New York State Insider: Election 2022 Desk News: Press Release: STATE SENATE CANDIDATE GINA ARENA BLASTS PETER HARCKHAM’S LIES ON CAMPAIGN MAILER.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 30, 2022.

STATE SENATE CANDIDATE GINA ARENA BLASTS 

PETER HARCKHAM’S LIES ON CAMPAIGN MAILER.

TRUTH: Peter Harkcham praised the sponsor of Bail Reform for his “courageous work” and blamed the NYPD for the rise in crime in New York

SOMERS, NY – Gina Arena, candidate for the New York State Senate in the 40th District, today blasted her opponent, Peter Harckham for spreading lies in his most recent campaign mailer. In a desperate attempt to gaslight Hudson Valley residents, Peter Harckham claims he “fought for sensible changes to bail reform laws to give judges more discretion to keep dangerous people off our streets.”

Peter’s claim is a lie. Bail Reform has failed, because the law – that Peter Harckham has voted for every time it has hit the Senate floor – does not grant judges the discretion to hold criminals based on a dangerousness standard. Under Peter Harckham’s so-called “sensible changes,” a judge cannot set bail for the following crimes:

• Assault in the third degree;

• Domestic violence offenses;

• Driving drunk and causing serious injury;

• Failure to register as a sex offender;

• Killing a police K-9 or horse;

• Unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds;

• And much, much more violent crimes.

Working Mom and Candidate Gina Arena blasted Peter Harckham for lying to the voters of the 40th Senate District.

“My opponent is actually sending lies to your mailbox. He claims he has fought to change Bail Reform, but, in reality, he has voted in lockstep with Albany’s Pro-Criminal Agenda. This is plain old gaslighting. Peter claims to represent our Hudson Valley values – but all he does is fake our values. I am running for State Senate to repeal bail reform and start from scratch, using input from law enforcement, judges, DAs, and victims. It is past time we send a leader to Albany who will actually fight for restoring public safety,” said Gina Arena, State Senate candidate for the SD-40.

Back in April, during the floor debate of the ineffective, watered-down changes to bail reform, Peter Harkcham praised the sponsor of Bail Reform for his “courageous work” and blamed the NYPD for the rise in crime in New York.

New York State Insider: Election Desk News 2022: NY-17: New TV Spot 'Top Priority' Hits Maloney on Cashless Bail.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NY-17: LAWLER RELEASES ‘TOP PRIORITY’.

Focuses on Sean Maloney Championing No-Cash-Bail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPMRMQmN4xY&feature=youtu.be

NY-17, Sept. 30…Assemblyman and congressional candidate Mike Lawler has released his second television advertisement in a super-tight race for Congress in New York’s 17th District, it was announced today. 

The 30-second spot, called “Top Priority” highlights Rep. Sean Maloney’s championing of no-cash-bail, one of the most disastrous public safety policy decisions in New York history, the Lawler campaign charges. 

“Top Priority” began running in the Hudson-Valley-based district on Friday with a significant six-figure buy, the Lawler campaign said. 

Rep. Maloney, Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) — AKA Nancy Pelosi’s campaign manager —is locked into a toss-up race with Mr. Lawler, who already represents much of NY-17 in the State Assembly. 

New York State Insider: New York State Attorney General: Statement from Attorney General James on Court Tossing Latest NRA Effort to Avoid Consequences.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2022.

Statement from Attorney General James on
Court Tossing Latest NRA Effort to Avoid Consequences.

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after New York State Supreme Court Judge Joel Cohen rejected the latest attempt from the National Rifle Association (NRA) to evade the law: 

“Once again, a judge has dismissed attempts by the NRA and its senior management to evade the law and avoid the consequences of their actions. As Attorney General, I will always hold individuals and institutions accountable for their misconduct, no matter how wealthy, powerful, or privileged they may be.” 

Yesterday’s ruling enables the case to move forward and allows Attorney General James to seek an independent monitor to oversee the NRA’s finances as part of her lawsuit against the institution. 

Attorney General James first filed the lawsuit against the NRA and its senior management in August 2020, for failing to manage the NRA’s funds; violating numerous state and federal laws, and even the NRA’s own bylaws and policies; and contributing to the loss of more than $64 million in just three years. 

The NRA then tried to dismiss Attorney General James’ complaint and change the venue to an Albany court, which was rejected in January 2021. In March 2022, the New York County State Supreme Court denied a second round of motions brought forward by the NRA, Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre, and Corporate Secretary and General Counsel John Frazer as they tried to dismiss the lawsuit. 

Trying to avoid accountability altogether, the NRA even filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy despite the organization’s claims to have healthy financial reserves. In May 2021, a federal bankruptcy court in Texas rejected the organization’s bankruptcy declaration after the NRA sought to reorganize in Texas, stating that the NRA had filed for bankruptcy to avoid regulators and stating, “that the NRA did not file the bankruptcy petition in good faith.” 

In June 2022, the State Supreme Court rejected the NRA’s accusation that the investigation against it was politically motivated, and found that Attorney General James’ claims against the organization’s wrongdoing are serious and viable, and are well within her office’s jurisdiction to investigate. 

New York State Insider: Election Desk News 2022: Lawler: End Federal Funding of Anti-Semitic Colleges.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LAWLER: END FEDERAL FUNDING OF COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ‘ZIONISTS’.

NY-17-Sept. 30…Assemblyman and congressional candidate (NY-17) Mike Lawler today announced that he will introduce legislation in Congress to halt all federal funding of U.S. colleges and universities that systematically discriminate against speakers in support of the State of Israel if he is elected to Congress. 

Mr. Lawler makes the announcement on the heels of disturbing news out the University of California at Berkeley which is accused of fostering “Jewish Free Zones” on campus — the summary exclusion of “Zionist” speakers from campus events. Berkeley is not alone; students at other colleges and universities have worked to shut down pro-Israel speech as well. 

“Blatant anti-Semitism on college campuses, promoted by taxpayer dollars, is a stain on U.S. higher education and must be stopped in its tracks,” Assemblyman Lawler said. “Not a nickel in federal funding should be going to any college or university that condones this discrimination, and the time for Congress to act is way overdue. The exclusion of Jewish speakers on campuses is painfully reminiscent of another time and place, and the U.S. must never go down that path. College is supposed to expose students to a variety of ideas and perspectives, not shut them down.”

New York State Insider: New York State Attorney General: Attorney General James’ Statement on Relief Efforts for Puerto Rico.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2022.

Attorney General James’ Statement on Relief Efforts for Puerto Rico.

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement on the ongoing relief efforts for Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona:

“The Biden administration’s decision to temporarily waive the Jones Act to allow critical resources to get to Puerto Rico is an important step in accelerating recovery efforts. I have previously called for this action because Puerto Ricans are in desperate need of aid and this outdated law is posing additional and unnecessary burdens during this challenging time. We need long-term solutions to help our fellow American citizens in Puerto Rico. That includes exempting Puerto Rico from the Jones Act for the maximum allowable period to get critical supplies to those in need, launching a federal investigation into LUMA Energy, and facilitating meaningful investment that helps to create a more equitable and stable future for Puerto Ricans.”

Last week, Attorney General James called for a federal investigation into the energy situation in Puerto Rico, and specifically, the energy provider LUMA Energy. Five years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico, and after billions of federal dollars were spent to modernize and strengthen the island’s electrical grid, residents continue to endure frequent outages and high electricity rates. These issues were exacerbated by the impact of Hurricane Fiona, which caused an island-wide blackout.

New York State Insider: New York State Assemblyman Tom Abinanti 92nd District: BUDGET FUNDS PROPERTY TAX REBATES.

 

CIRCUIT-BREAKER CONTINUED.

This year's 2022-23 State Budget continued and funded the circuit breaker program under which the State sends a check to residential property owners whose income is less than $250,000. The amount of the rebate is determined by a formula based on the amount of the owner's annual property tax and income.

NEW PROPERTY TAX REBATE.

This year's State Budget also created a one-year tax credit-rebate for STAR-eligible households with incomes below $250,000.

New York State Insider: New York State Assemblyman Tom Abinanti 92nd District: BUDGET FUNDS GAS TAX HOLIDAY.

STATE SALES TAX SUSPENDED.

To help New Yorker's make ends meet in light of the sudden rise in prices, this year's State Budget created a Gasoline Tax holiday from June 1 to December 31, 2022. The measure suspends State Sales Taxes, Motor Fuel Taxes, and MTA Sales Taxes.

New York State Insider: New York State Assemblyman Tom Abinanti 92nd District: HOCHUL SIGNS TWO ABINANTI LAWS TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES.

NEW ABINANTI LAW GIVES PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS TO MORE SENIORS & DISABLED.

At a recent ceremony in Westchester, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Assemblymember Abinanti's legislation to raise the maximum income for seniors (over 65) and people with disabilities to qualify for property tax breaks.

If approved by their local government, qualified homeowners with incomes up to $50,000 (formerly $34,000) can get a 50% tax reduction. Those with incomes up to $58,399 can qualify for a lesser reduction.

"Local property taxes should not be forcing seniors and those with disabilities to leave their communities," said Abinanti.

ABINANTI LAW EXTENDS GREENBURGH HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX.

Governor Kathy Hochul also signed Assemblymember Abinanti's legislation to renew Greenburgh's Hotel Occupancy Tax which allows Greenburgh and its Villages to collect a fee on each hotel room in use in the Town. The authorization was about to expire. The fee has brought the Town and Greenburgh Villages millions of dollars in non-property tax revenues.

Abinanti previously passed similar legislation for the Town of Mount Pleasant. The Mount Pleasant law does not expire until 2023



New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer 37th District: OCTOBER 8 @ 10AM: Senator Mayer's Veterans Advisory Council Kickoff Meeting.

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpbrPyDI--Q_PgPgHwX2SSWJpz01twjqVMU685XHK2UX0DZQ/viewform

New York State Insider: Election Desk News 2022: Lawler to Maloney: Is Keeping No-Cash-Bail Still Your Top Priority?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MALONEY AS ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE: Will Make No-Cash-Bail ‘Top Priority’ LAWLER: HOW ABOUT NOW, SEAN? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKobtcExuz4

NY-17, Sept. 28…As the most recent high-profile victim of no-cash-bail struggles to keep her sight in one eye — Elizabeth Gomes, a mother of five, was viciously beaten by a known felon in a Queens subway station — Assemblyman and NY-17 congressional candidate Mike Lawler poses a simple question to Rep. Sean Maloney today: “Do you still support no-cash-bail?” 

As a candidate for New York Attorney General, Mr. Maloney called no-cash-bail a “top priority” for New York. 

“Sean Maloney got the no-cash-bail he wanted, and crime rates have skyrocketed all across the state as a result,” Mr. Lawler said. “Every morning we wake up to yet another avoidable horror show in the news media about someone who was shot or beaten the night before by a criminal out on cashless bail. The victims could be any of us — or anyone we love. 

“No-cash-bail has been an utter catastrophe for New Yorkers, yet Mr. Maloney continues to support it. In what world is he living? As a member of Congress, I’ll do everything in my power to bring cash bail and common sense policing back to our state. New Yorkers can’t take the violence that Mr. Maloney’s no-cash bail has wrought. We need relief.” 

New York State Insider: Kassar Unanimously Reelected as State Conservative Party Chairman.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KASSAR UNANIMOUSLY REELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

Nassau County - Sept. 25…Gerard Kassar has been unanimously reelected as Chairman of the New York State Conservative Party, it was announced today. Mr. Kassar was voted into a third two-year term by the Party’s State Committee which met in Nassau County on Saturday to elect officers and attend to other party business.

 

“I am thrilled to be given an opportunity to serve the NYS Conservative Party again as its State Chairman,” Mr. Kassar said. “My tenure as Chairman has been filled with exciting challenges and many successes. I expect my new term to take the same path, with many successes this November. With these wins the Conservative Party will play a leading role in returning to our state safe streets, economic prosperity, common sense education policies and an acceptance of constitutionally protected liberties.” 

 

The New York Conservative Party was formed in 1962 to restore a meaningful choice to the voters of New York State. At that time, the three existing political parties espoused the doctrinaire liberal philosophy of the welfare state at home and the collectivist ideology abroad. In just six decades, the party has grown from a small band of conservative-minded men and women to a statewide organization dedicated to the traditional American values of individual freedom, individual responsibility, and individual effort.

 

The full slate of elected Conservative Party leaders follows: 

 

State Chairman - Gerard Kassar

Executive Vice Chairman - Shaun Marie Levine

Secretary - Howard Lim, Jr. 

Treasurer - Francis T. Vella-Marrone

State Vice Chairs -

Daniel M. Donovan

Hugh Fox, Jr. 

Thomas M. Long

Ralph C. Lorigo

Donald S. Mazzullo

Allen H. Roth

James M. Thomas

Michael E. Torres

Regional Vice Chairs -

William R. Beckman

Henry Ford

Brian Gardner

Russ Gugino

Christopher Kendall

Jason J. McGuire

H. Leonard Schick

At-Large-Members -

Stuart J. Avrick

James J. Barrett, Jr. 

Carol Birkholz

Ross Brady

Michael Buttino

David Mario Curcio

Thomas V. Dadey, Jr. 

Louis DeCicco

John P. DeLessio

Dick Chung

John E. Flynn

Robert A.Fois

Edward J. Gaddy

Michael Garlock

John J. Hayes

Eileen Johnson

Jim J. Kerr

Paul Kosowski

Edward A. Magilton

Aaron M. Martin

James M. Maxwell

Patrick J. McManus

Bernard Ment

Donald F. Minichino

Christopher M. Mistron

Dimitry Edward Naemit

Scott D. Nasca

David Pappert

James F. Quinn, Jr. 

Reid W. Robbins

Brett A. Robinson

David H. Ryan

Laura A. Schreiner

Robert E. White

Anna M. Wilcox

George S. Wonica

New York State Insider: NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON EFFORT TO ERASE COLUMBUS DAY IN NEW YORK.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2022.

 

 

NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN 

GERARD KASSAR ON EFFORT TO ERASE COLUMBUS DAY IN NEW YORK.

 

 

Brooklyn, NY - “Woke politicians in New York love nothing more than virtue signaling, and they’re at it again this week in trying to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day (A.10728 - Mitaynes; S. 2759 - Ramos). Talk about an empty gesture. If Assemblywoman Mitaynes and Senator Ramos truly want to make amends for the American history they despise, they’d submit legislation to return the state to Native Americans, starting with their own property. 

 

“Any takers? 

 

“In the meantime, those of us who appreciate U.S. history, as imperfect as it can be, will proudly celebrate Columbus Day again this year. Christopher Columbus is a major historical figure, of special significance to Americans of Spanish and Italian descent, and the national holiday in his name is well merited. It must remain.”

 

New York State Insider: Election Desk 2022 News: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Fighting for Hard-Working New Yorkers.

This week I received endorsements for my re-election to the State Senate from New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento and a number of other labor unions and labor groups at a rally in Peekskill.

 

Cilento said: “During his time in office, Senator Harckham has a 100% labor voting record, and that only happens when you intuitively understand and care about the needs and concerns of working men and women.”

To see a video of all the remarks from the rally - https://www.facebook.com/PeteforNY/videos/623939119290151

I grew up in a labor family and saw how union jobs are the backbone of the middle class, so union values are my values.

That’s why I have helped spearhead a number of labor initiatives, like leading the fight for funding for workers impacted by the Indian Point decommissioning and ending mandatory overtime for nurses.

 

With your help, I am going to keep fighting for hard-working New Yorkers!
 

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Pete

New York State Insider: New York State Attorney General: Attorney General James' Statement Urging MLB and Apple to Let More Fans Watch Tonight’s Potentially Historic Yankees Game.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 23, 2022.

Attorney General James' Statement Urging MLB and Apple to
Let More Fans Watch Tonight’s Potentially Historic Yankees Game.

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement urging Major League Baseball (MLB) and Apple to open up tonight’s game and let it play on the YES Network:

“History is in the making as Aaron Judge electrifies Yankees fans, and everyone who loves baseball. To deny millions of New Yorkers, and fans around the nation, the opportunity to watch as Aaron Judge steps up to the plate, is wrong and unfair. New Yorkers paid their cable bills expecting to see live sports programming. Now they are being asked to pay extra if they want to watch this exciting home run chase, and potentially historic game. That is why I am calling on Apple and the MLB to reach a fair accommodation with the YES Network so that fans can watch what we all hope will be history made this evening.”

New York State Insider: Election Desk 2022 News: Fundraiser for Mike Lawler Republican for US Congress 17th District: Elections 2022.

 

https://secure.anedot.com/lawlervictory/mccarthy?utm_source=cc&utm_medium=email

New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: Senator Mayer to Form Veterans Advisory Council.

 

Senator Mayer to Form Veterans Advisory Council - First Meeting Scheduled for October 8.

(Port Chester, NY) – New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer today announced she is seeking members for her newly formed Veterans Advisory Council. The first meeting will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. at the White Plains Public Library, located at 100 Martine Avenue, White Plains.  The council will be chaired by Joshua Gaccione, a leader in the Westchester County veterans community and Senator Mayer’s 2021 New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame honoree. Members will meet on a quarterly basis and inform Senator Mayer of the legislative and funding needs of veterans and veterans organizations in New York State Senate District 37.  Senator Shelley B. Mayer said: “I’ve been proud to advocate on behalf of our veterans since being elected to the state legislature. From the youngest to the oldest, I look forward to hearing their concerns directly as we explore policy decisions to ensure their needs are met.” Veterans Advisory Council Chair Joshua Gaccione said: “As a combat veteran I am grateful for the ‘sea of goodwill’ veterans have experienced here in Westchester County and in the towns and villages throughout District 37. There is much more work to be done, however, and I thank Senator Mayer for offering this platform to veterans and their family members to discuss the successes and opportunities concerning veterans throughout New York State. If you cannot attend in person please forward any questions or comments for consideration.”  Veterans must live or work in New York State Senate District 37 to join the council. To join, visit bit.ly/SD37veterans.