Brooklyn, NY — The Conservative Party of New York State officially endorsed Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis in her bid for Mayor of the City of New York. After a brief meeting today, in the party’s State Headquarters in Bay Ridge, the party threw their support behind the 4 term Assembly member who has been the
Conservative Party standard-bearer in all of her races.

In a joint statement, Conservative Party leaders said, “Over the course of her career in the New York State Assembly, Nicole Malliotakis has been a vocal advocate for conservative principles and policies in the Empire State. Assembly member Malliotakis has been in the forefront of working to cut the high taxes that are a
heavy burden on every taxpayer in our city and state. In the Assembly, she has voted against tax and fee increases 297 times, for a total of $20.3 billion and she voted for 62 different tax cuts, saving New York taxpayers $9.8 billion! She’s stood tall with law enforcement, especially the NYPD and she instinctively realizes that
the root cause of crime is criminals. She’ll fight to ensure that New York City keeps Rikers Island open and will stand arm to arm with New Yorkers to block any efforts to locate city jails in our neighborhoods. As a product of New York City Public Schools, Nicole has a clear understanding of what a great education can mean to the children of our city; she’ll fight for high standards and against the special interests that seem intent on dumbing-down our schools. She also will fight for the expansion of Charter Schools in the 5 boroughs and tuition tax assistance for New Yorkers who send their children to religious or private schools. The Conservative
Party is proud to endorse Nicole Malliotakis for Mayor of the City of New York.”

Staten Island Conservative Party Chair Harold Wagner said, “I know Nicole well, she is a no-nonsense legislator who fights for her district and all the people of Staten  Island. She’s fought long and hard to make sure that those impacted by SuperStorm Sandy got the aid and services they desperately needed, even when the de Blasio administration dropped the ball. Unlike Mayor de Blasio, she understands the people of our borough and the neighborhoods we live in. Nicole has never shied away from speaking-out on the outrageous tolls the MTA has imposed on those who take the Verrazano Bridge and for the ever-increasing bus and subway
fares that every New Yorker faces. Without a doubt, she’ll be a great Mayor for the people of Staten Island and I’m proud to support her.”

Brooklyn Conservative Chair Jerry Kassar said, “I’ve known Nicole since she first ran for office and the Brooklyn Conservative Party has been proud to endorse her in every race she’s run. She’s a strong supporter of the men and women of the NYPD and I know they’ll never turn their back on her. Her legal battle against the de Blasio administration and their cynical and dangerous plan to destroy background information from the Municipal ID is reason enough for common sense New Yorkers to vote for her. Nicole’s energy, honesty and knowledge of the issues are all reasons why she’ll be our next Mayor.”

Queens Conservative Chair Tom Long said, “As a former small businessman I’m very excited that Assembly member Nicole Malliotakis has entered the race. Her parents ran a small business and she had a first-hand view of the headaches and struggles small business owners face in our city. Whether it’s high taxes, red tape
and regulation or high rents and low margins it’s a constant struggle to run a business in New York. Nicole will be a champion for small business people across this city and especially for the many new immigrants that are investing all they have in attaining the American Dream. The Queens County Conservative Party is proud to call her our candidate for Mayor.”

Manhattan Conservative Chair Stuart Avrick said, “As a resident of Manhattan I have seen the decline of quality of life under the current administration. I look forward to working with Nicole, an outstanding member in the Assembly with good government experience that will enable her to be a Mayor we can all work together with to restore the pride New Yorkers have in their great city.”

Brooklyn, NY – The following legislative memo has been sent to the Members of the Legislature regarding this year’s budget.

2017 Legislative Memo…

NYS Budget Items…

The looming budget deadline is fast approaching and the Conservative Party is deeply concerned that the NYS Budget will spend taxpayer’s money on programs that are a colossal waste of tax dollars while also facing cuts in federal monies coming into the state leaving New York in a deep fiscal quagmire.

• Now is not the time to allow Governor Cuomo to have more control of economic development funds.
• Now is not the time to offer tuition free college, especially when too many students in kindergarten through twelfth grade need the basic supplies required for a good foundation in education.
• Now is not the time to extend the “millionaire’s tax” and push additional wealthy New Yorkers to states that do not punish success.
• Now is not the time for the NYS Budget to Raise the Age of criminal responsibility. This is an issue that does not belong in budget negotiations.
• Now is the time for education tax credits, expansion of charter schools and/or funding of the non-profit children’s education scholarship fund.
• Now is the time to deliver on the promise of mandate relief.
• Now is the time to reduce the burden of taxes.
• Now is the time to let the free-market system work with entrepreneurial ideas like UBER.
• Now is the time for government to invest in protecting its citizens with good roads, bridges, and water.

New York citizens do not need lofty ideals driving the budget that ultimately fail and leave taxpayers paying the bills well into the future.

New Yorkers need a responsible budget.

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Brooklyn, NY — Since the very beginning of our Republic, different ideas have been discussed, dissected, and destroyed, then put back together to do what is best for the citizens. Today, the House of Representatives did just that. They took a health care failure – Obamacare – and took it apart to make it better for America’s citizens.

The House has sent the proposal to the US Senate to review, and make the changes they may deem necessary to further improve the American Health Care Act. A Conference Committee will finalize any changes and both bodies will adopt the American Health Care Act that President Trump will sign into law.

The American way is to elect a variety of people from various backgrounds to discuss what must be done to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

Today, the House of Representatives took the first step to regain the Liberty and Posterity that so many Americans fought and died for…the House Members did what was necessary to repeal and replace legislation that under minded what the Preamble to the Constitution clearly states and kept the Republic from withering from within.

Brooklyn, NY — The New York State Conservative Party issued the following legislative memo in opposition to Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal to tax electronic cigarettes.

S.2009 Budget                                 A.3009-Budget

Purpose: Enacts into law major components of legislation necessary to implement the state fiscal plan for the 2017-2018 state fiscal year.

Party Position: Electronic cigarettes may well prove to be a significant tool as a harm reduction alternative for individuals who are currently using tobacco products. Unlike traditional tobacco products, these devices do not contain tobacco or emit smoke, rather they heat up liquid nicotine and flavorings while emitting water vapor. There are none of the second hand smoke concerns that are associated with  combustible tobacco products.

Many individuals who are attempting to stop smoking use e-cigarettes.

The most extensive study of e-cigarettes to date, Public Health England in 2015 found that these products are 95% less harmful than smoking and they can help smokers quit. In fact, Public Health England encourages smokers to immediately switch to e-cigarettes to reduce the health consequences of smoking.

If electronic cigarettes have the potential to reduce the addiction to combustible tobacco products then it would be contrary to sound public policy to tax these products. A tax on these products – regardless of the rate – will only serve to discourage the use of a potentially promising product for public health.

Electronic cigarettes offer all New Yorkers a cost effective way to potentially quit smoking. A regressive tax on these products will most adversely impact those lower income New Yorkers who might see these products as their best opportunity to quit.

The NYS Conservative Party does not condone or condemn the vaping of electronic cigarettes, and we believe that more information is becoming available daily for adults to make their own informed decisions.

E-cigarettes are not tobacco products. They are, quite the opposite. With a potential for a public health benefit, e-cigarettes need to be treated differently than combustible tobacco products and not subject to sin taxes.

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Brooklyn, NY — Chairman Michael R. Long urged the Members of the New York State Assembly to put the rights of citizens first and reject the proposal to make the cities in New York State and the state itself sanctuary places.

The Conservative Party also believes that the rights of citizenship also extend to students who are college bound. Scholarships and financial aid should be limited to those who are citizens or who have come here legally.

The rule of law must be what guides government; not the dismissal of what has made this country and state the beacon to the underprivileged.

The legislative memo’s follows:

In Opposition to:

A. 3049- B – Moya (On Assembly Committee Agenda)

Purpose: An Act to amend the executive law and the judiciary law, in relation to access to services, law enforcement and counsel in certain immigration related matters; and to amend the judiciary law, in relation to compensation of legal counsel for certain matters.

Party Position: The New York State Conservative Party is a strong supporter of the fact that states have the right to pass laws unique to their needs that are not defined in the United States Constitution. However, this proposal, albeit that it states in its justification that it complies with federal law, seeks to ensure that people are not unnecessarily questioned about immigration status, establish that state or local law enforcement agencies shall not stop, question, investigate or arrest a person based on perceived immigration status or suspected violation of federal immigration law; generally prohibit law enforcement agencies from inquiring about the immigration status of person contacting such agencies when in need of assistance, including victims and witnesses; require state and local agencies and their employees to maintain the confidentially of immigration status information, unless acting in accordance with 8 U.S.C. Section 1373, and other information absent valid immigration detainer or related request has been filed; curtail the use of state and local facilities for the purposes of federal immigration enforcement and establish a right to legal representation for person subject to removal or deportation proceedings.

In other words, it seeks to make New York State a sanctuary state, where those who have entered illegally will be afforded the privileges granted to its citizens.

Government’s primary role is to protect its citizens by upholding the rule of law. The fact that people have entered the United States and New York State by breaking the rule of law should not grant them the same rights that citizens have. This bill seeks to change this fundamental fact.

The New York State Conservative Party urges a NO vote on this bill.

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In Opposition to:

A 3039 – Moya (On Assembly Agenda) S. 471-A – Peralta

Purpose: This bill seeks to advance the educational opportunities to the children of immigrants by providing scholarships to college bound students. The bill also eliminates potential financial obstacles to obtaining State financial aid and extend the opportunities for certain immigrant students to attend higher education institutions in this state; providing a benefit consistent with U. S. citizens and nationals. It also seeks to eliminate barriers for immigrant aliens to save for their families by allowing such individuals to open a NYS 529 family tuition account.

Party Position: America’s uniqueness is treating law-abiding citizens equally, however, as the purpose of this bill clearly states, it seeks to “provide a benefit consistent with U. S. citizens and nationals.” It seeks to give students who are not U. S. citizens and nationals scholarships and financial aid who are in our country without following the procedures required to enter America and start a path to citizenship.

By providing scholarships and financial aid to certain immigrant students, our own citizens, who also struggle financially, may be denied their dreams of attending college, thereby undermining the very essence of everything America stands for.

We are a nation of immigrants, we are proud of that fact, and of the privilege’s we provide our citizens both born here and naturalized. We cannot demoralize the hopes and dreams of those who follow our immigration laws and start providing scholarships and financial aid to students who are in our country illegally, albeit through no fault of their own.

Citizenship has its privileges. We understand the necessity of education, however, providing scholarships and financial aid is an opportunity that must be reserved to those who live by our laws.

The Conservative Party of New York State urges the Members of the Legislature to abide by our U. S. Constitution, an oath freely taken, and reject this bill.

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Brooklyn, NY – Conservative Party State Chairman, Michael R. Long, announced today the launch of a petition drive to call the Tappan Zee bridge replacement the Brown Paige O’Grady Bridge to honor the 3 men brutally murdered on October 20, 1981 when members of the Weather Underground, the May 19th Communist Organization and the Black Liberation Army robbed $1.6 million at the Nanuet Mall in Nyack, New York.

“Brinks guard, Peter Paige, was shot and killed in cold blood, he never had a chance. Sgt. Edward O’Grady and Officer Waverly “Chipper” Brown, armed with sixshooters, were doing their job trying to stop the getaway car when they were gunned down with automatic weapons.

These 3 men went to work and never returned home to their loving families. It is unconscionable that any member of this gang of domestic terrorists should be allowed to resume a life outside of prison. The families of these 3 men continue to mourn their loss. Naming the new bridge in their honor is the very least we can do to honor their bravery and keep their heroism in our memories,” Long concluded.

The petition can be found at https://www.cpnys.org/petition/

The New York State Conservative Party’s executive committee, at its first meeting of the new year, passed a resolution calling on voters to reject this November’s ballot question calling for a Constitutional Convention. “It is important for voters to understand that the history of holding Constitutional Conventions proves they
are a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money that fails to accomplish what supporters claim,” said Chairman Michael R. Long. The text of the resolution follows:

Resolution, in opposition to a Constitutional Convention, presented and adopted by the members of the State Executive Committee on Saturday, January 7, 2017:

Whereas the New York State Constitution, since 1846, requires that voters decide every twenty years if there should be a Constitutional Convention to amend the New York State Constitution;

Whereas voters will have the opportunity to decide in the upcoming November, 2017 general election if such a Constitutional Convention shall take place;

Whereas the last four Constitutional Conventions were a carbon copy of legislative sessions and the majority of delegates were influential legislators;

Whereas the delegates that were influential legislators were able to collect a salary as a delegate and a legislator;

Whereas the past Constitutional Conventions were driven by personal agendas and special interest groups;

Whereas voters have failed to pass 7 of the 9 Constitutional Conventions since the first Constitutional Convention in 1776-1777;

Whereas legislative members have and will continue to present voters another means of amending the New York State Constitution without the undo expense of holding a Constitutional Convention;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the New York State Conservative Party urges the voters of New York State to vote NO to a Constitutional Convention that would convene in Albany beginning April of 2019.

Brooklyn, NY – Councilman Robert Cornegy and the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus sang the “Black National Anthem” after reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at a City Council meeting on Thursday, in an effort to continue the conversation and not be silent about what is going on in the country.

Councilman Cornegy stated that the words of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” an iconic hymn of the civil rights movement (that has been adopted as the “Black National Anthem) has been a unifying, rallying cry for support in this country and the words speak to liberty, justice and freedom for African-Americans.

What Councilman Cornegy fails to recognize is that singing the “Black National Anthem” at a City Council meeting is adding fuel to a fire that is on the verge of becoming an inferno.

Is the Star Spangle Banner the “White National Anthem”? Of course not! It is the national anthem of all Americans — Black, White, Latino, Asian, Liberal, Conservative – there is only one national anthem and elected officials who choose to create division among the races should resign from office immediately.

Elected officials are not overpaid football players and shouldn’t be acting like them. Members of the NYC Council have taken an oath of office that states, you swear or affirm to support and uphold the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of New York, and the Charter of the City of New York. All three constitutions are color blind as evidenced by the diversity of the members elected to each.

Elected officials have an obligation to honor their oath and not take unwarranted actions that provoke racial divide. If elected officials chose racial divide of unity, they should resign immediately.

Brooklyn, NY – According to an article in Politico today, the New York City Council is expected to allocate $100,000 to the city’s health department to study supervised injection facilities, a controversial program that provides intravenous drug users a place to get high while under medical supervision.

NYS Conservative Party Chairman Michael R. Long believes the $100,000 can be put to better use than sending a message that it is okay to use intravenous drugs as long as you use a government sanctioned place.

Sadly, intravenous drug deaths are skyrocketing, however, the answer is not to provide a safe place to use drugs. Investment in facilities to end drug dependency, education of the dangers of intravenous drugs and providing more funds to law enforcement agencies to keep the drugs off the streets is a far better use of taxpayer’s money than setting up places that will do nothing to end the plague of drug dependency.

By setting up a “safe, clean haven for high-risk, vulnerable New Yorkers” to help prevent drug overdoses and disease transmissions will ultimately do more harm than good. It is based on a false premise: intravenous drug use is NEVER safe. The unfortunate addicted person will be given a false sense of security tricked into believing that using intravenous drugs in a government sanctioned place is safe; and even more importantly, those who are tempted by intravenous drugs may also be given that same false sense of security.

Brooklyn, NY — Conservatives meet in Forest Hills (Queens County), NY Saturday (09/24/16) to reorganize, adopt rules and regulations and elect officers to serve for a two-year term as required by Election Law.

Michael R. Long (Kings County) was unanimously re-elected to serve as Chairman for the two-year term. Kings County Chairman Jerry Kassar accurately portrayed Mr. Long’s leadership when nominating Mr. Long when he said, “Mike Long has earned the respect of the political leadership throughout the state and in doing so he has caused each and everyone of us to be more respected as party leaders.” Frank A. Tinari, Suffolk County Chair described Long as a man who is able to bring sides together while he fights for his convictions when he seconded the nomination.

Chairman Long, in accepting, thanked the delegates for their support, their loyalty to the Party, the many years of service they have provided and the sacrifices they make doing the work necessary to keep the conservative voice strong in this blue state. “You are the pivotal part of promoting the Party — elected officials have come and gone — but the work you do keeps the Party vibrant and strong and able to make a difference in New York State politics.”

Also elected yesterday were Shaun Marie Levine (Albany County) as the Executive Vice-Chairman, Howard Lim, Jr. (Westchester County) as Secretary and Frances T. Vella-Marrone (Kings County) as Treasurer.

Eight State Vice-Chairmen, Daniel F. Donovan, Jr. (Nassau County), Gerard Kassar (Kings County), Thomas M. Long (Queens County), Ralph C. Lorigo (Erie County), James F. Quinn, Jr. (Wayne County), Gregory S. Rigby (Cayuga County), Allen Roth (Nassau County) and Frank A. Tinari (Suffolk County), and seven Regional Vice-Chairmen were also elected. The Regional Vice-Chairs are: In the Capital District – Brian Gardner (Columbia County), in the Northern Region — Hank Ford (St. Lawrence County), in the North Central Region — H. Leonard Schick (Oswego County), in the South Central Region – James M. Thomas (Broome County), in the Mid-Western Region — Jason McGuire (Livingston County), in the Western Region — Arthur Munger (Genesee County) and in the Hudson Valley — Hugh Fox, Jr. (Westchester County).

The Officers above also serve as the officers of the State Executive Committee. The following are At-Large Members of the State Executive Committee: Vincent Arcuri (Queens County), Stuart Avrick (New York County), Carol Birkholtz (Warren County), Ross Brady (Kings County), Michael Buttino (Greene County), Thomas M. Casey (Queens County), Vincent Ciccolella (Nassau County), Louis DeCicco (Chemung County), John P. DeLessio (Orange County), Charles P. Duffy (Westchester County), James J. Duffy (Suffolk County), John Fanning (Nassau County), John E. Flynn (Suffolk County), Edward J. Gaddy (Ulster County), Eileen Johnson (Kings County), Nicholas G. Jonas (Allegany County), Christopher J. Kendall (Madison County), Paul Kennedy (Otsego County), Jim M. Kerr (New York County), Mark LaViolette (Schenectady County), Edward Magilton (Sullivan County), Charles R. Mancabelli (Onondaga County), Philip H. Mancini (Monroe County), James Maxwell (Putnam County), Donald S. Mazzullo (Monroe County), Liam McCabe (Kings County), M. Julie Miller (Oneida County), John Mulhall (Onondaga County), Maureen Natrella (Dutchess County), William Newmark (Bronx County), David H. Ryan (Kings County), Laura A. Schreiner (Suffolk County), Michael E. Torres (Suffolk County), Harold Wagner, Jr. (Richmond County), Anna M. Wilcox (Chautauqua County) and Robert Zordan (Saratoga County).

The Members of the State Executive Committee serve as the governing body when the full state committee is not convened. All members serve a two-year term. The Members of the State Executive Committee appointed Eileen Johnson as the Assistant Secretary and Shaun Marie Levine as the Executive Director for a term coterminous with the elected members.

Brooklyn, NY — Chairman Michael R. Long is calling on the Legislative Members to have true compassion for those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. “True compassion gives people aid in living. Today’s hospice and palliative care give comfort and do much to relieve pain to the terminally ill and gives them precious time with their families,” said Long in a memo distributed today. The full memo follows:

IN OPPOSITION TO…
Medical Aid in Dying Act and related bills

A. 10059 – Paulin (on Health Committee Agenda) S. 7579 – Savino

Bill Purpose: To provide that a mentally competent, terminally ill patient may request medication to be self-administered for the purpose of hastening the patient’s death provided the requirements set forth in the act are met; provides certain protections and immunities to health care providers and other persons, including a physician who prescribes medication in compliance with the provisions of the article to the terminally ill patient to be self-administered by the patient.

Party Position: To watch a loved one with a terminal illness wither in pain is the most heart wrenching experience family members bear, but the miracle of today’s medicines has done much to eliminate what patients and family members had to endure. Today’s hospice and palliative care give comfort and do much to relieve pain to the terminal ill patient and gives them precious time with their families.

True compassion does not cut short the lives of people who believe a diagnoses means an impending death; many have defied a doctor’s prognosis. True compassion gives people aid in living.

A patient given a diagnoses of a terminal illness is fearful; the unknown almost always brings fear. How can anyone who has been told they have a terminal illness be mentally competent to make a knowledgeable decision that they want to end their life?

While this bill seeks to prevent unscrupulous people and organizations from being a part of any action that helps the patient commit suicide, it is known that laws do not prevent such occurrences from taking place.

Why, in good conscience, would we allow a “Medical Aid in Dying Act” be enacted to allow unprincipled Dr. Kevorkian’s cover to encourage terminally ill patients to take their own lives.

In Vacco v. Quill, the US Supreme Court unanimously held that New York’s state ban on assisted suicide was both rational and constitutional.

A terminally ill patient can refuse medical treatment prolonging their life, but the fear of a painful death should not be the rational to hasten death.

All life is precious and must be protected — sometimes even from oneself.

The NYS Conservative Party urges the defeat of this proposal.

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Brooklyn, New York – The Conservative Party of New York State issued an additional memo to the Members of the NYS Legislature stressing the fact that raising the minimum wage will harm the economy of New York by reducing job growth. The memo follows:

Governor Cuomo has repeatedly stated that he wants New York to serve as a nationwide model for progressive policies all the while denying facts that prove progressive policies fail to produce the utopia progressives demand. We did not achieve Empire State status by being an experimental laboratory for liberal tinkering. We lost our Empire State status when New York chipped away at the free-market standards that established New York as a financial magnet only to become a struggling state at the precipice, ranked second-to-last for the worst business climate in the nation.

In a Wall Street Journal article published December 15, 2015, the WSJ acknowledges the various articles by economists over the past 100 years that both sides tend to rely on. It concludes that “the vast majority of these studies point to job losses for the least-skilled. They are based on fundamental economic reasoning—that when you raise the price of something, in this case labor, less of it will be demanded, or in this case hired.”

The WSJ goes on to say that “among the many studies supporting this conclusion is one completed earlier this year by Texas A&M’s Jonathan Meer and MIT’s Jeremy West, which reaffirmed that ‘the minimum wage reduces job growth over a period of several years’ and that ‘industries that tend to have a higher concentration of low-wage jobs show more deleterious effects on job growth from higher minimum wages.’

Clearly an indication of New York’s economic decline as its minimum wage increased through the years.

The leading progressive voice in the current presidential race, Sen. Bernie Sanders, calls for Americans to embrace the Scandinavian economic model. We question if he realizes that Sweden, Denmark and Finland do not have a minimum wage and that countries that do not have a minimum wage have on average unemployment rate four percent lower than those with a minimum wage. Denmark has long been held as the model for progressives – they have the world’s lowest level of income inequality – remember no mandated minimum wage – due to the powerful collective bargaining system gaining a $20 wage for fast food workers. However, fast food restaurants, and related industries, are less profitable. Furthermore, the economic future of Denmark is rapidly declining.

Forbes’ notes, “You can’t suspend the laws of economics. You can’t expand a welfare safety net to cover an entire society.”

The Conservative Party unequivocally states that you cannot increase the minimum wage in New York State without facing the consequence of losing jobs.

When did putting people out of work become the role of legislators? Tell Governor Cuomo NO to a $15 minimum wage. Your role, as a New York Legislator, is to help New Yorkers, not put them out of work.

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