“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
In honor of Presidents Day, the New York State Conservative Party pays tribute to the great leaders who have served as President of the United States. From George Washington, who helped establish the very foundations of our democracy, to Abraham Lincoln, who fought to preserve it during one of its greatest challenges, to Ronald Reagan, who worked to restore our national pride and strength in the face of adversity. Regardless of political affiliation, every president played an essential role in shaping our nation into the land of the free and the home of the brave.
As conservatives, we believe in the principles of limited government, individual freedom, and personal responsibility. Our presidents have exemplified these values throughout our history, upholding the Constitution as the bedrock of our society.
Our nation’s first president, George Washington, exemplified historic leadership during the American Revolution, which was crucial in securing our nation’s independence. His commitment to liberty and justice for all set the standard for future leaders to follow. President Lincoln recognized the need to preserve the Union at all costs, led our country through the Civil War, and ended the institution of slavery. President Reagan understood that America was a shining beacon of freedom and opportunity to the world, and he worked tirelessly to promote those values both at home and abroad. He knew that the strength of our nation came from the ingenuity and hard work of its citizens.
The legacies of these remarkable presidents, and so many more, will be forever ingrained into our society. Generations to come will have the opportunity to participate in the strongest democracy in the world and vote for a leader that will impact the lives of every citizen. It is essential that we choose leaders who will uphold the constitution, our values, and our freedom.
As we honor our past presidents, let us be reminded of the timeless values that have made our country great. Let us work together to uphold these values and build a better future for ourselves and future generations. In the wise words of President Reagan, “We are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We have every right to dream heroic dreams.” Let us never forget the heroic dreams of our past presidents, and let us strive to achieve even greater heights in the years to come.
President Biden wants you to feel that things are looking up for our nation. To make his points, the President filled his annual State of the Union Address with half-truths and lies. More jobs, sure, but make no mistake, they aren’t jobs created, but jobs returned as we rebound from the pandemic. Improving the economy, maybe. Out-of-control inflation, obviously.
On Mexico, the President was not willing to connect the dots between his foreign policy and border failures with the nearly one hundred thousand Fentanyl deaths in the country. Fentanyl comes over our borders from the South and through various mechanisms directly from communist China.
He touted a bring back the “Made in America” banner created in the early 1970s by a Republican Administration. Too bad his party spent most of the previous administration denouncing its “America First” theme.
Biden’s inability to tell the truth resulted in him using his address to the nation to falsely accuse the Republican Majority of working on cutting Social Security and Medicare the true third rail of government and politics. As though on cue, the Democrats denounced the GOP for jeering Biden’s lie instead of questioning why he lied in the first place.
Direct TV and Newsmax
Political speech, particularly dissenting speech, is America’s most precious resource, whether it comes from the political left or the political right. At a time when free speech is under attack and censorship by big tech, television providers should not be removing any news networks.
Newsmax is not just another network; it has become a wildly successful alternative to the major Networks, Fox and CNN, even going as far as to outperform both in the ratings at times.
I suspect the decision by AT&T to pull Newsmax is hardly over the financial reasons it claims; it just sounds too convenient for the moment. I know corporate boardrooms aren’t the friendliest places for conservative thoughts. I also know that corporate boardrooms should have no place deciding where and where not the consumer will get their news.
We are tired of being told what to think and how to think by elitists. This country was founded on Principals, the most important being freedom of speech. The longer they keep Newsmax off Direct TV, the longer they suppress our 1 st Amendment.
2023 Political Action Conference
Thank you to everyone who supported and attended our Conservative Party Political Action Conference. I have had the good fortune of hearing from countless attendees over the last couple of days and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. From the beginning, the conference had a different feel and look. The centralized location in Albany, combined with a revamped speaker format, helped result in one of our largest turnouts. I am sure many came away with information they will put into action going forward.
The new member Congressional Panel of Nick Lalotta, Michael Lawler, Brandon Williams and Marcus Molinaro was worthy of its own public affairs show. Gordon Chang on China and Brandon Judd the national head of the Border Agent Council were insightful.
The Rookie reception had near twenty new members of Congress and the legislature in attendance. The Awards reception that closed the conference was in particular well attended.
Lee Zeldin’s news conference which received both national and statewide coverage had over nine cameras and countless journalists in attendance.
Lee who was the Luncheon speaker was modest in describing his efforts and thankful for all the Conservative Party did for him.
The Conference was planned and executed by Jason McGuire, who acted as Master of Ceremonies, along with Jim Thomas, Eileen Johnson, Chris Kendall, Aaron Martin, and Andrew Davis.
I would also like to thank our former Executive Director Shaun Marie who continues to provide guidance.
I look forward to continuing to grow the ranks of the Conservative Party and helping deliver decisive victories around the state.
Congressional Republicans are finally playing hardball and treating Democrats exactly how they were treated the previous 4 years. Except Republicans aren’t removing House Members from committees without just cause.
Rep. Ilhan Omar has time and time again spewed anti-Semitic hate and downplayed terrorist attacks, such as 9/11, far too many times to be taken seriously as a member of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee.
There are no fewer than three times where Rep. Omar participated in and led anti-Jewish sentiment, at one point even causing her own caucus to at one point introduce a resolution condemning her comments.
I am happy House leadership is holding members accountable for their bigotry. For far too long, the media has provided cover to Democrats acting as in-kind contributors as opposed to responsibly journalist. Leader McCarthy and his caucus have had enough, and I agree.
The Hochul Budget
If big government were the solution to society’s ills, New York State would be heaven on earth. Instead, under Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget, it will remain a tax and regulatory hellscape, continuing to fall behind other states in job and business development. When will New York’s Democratic leadership finally learn that economic growth comes from the private sector, not government spending?
From the Governor’s proposed MTA payroll tax, to tone deaf responses on crime and bail reform, one party rule in New York is proving to be more dangerous and costly than we could have ever expected.
The Conservative Party is building on one of its most fruitful years ever. In 2022, it played a key role in the successful litigation effort 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, four of whom won with margins provided by line “C.” Newsmax called the New York State Conservative Party “The Majority Makers” for its role in the Republican takeover of Congress.
Political parties have a duty to spell out in detail the ideas and legislative measures they support, and we are pleased to do so again in 2023. Unsurprisingly, we continue to call for fiscally sound, pro-economic-growth policies; respect for human life; strong public safety laws; religious and other constitutional freedoms; free-market solutions to healthcare and housing shortages; accountability in education, and government reforms, including the return of powers to the State Legislature, a co-equal branch of New York State government. We urge that members of all political affiliations review and consider these prescriptions for a better state.
Please see our comprehensive legislative program for 2023 here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 1, 2023
Brooklyn-NY…“If big government were the solution to society’s ills, New York State would be heaven on earth. Instead, under Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget, it will remain a tax and regulatory hellscape, continuing to fall behind other states in job and business development. When will New York’s Democratic leadership finally learn that economic growth comes from the private sector, not government spending?
The Governor’s proposed MTA payroll tax is painfully tone deaf to struggling New Yorkers, and her rosy projections on casino revenues shows just how much New York, under one-party Democrat rule, has come to rely on vice revenues that cannibalize the poor to pay for more ineffective government programs?
We are pleased to see the Governor talking about changes to New York’s disastrous bail reform laws, but her incremental approach is totally insufficient. If the Governor really wanted to reduce crime, she’d propose a complete repeal of cashless bail and hold up the budget until that occurs. We’re not holding our breath, but we do urge New Yorkers to hold tight to their wallets. New York’s Democrat-led Legislature is in session.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2023
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
Brooklyn, NY...New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar today released the Party’s 2023 Legislative Program. The Conservative Party publicly submits its agenda each year to make clear its beliefs and priorities for the annual legislative session in Albany.
The Conservative Party is building on one of its most fruitful years ever. In 2022, it played a key role in the successful litigation effort 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, four of whom won with margins provided by line “C.” Newsmax called the New York State Conservative Party “The Majority Makers” for its role in the Republican takeover of Congress.
“Political parties have a duty to spell out in detail the ideas and legislative measures they support, and we are pleased to do so again in 2023,” Mr. Kassar said. “Unsurprisingly, we continue to call for fiscally sound, pro-economic-growth policies; respect for human life; strong public safety laws; religious and other constitutional freedoms; free-market solutions to healthcare and housing shortages; accountability in education, and government reforms, including the return of powers to the State Legislature, a co-equal branch of New York State government. We urge that members of all political affiliations review and consider these prescriptions for a better state.”
Every year, on January 27, the world comes together to remember the millions of innocent men, women and children murdered by the Nazi regime. I would be remiss if I didn’t make one thing very clear—while today may be the official International Day of Remembrance, the thought that these atrocities were happening not too long ago and not too far away never escapes me.
Staying vigilant against antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination, is not something we should just verbalize, but practice on a daily basis. Together, we must ensure that the world never sees such darkness again.
We have unfortunately experienced heightened levels of discrimination aimed at our Jewish and Asian neighbors in recent years here in New York. Those acts go against everything I value as an American and I hope you all join me in re-committing that hate will not win.
Please take a moment today to say a prayer for all the lives lost, as well as those who lived through the unimaginable horror of the holocaust.
Speaker McCarthy Announces Key New Committee Members
The Speaker of the House announced the list of Congressional Members that will serve on a subcommittee that will investigate the “weaponization” of the federal government and COVID-19.
It is exactly for reasons like this that it was crucial for Republicans to take back the United States House. With Democrats no longer in control, special interest and big government take a hit. Now we have the ability to get to the bottom of the issues that matter most and investigate circumstances that changed the course of American history and our lives.
Rep. Jim Jordan has been tapped to lead the panel on weaponization. Joining him will be Reps. Darrell Issa, Thomas Massie, Chris Stewart, Mike Johnson, Chip Roy, Kelly Armstrong, Greg Steube, Dan Bishop, Kat Cammack, Harriet Hageman and New York’s own Elise Stefanik.
Rep. Elise Stefanik released a statement where she promised to “hold the DOJ and FBI accountable for their longstanding political weaponization.” Additionally, she intends to probe both the IRS and HHS.
Additionally, a new subcommittee on COVID-19 has also been formed to investigate the origins of the virus and what role the federal government may have played in its gain of function research as Republicans look for answers in regard to the pandemic.
To lead that committee, Speaker McCarthy chose Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Debbie Lesko, Michael Cloud, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ronny Jackson, Rich McCormick and another of New York’s stars Nicole Malliotakis.
CPPAC NEXT WEEKEND
The Conservative Party’s annual political action conference is coming up in just a few days. It is being held on Sunday, February 5th and Monday, February 6th at the Albany Hilton downtown just across the street from the State Capitol Building.
The conference is loaded with great speakers and events. The all-inclusive price of $175 includes two days of seminars, a Sunday night reception with newly elected members of Congress and the State Legislature, Monday morning breakfast, Monday lunch with Lee Zeldin and Alison Esposito, an evening reception and dinner with our Conservative Party endorsed members of the Assembly and Senate.
The Sunday and Monday sessions have programs designed to help you run candidates, reach out, raise funds and run a political party. There also will be great speakers and informative panels. You will hear from pollster John McLaughlin, author and China expert Gordon Chang, Brandon Judd the national head of the Border Patrol union as well as a panel consisting of Congress members Mike Lawler, Marcus Molinaro, Nick LaLota and Brandon Williams.
The Democratic controlled State Senate Judiciary Committee voted against Governor Hochul’s nomination for Chief Judge marking the first time in history that a Governors nominee has failed to be confirmed. This is a shocking and embarrassing defeat for Governor Hochul at the hands of her own Democratic colleagues in the senate.
Judge LaSalle, who was endorsed last year in the 10th Judicial District by the Conservative Party, is highly regarded for his fairness, intelligence, temperament and work ethic by colleagues, peers and lawyers alike. It is shameful that Judge LaSalle has not been afforded the right to go before the entirety of the New York State Senate for a confirmation vote of the full body. This does remain an open issue subject to litigation.
If it wasn’t clear already, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s (the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee) comments left no room for misinterpretation when he suggested any judge that received the Conservative Party nomination will not be considered by his committee.
The left wing crazies on the committee led by Hoylman-Sigal ensured that LaSalle never got a fair chance.
Top legal scholars, experts on the legislature and State Constitution, all agree that the advice and consent role of the Judiciary Committee is to make a recommendation to the entire 63 member Senate body.
This is yet another shameful play by Democrats in the State Senate who this time voted against one of their own because he dare enforce the law and carry out his duties as a judge.
New York’s Conservative Party endorsed Members of Congress got more good news this week as committee assignments were finalized. Many members received positions on top committees while others were assigned committees that are both near and dear to them, and most importantly, near and dear to New Yorkers.
The influence of New York around the country is front and center with the appointment of the following committees:
Rep. Nick Lalota NY-01: Homeland Security, House Armed Service
Rep. Andrew Garbarino NY-02: Financial Services, Homeland Security
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito NY-04: Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis NY-11: Ways and Means
Rep. Michael Lawler NY-17: Financial Services, Foreign Affairs
Rep. Marcus Molinaro NY-19: Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture
Rep. Elise Stefanik: Chair of the House Majority Conference
Rep. Brandon Williams NY-22: Transportation and Infrastructure, Science and Technology
Rep. Nick Langworthy NY-23: House Oversight, Agriculture
Rep. Claudia Tenney NY-24: Ways and Means
*Note: Rep. George Santos NY-03 has been assigned to Small Business; Science & Technology. However, the State & Nassau County Conservative Party position remains that he should show respect for his constituents and office by resigning. Furthermore, we no longer consider him a part of our delegation.
Mayor Adams and the Migrant Crisis
Why is it so difficult for Mayor Adams to admit that New York City cannot dig itself out of the economic hole that its economic and social policies have dug? Why does he not see that the city is still suffering from the effects of COVID turning many of our business and shopping areas into deserts of empty office space and closed stores? Why does the Mayor think that spending 2 billion dollars annually to address the migrant crisis is okay with most New Yorkers?
Mayor Adams creates more questions than he has answers. And although I do agree that Biden’s border policies are the biggest part of the problem, New York City government’s progressive rhetoric was naturally going to work against the city’s ability to serve its actual citizens from the start.
New York City couldn’t handle 2 buses of migrants without going into a state of emergency. What do they think is happening to Texas and Arizona?
Conference Update
We look forward to seeing you at our annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference. Though not nearly the first conference, it will be considerably different than in years past as we continue to evolve with the times and political landscape. We look forward to both great speakers and immensely informative breakout sessions.
We are happy to feature Lee Zeldin and Alison Esposito at Monday’s lunch, Gordon Chang on the dangers of TicTok and the growing China threat, John Mclaughlin on understanding polling, along with a panel of newly elected Congressmembers. We will also hold seminar presentations and processes with Brian Kolb on Public financing of elections, along with media training, petitions, party organizing, campaign interaction and raising money. Finally, Border security and parental rights with a closing reception honoring the super stars of last year’s legislature round out the conference.
This will, without a doubt, be our most successful conference yet!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 19, 2023
Brooklyn-NY…“The progressive Chairman of the State Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal of Manhattan, declared today that any judicial nominee in New York running on the Conservative Party line should be summarily rejected for consideration. In other words, Senator Hoylman-Sigal wants prospective judges pre-judged in this state to meet his own ideological bent. Maybe it’s time that the Conservative Party reconsider its cross endorsements of Democrats.
“Serious people understand that Mr. Hoylman-Sigal is not among them, but his position as Senate Judiciary Chairman is cause for genuine alarm. How is it possible that a man with such prejudices is in a position to so radically affect our judicial system and the lives of each and every New Yorker? Isn’t justice supposed to be blind?”
Our Congressional Delegation has done very well in the first set of committee announcements, many earning top positions in what will only make New York stronger as a state.
Congresswomen Claudia Tenney and Nicole Malliotakis were appointed to the Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful committee in the House of Representatives. Congressman Michael Lawler was appointed to the Financial Services Committee which oversees the Equity Markets and the Insurance Industry among its responsibilities.
They join Congressman Andrew Garbarino who was appointed a member of the Majority Steering Committee which works directly with the Speaker in managing the House Republicans.
Of course, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik the Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference is the third highest ranking member f the House Majority.
Next week appointments will be announced for the remaining members of the New York delegation. Considering our slate were the U.S. House “Majority Makers,” I expect that they too will do well.
Congratulations to all!
State of the State
Having traveled to Albany for Governor Hochul’s State of the State, I am being kind in calling it a recipe for disaster. Maintaining the Dream which she hoped would become the thematic outline for her remarks were another reminder of the nightmare NYS government has created for most of its citizens.
There was little to offer on public safety. In fact, her approach will push off meaningful change for the foreseeable future.
Her housing proposals are not realistic. The proposal to allow the state to override local zoning should be a non-starter. Ending the use of fossil fuels for heating in new construction which will require the use of electric heat pumps is an expensive burden for homeowners and landlords a like.
Her proposal to increase the minimum wage to above $21 and to link a cost-of-living adjustment with it, will drive more existing businesses out of the state and be one more barrier to attracting business. Balancing budgets on ultra-expensive borrowing and federal funds that are unlikely to materialize remains her goal as she plans for a new record spending document. We need to cut spending.
Governor Hochul’s State of the State is a reminder that New York lacks a leader in the Executive Mansion. It’s a sorry State of affairs.
President Biden looked like a deer in headlights as he attempted to explain how so many classified documents came to be in his possession during his four-post Vice Presidency years in office. His Press Secretary did him no favors with her inability to articulately answer questions from the media and often times looking unprepared.
The bottom line is he cannot explain how they ended up in a totally non-secure setting. It is long overdue for the Democratic Party to hold Biden to the same standard they wish to hold President Trump. I suspect that will be impossible for a Party more focused on hate for President Trump then admitting to their own serious flaws. My full statement is here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 13, 2023
Brooklyn-NY…“President Joe Biden’s reckless mishandling of classified documents from his time as Vice President — some were sitting in a garage for years — is a matter of deep national security concern. Unlike documents discovered at Mar-a-Lago, the classified materials President Biden kept were virtually unprotected. No classified documents should ever be removed from the White House, but the carelessness with which President Biden stored them is extraordinary. It calls into serious question the President’s judgment, and we hope for a thorough and apolitical investigation into what happened.
“It should also be noted that some of the documents were discovered before the November 8, 2022 elections, but not reported until after the elections had taken place, demonstrating the nakedly political thought that went into their reporting. One wonders what President Biden was thinking while doing interviews condemning President Trump for documents discovered at Mar-a-Lago. This is Washington at its worst.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
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.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.”
