Category: CPNYS NEWS

Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap discuses the NYS Budget, the Zeldin and Schmitt Announcements and the Disorder at the Border.

New York State Budget tops $212 Billion; Comes with Massive Tax Hikes

Late, expensive, and using taxpayers to bail New York out of another mismanaged state budget. I wouldn’t expect anything less from this Governor and State Legislature.

The state budget is a liberal’s dream and taxpayers’ nightmare; it throws all fiscal responsibility right out window while it continues to set a dangerous precedence going forward.  A balanced budget does not matter to the Governor, as long as he has taxpayers to place the burden on, he will continue to recklessly spend.

For years, far before the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been spiraling out of control, writing checks and spending money we do not have. After a federal bailout to the tune of $12.6 billion, Governor Cuomo and the Democrat controlled State Legislature raised taxes by an additional $4 billion, making New York perhaps the most taxed state in the nation and further providing more reasons for residents and businesses to explore other options in friendlier states.

To add insult to injury, $2.1 billion of the state budget was allocated for illegal immigrants while less than half that amount was allocated to help small businesses survive.

The priorities of Democrats are beyond misplaced. They have, once again, prioritized those most willing to break laws over the hardworking taxpayers who wish to live in New York State, operate a small business, or simply provide for their family.

Zeldin, Schmitt Announcements

Congressman Lee Zeldin and Assemblyman Colin Schmitt announced their intentions to run for Governor and Congress respectively in 2022 this week.

Their entry into the Governors race and what is now New York’s 18th Congressional District is welcome news as both have been excellent representatives to their districts.

Congressman Zeldin, a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, served in the New York State Senate from 2011-2014 before defeating incumbent Democratic Congressman Tim Bishop in 2014. Lee is currently serving in his 4th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, a Corporal in the Army National Guard, was elected to the State Assembly in 2018. Colin easily won re-election in 2020. The seat was previously held by the Democrats until Colin flipped the open blue seat red.

We welcome them both and look forward to working with their teams.

Disorder at the Border

President Joe Biden wasted no time creating chaos at the border as illegal crossings are on pace to reach the highest levels in 20 years.

Shockingly 172,000 immigrants were apprehended in March alone under the Biden Administration. That represents an increase of 71% from March 2020 under the Trump Administration.

In addition to the humanitarian and public health crisis at our Southern Border, grave national security threats are a growing concern as two men on a terrorism watch list, and no fly list, were arrested after illegally crossing the border from Mexico into California, officials from the U.S. Border Patrol announced Monday. The men were apprehended in separate incidents, one on January 29th and the other March 30, signaling the utter disregard for our immigration laws and weakness portrayed by the Biden Administration.

Many members of the New York Congressional delegation have visited the border, or will shortly, to see firsthand the disorder President Biden has caused through the undoing of Trump era policies by executive order.

Today, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis posted this video taken in McAllen, Texas last night as she toured the border with Whip Steve Scalise and other members of Congress.

Congressman Chris Jacobs was also touring the border last night. His initial observations can be heard here.

In March, House Homeland Security Ranking Member, Congressman John Katko, with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy led a delegation to the Southern Border for a tour and discussion with Border Patrol Agents to assess the dire situation on the ground. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney was also among those who visited; you can watch some of that here.

“As a federal organized crime prosecutor back in the 90s, I was charged with going after the drug cartels. I had a fundamental understanding then, and I do now, that the cartels know when to exploit the southern border, and they’re doing it now masterfully. They’re doing it because President Biden rolled back a lot of the orders of the previous administration that were working” said Congressman Katko.

MLB commissioner decided to move All-Star Game after pressure from Stacey Abrams on voting issues: sources

Arizona AG says Kamala Harris hasn’t responded to his invitation to tour the border.

EXC: New York Times Staff Admit Previously Working For Chinese Communist Party – “It Has It’s Benefits.”

Chicago Teachers Union blocks reopening… again.

Biden’s border crisis is the worst since 2006, blowing Trump’s out of the water.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap discuses the NYS Budget, the Zeldin and Schmitt Announcements and the Disorder at the Border.

Progressives are no longer enticed by wine and roses; they demand Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne and Zeuxine rolfiana orchids for all.

They Came, They Saw, They Taxed/New York’s progressive legislators want to make the nation’s heaviest tax burden heavier still.

NY’s $212B budget shows how Gov. Cuomo’s scandals have drained his power.  Unfortunately, all New Yorkers will be forced to pay the price of his arrogance as the progressive-left walks all over him.  We had our differences with Governor Cuomo’s budget agreements (and legislation) throughout his administration, but what has happened this year is irrefutably the most irresponsible waste of taxpayers’ dollars ever adopted in the long history of the New York State Legislature.  After Albany’s off-the-chart budget and monster tax hikes, NY needs a voter rebellion.

Governor Cuomo please explain this:  Cuomo administration tracked nursing home deaths despite claims they couldn’t be ‘verified,’ document shows.

Jeff Bezos says Amazon supports Biden’s proposed corporate tax hike.  Well why wouldn’t he?  It does not affect his bottom line, corporations just pass increased taxes along to their customers by increasing prices.

From the Wall Street Journal (subscription required): New York Is in Trouble.  From the Empire Center:  Spending to skyrocket under budget deal.    Also from the Empire Center:  Empire State’s new budget is a bridge to nowhere.

NY Rep. Zeldin launches 2022 gubernatorial campaign amid Cuomo controversies.  Congressman Lee Zeldin, has a great background  and is good on issues: we wish him success in his latest endeavor.

Mike Pence writes about Building on the Trump administration’s victories to advance American freedom.

From the Gatestone Institute:  Biden Is Determined to Create Jobs… in China.  Also, from Gatestone:  China’s Exploitation of Western Academia.  And this: China Boycotts Western Companies Over Uyghurs.

Biden’s Weakness Allows China to Surround Taiwan with Air and Sea Military Exercises.

Biden’s Trojan Horse.

9 Things You Need to Know About Biden’s ‘Infrastructure’ Spending Plan.

American Bloat Plan.

Voters Don’t Trust Political News, Say Most Reporters Want to Help Biden.

Looking Beyond Headlines to Outsmart the Propagandists.  (As we have noted many times in this blog, headlines are written to grab your attention, but one must read the article to hopefully gain the truth.  However, we must take ever article with a grain of salt as far too many reporters have become opinion writers instead of reporters; Intellectual Takeout strives, and for the most part succeeds, to provide the truth.)

The Heritage Foundation also strives and succeeds in providing truth in their articles and website reporting.  When the Daily Signal produces articles, you can rest assured it is as accurate and truthful as possible and only has the interest of Americans committed to the beliefs this great country were founded on.  Green Bay Official Warned Boss She Wouldn’t Break Law in Election.

Democrats Flip-Flop on Preserving Filibuster.

Turn Off the Spigots.

The Tyranny of Cancel Culture and Its Attack on the Soul.

Judge Andrew P. Napolitano opines in the Washington Times on Enduring the tyranny of the Democrats’ majority.

In case you missed Colion Noir: Gun control measures ‘don’t do anything to keep anybody safe’.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Shaun Marie / Comments Off on Progressives are no longer enticed by wine and roses; they demand Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne and Zeuxine rolfiana orchids for all.

Enough is enough. The Woke must wake up!

E. J. McMahon opines in the NY Post: Will the last high earner to leave New York please turn out the lights. It is mindboggling how the democrats are so ill-informed of the damage they will impose upon all New Yorkers as the exodus and loss of tax receipts trickle down and affect all New Yorkers.   And it isn’t only E. J. McMahon who believes New Yorkers and corporations will leave New York.  Here is what Don Pebbles told Maria Bartiromo this morning.  Fear of exodus over $4B in tax hikes as New York hammers out budget deal

Read Chairman Kassar’s statement on the NYS Budget here.

Why Andrew Cuomo’s Cover-Up Scandal Isn’t Just a Case of One Bad Apple,

With apologies to William Shakespeare: Something is rotten in Washington, DC!  First we learned this:  Two Yemeni men on the FBI’s terror watchlist arrested at southern border  Then we learned that there is Nothing to see here: DHS deletes announcement of terror suspects arrested at border.

Why did Biden put Harris in charge of the border crisis?   While the article will not come out and say why, we all know it is because President Biden wants an “Open Border” and VP Harris will give him what he wants.  But he is wearing sheep’s clothing again.

If only he hadn’t worn sheep’s clothing while in his basement prior to the election:  Biden wants to be the most progressive president yet, and he’ll spend trillions to prove it.  But he did, and far too many believed his deception.  Remember the old saying:  Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

The March to Appeasement/There will be no peace between Iran and its enemies.

This is not good news:  Senate parliamentarian rules Democrats can sidestep two more GOP filibusters.

David Keene opines in the Washington Times:  Biden embarks on frenzied campaign to block election reform.

Conservatives Call Foul on Baseball’s Hypocrisy Over Georgia Election Law.

Rubio Rips MLB Commish for League’s China, Cuba Ties.

President Biden, Stacy Abrams and all the “Woke” CEO’s, look at these numbers:   75% Say Voter ID Necessary, Majority Oppose Georgia Boycott.

REVEALED: China’s State Propaganda Group Boasts Control Over Western Think Tanks, ‘Election Integrity’ Groups, And Even Joe Biden’s National Security Team.

Justice Thomas Suggests Section 230 May Be Unconstitutional.  More on this in The Federalist.

This Teacher Says Left Has Turned Public Schools Into ‘Indoctrination Centers’

It is refreshing to know that not all politicians are biased and will stand for the truth!  Florida Democrats Defend DeSantis Against Attack From ’60 Minutes’.  And it is good that it is reported by those who expect news agencies to be honest.  Democratic Florida Officials Explain How 60 Minutes Twisted DeSantis-Publix Story.

Statement by State Chairman Gerard Kassar on the NYS Budget

For Immediate Release
April 6, 2021
Contact:  Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
www.cpnys.org  @cpnys

Statement by State Chairman Gerard Kassar on the NYS Budget

Brooklyn, NY – The democratic-controlled NYS Legislature, along with Governor Andrew Cuomo, are on the verge of passing an historically high spending document that increases spending and taxes to the highest levels ever in New York State.  These significant increases will impact all New Yorker’s, especially New York’s working families.

New York’s proposed budget has gone from bad to unsustainable, while the progressive-left cheers and says it will help working families in New York State.  Nothing could be further from reality.

New York’s working families need jobs to be able to keep working; by adopting new increased taxes on those who are wealthy and on corporations, NYS Government is encouraging an even greater exodus from New York by those who can leave and forcing corporations to escape to states that are tax-friendly, thereby taking New York jobs with them.

New York’s poor fiscal management, by the supermajority of democratic elected officials, is a flawed and erroneous way to uphold their oath to those who put them in office.  Shame on them.

# # #

Message to the Progressive Left: Utopia – a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions – cannot be created by your ideology.

Cuomo’s $4M book deal is looking like yet another crime.

Democrats in the NYS Legislature need a crash course in basic economics, but alas, it is probably too late for them to understand that all this will do is create an even greater exodus of our wealthy and job-producers from New York State.  NY budget will likely hike taxes on state’s top earners to highest in the country.  Seriously, why would they want to stay in a state who punishes them for being successful?  Many New Yorkers may believe this massive tax increase will not affect them; nothing could be farther from the reality of massive tax increases.  When the exodus takes place (it has and will continue) who is left to pay the bills?  You are; and most likely you will not be able to flee the high rates.  Senior citizens, young working couples, parents with children who depend on grandparents to help watch children, most in these groups will be tethered to New York because to get up and move is not within their financial means.  The democrats refuse to acknowledge economic facts; and those left in New York will continue to watch the once Empire State become the Exodus state.  On the bright side and being an eternal optimist, the average New Yorker understands New Yorkers cannot and will not sustain these massive taxes and will change the political outlook in 2022 to save our state.

NY lawmakers rush to blur the difference between legal and illegal immigrants.

Apparently, it isn’t only the democrats in New York.  Democrats in Washington, DC are living in their own world also;  The Memo: Biden’s bet on taxes.  Do the democrats really think we are that ill-informed and we will believe the malarkey they are trying to sell?  “Raising taxes …  will not slow the economy at all,” Biden said in response to a question from Kelly O’Donnell of NBC News at a White House news conference Friday. “Asking corporate America to pay their fair share will not slow the economy at all.” Mr. President, perhaps you should rethink the disaster of the Obama Administration which was exactly why Donald J. Trump was elected.

This is our wake-up call; Elections have consequences.  We are feeling the consequences of the 2020 elections across the country; 2022 is barreling toward us; be prepared, stay informed and make it your goal that your taxes are not being squandered. America doesn’t punish success; America, has always been a country that celebrates your hard work and financial success.  Ask those who escaped from socialist countries; the countries you and your progressive friends are trying to turn America into.  Utopia is a myth.

ICYMI:  Victor Davis Hanson opines on the 10 Radical New Rules That Are Changing America.

Why State Election Reform Bills Don’t Signal a New Jim Crow Era.

Fact-Checking 6 of Opponents’ Claims About Georgia’s Election Law.

County That Overwhelmingly Supported Biden Gets What They Paid For, Loses $100 Million All Because Of Him.

Wokeness Is No Laughing Matter.

I’m the Last One.

This Can’t Be Real: Politifact, CNN, and Fauci Are Joining Forces for Something Only Liberals Would Celebrate.

Guy Benson writes in Townhall.com:  Endless: Media Falsely Attacks Florida Man, Yet Again.

6th Circuit Reaches Right Conclusion on ‘Preferred Pronouns.’ Other Courts Should Follow Suit.

How Hunter Biden’s Interests ‘Overlapped’ With Banned Ukrainian Oligarch.

Less Is More: Restoring the Founders’ Original Vision for Our Constitutional Republic.

4 Reasons Gun Control Can’t Solve America’s Violence Problem/These 4 underlying sociological problems, not guns, are the key drivers of American violence.

Robert Knight’s writes in the Washington Times:  Easter proclaims that Jesus is Lord of all.  A beautiful message this Easter Week, especially after the year we just went through that doesn’t even minutely equal the excruciating death Jesus suffered for each of us.  Thank you, Robert Knight for writing this column and the Washington Times for printing this column, and for reminding us of the freedom that America stands for…at least for now.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Shaun Marie / Comments Off on Message to the Progressive Left: Utopia – a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions – cannot be created by your ideology.

Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses NY’s progressive Parole Board, the NYC Council and Mayor turning backs on our NYPD, Marijuana legalization and our upcoming – May 26 – event in Tappan, NY.

Cop Killer Leading NY Police Reform

In 1981, Richard Rivera murdered off-duty officer and dad-of-four Robert Walsh. Now, Rivera sits on a panel in Ithaca and Thompkins County trusted to help create police reforms.

The program to “reimagine” police departments was formed at the request of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo and his New York Parole Board have been active in releasing cop killers from prison, demonstrating a clear lack of respect for police, the victim’s families and public safety.

You may have also read about the vicious attack that took place on West 43rd Street in Manhattan or have seen the disturbing video. Based on what we know to be the priority of the far-left liberals in the State Legislature and Governor’s mansion, I am sure it won’t surprise you to hear the attacker, Brandon Elliott, was on parole for the murder of his own mother in 2002.

Rehabilitated he is clearly not, as shown by his disgusting attack on a 65-year-old woman whose only crime was walking down the same sidewalk as him. Video shows Elliott punch her, kick her in the stomach, and then stomp on her head. An abhorrent scene made possible by a misguided parole board hellbent on releasing violent criminals back on to the streets of New York.

Now, another convicted cop killer, Paul Ford, is set to be paroled. Ford was one of three men convicted of the 1980 murder of Police Officer Harry Ryman.

For years I have had a personal interest and have written many letters in support of keeping Paul Ford behind bars.

Another man convicted of killing, Barrington Young, 62, was released last year and deported. The third convicted killer, Cornelius Bucknor, 59, has also been granted a parole hearing.

Unconscionably, 20 cop killers have been released from prison in New York since 2017. An unfathomable, concerning number and dangerous precedence.

NYC Council, Mayor Turn Back on Police Again

An already tough and dangerous job became more tough last week as the New York City Council voted to end qualified immunity for its officers.

Common sense and protections for those who risk their lives to protect us no longer exist in New York City. Mayor de Blasio and the City Council continue to kowtow to the left, bending at the knee to every demand from liberal activists, no matter the consequences and negative affects it will have on law abiding citizens.

“New Yorkers are getting shot, and police officers are on the streets day and night, trying to stop the bloodshed” said PBA President Pat Lynch.

There was a troubling increase in crime in 2020, specifically murders, shooting victims, and shooting incidents. In 2021, we are on pace to far surpass those unacceptable 2020 numbers.

Under no circumstance should we be working to promote criminals and those willing to cause harm and destruction while diminishing the role of the police and putting the men and women who protect our city at further risk.

Marijuana Legalized in New York State

To say New York is going to pot may be the understatement of the decade. Legislation to create the ‘New York Office of Cannabis Management’ sounds like a bad joke. If only it were funny.

Democrats in Albany, led by scandal-scarred Gov. Andrew Cuomo, know that legalizing recreational marijuana will come at significant human cost, but all they seem to care about is more tax revenue. Their indifference to human suffering is unconscionable.

Study after study has shown that marijuana use among teens — make no mistake about it, teen use will go up — can cause significant psychological damage and lead to use of even more dangerous drugs. We also know that traffic injuries and fatalities will increase because of stoned drivers on our roads, and a percentage of first-time marijuana users will become addicts.

We also know from other states that black-market drug sales actually increase after legalization, and those illicit drug pipelines often include counterfeit prescription pills and deadly narcotics like heroin and fentanyl. The cost of treating the addictions that will ensue from this legislation will likely cost far more than any revenue it would generate. Indeed, for every $1 of tax revenue in alcohol and tobacco tax revenues, society loses $10 in social costs according to SAM-Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

Mark Twain said the darnedest thing: “It’s easier to keep out of something than to get out of something.” He was, of course, right, and Twain’s advice is our advice to the New York State Legislature.

Keep out of the drug business. It will not end well.

Conservative Party Reception to Return May 26, 2021

We are excited to announce the return of our annual reception this spring which will be held in Tappan, NY, May 26th from 6:00 – 8:00pm at The Old ’76 House.

The ‘76 House, America’s oldest restaurant, is a three-hundred-year-old structure lovingly restored to pristine condition by the Norden Family. It is listed as a National Landmark and holds significant historic value. In fact, the original water painting of Benedict Arnold remains hung upside down. Just as George Washington left it.

We are expecting an exciting list of distinguished guests and honorees. We will be awarding our J. Daniel Mahoney Award, and Legislator of the Year Awards for 2020.

We are very much looking forward to gathering once again to visit with familiar faces and support the party.

Tickets for the event are $500 per person. More details are to follow in the coming week.

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Biden floats biggest tax hike since Clinton, who paid the price

Biden’s new $2 trillion spending plan is Green New Deal in ‘disguise,’ GOP lawmakers say

Trump says he is considering first rally since leaving office as he floats 2024 run.

President Biden’s American Job Killing Tax Plan.

Georgia governor hits back after Delta CEO criticizes state election law as ‘unacceptable’.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap up discusses NY’s progressive Parole Board, the NYC Council and Mayor turning backs on our NYPD, Marijuana legalization and our upcoming – May 26 – event in Tappan, NY.

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

For Immediate Release
April 1, 2021
Contact:  Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
www.cpnys.org @cpnys

 Statement from New York State Conservative  Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

“There’s an old admonition about crooked politicians: ‘watch the hands not the mouth.’ It’s exactly what we should be doing with Mr. Cuomo.”  

Brooklyn, NY – “It’s not Mr. Cuomo’s greed for power that we’re learning about now, it’s his greed for cold-hard-cash at the expense of the very people who elected him. Last night’s damning New York Times exposé, revealing that Mr. Cuomo sought and likely received up to $4 million for his book, “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic,” confirms what the Conservative Party has long suggested — Gov. Cuomo, using state employees, appears to have buried inconvenient facts about nursing home deaths to publish a book and become a wealthy man. His actions demand additional criminal inquiry.

“There’s an old admonition about crooked politicians: ‘watch the hands not the mouth.’ It’s exactly what we should be doing with Mr. Cuomo.”

###

 

President Joe Biden needs a refresher course on what made American the greatest nation in the world and he needs it immediately.

President Biden has many “slips of the tongue” however, this was no slip:  Biden Calls the Republicans ‘Un-American’.  Some advice, Mr. President:  Stop lying about wanting to unite America.  In the 69 days you have been president, sorry to say, you have not uttered one word that has helped unite our country, unless, of course, you believe that America has abandoned her US Constitution and delved into a progressive movement that will never succeed.    Why are you so fearful of states requiring Voter ID, after all, you want everyone vaccinated, and an ID must be provided to get vaccinated.

More proof that the Biden Administration is out of step with Americans:  Biden to announce up to $4 trillion infrastructure plan with massive tax hikes.  There is no doubt that our infrastructure needs repairs, but something tells me that there are more progressive dreams coming in this proposal and they will get precedence over the needed repairs.  Necessary repairs must take priority and be passed as a stand-alone bill.  Obama’s shovel ready boondoggle should have taught Biden that lesson.  If you think you will escape the proposed new taxes, think again.

Mr. President why are you doing this:  Biden admin asks for government volunteers at the border amid crisis, when you and your administration keep telling us there is no crisis at the border.

Kamala Harris’ schedule shows Team Biden’s true border priorities.

Hmmm, Biden Nominates Gayle Manchin, Joe Manchin’s Wife, For ‘Key’ Co-Chair of Federal Commission.  Interesting.  Read about the Appalachian Regional Commission here; hopefully Mrs. Manchin is a good match for the Commission.

Andrew C. McCarthy writes in National Review about the case for prosecuting Hunter Biden.

Opinion: Tim Scott: Let’s set the record straight on ‘woke supremacy’ and racism.

Victor Davis Hanson writes in American Greatness:  Is Racism Moral Now?

From the Daily Signal: 6 Goals in Black Lives Matter’s New ‘Impact Report’

From Gatestone Institute:  China Grabbing Whitsun Reef: ‘Sudetenland’ in Slow Motion and US, China, Russia and Thucydides Trap.  From Victor Davis Hanson writing in the Daily Signal: China Continues to Show Its Contempt for US.

The Democratic-controlled Legislature plans are providing more reasons for New York’s wealthiest to move out of state.

Albany’s race to pay off friends — while shunning everyday New Yorkers.

This is how the Democratic-controlled Legislature computes math equations to balance budget needs:  School enrollment declines; Legislature provides more money.

File this under completely misguided:  If you live in San Diego, the education of migrant children is placed ahead of our own students.  Jen Psaki Fails to Explain Why Illegal Immigrant Children Are Getting In-Person Instruction.

From Bad to Worse in New York/ The city council’s new reform package offers little hope of getting crime under control.

Mail-In Voting Audit of Montana’s 2020 Elections Finds Significant Number of Irregularities.  Yet Congress (and their partners in the main stream media) are demanding HR 1/S 1 be adopted.

Cal Thomas opines about Jim Crow and the Georgia Voting Law.  Rich Lowry’s has this to say:  Comparing Georgia’s new voting law to Jim Crow is a disgusting smear.

The New York Times Can’t Get Basic Facts Right on Election Reform.

David Harsanyi:  No to DC Statehood.

If the Excelsior Pass Wallet app (Nation’s first ‘vaccine passport’ coming to New York) is going to be required to attend concerts etc., why is a Voter ID not required for voting?

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Shaun Marie / Comments Off on President Joe Biden needs a refresher course on what made American the greatest nation in the world and he needs it immediately.

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

For Immediate Release
March 30, 2021
Contact:  Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
www.cpnys.org   @cpnys

Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

Brooklyn, NY – “To say New York is going to pot may be the understatement of the decade. Today’s legislation to create the ‘New York Office of Cannabis Management’ sounds like a bad joke. If only it were funny.

“Democrats in Albany, led by scandal-scarred Gov. Andrew Cuomo, know that legalizing recreational marijuana will come at significant human cost, but all they seem to care about is more tax revenue. Their indifference to human suffering is unconscionable.

“Study after study has shown that marijuana use among teens — make no mistake about it, teen use will go up — can cause significant psychological damage and lead to use of even more dangerous drugs. We also know that traffic injuries and fatalities will increase because of stoned drivers on our roads, and a percentage of first-time marijuana users will become addicts.

“We also know from other states that black-market drug sales actually increase after legalization, and those illicit drug pipelines often include counterfeit prescription pills and deadly narcotics like heroin and fentanyl. The cost of treating the addictions that will ensue from this legislation will likely cost far more than any revenue it would generate. Indeed, for every $1 of tax revenue in alcohol and tobacco tax revenues, society loses $10 in social costs according to SAM-Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

“Mark Twain said the darnedest thing: It’s easier to keep out of something than to get out of something. He was, of course, right, and Twain’s advice is our advice to the New York State Legislature. Keep out of the drug business. It will not end well.”

###

Legislative Memo issued to the full NYS Legislature

LM 2021 – 001 Opposition to creating the office of ‘New York Office of Cannabis Management’

CONSERVATIVE PARTY of NEW YORK STATE

486 78th Street, Ft. Hamilton Station, NY 11209

(718) 921-2158 Voice  * (718) 921-5268 Fax

2021 Legislative Memo…

 In Opposition to…

 A. 1248-A Peoples-Stokes 854-A Krueger

Purpose of Bill:  The purpose of this bill is to establish a new Office of Cannabis Management for the regulation of cannabis, to create a regulated and taxed cannabis industry in New York and to provide for various social and economic justice initiatives related thereto.

Party Position:  The Conservative Party of NYS is adamantly opposed to this bill that seeks to provide for the lawful possession, use and personal growth of cannabis – marijuana – for adult-use of cannabis that is still currently a Schedule 1 drug under federal law. 

 It would allow plants to be grown in the home with different stages of growth; and allow for 5 pounds of cannabis in the home and up to 3 ounces outside.

Marijuana use has increased when legalized in other states because it is available and when it is legalized kids and adolescents believe it is harmless, while science has proven it contributes to psychosis and schizophrenia, and sadly it reduces the IQ of those who start using the drug before age 18.

Traffic injuries and fatalities have increased in states that have legalized the use of cannabis, i.e. Colorado.

Second-hand smoke presents another major concern.

Instead of ending the black-market sales of illegal cannabis; black-market sales have increased in states that adopted similar bills as users look for ways to avoid the taxes the state will collect.

Do we truly want to educate our children on the profits of a drug that is considered a gateway drug?

The public costs of cannabis legalization will increase also, for every $1 of tax revenue in alcohol and tobacco tax revenues, society loses $10 in social costs according to SAM-Smart Approaches to Marijuana – the Top 10 Messages Against Legalization.

The Conservative Party urges a no vote on this bill that sends a message to the youth of New York that getting high on marijuana is harmless, funds their schools and will have no long-term effects.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

                LM2021-001

Gov. Cuomo’s controversies are multiplying…Johns Hopkins University is reporting NY’s COVID-19 deaths are 10,000 more than NY State’s own trackers numbers.

All the gun restriction laws ever written will not stop a person determined to get a gun from getting one. NYC teen, alleged gang member jailed after his fifth gun arrest, but they will harm good, honest people who have a 2nd Amendment right to own a gun. Today’s Rasmussen Report indicates that 76% of their poll supports the 2nd Amendment.

File this under total abuse of his office:  Cuomo admin. kept COVID tests from nursing homes as gov’s kin got them.   Then there is this:  New York set to surpass 50,000 COVID-19 deaths, but NY’s tracker is only approaching 40,000.

Newsday is reporting Cuomo controversies strain his relationship with Biden.  Shouldn’t the headline be:

Cuomo controversies stain his relationship with the citizens of New York State, how many other controversies will we learn about while the investigations go on?  New (NUMBER 9!) Andrew Cuomo accuser Sherry Vill speaks out alongside Gloria Allred.

Will you please explain this Governor:  NY’s trek back to economic normalcy still far behind the rest of U.S.

The Times Union is reporting that the new marijuana law may be signed into law this week and two years to implement.  Part of the message the Legislature is sending our youth, is that marijuana is okay and 40% of the sales tax revenues will be spent on your education, while 20% will go to drug treatment and public education programs.  Great message, isn’t it?  We are now on the precipice of educating our children with drug money, while only half that amount will go to drug treatment, mental health treatment and public education.  Do you think they have their priorities up-side-down?  Read more about what is in this ill-advised bill here.   

Michael Goodwin writes about the scare-Crow tactics of Democrats.

Dinesh D’Souza: My Experience With ‘Woke’ Corporations.

Did anyone expect anything different?  WHO Report Dismisses COVID Lab-Leak Hypothesis.

Robert Knight opines in the Washington Times:  Big Tech’s Masters of the Universe fueling the Marxist revolution and destroying America.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Shaun Marie / Comments Off on Gov. Cuomo’s controversies are multiplying…Johns Hopkins University is reporting NY’s COVID-19 deaths are 10,000 more than NY State’s own trackers numbers.

Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap-up discusses DiPietro/Rath bill to get students back in classes, President Biden showing his age, Facebook discussion with Assemblyman Ra and CPNYS enrollment is UP.

Rath, DiPietro Introduce School Legislation

Senator Ed Rath and Assemblyman DiPietro have teamed to introduce common sense legislation that would permit school districts to open to students for in-person instruction if the school is capable of maintaining 3 feet of distance between students.

The bill has been introduced in the Senate and Assembly. Additionally, it is supported by the New York State Academy of Pediatrics.

“There is increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen and that safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a February press conference.

The prolonged school closures have left many families confused and frustrated, rightfully so. The goalposts have continually moved while the CDC has given no indication that schools should remain closed. The teachers who continue to boycott returning to the classroom are putting children years behind and keeping many of them in environments that are far more dangerous than the care and supervision of attending in-person school 5 days a week.

“There is no reason for schools that are otherwise compliant with the bevy of safety guidelines and restrictions should be prevented from reopening because they lack the space to keep students 6-feet apart. Many schools simply do not have the physical square footage to be able to realistically comply with this executive order, said Assemblyman DiPietro who introduced the bill in the State Assembly.

President Biden Showing His Age

A lot of political hay has been made of President Biden’s multiple falls going up the stairway to board Air Force One. I have kept away from direct political commentary in as much I find the event troubling on a different scale. The President could have seriously hurt himself. That is something that should concern all Americans.

It is not political theater but a reality that the 78-year-old President has physical issues that could affect him and as such the nation. Just imagine if he had slipped down a few of the steps seriously twisting an ankle or injuring a bone or breaking his hip. It would, for a period of time, cause anxiety from Main Street to Wall Street, as well as in foreign Capitals.

Yesterday, the President gave his first press conference since taking office and far too often sounded incoherent and seemed to lose his train of thought. Midway through answering a question he abruptly stopped and ended the sentence with “uh, anyways.” It was not a funny moment, it was concerning and hit home the fact that the President is of a very advanced age.

President Biden’s job is grueling and demanding, but Americans deserve transparency and a Commander in Chief who communicates with the country often. Only time will tell if Biden is capable to fulfill his duties.

Live with Assemblyman Ed Ra

I was pleased to be joined by New York State Assemblyman Ed Ra, the ranking Republican of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, Tuesday night to discuss the upcoming New York State budget.

The full interview can be seen here. I encourage anyone with a curiosity or interest of the budget and how Governor Cuomo and the Democratic majority continue to spend wildly and tax New Yorkers, listen to this interview. The video will be pinned to the top of our Facebook page for easy access.

New York Conservative Party Gets Boost

On behalf of the state party, I would like to thank the thousands who have joined the party over the last year for trusting in us to advocate on behalf of you. We welcome you with open arms.

With the increase, we now stand at 154,000 active members up from 147,000 in February of 2020.

Additionally, this past election cycle, we received nearly 300,000 votes on the Conservative Party line for President Trump. It is clear many New Yorkers believe in the work of the party.

It is my hope that we can continue to show to our members, and potential future members, that we are on the forefront of every fight worth fighting and supporting good candidates throughout our great state.

New Photos Show Biden’s Cheat Sheet For First Press Conference

White Liberals Overtake Austin Neighborhood, And Complain That The Minorities Are Too Masculine

Biden makes ‘no apologies’ at news conference for ending Trump-era migrant protocols

Former Commissioner says he will no longer recommend NYPD to new recruits

Cold weather depresses U.S. consumer spending; inflation is muted.

/ In CPNYS NEWS / By Gerard Kassar / Comments Off on Chairman Kassar’s weekly wrap-up discusses DiPietro/Rath bill to get students back in classes, President Biden showing his age, Facebook discussion with Assemblyman Ra and CPNYS enrollment is UP.