“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
Brooklyn, NY – Pope Francis has a new ally in Governor Andrew
Cuomo who announced yesterday his solidarity with the Pope’s
decree that the death penalty is “inadmissible” under all
circumstances and that the Catholic Church must work to abolish
it, changing official church teaching to reflect his view that all life is
sacred and there is no justification for state-sponsored executions.
Governor Andrew Cuomo jumped on board immediately and said
“the death penalty is an ugly stain on our history, is morally
indefensible and has no place in the 21st century,” and that he will
be advancing legislation to remove the death penalty – standing
with Pope Francis and honoring his father. He then invoked his
father’s “principled stand” on staking his (Mario’s) political career
on his opposition to the death penalty and never backed down,
saying it ‘demeans those who strive to preserve human life and
dignity.’
Governor Andrew Cuomo, your comments on the death penalty
would be considered sincere – not a political statement – if you
stood with Pope Francis when he denounces abortion.
If you, like your father, truly strive to preserve human life and
dignity, you would take every means possible to protect the
innocent life of an unborn child. Anything less is empty words
uttered for political expedienc
Brooklyn, NY — The revelations in today’s New Yorker article, Four Women Accuse New York’s Attorney General of Physical Abuse, are both distressing and tragic to learn that the chief law enforcement officer of New York State could be so self-absorbed that he would stoop to slap, choke, control, and threaten woman while condemning the same actions of others.
As the article points out, when AG Schneiderman was a Senator he created specific penalties for strangulation. He introduced the bill in 2010, after chairing a committee that investigated domestic-violence charges against the former state senator Hiram Monserrate, a Democrat, who was expelled from the legislature
after having been convicted of assaulting his girlfriend.
He has evolved into a man who yanked his then girl-friend across the street and when she reminded him that jaywalking was against the law, responded with “I am the law.”
Corruption is out of control in New York State; nothing that Governor Andrew Cuomo or the legislature has done, has curbed the rampant corruption that has prevailed over the last decade at many levels of government.
Our government was never designed to have full time, life long terms. Term limits were imposed on a president who went too far in controlling government; it is long past time that term limits be enacted for all levels of government officials to prevent some from believing that they too are above the law.
Albany, NY – Last evening, the Conservative Party of New York State, honored Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and Rockland County Chairman William R. Beckmann for the work they have done to keep the Conservative Torch alive in New York State.
Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan was presented with the Defender of Life Award by State Chairman Michael R. Long for being there throughout his career to protect the sanctity of life of innocent unborn children through their natural death. Sen. Flanagan, in accepting the award, thanked the Conservative Party for its set of standards that they do not deviate from no matter how the winds blow. Senator Flanagan has never waived in his staunch pro-life stance thereby earning the Party’s Defender of Life Award.
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis was presented with the Profile in Courage Award, by Chairman Long, forgoing against all odds to run for Mayor of New York City in 2017. When accepting the award, Assemblywoman Malliotakis, said that it was her honor to be the person to represent the people in New York City who wanted the chance to make every aspect of their lives better in the city that has a history of creating opportunities for those who choose to work hard to achieve their dreams.
Rockland County Chairman William R. Beckmann received the J. Daniel Mahoney Award for the work that he has done to further the conservative principles that the Party’s long time Chair and founding member set in 1962. Chairman Beckmann was humbled to receive the award and honored to be recognized for the work he continues to do on a daily basis.
Brooklyn, NY – State Conservative Party Chairman, Michael R. Long demands that Governor Andrew Cuomo rescind the Parole Board’s recommendation to release cop killer Herman Bell.
Herman Bell, wantonly and deliberately lured Officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones to their death.
Herman Bell, up until this parole hearing, claimed to be a “political prisoner” due to his Black Liberation Army ties. Up until now, Herman Bell had absolutely no remorse for killing two police officers. In fact, after his 6th denial of parole, he sued for his freedom — because he was a changed man who played the flute.
He played the parole board like a flute – telling them exactly what they wanted to hear.
Governor Cuomo – Herman Bell is a cold-blooded killer who is playing the system to gain freedom.
I call on you to rescind the decision of your parole board and require Herman Bell to remain in prison until his natural death.
Brooklyn, NY – Conservative Party Chairman, Michael R. Long, commended the 2018-19 Senate Budget Resolution as a commitment to the citizens of New York by keeping New York more affordable for the people who live here and in line with the values that have made New York the Empire State.
It is unfortunate that the progressive wing of the New York Assembly continues to recklessly spend money while ensuring the values that make New York the Empire State are whittled into a government subsidized nanny state.
Brooklyn, NY – State committee members of the NYS Conservative Party converged in Brooklyn, NY last nigth to nominate Chele Chiavacci Farley as their candidate for United States Senator.
State Vice-Chairman and Cayuga County Chairman, Gregory S. Rigby, was proud to nominate Chele Chiavacci Farley as the candidate to bring her expertise in engineering and finance to Washington, DC. Chairman Rigby was quick to note that Mrs. Farley’s principles are her core beliefs – regardless of the setting, audience, or numbers. Her dedication to educating and mentoring youth has given her a special understanding of the future leaders of America.
Kings County Chairman and State Vice-Chairman, Jerry Kassar, seconded the nomination, pointing out that Chele Chiavacci Farley is the right person with the right background to take back the seat the honorable James L. Buckley once proudly won on the Conservative Line.
When accepting the Conservative Party’s nomination, Chele Chiavacci Farley noted that she is running to restore people’s faith in government. “From Conservative judges to healthcare reform and rebuilding our country’s infrastructure, this is our time to transform America and make a long-term difference. Unlike Senator Gillibrand, I will never forget that the first job of a United States Senator is representing the needs of their state. After the summer of hell for subway and rail commuters in the metropolitan area, I will deliver the funding we need to fix our mass transportation system and protect commuters.”
“In every corner of our state, deteriorating roads and dilapidated bridges are jeopardizing public safety, hindering economic growth, and costing property taxpayers billions as the cost of these repairs is being passed down to the local level, who better than an engineer to know what to fix and a finance person to figure out how to do it economically?”
“The problems New York faces will only get worse as long as we rely on the same politicians who created them. Kirsten Gillibrand’s greatest success is self-promotion, not accomplishment. What has she actually done for New York? Whether its job creation, tax relief or public safety, the answer is nothing.”
“We will win because we are right on the issues. As she has moved radically to the left to appeal to national liberal activists and coalitions, Senator Gillibrand has turned her back on Conservatives, who are needed to win. She was known as Annie Oakley when she was a member of the House, but has turned into Jane Fonda in the Senate.”
Chele Chiavacci Farley clearly captured the hearts of the delegates and it is unequivocal that the citizens in New York State will have a clear choice in November — elect a woman who has the vision to restore, rebuild and return New York to her finest days.
Brooklyn, NY – The New York State Conservative Party issued the following legislative memo today, calling on legislators to reject a bill that seeks to prevent public-sector employees from exercising their right to withdraw from paying union dues if the US Supreme Court grants it to them in the Janus v. AFSCME case. The memo follows:
2018 Legislative Memo…
In Opposition to…
S. 5778-A Alcantara (Calendar # 163) A. 7601-A Abbate (Calendar #532)
Purpose: To streamline the process for an individual to join a public-sector union.
Party Position: New York should be a right-to-work state. New York State government should not be in the business that allows unions to force people to pay dues, especially if the United States Supreme Court tells them not to.
Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to give public employees a choice about whether they have to pay a union to keep their job. For most employees, this will be the first time they’ve ever had a say in whether a union deducts money from their paycheck.
This legislation, however, would prevent them from exercising that choice by giving unions new powers to block people from leaving. Instead of letting people stop the deductions by telling their employer, this bill would force them to jump through whatever hoops the union constructs.
NYSUT, the statewide teacher’s union, has already proven it will use underhanded tactics to trap people by creating obstacles to people opting out of their union—like refusing to let teachers opt-out of the union except during the busy first two weeks of school. If enacted, this bill would put local governments in the middle of legal battles across the state, wasting taxpayer money.
If a local government is deducting money on behalf of an employee, whether that deduction continues should be decided by the local government and the employee.
The Conservative Party is strongly opposed to this proposal and urges a NO vote.
NEW YORK’S LOOMING DEBT, MANDATES, AND REGULATIONS ARE EVISCERATING ALL GROWTH IN THE EMPIRE STATE
Brooklyn, NY – Conservative Party Chairman, Michael R. Long, is calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to curb New York State’s spending habits immediately. For far too long, New York has depended on federal dollars (including New York’s residents being able to write-off high state and local taxes) and bonding to help balance its budget.
The federal government has made it clear it is not going to subsidize the high taxes certain states have imposed on their residents, nor should they.
According to State Comptroller Thomas P DiNapoli, New York’s bonding debt is three times greater than the national median. We acknowledge that New York is in dire need of fixing its public transportation system, as well as its bridges and tunnels, and will be responsible for building new prisons to replace decaying buildings and new prison facilities to hold juveniles as required by new laws. We also know that New York’s debt load cannot sustain any more indebtedness.
Governor Cuomo has grandiose ideas he plans on submitting tomorrow in his State of the State and the budget, but, if enacted, New York’s population will flee, as it has for the last two decades, when faced with the costs of his progressive plans.
New York must curb spending and lower its tax burden in order to provide an atmosphere that promotes good opportunities to create jobs and give her citizens the opportunity to stay in New York.
The problem is not the federal government’s tax reform – which is applied to each of the 50 states equally – the problem is New York State spends too much; cuts must be made to provide incentives for businesses to remain in the Empire State in the same manor the federal government is lowering the business taxes to bring corporations home to the United States.
Where is the Andrew Cuomo, who in 2010 frequently said, “New York has no future as the tax capital of the nation?” Has he become so beholden to the progressive movement that he has abandoned all pretenses of being a man who understands how difficult it is for the hardworking men and women forced to pay the bills created by his desire to buy the votes he thinks will propel him to the White House?
Remember your own words, Governor: “New York has no future as the tax capital of the nation;” you control the tax burden.
Brooklyn, NY – On the back of this years’ ballot, voters will be asked to decide on three statewide proposals – local elections may have additional proposals. The Conservative Party has been quite vocal regarding its opposition to the first statewide proposal that asks if a Constitutional Convention should be held. Part of the reason we are opposed to a Constitutional Convention has to do with the fact that it is possible to amend the NYS Constitution without holding a very expensive convention.
Statewide Proposal 2 seeks to amend the NYS Constitution by allowing for the complete or partial forfeiture of a public officer’s pension if he or she is convicted of a certain type of felony that has a direct and actual relationship to the performance of the public officer’s existing duties. Simply put, a public official at any level could be subject to losing part or all of their pension if they commit a felony related to the work they are hired to do. The Court would make the decision, after consideration of undue hardship to the family and the seriousness of the crime.
The current NYS Constitution provides that the benefits of a public pension or retirement system cannot be reduced or impaired. The proposed change makes it possible to reduce or completely withhold a convicted felon’s pension when that conviction is related to their duties. If adopted, it will only relate to felony convictions after January 1, 2018.
The Conservative Party urges a YES vote on statewide proposal 2.
Fort Hamilton Station, NY (10/24/2017) The Conservative Party released the ratings for the 2017 Legislative Session today in order to keep the electorate knowledgeable of how their state legislators voted on 25 key bills acted upon in the current session.
The Conservative Party tracks legislation throughout the session, issues support and opposition memos, and determines, at an executive committee meeting, which key issues will be used. The Bills considered include spending, crime, education, nanny state legislation, pro-life issues and various other topics that affect the lives of New Yorkers. “We believe that it is necessary to keep the public informed of key votes and let the taxpayers be aware of how elected officials spend our money. Every Bill is considered, and then we narrow the number to give voters a fair assessment of what transpires in Albany,” said Michael R. Long, State Chairman.
“A review of the Bills used this year will show voters how some are specious or costly and others will show how they help New Yorkers.” said Long.
The five Assemblymen tied with 92% are Kevin M. Byrne – 94 AD, Joseph A. Errigo – 133 AD, Michael J. Fitzpatrick – 8 AD, Christopher S. Friend – 124 AD, and Stephen Hawley – 139 AD. The four Senators tied with 80% are Fred Akshar – 52 SD, Kathleen A. Marchione – 43 SD, Sue Serino – 41 SD and James Tedisco – 49 SD.
This year the overall Senate Rating is 55% down from 69% last year. The conservative endorsed Senators average was 68% down from last year’s 79%; the democrats averaged 41% down from last year’s 57%. The Assembly’s overall rating was 37% down from 42% last year. Conservative endorsed Assembly Members averaged 74% up from last year’s 71%, while the Assembly Democrats averaged 21% down from 29%.
“Voters are encouraged to contact their legislators to remind them that conservative fiscal policy and principles make New York business friendly and encourages entrepreneurs to open businesses here to provide jobs and keep families here in the Empire State,” Long concluded.
(Ratings are online here. If you have a problem downloading, please call 718-921-2158 or 518-356-7882 for a copy. Thank you.)
Brooklyn, NY — By the stroke of his pen, Governor Andrew Cuomo, undermines the very essence of what made New York State the Empire State. The immigrants who contributed so much to our Empire State, came here legally. They stood in line and respected the rule of law. New York’s Ellis Island welcomed and processed almost
40% of the legal immigrants that have come to America.
We are proud of being a melting pot of legal immigration. It is illegal immigration that we oppose; when you enter illegally you make the statement that the rule of law does not apply to you.
Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order gives immigrants who have entered our beloved country illegally his blessing to disregard the rule of law and allows illegal immigrants to reap the benefits created by a society that is based on the rule of law.
Brooklyn, NY – Chairman Michael R. Long announced that at a meeting of the State Executive Committee held yesterday (09/13/2017), the Conservative Party recommends the following positions on the three statewide proposals New York State’s citizens will vote on November 7, 2017 and reminds voters to turn the ballot over as the statewide ballot questions are on the back of the ballot.
Vote NO on proposition number 1: Shall there be a Constitutional Convention?
The New York State Conservative Party has been a longtime outspoken organization against the idea of holding a Constitutional Convention. The Convention held in 1967, which Chairman Michael R. Long participated in, was a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money and if one was held now, it would cost taxpayers even more money and be controlled by the same special interests that already have a strong presence in the legislative process.
The fact that two additional proposals are on the ballot, reinforces our position that there is a process in place that allows the NYS Constitution to be amended, when necessary, without the added immense cost of holding a convention.
Vote YES on proposition number 2: Allows for the complete or partial forfeiture of a public officer’s pension if he or she is convicted of a certain type of felony that has a direct and actual relationship to the performance of the public officer’s existing duties.
New York’s Constitution now provides that the benefits of a public pension or retirement system cannot be reduced or impaired. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to allow a court to reduce or revoke the public pension of a public officer who is convicted of a felony that has a direct and actual relationship to the performance of the public officer’s existing duties. A Court could consider many factors, including undue hardship to the family and the seriousness of the crime. If approved, the Legislature will enact law that puts the proposal into effect. All public officials, elected and appointed, would be subject to the new law, including legislative, executive, or judicial employees who directly assist in the formulation of legislation, rules, regulations, policy, or judicial decision-making and who is designated by law as a policy-maker. The proposal would only apply to felony crimes committed after January 1, 2018.
Vote YES on proposition number 3: The proposed amendment will create a land account adding up to 250 acres of forest preserve land eligible for use by towns, villages, and counties that have no viable alternative to using forest preserve land to address specific public health and safety concerns.
New York State’s Constitution protects the State’s forest preserve as wild forest land and generally prohibits the lease, sale, exchange, or taking of any forest preserve land. The Conservative Party has long opposed the state arbitrarily taking land to increase acreage in a forest preserve, however, there are times when such action is necessary. Proposal number 3, creates a land account of up to 250 acres of forest preserve land, that a town, village, or county can apply to the land account if it has no viable alternative to using forest preserve land for specified health and safety purposes. These purposes could include making dangerous roads safer and other safety concerns, for example bridge repairs. It could also make it possible for rural areas to gain access to needed utility lines and safer bike paths.
