Underperforming Casinos Seek State Funds
This was the final week in the negotiations leading to the passage of the 2019 New York State Budget, which is due to be completed by April 1. As you might expect, advocates for many interest groups were in Albany working feverishly to carve out their piece of the roughly $168 billion pie. One such…
President Donald Trump Authorizes Armed Forces to Restore Gender Sanity
On Friday, March 23, President Donald Trump issued a directive allowing the U.S. Armed Forces to promote military readiness and common decency by preventing persons suffering from gender dysphoria from entering the Armed Forces. According to the White House, “‘the policies set forth by the Secretary of Defense state that transgender persons with a history…
Pro-Life Pregnancy Center Case Looks Promising
Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the case of NIFLA v. Becerra. As Albany Update has previously reported, NIFLA is a constitutional challenge to California’s Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care and Transparency Act (also known as the FACT Act), which requires pro-life pregnancy centers to inform clients about the…
Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Head To The High Court
Oral arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States have been scheduled for March 20, 2018 in NIFLA v. Becerra, a case that has major implications for pro-life pregnancy centers and free speech. NIFLA v. Becerra arises out of a legal challenge to California’s Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care and Transparency Act (also known as…
Percoco, Close Advisor To Cuomo, Convicted
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:10). On March 13, 2018, a federal jury convicted Joe Percoco—a former close advisor of Gov. Andrew Cuomo—of three felonies: “[Conspiracy] to commit honest-services…
Trial Pulls Back Curtain On Cuomo’s Inner Circle
As previously reported by Albany Update, the ongoing federal corruption trial of former Cuomo right-hand man Joe Percoco has pulled back the curtain on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s inner circle. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Percoco left his state position for eight months in 2014 to help run the Governor’s re-election campaign. However, according to…
Second Circuit Perpetuates Confusion
Late last month, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans discrimination based upon sexual orientation. In Zarda v. Altitude Express, the plaintiff—a skydiver who disclosed his homosexuality to a customer—was terminated from his position. The plaintiff claimed discrimination and sued in federal court,…
Governor’s Gay Panic Push Is Right Legislation Done The Wrong Way
Albany Update has reported on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s most recent executive overreach: Barring the State of New York from doing business with entities that “discriminate” on the basis of the phony characteristics of sexual orientation and gender identity. In announcing that executive action, Gov. Cuomo also announced that he would take steps to ban the…
Erie County Legislature Votes To Criminalize Christian Counseling
For the past several years, LGBT advocates have been pushing the New York State Legislature to pass the Counselor Coercion Bill, which would ban licensed mental health professionals from assisting minor clients in overcoming unwanted same-sex attraction. Thus far, their advocacy has failed in the New York State Senate. However, LGBT advocates have continued to…
President Trump, U.S. Senate Continue To Make Progress on Judicial Nominations
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to nominate conservative judges to the federal bench. So far, the President—with the help of U.S. Senate Republicans—is keeping his promise. In addition to nominating Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States, President Trump and the Republican-led Senate also filled 12 vacancies in federal…
Patriotism Shouldn’t Require A Permit
On February 6, the New York State Senate passed the National Anthem Bill (Bill S.3241-Felder/A.3108-Colton). The National Anthem Bill would bar cities from requiring a permit for individuals and groups to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” This bill would explicitly protect Americans who wish to exercise their First Amendment rights…
State Senate Opioid Task Force Meets in Binghamton
In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the abuse of the class of drugs known as opioids. Opioids are highly addictive pain-relieving drugs that include heroin and various prescription medications like hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl. The opioid crisis has affected the State of New York and the entire nation; according…
Catskills Casino Officially Opens
In 2013, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed to amend the State Constitution and state laws to allow four Vegas-style casinos to open on non-Indian lands in upstate New York. According to the Governor, new casinos were a key mechanism for stimulating upstate economic growth. Unfortunately, elected officials and voters followed the Governor’s lead. Last week, the…
Cuomo Aide Faces Corruption Charges
Joe Percoco, who once served as a top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, is being tried in federal court (along with other defendants) for allegedly accepting over $300,000 in bribes and pressuring a person with business before the state to give his wife a lucrative “low-show” job. Percoco has been described as the Governor’s close…
Proposed Transgender Court Rules Should Be Rejected
For many years, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms has fought on the front lines against efforts by LGBT advocates to redefine gender in the State of New York. The New York Unified Court System is the latest battleground in this conflict. The Administrative Board of the Courts is considering a proposal to add “gender identity”…
New York Needs To Hold The Line Against Sports Gambling
On January 24, 2018, Sen. John Bonacic (R-Mt. Hope), Chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, held a hearing in Albany about the potential to expand legalized gambling on professional sports in the State of New York. Of the 202 Members currently serving in the New York State Legislature, Sen. Bonacic may well…