Sunday, January 29, 2023
Saturday, January 28, 2023
New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: A New Session—and Now Chairing the Environmental Conservation Committee.
Dear Friend:
A new session of the New York State Legislature began earlier this month with some big news—I was appointed as chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee.
This new responsibility puts me in the middle of achieving the state’s ambitious goals enacted in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
To this end, I have already co-chaired a hearing in Albany on the CLCPA and the Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan. Also, I will be conducting oversight of the state’s recently enacted $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act.
But my focus this year will be protecting New York’s abundance of freshwater, which, in the years to come, will give the state a competitive economic edge over other states.
Some of my other priorities as chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee are reducing plastic waste and addressing environmental toxins that are creating risks to human health.
The time is now—to fight the climate crisis and safeguard our residents.
I need your help, though—if we are to succeed together. The climate change deniers opposing our efforts are only too happy to defend a status quo of pollution and greed.
Thank you!
- Pete
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
New York State Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer: NYS Senate Passes Senator Mayer’s Bill to Protect Abortion and Reproductive Health Service Providers Using Telehealth.
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
January 25, 2023
NYS Senate Passes Senator Mayer’s Bill to Protect Abortion and
Reproductive Health Service Providers Using Telehealth.
(ALBANY, NY) - The New York State Senate passed Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes’ bill, S.1066A/Assembly number forthcoming, which provides explicit protections for doctors, medical providers, and facilitators serving patients seeking abortion and reproductive health services via telehealth.
Just days after the 50th anniversary of the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade, the New York State Senate passed a package of bills to cement New York’s status as a reproductive health care sanctuary state. Included as part of this package, S.1066A affirms New York’s role as a nationwide leader by further safeguarding access to abortion for people in this state and across the country.
The Supreme Court’s June 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has had a devastating effect on women across the country. Despite nearly six in ten adults disapproving of the decision, and 62% of Americans agreeing that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, 26 states have banned or are expected to ban abortion in most circumstances. S.1066A represents an effort to counteract the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision, building upon protections provided in a package of laws the legislature passed last year, by explicitly addressing reproductive health services provided by licensed New York providers and physicians via telehealth, even when the patient is located outside of New York.
New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am proud that my bill, S.1066A, has passed the Senate. This legislation will protect reproductive health care providers by safeguarding them against any out-of-state interference –– allowing New York providers to be a resource for Americans who have had their rights stripped away. New York has been and continues to be a nationwide leader for reproductive rights. We will not forego or forget our sisters across state lines. I am honored to be a part of a state legislature that is so dedicated to its constituents and fellow Americans.”
Senator Mayer continued: “I am grateful for the tireless efforts and contributions from the medical community, advocacy community, Senate staff, and New Yorkers across the state who believe that every person has the right to receive safe and private care from our world-class practitioners living in New York. I especially want to thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assemblymember Karines Reyes for carrying this bill in the Assembly.”
Friday, January 20, 2023
New York State Insider: Coffee & Conversation with Assemblymember Burdick, Supervisor Lucas, and Legislator Pierce.
If you missed my Coffee & Conversation in Katonah last Saturday, I will be glad to answer your questions and address your concerns this Saturday, January 21, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library in North Salem. I will be joining NYS Assemblymember Chris Burdick, North Salem Town Supervisor Warren Lucas and Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce. Hope to see you there!
Thursday, January 19, 2023
New York State Insider: Statement: State Senate Judiciary Chairman Says Conservative Nominees Should be Banned.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2023.
STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE
CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON
STATE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.
Brooklyn-NY…“The progressive Chairman of the State Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal of Manhattan, declared today that any judicial nominee in New York running on the Conservative Party line should be summarily rejected for consideration. In other words, Senator Hoylman-Sigal wants prospective judges pre-judged in this state to meet his own ideological bent. Maybe it’s time that the Conservative Party reconsider its cross endorsements of Democrats.
“Serious people understand that Mr. Hoylman-Sigal is not among them, but his position as Senate Judiciary Chairman is cause for genuine alarm. How is it possible that a man with such prejudices is in a position to so radically affect our judicial system and the lives of each and every New Yorker? Isn’t justice supposed to be blind?”
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
New York State Insider: Coffee & Conversation with Assemblymember Burdick, Supervisor Lucas, and Legislator Pierce.
If you missed my Coffee & Conversation in Katonah last Saturday, I will be glad to answer your questions and address your concerns this Saturday, January 21, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library in North Salem. I will be joining NYS Assemblymember Chris Burdick, North Salem Town Supervisor Warren Lucas and Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce. Hope to see you there!
New York State Insider: New York State Attorney General: Attorney General James Releases Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision Allowing Firearm Dealer and Concealed Carry Gun Laws to Remain in Effect.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2023. Attorney General James Releases Statement on NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court ruled to allow New York’s Firearm Dealer Laws and Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA) to remain in effect pending appeal. The Supreme Court declined to block a number of firearm dealer laws and provisions of the CCIA that were challenged in Gazzola v. Hochul. This action by the Supreme Court follows another decision from last week to uphold a stay issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Antonyuk v. Nigrelli. “Once again, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to allow our state’s gun safety laws to remain in effect. We all see the heart-wrenching news from communities throughout New York state about the lives that are lost to senseless gun violence. We know that gun safety laws help save lives, and keep our state safer. My office will continue to work tirelessly to stand up for New York’s gun safety laws and we will use every tool at our disposal to protect New Yorkers.” As a result of today’s decision, the full CCIA continues to be in effect. The CCIA took effect in September 2022, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The law strengthens requirements for concealed carry permits, prohibits guns in sensitive places, requires individuals with concealed carry permits to request a property owner’s consent to carry on their premises, enhances safe storage requirements, and requires background checks on all ammunition purchases. |
Friday, January 13, 2023
New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON BIDEN CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2023.
CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON BIDEN CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS.
Brooklyn-NY…“President Joe Biden’s reckless mishandling of classified documents from his time as Vice President — some were sitting in a garage for years — is a matter of deep national security concern. Unlike documents discovered at Mar-a-Lago, the classified materials President Biden kept were virtually unprotected. No classified documents should ever be removed from the White House, but the carelessness with which President Biden stored them is extraordinary. It calls into serious question the President’s judgment, and we hope for a thorough and apolitical investigation into what happened.
“It should also be noted that some of the documents were discovered before the November 8, 2022 elections, but not reported until after the elections had taken place, demonstrating the nakedly political thought that went into their reporting. One wonders what President Biden was thinking while doing interviews condemning President Trump for documents discovered at Mar-a-Lago. This is Washington at its worst.”
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
New York State Insider: SOTS Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2023.
STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY
CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
“What’s most alarming is the Governor’s apparent belief that more spending can fix the very problems that high-spending,
high-taxing states themselves create.”
Albany-NY…“Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State message is a document of conflicts — she cites many of the problems New Yorkers face, but her ‘solutions’ too often would make things worse.
“The Governor calls for Band-Aids where tourniquets are needed: She proposes building 800,000 new housing units in a state that’s chased away more than a million and a half residents over the past two decades with nation-leading taxes. The Governor talks about rising crime, but refuses to end one of its root causes: cashless bail. She highlights the environment, but bans clean-energy natural gas exploration in the state, natural gas use in new construction, and she wants to require expensive and inadequate electric heat pumps in homes, making it even harder for families to keep the lights on. Mrs. Hochul talks about the high cost of living in New York, but refuses to rightsize the gargantuan, inefficient government causing it.
“What’s most alarming is the Governor’s apparent belief that more and more spending can fix the very problems that high-spending, high-taxing states themselves create. New York’s budgets are getting larger and larger under this Governor. That’s the problem, not the solution.
“If we are not serious about our challenges, Governor Hochul’s ‘New York Dream’ will continue as a nightmare for millions of hardworking state residents. We can do better.”
Saturday, January 7, 2023
New York State Insider: US Congressman Michael Lawler 17th District: You are cordially invited.
I would be honored to invite you to join me on Sunday, January 15th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm at the Rockland County Fire Training Center at 35 Firemans Memorial Drive, Pomona, New York to celebrate my swearing-in ceremony.
Your presence would be greatly appreciated as I would not be here without you.
To reserve your seat please email Mike@LawlerForCongress.com before Thursday, January 12th.
US Congressman Michael Lawler 17th District:.
New York State Insider: Speaker McCarthy: Statement from New York State Conservative Party.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Statement From New York State Conservative Party
Chairman Gerard Kassar on Speaker McCarthy’s Election.
January 7, 2023.
“The New York State Conservative Party congratulates House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on his historic victory tonight. The Party is particularly proud of the 11 House Republicans from New York State who presented a strong, unified, and unwavering front for Speaker McCarthy in round after round of voting. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a dynamic House leader, was one of those honored to nominate Speaker McCarthy on the House floor.
“These 11 members, each of whom was supported by the Conservative Party — the Party provided the direct margin of victory in four of those races — will play a key role in the 118th Congress, and rightly so. The Republican delegation from New York is ready and able to help lead our nation forward.”
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
New York State Insider: New York State Senator Pete Harckham: A PRODUCTIVE YEAR: 2022 Finishes with 23 of My Bills Signed into Law.
Dear Friend: I want you to know that 2022 concluded as my most productive year yet in terms of having legislation I introduced being passed and signed into law, with 23 of my bills receiving approvals from the Governor, up from 16 in 2021. New Yorkers continue to face immense challenges that demand real action, and so I made sure to draft bills that safeguarded residents, boosted our economy and assisted our municipalities. Whether it means protecting our workforce or our environment further, helping veterans and those with Substance Use Disorder in new ways, or working together to ensure a stronger future for our communities, I will keep looking for innovative and inspired approaches to being productive. In total, I was the prime sponsor on 176 bills that were introduced or amended, an increase from last year’s total of 137. The State Senate approved 56 of my bills and the full State Legislature approved 32 in 2022. Notable among my bills signed into law this year was S.7788, which requires that 100% of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks shall be zero-emissions by 2035. It should be noted that one of my most important bills from 2022 was enacted in the FY2023 State Budget: S.5116C protects and regulates wetlands and critical habitat areas by removing the jurisdictional barriers that old Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) maps have created. A number of my signed bills were prompted by and advanced through my work as chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. This includes two signed by Governor Hochul within the last week: S.5690 eliminates daily co-pays for visits to Opioid Treatment programs; and S.7378A requires the state’s Department of Health (DOH) to publish reports on the department's website detailing sales of opioids sold in the state. Other key bills of mine enacted by Governor Hochul include:
And signed into law this past week, as well, were two more of my bills:
Now, I am looking forward to a busy, productive 2023! Sincerely, Pete |
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