidly outpolling the Working Families Party and guaranteeing line-C ballot position for the next two years. Our U.S. Senate candidate Joe Pinion and State Comptroller candidate Paul Rodriquez also had outstanding vote totals on the Conservative line, approaching 300,000 votes each on the line.
“The Party’s growing influence in the five boroughs of New York City helped lead to the flipping of three Assembly seats in Kings County alone. Frank Tinari of Suffolk County, a State Vice Chairman, and Joe Lorigo, the son of Erie County Chairman Ralph Lorigo, were both elected to the State Supreme Court, adding to the number of registered Conservatives serving on the State Supreme Court.
“The Conservative Party held two successful conferences in 2022 — a State Legislative Conference in January and a National Affairs Conference in August. We also held a statewide nominating convention in February, and a number of successful receptions, including a summer reception featuring former Vice President Pence and a Fall reception featuring noted economist and radio personality Larry Kudlow. Party Leader Ross Brady served as a voice for common sense as a member of the NYS Reapportionment Commission in 2022.
“I am proud to report that the Conservative Party is on the ascent in New York, thanks to the hard work of its members and candidates. The Party’s year-over-year enrollment continued to grow in 2022, and we are excited to build on our successes in 2023.”
It was without a doubt a banner year for the New York State Conservative Party as together we delivered, and the party enjoyed one of its most successful years since our founding in 1962.
We entered 2022 with momentum stemming from our victories in 2021 defeating several ballot propositions that would have changed the way reapportionment, voting and even elections were conducted. This momentum carried us through a reapportionment litigation period in which the party played a key role in finding plaintiffs and developing arguments. Additionally, Conservative Party official, Ross Brady, served as a member of the NYS Reapportionment Commission where he provided a voice of reason within a sea of partisanship.
In 2022 we saw 11 Conservative Party endorsed candidates get elected or re-elected to Congress. From Long Island to NYC, the Mid-Hudson, Southern Tier, Central New York, The North Country and Western New York, we were victorious. We, in fact, were the actual margin of victory in four Congressional races. The New York delegation were truly the “Majority Makers.” Many, including Newsmax, have said the House Majority would have indeed been in trouble if not for the Conservative Party.
Statewide, the Conservative Party played a pivotal role in ushering in the largest freshman Conservative/GOP class in the State Assembly in many years. The Kings County Conservative Party actually flipped three Assembly seats. Many other parts of the State including Long Island, Staten Island and Rockland County can lay claim to important Legislative turnovers.
Not to be outdone, Lee Zeldin had the best showing in terms of percentage, 47%, since 2002. In fact, Lee Zeldin’s statewide vote total of over 313,000, better than twice our enrollment, is one of the highest totals in the history of the party. In nearly 200 statewide elections since 1962, the 2022 vote total ranks within the top ten results.
With this result the Party comfortably held onto Row C.
Our party also enjoyed close to home victories as State Vice Chair Frank Tinari of Suffolk County and Joe Lorigo, son of Erie County Chairman Ralph Lorigo, were both elected to the State Supreme Court.
Finally, I am proud to announce, once again, that our enrollment year-over-year continues to grow around the state.
With all that said, it is clear that the party remains strong on a local, state and national level. The upcoming year will be about local elections, party building and our issue agenda that our Members of Congress and the State Legislature advocate for.
From all of us at the Conservative Party we wish you Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. Some are already on their holiday vacation while others will be starting very soon. Wherever you are, we wish you a peaceful, safe and exciting holiday season with your family and friends.
2022 was a banner year for the Conservative Party throughout New York State. Together, we fought for our state and achieved many great things. I made a promise to move us in a winning direction and with your help, we remain on that path.
While 2023 will surely bring its new challenges, I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year and continuing our work together for a better New York. But first—enjoy your time away. We deserve this well-earned break with the people who matter to us most.
These two articles, (from Empire Center) NY lawmakers want to be nation’s highest-paid and the (New York Post) Albany Dems introduce bill to raise legislative pay before likely special session this week shine the light on the absolute arrogance of the democratic “leadership” in New York State. If they had an iota of a backbone, this would have been announced prior to the elections, but they don’t. Nor do they have any empathy for the taxpayers who pay their salaries and are currently trying to make their own salaries (average salary in NYS according to ZipRecruiter is $51,453 for full time work) cover the inflation experienced this year. $142,000 for a part time job is ludicrous; making it full time is also ludicrous, as the idea of the legislative body was to have part time legislators working in other jobs, to understand the impact of the legislation they passed. This is a perfect example of how the government has (and continues) to run amok.
NY plans to change the way you heat your home. Gas, oil, propane furnaces to be phased out. From Politico’s article: The Climate Action Council, dominated by executive administration officials, on Monday OK’d a final roadmap to cut emissions to 50 percent of 1990 levels by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050. So, the question I have is this: Since the CAC was dominated by executive administration officials, is the roadmap realistic and financially sustainable for those who , or is it just a roadmap to please the administration?
Woman pleads guilty after being charged with sex trafficking alongside GOP strategist Most of the repulsive things occurring in today’s world is that people lack a moral compass. And when lacking a moral compass abhorrent actions permeate throughout society without regard to consequences because for the most part there are very little consequences.
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Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
December 20, 2022
Statement From New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar On Devious Albany Pay Raise Scheme
Brooklyn, NY — “Democrat leaders in the State Legislature are once again breaking the public trust by sneaking through a massive pay raise for themselves during the holidays when the fewest number of New Yorkers are watching. The proper time to have proposed a pay increase would have been during the elections when the public could weigh in, but, of course, that’s not how Albany works under one-party Democrat rule. The whole thing stinks of corrupt intent, frankly.
“The Conservative Party also opposes Democrat efforts to make state legislative offices full-time positions. If this change is forced through, New Yorkers will have to pay more for the same substandard government they get now. And God knows what other foolishness a full-time legislature could impose on us.
“New Yorkers are cynical about their state government for a reason. It reeks of self-interest year in and year out. The public deserves better.”
