Andrew Cuomo Can’t Put Politics Aside—Even For Kids In Need
Albany, NY—Yesterday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatened legal action against a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that would protect faith-based child welfare organizations from unfair discrimination based upon their beliefs about marriage and family. Jason J. McGuire, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF), made the following…
Stillborn Bill Recognizes Loss of Unborn Life
A new bill has been introduced that would provide financial relief to parents of stillborn children in New York. Bill S.3709-Mayer/A.7468-Buchwald would provide the parents of a stillborn child with a one-time tax credit of $2,000. The amount of this credit is the same as the amount of the child tax credit provided to parents…
Attorney General Barr Speaks On ‘Spiritual Void’ in America
On October 11, 2019, U.S. Attorney General William Barr spoke at Notre Dame Law School. In his speech, Attorney General Barr discussed the Justice Department’s efforts to promote religious liberty. Refreshingly, the Attorney General did not just speak about the law; rather, his remarks addressed some of the core issues that plague the United States…
HPV Mandate Tramples On Parental Rights
Earlier this year, the New York State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo created controversy when they repealed a law allowing parents with religious objections to opt out of complying with child vaccination laws. The repeal of New York’s religious exemption made one thing clear: Most New York lawmakers believe that decisions about child vaccination should…
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Gender Identity, Sexuality
On October 8, 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in three cases that relate to employment discrimination. In essence, the cases present one simple question: Does Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 mean what it says? Two of the plaintiffs (one from Long Island and one from…
French Protest Liberalizing Reproductive Laws
On October 6, 2019, thousands of French citizens took to the streets of Paris to peacefully protest against a bill that would cover the cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and similar procedures for single women and women identifying as lesbians. According to the New York Post, the protesters carried signs that read “‘Where is…
Democratic Leaders May Frontload Legislative Session
The New York State Legislature is considering a change to its legislative calendar that could have a major impact on public policy. In recent years, the state legislative session has typically run from January until mid-to-late-June. Following the passage of the annual budget at the end of March, the legislators take a break during part…
Regional Briefings Return
Whether we are ready for it or not, autumn officially begins on September 23, 2019. Friends of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF) and our affiliate organization, New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation (NYFRF), know that the fall is a season when NYFRF holds regional special events to connect with our supporters, inform voters about key…
State Gambling Study Is ‘Too Late’
Earlier this year, the New York State Gaming Commission solicited proposals to conduct a study of the gambling industry in the Empire State. The proposed study would evaluate the existing casinos in New York, assess the potential consequences of issuing new casino licenses, and consider the potential market for online gambling and for expanded sports…
Preliminary Injunctions In Vaccination Cases Denied
In recent days, two legal challenges to New York’s new vaccine law met with major setbacks. After New York repealed the religious exemption to its child vaccination requirements this year, lawsuits were filed in state and federal court by parents’ groups. According to the Albany Times Union, six parents sued in federal court on the…
Conflicting Transgender Cases Call For Clarity
Two recent federal court decisions regarding “transgender” issues demonstrate the great need for clarity in American public policy regarding sex and gender identity. Last month, a federal judge in Alaska ruled in favor of a Christian shelter for battered women that had been accused of discriminating against a “transgender” individual. In January 2018, Hope Center…
NYCF’s September Prayer Needs
During the month of September, 2019, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms covets the prayers of our friends and supporters in the following areas: That the fall events held by our affiliate organization, New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation, will be well-attended and edifying; That the Lord will continue to bless our efforts to renovate our ministry…
Parental Rights Play Second Fiddle To School’s Transgender Agenda
Earlier this month, a man named Jay Keck published a disturbing article in USA Today concerning his daughter’s struggle with gender dysphoria. The article highlights the role of school personnel in his daughter’s confusion. According to Mr. Keck, his daughter—who is on the autism spectrum—displayed no signs of gender dysphoria in her childhood. As a…
State Waives Military Marriage License Fees
A recently-signed bill will make it a little bit easier for active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces to get married. On August 20, 2019, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed Bill S.3756-Mayer/A.55-Buchwald into law as Chapter 177 of the Laws of 2019. The new law waives the state’s portion of the marriage license fee for…
State Accepting Comment Regarding Substantial Equivalency Regulations
Proposed regulations that have been issued by the New York State Education Department threaten the continued existence of Christian schools here in the Empire State. According to Section 3204 of the Education Law, “[i]nstruction given to a minor elsewhere than at a public school shall be at least substantially equivalent” to the instruction that student…
NYC Schools Adopt New Gender Inclusion Guidelines
The effort to institutionalize a warped view of gender that conflicts with both faith and science has, unfortunately, moved forward in New York City schools. According to the Brooklyn Eagle, the New York City Department of Education has adopted new “gender inclusion” guidelines for the upcoming school year. Here are the highlights (or lowlights): Outside…