“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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
December 14, 2021
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on JCOPE Ordering that Cuomo Return $5.1 Million From Controversial Book Deal
Brooklyn, NY – “Gov. Andrew Cuomo never should have profited from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is right to demand the return of the illicit $5.1 million windfall he received from his book publisher.
“JCOPE must now rule on whether Mr. Cuomo can use campaign dollars to fight this decision in court. He should be precluded from doing so; the book deal was entered into for personal profit and had nothing to do with the duties of his office.
“The Conservative Party urges the continued investigation into whether Mr. Cuomo falsified nursing home death numbers to land the lucrative book contract. Only then will the public fully understand what was going on behind the doors of the State Capitol during the early days of the pandemic.
“The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they do in fact turn.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 26, 2021
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Gov. Hochul’s Politicization of Redistricting Process
Brooklyn, NY – “As millions of New Yorkers prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday Wednesday afternoon, Governor Kathy Hochul surreptitiously signed into law legislation that would overrule the will of New York voters by giving the Democrat-led State Legislature complete control over New York’s redistricting process.
“New York voters overwhelmingly rejected a November ballot initiative that would have gutted independent redistricting; now Governor Hochul is attempting to subvert their wishes. The New York State Conservative Party will not allow Governor Hochul’s blatant politicization of redistricting to stand.
“One hopes that her machinations will be vigorously reported in the news media and criticized by good government organizations. Had a Republican governor tried to pull this off, one suspects it would be bigger news by now.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 22, 2021
Brooklyn, NY – “The deeper one looks at former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s abuses of power during his tenure in the Executive Mansion, the more one wonders how Mr. Cuomo was allowed to misbehave for so long.
“His constant bullying and sexual harassment of state employees was no secret among top advisors, evidently, and virtually nothing was done to stop him or to protect his victims. This raises serious questions about then Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s possible complicity in looking the other way. Clearly, she knew about her boss’s reputation. Did she ever speak to him about it? If not, why not?
“The release of the Assembly investigative report Monday also brought forward additional evidence that Mr. Cuomo personally tampered with nursing home death numbers at the very same time he was negotiating a $5.1 million contract for a book extolling his Covid-19 leadership skills. This remains a matter for serious criminal investigation, as does his use of state employees in the writing of the book. We trust that the various district attorneys looking into Mr. Cuomo will continue their efforts. As Mr. Cuomo’s brother, Chris, so said often of President Donald Trump on CNN, ‘no man is above the law.’”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 16, 2021
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on JCOPE Rescinding Cuomo $5.1 Million Book Deal
Brooklyn, NY – “JCOPE is right to rescind former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s unholy $5.1 million book deal, but not just for the reason it cited.
“Governor Cuomo’s contract with his publisher was being negotiated at the very same time that Mr. Cuomo and his administration were doctoring records to hide thousands of senior citizen deaths caused by misguided Cuomo policy choices. It strains credulity to think Mr. Cuomo would have won this lucrative book contract had that terrible truth been known.
“Mr. Cuomo’s use of state resources alone is sufficient to rescind his contract, but there is more to this story and investigations must continue.”
For Immediate Release
November 10, 2021
Contact: Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
www.cpnys.org @cpnys
CONSERVATIVE PARTY RATES 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Seven Senators Score 100%; Four Assembly Members Score 100%
Brooklyn, NY – The Conservative Party’s 2021 legislative ratings are available on the Conservative Party’s website (www.cpnys.org) today to advise voters in New York State how their legislator votes on 25 key issues.
The Conservative Party congratulates Senators Gallivan, Helming, Jordan, O’Mara, Ortt , Rath, III and Tedisco and Assembly Members Angelino, DiPietro, Lemondes and Manktelow on their 100% ratings.
Keeping with its tradition, the Conservative Party tracked legislation throughout the session, issued support and opposition memos, and determined, at an executive committee meeting, which key issues would be used. The Bills considered comprise a variety of issues including, but not limited to economics, health, safety, and pro-life issues that affect the lives of all 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 hard-earned money. Every Bill is considered, and then we narrow the number to give voters a fair assessment of what transpires in Albany,” said Gerard Kassar, State Chairman. “A review of the Bills used this year will show New Yorkers how out of touch the Democratic leaders of legislature are with the average citizen; many are costly, sometimes unwarranted, and a few will show how they try to help New Yorkers.” said Kassar.
The overall Senate ratings have consistently dropped since the Democrats took total control. In 2018 the average was 55%, in 2019 the average was 40%, in the COVID-19 shortened session of 2020 the Senate rated a meager 35%; this year the overall Senate rating was 36%. In 2018 the Democratic Senate average was 41%, in 2019 the democratic average plummeted to 14%; it slightly improved to 17% in 2020, however, this year Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins’ democrats averaged a mere 9.4%. Republican Senators, led by Senator Rob Ortt brought their average to 93% from last years’ 71%. Conservative endorsed legislators in the Senate raised their average to 90% an increase of 21% from the 2020 average.
The Assembly’s overall rating remains at 36% same as 2020 and 2019, down 6% from their 2018 rating of 42%. The Democrats in the Assembly average dropped 4.4% this year under the leadership of Speaker Heastie, from 19% to 14.6%. It was 17% in 2019, which was down significantly from their 28% rating in 2018. The 43 Republican Assembly members, under the leadership of Assemblyman Will Barclay, averaged, 89.5% up from 79% in 2020. Conservative Party endorsed Assembly Members also increased their average to 88% up by 9% from 2020.
As noted, the Conservative Republican alliance has the best interest of all New Yorkers when it comes to taxes, crime and every day “kitchen table issues.”
We encourage voters to review the ratings, and contact their legislators to let them know they are doing a good job or in the cases where the average is low, to let them know that you will vote accordingly. New York needs to reestablish a friendly place for entrepreneurs to open businesses and most importantly to create new jobs for those who have been forced out of work due to COVID-19. The current trends adopting progressive ideology – as noted by the numbers — only increases an exodus; families want a safe place to live, and a resurgence of business opportunities that made New York the beacon of hope and prosperity.
(Ratings are online here.) If you have a problem downloading, please call 718-921-2158 or 518-356-7882 for a copy.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 3, 2021
Statement from Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on 2021 New York Elections
Brooklyn, NY – “The New York State Conservative Party is proud of the impact it had on races in every corner of the state on Tuesday. Our ballot line provided a place for voters of all parties to register their judgement on the direction of New York State politics. What voters said is significant: they’re had it with runaway progressive policies that have rendered New York less safe, less free, more expensive, and less desirable.
“The Conservative Party is particularly proud of the role it played in defeating three pernicious ballot initiatives — Propositions 1, 3, and 4 — that would have weakened long established election integrity safeguards and given Democrats even greater partisan control over redistricting. This victory for common sense will reverberate nationally and hopefully put a stake in the heart of HR1.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly
212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 2, 2021, 11:00 P.M.
Statement from Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Democratic Party Ballot Issues 1, 3, and 4
Brooklyn, NY – “The New York State Conservative Party is proud to have led the effort to defeat three shockingly un-democratic ballot proposals in Tuesday’s election, Propositions 1, 3, and 4. They were designed by the Joe-Biden-led Democratic Party to weaken long-established election safeguards in their favor, just as they’re trying to do at the national level with HR1. We are confident that, when absentee ballots are counted, New York voters will have exposed this ploy for what it was, a gross attempt to subvert democracy. It will spell a sharp rejection of HR1 and President Biden’s attempt to rig the electoral system going into the 2022 midterm elections.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
October 29, 2021
Statement from Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Entry of Letitia James into New York Gubernatorial Race
Brooklyn, NY – “The good news is that Letita James will be exiting her position as New York State Attorney General next year. The even better news is that yet another Democrat responsible for New York’s high crime rate, struggling economy, and nation-leading taxes has entered the race for governor. That will allow Congressman Lee Zeldin to present a clear and compelling contrast with his eventual Democrat challenger in November 2022.
“While we wish Attorney General James the best of luck personally, we view her candidacy for governor as anything but refreshing. She’s just another liberal Democrat pushing counterproductive policies in a state that needs to move in a new direction.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
October 29, 2021
Statement from Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Plans to Grant Up to $450,000 to Unlawful Immigrants
Brooklyn, NY – “Just when you thought you’ve heard it all from the Biden Administration, a plan so preposterous arises that every American citizen should be rendered speechless, if not enraged.
“Giving $450,000 in U.S. tax dollars to unlawful immigrants who crossed the Mexican border into the U.S. with children illegally is madness, despite the family suffering that was ultimately caused by their own misdeeds. Millions of Americans are struggling to get by under President Biden’s tanking economy, and his priority is making unlawful immigrants rich using their money?
“If Mr. Biden and the Democrats do this, how many more unlawful immigrants will cross into the U.S. with children in tow? Can anybody count that high?”
Statement from Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Potential Economic Damage from Congestion Pricing Tax
October 21, 2021
“The New York State Conservative Party lives, not dreamland, and in the reality of this moment imposing a congestion pricing tax on vehicles traveling south of 60th Street in Manhattan would be foolhardy in the extreme.
“Midtown and Lower Manhattan, traditionally the state’s most formidable economic engines, are reeling from Covid-19 and the workplace changes it caused. These areas are struggling mightily to attract back workers and visitors. Slapping the public with a tax to enter these commercial districts would be an obvious disincentive that could have serious ramifications for the overall state economy.
“A congestion pricing tax would be wrong for a number of reasons — it hurts low-income New Yorkers and those transit desserts especially, and it will simply move traffic to other parts of the city, among other things — but the destruction it could cause to Manhattan recovery efforts alone should halt it in its tracks.
“It’s Economics 101: Why would we tax people to enter an area we’re trying to revive?”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.comNon-Citizen-Voting, Defenseless Landlord Bills Show How Out of Touch New York City Government Has Become: Conservative Party
Bronx, NY-Sept. 18…The New York State Conservative Party called the New York City Council “hopelessly out of touch” today for two reckless pieces of legislation it is now considering: non-citizen voting and a measure that would prevent landlords, large and small, from conducting criminal background checks on prospective tenants.
The call was made during a news conference Saturday outside the Bronx Conservative Party Headquarters, at which a state executive committee meeting was later held. Speakers at the news conference included State Conservative Party Chairman, Gerard Kassar; Bronx Conservative Party Chairman, Patrick McManus; Conservative Party Bronx Borough President Candidate, Sammy Ravelo; Bronx Conservative Party Candidate For the 11th Council District, Kevin Pazmino, and Bronx Conservative Party Candidate For the 15th Council District, Ariel Rivera.
“Ask any New Yorker about either of these bills and watch their reaction,” said State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “New Yorkers implicitly know that voting is a right reserved for citizens and that common sense demands that landlords, especially those renting out second units in two-family houses, have a right to know if a prospective tenant has a criminal history.”
Chairman Kassar and other leaders said that the City Council “has traded common sense for woke ideologies that are eroding the civil fabric of New York.”
“New York City government is completely ungrounded right now, and we urge voters to carefully consider our candidates for city offices this year. If you like reason, law-and-order, and common sense, you’ll love them, because that’s what they stand for.”
CONSERVATIVE PARTY PRESS RELEASE Issued Jointly by the Five Counties in the City of New York
15 September 2021 / For Immediate Release Contact: Frances T. Vella-Marrone, Tel. (347) 866-4945
CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONDEMNS CITY COUNCIL BILL PROHIBITING CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON RESIDENTIAL TENANTS
The Conservative Party organizations representing the five counties of the City of New York unequivocally condemn City Council Intro. 2047, which would prohibit landlords from conducting criminal background checks on residential tenants, including those in co-operatives and condominiums.
“The NYS Conservative Party joins with our city organizations in opposing Intro 2047, a typical progressive agenda item that gives zero thought to the resulting consequences to landlords and tenants alike,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “Tenants should expect landlords to have done their due diligence in providing a safe environment. And property owners have the right to all background information both financially and criminally when making decisions concerning potential tenants.”
“With crime already on the rise, this proposal only further endangers the safety and security of our communities,” said Kings County Chairwoman Frances T. Vella-Marrone.
“The City is exceeding its authority and endangering its citizens with the removal of these safety measures,” said Bronx County Chairman Patrick McManus.
“It’s just another example of putting the criminal’s interests before those of hard working law abiding people,” said New York County Chairman Stuart J. Avrick.
“This is another attempt from the City Council to infringe on the rights of its citizens so that they may feel comfortable and safe from those they may rent to,” said Queens County Chairman Thomas M. Long. “This is unacceptable to anyone who owns a home or apartments.”
“These misguided policies are destroying the quality of life in Staten Island and resulting in a mass exodus from our community,” said Richmond County Chairman David Mario Curcio, whose county organization endorsed the secession of Staten Island from the City of New York earlier this year.
“While many landlords are struggling to pay their bills, the City Council, yet again, looks to hurt its constituents,” added Richmond County Vice Chairman and candidate for City Council George S. Wonica. “This legislation is part of a systemic problem of government overreach and is destined to make housing affordability skyrocket. If elected in November, I hope to be able to bring ‘real world’ experience to the council to show how legislation like this does more to hurt our communities than help it.”
This year’s general election contests, including those for City Council, are scheduled for Tuesday, November 2nd, with Conservative Party candidates appearing on Row “C” of the ballot.
