HOCHUL’S NYS BUDGET

You know you are in trouble when your Governor’s budget address is complimented for not being as bad as previous budgets or those of Governor Cuomo whom she played second fiddle to as his Lieutenant.

It’s real big at $233 billion, in fact, the biggest ever. It continues to spend billions on migrant issues ranging from added security, to housing, and items such as health and education; as she hopes that the flow of illegal migrants, that she and Adams welcomed, slows. It is balanced through shifts in spending, use of a rainy day fund to cover the storm the Democrats created, kicking the can down the road in some cases, and assumptions in revenue and federal aid that likely will not be realized. She offers the taxpayers of the second highest taxed state per capita in the nation the hallow good news that she will not raise Personal Income Taxes again. And she continues expensive, unrealistic, and unpopular environmental programs that will continue to drive businesses and residents to other states.

She acknowledges NYS has a public safety problem that can be attributed to bad laws. She offers no legislative approach to reversing them. Her comments on the shoplifting crisis were as credible as stopping a broken pipe with a band-aid. After failure and criticism of last year’s budget, her approach hopes to gather support by being a bad budget, instead of a very bad budget.

It is not going to change the systemic problems facing New York State. Worse yet, as a starting document it will be shredded by lobbyists, and the State Legislature looking to continue their dominance of all aspects of New York State government, since her monumental losses last year during the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals nominating process and budget negotiations.

Read my statement here:

TRUMP’S WIN

Say what you want, but President Trump fully met expectations in a decisive win in Iowa. We are close to the point in which all candidates should unite behind a single candidate to allow a focus on defeating Joe Biden, taking control of the US Senate, and holding the house.

The State Conservative Party has not made an endorsement in the election for President, but endorsements from our county organizations continue to move forward with Orange, and the Bronx, most recently endorsing President Trump.

Several Conservative Party endorsed Members of Congress including Nick Langworthy, Claudia Tenney and of course Elise Stefanik, have formally come out for Trump. Others like Nicole Malliotakis have expressed support for Trump with endorsements expected in the upcoming weeks.

Elise Stefanik has received extensive media coverage for being on a short list for Vice President. Former Congressman Lee Zeldin is reported to have undergone special media training as he too is being considered. I will keep you posted on the matter.

ALBANY CONFERENCE

Just a reminder, our 56th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference is quickly approaching this February 4th, and 5th at the Albany Hilton Hotel! We have a fantastic event planned with an array of speakers, legislators, break-out sessions, receptions, and conservative activists…ALL for the low price of $200.

Beginning Sunday, February 4th, I will kick off the day with welcome remarks at 12:15, followed by our first speaker, Joe Pinion. Joe, as a youthful conservative, will be discussing “renewing the American dream for a new generation.”  We will be joined by John McLaughlin, who will be discussing how to get in the head of today’s independent voter, political strategy, and much more. Shortly after, given horrific current events, we will be hosting a panel on “The Alarming Rise of Antisemitism in Israel’s Greatest Ally.” We will also have expert commentators on the topics of property rights, and the overwhelming migrant crisis that will be announced in the coming days.

In addition to great speakers, we are lucky enough to have informative breakout sessions throughout the day such as activating your absentee voters, potential pitfalls of operating a party, and much more!

Sunday evening, we will discuss election integrity and “Securing the Vote” with Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Followed by our Legislative Reception at 6:00 pm featuring members of New York’s Congressional and State Legislative Delegation. If you are interested in keeping the party going, you can attend our after-hour events starting at 8:00 pm and enjoy a cigar, or a drink with like-minded individuals.

The next day, February 5th, we will start our day off with a breakfast buffet, followed by a session on what New Yorkers can expect in 2024. You can also expect to have an expert panel on America’s ties to Taiwan, and US/the Republic of China relations. If you are interested in media, we have a fantastic session called “Mediating Relationships with Modern Media” featuring Ryan Girdursky, Elizabeth Benjamin, and John Fund who are all well-known in the media world. We are also grateful to be joined by Matt Valliere, the Executive Director of Parents Rights Action Fund to discuss the inhumane and inherent dangers of assisted suicide.

Around 12:00 pm Monday, Lee Zeldin will be joining us for a press conference regarding Congressional Reapportionment. As the situation is developing, Lee will give us the most updated information on the matter.

At 12:30 pm on Monday, we will kick off our luncheon with our keynote speaker, David Keene.

At 6:00 pm Monday, we will host our 2024 Reception and award dinner, which will truly be a great evening. You won’t want to miss this event. You can purchase your ticket here, or print a registration form to mail in.

In 2024, we are choosing a U.S. Senator, deciding upon members of our congressional delegation, selecting state legislators, and weighing in on a proposed constitutional amendment. It is imperative to the future of our great nation and the stability of our state that voters choose well.

STATE OF THE STATE

Should we give Governor Hochul credit for finally admitting that Democratic controlled Albany has created a state that has growing financial woes, serious issues with crime, and an open-door policy for illegal immigrants that is harming the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers?

I do not think so. Hochul has been either Governor, or Lt Governor for more than twelve years. The Democrats have controlled either most of the Albany wheels, or all of it since 2007.

Out-migration has been consistent year-over-year for more than a decade. The out-migration in the past two years has been 1.2 million, an unprecedented number. Of course, hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants have arrived with no jobs, no place to live, and in many cases, no desire to live, or assimilate in New York.

This is anything other than a one-for-one trade. The dots do connect, and no one should need to draw Hochul a picture to understand.

In my years of observing the Governor’s State of the State addresses, Governor Hochul presented a clueless summary of a state that is rudderless; a ship that she is the captain of.

These annual messages usually have a thematic approach such as Governor Carey’s, “The Days of Wine and Roses are Behind Us.” Instead, we received a dull, biased speech, littered with false pretenses. I have dubbed this State of the State a true SOS message. You can read our press release here:

THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Any state legislator who supports keeping a leading candidate for President off his Party’s primary ballot is a traitor to basic American principles of American Democracy. It is that simple.

You do not need to be for, or against former President Trump to know this to be true. Frankly, if I were the Democrats, I would be very concerned that the same hollow arguments could be used to keep Joe Biden off the ballot.

I am confident that the Supreme Court in the next few weeks will decide in favor of the Constitution and in favor of Democracy, by siding with Donald Trump against these amazingly partisan efforts to keep him off the ballots.

What do the Democrats have to fear – the public?

PATRIOTS PODIUM FEATURING ASSEMBLYMAN BEEPHAN

As we kick off 2024 with our 17th bi-weekly episode of Patriots Podium, we are thrilled to continue to bring you insightful discussions with key figures shaping the conservative landscape. We are not even two weeks into the New Year, and Democrats have wasted no time in continuing their efforts to destroy New York. Therefore, we must double our efforts to fight back against their partisan politics with a common sense approach. Our podcast covers recent events, current hot topics, and insider information you can only find here.

For this week’s episode, we had a rising star in Albany join us. One who has a high legislative rating of 84% – Assemblyman Anil Beephan, also known as AJ, representing the 105th Assembly District in Dutchess County. AJ is a young, energetic, Republican/Conservative Assemblymember, representing the ideals that resonate with the next generation of conservatives. I was honored to have him share his insights on a myriad of topics, such as immigration, reapportionment, and provide our listeners with a firsthand look into the abysmal 2024 State of the State Address.

You can watch this week’s episode on any of the links below! Please give us a like, subscribe, and share!

YouTube                     BuzzSprout                 Apple Music                Spotify

REAPPORTIONMENT

With the new year, the process to redo NYS Congressional lines – resulting from a highly partisan and likely corrupt actions by the Governor and Court of Appeals – starts anew.

The Independent Redistricting Commission, that is equally divided between Republican/Conservatives and Democratic Commissioners, is under a mandate from the NYS Court of Appeals to submit a new Congressional map by the end of February. The Court of Appeals wrongly concluded that the current lines were only good for one term. The unconstitutional gerrymander of the original lines created by the Legislature stands as well as the arguments that the countless submissions reviewed by the appointed special expert master, as well as his own knowledge of the process, resulted in the current map.

The Party’s position is simple. The Commission should resubmit the heavily reviewed, and current Congressional map. There is no logical argument, beyond raw politics, that can overcome the reality that the current map created many fair battles with a Democratic/GOP ratio that closely resembles state voting behavior.

This agreed-upon plan should be passed by the Legislature.  This will satisfy the court and is eminently fair to voters.

The GOP/Conservative Commissioners have expressed support for keeping the maps the same.

A not-for-profit group entitled “Stop NY Corruption” has organized to further educate the public on the importance of keeping the current Congressional maps. Expensive, time-consuming, confusing, and completely unnecessary. Changing the current Congressional lines can help only one special interest group – the Democratic House Minority.

THE 2024 SESSION BEGINS

This past week, I traveled to Albany per invitations from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay and Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt to attend the annual opening events their caucuses host. I was pleased to cross paths with many of our party leaders who also made the trip.

I visited with many of our endorsed Assemblymembers, and State Senators, who are eager to rejoin the fight in Albany against the gigantic illegal migrant influx, deepening budget deficits, environmental policies that are being rejected by the private sector, the anti-parental control movement, and election changes designed to suppress the opposition.

Next week the Governor will give her State of the State Address, followed two weeks later by her budget message. I do not need to read or hear the State of the State to know that she is addressing hundreds of thousands of fewer New Yorkers. The many thousands who have abandoned our State due to unchecked Democratic policies.

CPPAC

We are officially one month away from our 56th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference in the heart of Albany NY! We have a fantastic event planned, with an array of speakers, legislators, and conservative activists. Just to name a few, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney will be addressing attendees Sunday, February 4^th, on the topic of “Securing the Vote”. As Co-Chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, she will bring immense knowledge that will help prepare us for the 2024 Presidential election year. The next day, February 5^th, we are pleased to be joined by our keynote speaker, David Keene. Mr. Keene is a trusted adviser to presidents, a longtime champion of personal liberty and one of conservatism’s most respected voices. He is the former opinion editor of The Washington Times. An author, columnist and fixture on national television, Mr. Keene has championed conservative causes for decades while offering advice to Republican presidents and countless candidates. He additionally served as chairman of the American Conservative Union and president of the National Rifle Association.

In addition, you should also expect to see people like Lee Zeldin, Joe Pinion, John McLaughlin, our NY Congressmembers, and much more. You won’t want to miss this event. You can purchase your ticket here, or print a registration form to mail in.

In order to receive a discounted hotel room for lodging, please book by Wednesday, January 10, 2024 and provide the Conservative Party’s “3CPNYS” registration code when calling the Hilton at 1-866-691-1183. Alternatively, you can make a hotel reservation online here:

In 2024, we are choosing a U.S. Senator, deciding upon members of our congressional delegation, selecting state legislators, and weighing in on a proposed constitutional amendment. It is imperative to the future of our great nation and the stability of our state that voters choose well.

Happy New Year!

In 2023, we enjoyed many great victories, but not without some setbacks; overall, it was a mixed year.  We are once again burdened with the Democratic super majority in the State Legislature, a highly partisan Governor and the growing dominance of radical Democrats. The failure to break a Democratic super majority in the State Senate was critical in the Democratic Party’s ability to revisit the congressional reapportionment. You can read my full press release on reapportionment here. 

The highly partisan nature of Governor Hochul and the Democratically-controlled legislature has resulted in a Court of Appeals that is mostly focused on doing the Democratic Party’s bidding.  We can no longer count on that court to give us a fair shake.  Our victories must come at the ballot box, a place in which I believe the Conservative Party is well-equipped to fight.

We will continue to litigate, particularly in matters that involve absentee ballots, early voting by mail, and changes in the election year for local offices outside of cities from off years – to even years. The ballot box is our best hope, but the lower courts, despite the highly partisan nature of the Court of Appeals, do remain a necessary spoke in our efforts to spread our conservative philosophy and counter Democratic Party efforts to silence our voice.

As much as we accurately claim that each election year is of great importance, 2024 truly is the most important election in decades.  The presidency, control of the congress, much needed advances in the state legislature are necessary to protect our way of life.

Hochul, Biden, Jeffries and democratic leaders in the State Legislature are actively working to change the America that we have known, and in doing so eliminating vocal political opposition. 

I remain confident in the “American Experiment” with faith in the American people, and New Yorkers in particular. The American people, have long appreciated the unique nature of our government, its protections of liberty, and individual rights. It’s unfortunate that leaders like President Biden and Governor Hochul have pushed so hard against basic American beliefs and principles. The Conservative Party has been, and will continue to be, a buttress against those who wish to infringe on our way of life. 

I wish you a safe and Happy New Year, and urge you to recommit yourself to the importance of participating in the great American experience, established by our founding fathers, implanted in our Constitution, and Bill of Rights. 

Happy New Year!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
December 23, 2023

Statement on Gov. Hochul’s Tammany Hall Plot to Bury Local Elections by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

Brooklyn-NY…”Governor Kathy Hochul is every bit the Tammany Hall politician that New Yorkers of good will hoped to never see again. Her relentless attacks on our electoral system are blatantly partisan, designed only to benefit the Democratic Party at the expense of all other New Yorkers. Mrs. Hochul, who narrowly avoided defeat in 2022, knows that by moving odd-year local elections to even years, she will be relegating otherwise prominent county and local races to the bottom of the ballot. These races will get almost zero press coverage in the shadow of larger federal and state races, and voters will be more likely to vote the party line in the absence of sufficient information.

“Governor Hochul’s cynicism seemingly knows no bounds. She is systematically rigging our election processes to the benefit of county Democratic Party operations and to the detriment of democracy itself.  The Conservative Party — and others who believe in free and fair elections — will see her in court again.

Happy Holidays!

As the year draws to a close, the New York State Conservative Party extends heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a joyous New Year to all our dedicated members, supporters, and their families.

In 2023, together, we achieved numerous successes and milestones, underscoring our commitment to conservative principles. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in these accomplishments, and for that, we are truly grateful.

As we embrace the holiday season, let us celebrate the spirit of Christmas and the Festival of Lights – a time of joy, unity, and reflection. May the warmth of family and friends surround you, bringing happiness and cherished moments.

Looking ahead, the New York State Conservative Party is excited about the opportunities that 2024 holds. With the upcoming Presidential year, we are gearing up for new challenges and victories that align with our core values. Your continued dedication is vital as we navigate this path together, but for now, enjoy a well-deserved break with loved ones.

In the spirit of the season, let us carry the goodwill and optimism into the coming year. May 2024 be a year of prosperity, unity, and success for our party and the conservative values we hold dear.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Thank you for being an integral part of our conservative family.

“On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer, feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we experience it in our hearts. For, more than just a day, Christmas is a state of mind. It is found throughout the year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers despair, and love triumphs over hate.” -Ronald Regan

3^rd Congressional District

The New York State Conservative Party, in conjunction with the Nassau and Queens Conservative Party Committees, have chosen to endorse Mazi Melesa Pilips to run for the 3^rd Congressional District after the expulsion of George Santos. She is an outstanding public official who will be an incredible candidate to keep this seat in the hands of our party. I have talked to her extensively, and am confident she aligns with the Conservative Party’s values. Here is her bio:

Mazi Pilip is an Israeli-American politician serving in New York’s Nassau County Legislature representing Nassau County, Long Island’s 10th district, as a Republican. She is an Ethiopian Jew who was born in a poor village in Ethiopia, immigrated to Israel when she was 12 years old, and later served in the Israel Defense Force’s Paratroopers Brigade. She studied at the University of Haifa, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, and also studied at Tel Aviv University, where she earned a masters degree in diplomacy and security. In addition to her unique background, she is a married mother of seven children! In 2021 and again in 2023, Pilip was elected to the Nassau County Legislature.

You can read my full press release here:

Reapportionment Decision

It really came as no surprise, especially considering the manner in which Governor Hochul went about “fixing” the court. Our highest Court in NYS, the State Court of Appeals, made it abundantly clear that they engage in partisan politics; even when it’s against the will of the voters.

The decision this week threw out a congressional reapportionment that was considered fair, equitable, and competitive. Now the work goes to the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, a body that is divided equally between democrats and republican/conservatives.

The Conservative Party’s position is that the existing lines make perfect sense, and should be what the commission puts forward to the State Legislature. It’s worth noting that the Court of Appeals ruled on process. The original congressional lines done by the legislature, and thrown out last year by the courts, was ruled an unconstitutional gerrymander. That ruling still remains in place. These current lines produced by an expert special master made sense then, and make sense now. You can read our full press release here: 

Patriots Podium Featuring Joe Borelli

For our last Patriots Podium Episode of the year, I was delighted to have on the Minority Leader of the New York City Council, Joe Borelli. As many of you may know him, Joe is a major asset to the Conservative movement and a champion of common sense in NYC. With all the madness that occurs in NYC, people like him and the recently formed “Common Sense Caucus” help put a stop to the radical agenda coming out of the Democrats. In this episode, we dive into the hot topic of congestion pricing that recently came into effect. Joe goes into great detail on why congestion pricing is a complete disaster. You can listen using any of the links below:

YouTube                      BuzzSprout                  Apple Music                Spotify

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
December 14, 2023

New York State Conservative Party Chooses Nassau Legislator Mazi Pilip to Run in NY-3

Brooklyn-NY…The New York State Conservative Party today announced that Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip is its choice to run in the upcoming special election in New York’s 3rd Congressional District on Long Island. Ms. Pilip, who was also endorsed today by the New York State and Nassau Republican Party, will run against perennial Democrat candidate, former congressman Tom Suozzi.

Ms. Pilip was unanimously chosen by the Conservative Party’s executive committee, after being nominated for the office by Nassau County Conservative Party Chairman Daniel Donovan. Nassau Conservative Party Executive Vice President Chris Mistron seconded the nomination.

“There were a number of terrific candidates pursuing this nomination, but Legislator Pilip has everything we think it will take to retain this seat,” said State Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar.  “Ms. Pilip has an extraordinary background, and a built in political base within Nassau County. We trust that voters in the 3rd Congressional District will see what we see in her: a strong and confident leader and a champion of common sense. We look forward to campaigning with Ms. Pilip in the important weeks ahead.”

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Speaker Mike Johnson

This past weekend, I had an opportunity to spend time with House Speaker Mike Johnson at both a roundtable and lunch. The event was also attended by many of our endorsed Congress members including Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Lawler, Marcus Molinaro, Elise Stefanik, Anthony D’Esposito, and Nick LaLota. Conservative Party’s Livingston County Chairman, Jason McGuire, attended the luncheon with me.

Johnson, who hails from Northwestern Louisiana may be the most conservative House Speaker in over a hundred and twenty years. A constitutional attorney, well versed in conservative philosophy, Johnson can make the case for the values we hold dear.

During the roundtable, he emphasized the importance of the economic and financial bills being put forward by the House GOP, including his support for single-budget bills; ending the practice of submitting gigantic omnibus bills.

A former member of the House Judiciary Committee, Johnson indicated that there was more than sufficient evidence to impeach President Biden- an impeachment he will move forward in the coming days.

I did have a chance to talk with him for a few minutes about state politics, as well as my knowledge of his part of Louisiana where my wife and I own property.

Smart, articulate, and grounded in conservative values, Speaker Johnson thinks the way we do. As I have said before, we are fortunate to have him as the Speaker of the House.

Eventful Week

This week, the Conservative Party held a successful fundraiser in Syracuse with the help of Tom Dadey and local conservatives. We had a great turnout with an array of legislators, local leaders, and community members. Additionally, I had an opportunity to do several radio and cable shows around the state including the Bob Lonsberry Show and New York One with Bernadette Hogan.

Bob’s questions were excellent. There was great interest in my take on the distinctions between the various political parties as well as reasons to enroll in the Conservative Party. Be on the lookout for the release on our social media, website, Lonsberry Radio, etc.

NY-1 was interested in my take on the obvious deal Governor Hochul made with her former opponent Tom Suozzi to get her support for the 3^rd Congressional District Democratic endorsement. Suozzi will now be saddled with an unpopular Governor that he cannot escape from. You can read the article here.

Hunter Biden Indictment

As this is being written, more information is coming out on the Hunter Biden case, and an indictment has been issued. Hunter is being indicted on nine charges, including three felonies for avoiding paying over $1 million in taxes. “The Defendant engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019,” noted special counsel David Weiss. In addition, Hunter was funneling and withdrawing millions from his own company to afford his lavish lifestyle; neglecting to pay his tax bills. It seems crystal clear that Hunter is a serial tax evader, and just like any other American with this degree of charges, should spend some time in a penitentiary.

Happy Hanukkah

I wanted to take the time to wish all of our Jewish friends a safe, peaceful, and loving eight nights of Hanukkah. In the wake of horrific events, and the alarming rise in anti-semitism toward the Jewish community, it is more important than ever that we acknowledge the significance of their tradition. From the Maccabean victory to the miraculous oil lasting eight days, each candle symbolizes resilience, faith, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. Today, Hanukkah still stands as a beacon of hope and perseverance. As we join together in celebration, the New York State Conservative Party extends warm wishes for a Hanukkah filled with love and the promise of a future illuminated by unity, prosperity, and shared joy. Chag Urim Sameach!