The following posted on NYC Council Site: May 9th Public Hearing. Non Citizen Voting in Elections is Unconstitutional and Just Wrong!! Want to vote – invest yourself in becoming a citizen. Whomever 33 pandering councilmembers must be called upon. This should fail on its own, but make sure you are heard.

The NYC Voting Rights Restoration Act has a veto-proof majority

Read Chairman Jerry Kassar’s Column in Home Reporter and Brooklyn Spectator

http://www.homereporternews.com/opinion/common-sense-republicans-for-change/article_5bb85c94-b115-11e2-a2fc-0019bb2963f4.html

Common Sense: Republicans for change

The following was released by Assemblymember Malliotakis reporting the Assembly majority defeat of a bill that would fight corruption by stripping pension benefits from crooks.  Outraged.. share your outrage here, on Facebook and twitter..why not let Speaker Silver know how you feel

April 30, 2013

ASSEMBLY MAJORITY BLOCKS ANTI-CORRUPTION BILL

Malliotakis, Minority Leader Kolb slam legislature for dragging heels in fight against corruption

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I-Brooklyn, Staten Island) and Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) recently spoke out against the Assembly Majority’s decision to block a bill that would crack down on government corruption. Assembly Bill 4935 would advance a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to strip pension and retirement benefits from elected officials convicted of felonies related to abuse of their office. This legislation was held in the Governmental Employees Committee, of which Malliotakis is the ranking minority member, by a vote of 8-6, with all Minority members supporting the bill. Malliotakis and Leader Kolb indicated that the bill’s defeat is yet another reason why public polls show widespread cynicism and distrust for the state legislature.

“With elected officials throughout the state behind bars and more facing criminal charges, it is deplorable that any legislator could oppose such a common-sense, anti-corruption measure,” said Malliotakis, who has supported similar legislation throughout her time in the Assembly. “Taxpayers cannot be expected to fund the retirement of a corrupt official who has betrayed the public trust. The public is tired of business-as-usual at the Capitol, and unfortunately, this is a prime example of the ‘Bad Old Days’ in Albany.”

“The time to walk-the-walk on public corruption is long overdue. We have proposed two initiatives that directly target the public corruption issue every legislator claims they are trying to address. The Majority’s decision to delay the process isn’t only curious – it’s irresponsible,” Leader Kolb said.  “Public officials who betray the trust of their constituents should be stripped of taxpayer-funded pensions – that’s just common sense. Putting term limits on legislative leaders facilitates new ideas, encourages fresh perspectives and eliminates the perception of ‘absolute power’ in Albany. I am proud to represent a Conference that is actually being a part of the solution, rather than an ongoing part of the problem.”

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Thank you,

Nicole Malliotakis

“The State Senate Republicans plan to hold hearings over the next few weeks to look more closely at New York City’s incredible expensive taxpayer-funded campaign finance system which has been repeatedly abused by corrupt politicians.”

New York City’s program is a 6-to- 1 match using taxpayer dollars for political campaigns. Read more and catch-up on Brooklyn Conservatives events at the link below to Jerry Kassar’s column in the Brooklyn Spectator and Home Reporter.- Also remember Tax Freedom Day commemoration with the Brooklyn South Conservative Club will take place May 2d at 7:30pm at Corner Kitchen Bar and Restaurant 6725 Third Avenue.

http://www.homereporternews.com/opinion/common-sense-political-warfare/article_aa9c32ea-ac42-11e2-a23c-001a4bcf887a.html

The Brooklyn South Conservative Club will be having its Tax Freedom Day meeting on Thursday, May 2 at the Corner Kitchen & Bar located at  6725 5th Avenue.

You had to file your taxes by April 15th, but you have to work until May 2nd before you can keep what you earn. The date seems to come later in the State of New York each year.

Come make a statement, celebrate with friends or make new ones and find out more about the Conservative Party and the Brooklyn South Conservative Club.

This just in, a release from Assemblymember Malliotakis:

April 16, 2013

MALLIOTAKIS RESPONDS TO SPEAKER SILVER’S PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCING PROPOSAL

In response to Speaker Silver’s proposal to bring matching public funds to state legislative elections, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I-Brooklyn, Staten Island) issued the following statement:

At a time when people are out of work, underpaid and overtaxed, the concept of using taxpayer dollars to fund political campaigns, at an estimated cost of $200 million, is an absolute disgrace. Just two weeks ago, the legislature passed a budget that cut programs for the developmentally disabled by $90 million, claiming that the state couldn’t afford to continue them. What kind of message are we sending by putting political gain ahead of support for our most vulnerable citizens?

Campaign finance laws in New York are in shambles, but a sure way to make it worse would be to rob hard-earned taxpayer money to support this broken system. We must focus on removing the corrosive influence of money from politics, such as ending unlimited contributions to housekeeping accounts, rather than breaking the backs of taxpayers to fund this shell game. In the past, I voted against a proposal for matching public funds in the race for Office of the Comptroller, and I will continue to be a vocal opponent of taxpayer-financed political campaigns.

The following was released by the New York State Conservative Party today and is copied here in case you missed it.

Conservative Party of New York State Press Release  ~ Support Science; Not Medical Marihuana ~~~~~~~~~~ For Immediate Release April 15, 2013 Contact:  Shaun Marie                                                               518-356-7882 www.cpnys.org Conservatives Support Science; Marihuana is not Medicine The Conservative Party of New York State is urging the Members of the Legislature to follow science and the accepted principles of medicine to reject a bill that supports the medical use of marihuana.  The memo issued to the Members follows: In Opposition to “Medical” Marihuana S. 4406 – Savino      A. 6357 – Gottfried (on Health Comm Agenda) Party Position: Marihuana is not medicine, if it is to be considered as medicine,  it should be treated as such and subjected to the Food and Drug Administration approval process that includes clinical trials to determine its efficacy as a medication. Some people may “feel better” after smoking or ingesting marihuana, but that does not make it medicine.   The reasons some people “feel better” is simple: according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marihuana’s main psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), binds to cannabinoid (CB) receptors, widely distributed throughout the nervous system and other parts of the body. In the brain, CB receptors are found in high concentrations in areas that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, appetite, pain and movement coordination.  That is why marihuana can have wide-ranging effects, including: Impaired short-term memory. Marihuana use can make it hard to learn and retain information, particularly complex tasks. Slowed reaction time and impaired motor coordination. It can throw off athletic performance, impair driving skills and increase risk of injuries; Altered judgment and decision making. Experts say this can contribute to high-risk sexual behaviors that could lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases; Increased heart rate. It can jump by 20% to 100%, which may increase the risk of heart attack, especially in otherwise vulnerable individuals; Altered mood. In some, Marihuana can induce euphoria or calmness; in high doses it can cause anxiety and paranoia. Addiction; Poorer educational outcomes, poorer job performance and diminished life satisfaction; Respiratory problems (chronic cough, bronchitis); Risk of psychosis in vulnerable individuals; Cognitive impairment persisting beyond the time of intoxication. In the federal court case of Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics v.DEA 15Fed 1131 (D.D.C. 1994) the US District Court accepted the five-part test for determining whether a drug is in “currently accepted medicinal use.”  Id at 1135. The test requires that: 1. The drug’s chemistry must be known and reproducible; 2. There must be adequate safety studies; 3. There must be adequate and well-controlled studies proving efficacy; 4. The drug must be accepted by qualified experts; and 5. The scientific evidence must be widely available. Applying these criteria to crude Marihuana, the court found that the drug had no currently accepted medical use. Drug approval must be based on science and not merely what a group or individual desires. A major study, “EarlyFindings in Controlled Studies of Herbal Cannabis: A Review,” concluded that despite the widespread public interest in the therapeutic potential of herbal cannabis…. “the data alone fails to make the case that crude, smoked cannabis should be made available to patients.“  Numerous other studies have replicated those findings. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the New York Society of Addiction Medicine (NYSAM), the American Medical Association (AMA) and numerous other national and state organizations are also opposed to marihuana as medicine in smoked or eaten form. Despite the claims that this bill is strict, it is not. Certification for pot is good for one year - Physicians may prescribe Schedule 2 drugs for 30 days only. Under this proposal, there is no requirement to specify dosage – very unlike prescribing any form of medicine and there is no requirement for re-evaluation before then; Certification can be issued not only by physicians, but by PA’s (physician’s assistant) or NP’s (nurse practitioner) – this contrary to accepted roles of  PA’s and NP’s since they are not able to diagnose and treat for any of the qualifying conditions and the practitioner is not required to have a continuing relationship with the patient – so someone could walk in, get a certification, and walk out; Qualifying conditions are much too broad – by listing specific conditions, and not even linking them to the requirement that they be “severe[ly] debilitating or life-threatening,” patient can qualify merely because he/she has a condition, regardless of whether the condition’s severity; There is no requirement or provision for the practitioner to specify dosage; There is no limitation on amount, other than the limitation that a patient cannot possess more than 2½ ounces at a time – so patient could get 2½ ounces a day; Caregiver can “take care” of up to 5 patients  - so 1 caregiver could obtain 12½ ounces at one time; Patient can designate 2 caregivers – but can designate an unlimited number of additional caregivers if caregiver is a member of immediate family or physical household [no verification required to be submitted); No background check required for the caregiver – can be a convicted drug dealer. The New York State Conservative Party is strongly opposed to this proposed bill and takes this opportunity to remind you what Richard Cowan, stated in 1993 “Medical Marihuana is our strongest suit.  It is our point of leverage which will move us toward the legalization of Marihuana for personal use.” Unfortunately, this strategy is working, Colorado and Washington began with “medical” marihuana, now they defy federal law and allow the personal use.  We strongly urge a NO vote. ###

State Headquarters: 486 78th Street Ft. Hamilton Station, NY 11209 718-921-2158

Today is the deadline to file your tax return with the State and Federal Governments, but government will not be off your back just yet. New York State residents must now work until May 2nd just to pay for what the government takes out of earnings. That’s right, it is now as late as May 2nd before the money you earn is yours. Until May 2nd, consider all your earnings property of the government. So – get your taxes filed, check your pockets to make sure you have anything left, and look ahead to celebrating Tax Freedom Day on May 2nd.

The Brooklyn South Conservative Club will be celebrating Tax Freedom Day. Stay tuned for more information and activity so you can join us

County Chairman Jerry Kassar-left, County Vice Chair Fran Vella-Marrone-right, with Arlene Keating- center - recipient of Ronald Reagan Americanism Award

John McLaughlin - Prominent Pollster and Political Strategist

Chairman Jerry Kassar Addressing Crowd at 2013 Annual Brunch

A large crowd enjoyed honoring civic leader Arlene Keating, listening to John McLaughlin discuss politics in America, as well as hearing from a number of elected officials who stopped by including State Senator Marty Golden, Assemblywoman Malliotakis, Congressman Michael Grimm, City Councilmember David Geenfield. In addition three candidates for Mayor- in alphabetical order – John Catsimitidas, Joe Lhota, and Rev. Eric Salgado were in attendance, as well as Council candidates John Quaglione, David Storobin and Elias Weir, and representative on behalf of State Senator Simcha Felder. Thank you for all who joined us or supported our effort. We look forward to seeing you at our next event.

In Tummino v. Hamburg, 12-CV-763, Judge Korman, of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District, which resides in Brooklyn, New York, held that the Secretary of Health and Human Services improperly overruled the FDA Commissioner to prevent the morning after pill or “plan-B” from being available over the counter, without a prescription, to any female regardless of age. That’s right, an 11-year-old can buy these hormonal drugs on their own. In the memorandum and ruling, the judge found that the FDA should have granted a citizen petition and delved into scientific studies. Judge Korman’s expertise is not cited, let alone established. There is discussion of the FDA as the body charged by Congress to make decisions in this field. Judge Korman found that there was “significant political pressure” involved. The restriction on those under 17 receiving the drug without a prescription was found to be arbitrary and capricious.

Although Griswold v. Connecticut is cited, there is no right to privacy issue in this case and the lowest level of scrutiny should have been applied on this issue. The restriction is rationally related to a legitimate government interest. That interest is in not having potentially dangerous drugs in the hands of minors, or even drugs without adequate study being made available. Furthermore, when did parents lose their rights to control their child’s health?

If this activist court wishes to insert itself in this fashion, it is up to federal, State and even local legislators to come up with legislation to nullify this decision. Our Congressional delegation and those within this circuit should immediately get to work on ameliorative legislation. Barring preemption, legislation in the New York State legislature addressing the concerns of this case and spelling out the governments interest in protecting children and parents rights, must be introduced.

Finally, a resolution from the New York City Council, condemning the decision, and supporting federal and State legislation as mentioned above, should immediately be introduced.

Which legislators will take up this cause?- let’s get some response now!