Monday, May 1, 2023

New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2023
 

CONSERVATIVE PARTY CALLS FOR ‘NO’ VOTE ON EXORBITANT AND IRRESPONSIBLE $229 BILLION STATE BUDGET “Budget Has No Consideration Whatsoever for Economic Reality.”

Brooklyn-NY…The New York State Conservative Party is urging responsible lawmakers in Albany to reject the massive $229 billion state budget proposal, which is billions of dollars more than the ill-advised budget Governor Kathy Hochul initially put forward.

As proposed, this budget would raise taxes on financially beleaguered New Yorkers, dramatically raise the price of energy and new construction in New York through a ban on new natural gas hookups, chase away existing and future jobs with the highest minimum wage in the nation linked to an automatic Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase, and force New Yorkers to pay for political election campaigns — while doing virtually nothing to reduce New York’s nation-leading Medicaid costs or New York’s dangerously high crime rate caused by the disastrous cashless bail law.

“This budget has no consideration whatsoever for economic reality,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “New Yorkers wanted financial relief; what they got was a punch-in-the-gut MTA ‘mobility tax’, higher state spending, mandates on future home heating, the cost of political campaigns, and a job-killing ‘minimal wage’ that will kill countless starting-level jobs around the state for years to come.

“New Yorkers wanted safer streets; Governor Kathy Hochul and her Democratic colleagues chose not to hear them, placing woke ideology ahead of public safety,” Mr. Kassar said. “The only good thing I can say about the Governor's budget, is that it didn’t include her hare-brained scheme to force state rezoning of New York’s suburban communities.”

The Conservative Party specifically urged legislators to oppose the Revenue Bill, which includes a number of existing taxes as well as new burdensome revenue generators.

“Year after year, Democrats in Albany have been turning a blind eye to needs and wants of everyday New Yorkers,” Mr. Kassar continued. “This budget is the worst example of that to date, and we urge responsible legislators to oppose it. New Yorkers can’t afford never-ending tax and spending increases. They stifle state economic growth and send more and more New Yorkers packing for better run states.”


Saturday, April 29, 2023

New York State Senator Pete Harckham: Honoring 81-Year Veteran of South Salem FD.

 


It was an honor to award John Waldie Gullen a Senate Proclamation and thank him for his 81 years as a volunteer firefighter in the South Salem Fire Department. I took the opportunity to present the award during the department’s annual Inspection Dinner.

New York State Insider: State Senator Pete Harckham: Thornwood FD Gets New Emergency Equipment.

 


I visited the Thornwood Fire Department recently to inspect the new air compressor fill and workstation used to replenish the air cylinders for the self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) worn by the firefighters. The equipment was acquired through a $77,000 state grant that I secured for the department. Thank you to Fire Commissioner Jim Finn (left) and Asst. Chief Ryan Rodgers (right) for demonstrating this great new device.

New York State Insider: State Senator Pete Harckham: Exceptional Leaders Honored for Black Women's History Month.

 



I presented special Senate Proclamations to Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie and Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP) Board Chair Dr. Valya Dessaure to commemorate Black Women’s History Month. Throughout their careers, these two women have benefited our communities in many ways and in doing so they exemplify a model of remarkable achievement and ready willingness to help others.

New York State Insider: State Senator Pete Harckham: Blood Drive Scheduled to Help Address Blood Shortage.

 


I will be partnering with the New York Blood Center to hold my fifth blood drive at the Ossining Public Library, on on Thursday, May 11 from 1-7 p.m.  Sadly, there is still a blood shortage in the Hudson Valley region. Someone needs blood every two seconds, and the donated blood can help not only accident victims, but also those undergoing cancer treatment, certain surgeries and treatment blood disorders. 


New York State Insider: State Senator Pete Harckham: Korean War Veterans Visit the State Capitol.

 








I welcomed more than 20 Korean War Veterans to the New York State Capitol recently and thanked them personally for their service to our country in what some wrongly have called the “forgotten war.” We are eternally grateful to the men and women who fought in this war, which Korean Veterans will tell you was unlike any other war. The trip was arranged by the Westchester County State Senate delegation.

New York State Insider: Pete Harckham: Life Saving Narcan Training in North Salem.

 


New York State Insider: STATEMENT FROM NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

  STATEMENT ON SHOOTING AT 345 PARK AVENUE: NEW YORK STATE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN GERARD KASSAR. “The New York State Conservative P...