The Albany Update

Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

In federal news, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Oral arguments will be heard on January 7, 2022. New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms is signing onto an amicus brief opposing the mandate on religious liberty grounds. We’ll delve into more detail in today’s program.

In a similar vein, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced her intention to seek a mandatory COVID vaccination for students attending school, both public and private. Our organization remains opposed and is urging the Governor and the State Legislature to go slow on this controversial measure.

Then, every January there is a large pro-life event held in Washington, D.C. that celebrates the sanctity of human life. This year’s event is expected to be bigger than ever. We’ll tell you what it is and how you can participate.

Finally, we’ve been noticing a growing trend. Our office has been inundated with requests regarding various social media memes that are circulating. Some well-intentioned individuals are reposting these memes, without first finding out if they are factual. It causes confusion in certain circles and costs conservatives credibility. Today, we’ll gently remind listeners to seek truth in all areas of their lives—even social media interactions.

Let’s get started.

Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C. when he announced that he would not be voting for President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act. The announcement delivered a likely death knell to a signature issue of the President’s agenda.

That isn’t the only federal issue we’ll be discussing on today’s program. The Biden Administration is also permanently removing some limits on abortion pill access. For many in the pro-life community—and the women and unborn babies negatively impacted by this decision—it’s a troubling action.

Next, Gov. Kathy Hochul recently indicated that when the State Legislature returns in 2022, she will seek a mandatory COVID vaccination for students attending school. Plenty of parents will object to this.

Then, we’ll offer a brief lookback on 2021 and let you know how you can receive our “2021 Legislative Session in Review”.

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Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

Governor Kathy Hochul’s latest mask mandate dominated the news cycle this week. I’ll lay out some of the specifics.

Next up, there was a decision from the United States Supreme Court regarding religious exemptions from vaccination for health care workers. It wasn’t an encouraging one for proponents of religious liberty.

Then, we’ll discuss what New York might look like after Roe is struck down. Here’s a hint—an abortion tourism industry could crop up in our state.

Abortion isn’t the only life issue we’re focused on, though. In January, we expect the fight against assisted suicide to resume in full force.

Finally, this is also the week we celebrate Christmas. Despite the political woes of our day, we are grateful for the Savior.

Let’s get started.

Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

We’ll begin today’s program looking at two stories out of New York City. Last week, the City Council approved giving voting rights to non-citizens. Additionally, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio is requiring that all non-public or private school employees be vaccinated against COVID. Both these stories constrict liberty for citizens and should be resisted. We’ll go into more detail in today’s program.

Then, looking at state news, many municipalities are opting out of pot dispensaries in their communities. If you’re curious if your town or village has taken any action on this issue, we’ll tell you how you can find out.

In national news, conservatives scored a surprising win when the military draft requirement for women was dropped from the National Defense Authorization Act. We’re celebrating this win.

Finally, our organization in partnership with our Family Policy Alliance friends is preparing for a post-Roe America. We’ll tell you about a new resource recently launched that helps the pro-life community prepare for life after Roe.

Let’s get started.

Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

For those of us in the pro-life community, last week was an encouraging one. We were present outside the U.S. Supreme Court when oral arguments were heard in a case that could overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion legal across America. The atmosphere outside the courthouse was jubilant. The pro-life community easily outnumbered the pro-abortion protestors. It was almost as if Planned Parenthood and its allies knew that they were defeated and decided to throw in the towel early.  We'll offer analysis of the arguments presented in today’s program.

That wasn’t the only good pro-life news, though. Here in the Empire State, Attorney General Letitia James decided to drop the case against 13 pro-lifers who were bearing witness against abortion outside a Queens abortion clinic in 2017. AG James is a strident abortion supporter, so why would she withdraw this case? We’ll discuss.

Then, in darker developments, New York City is opting to deal with an opioid problem by opening sanctioned injection sites. While supervised injection sites is a horrendous idea, We'll take this opportunity to remind localities that they only have until the end of the year to opt out of pot sales in their community. It’s disturbing to see our state’s public policy drifting toward tacit drug approval.

It’s a packed program. Let’s get started.

Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

We have some troubling news to share. Despite knowing that its evangelical base is not on board, Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, announced that the GOP was launching an LGBT initiative.

The big state news of the week was the release of the Assembly Judiciary Committee’s Cuomo investigation—and it’s damning.

Next, and on a more positive note, Nourish New York, a bill supported by New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, was signed into law.

Then, with the oral arguments in a case that could take an axe to the very root of the 1973 Supreme Court decision known as Roe being heard this week, we’ll spend a few moments talking about life after Roe.

Let’s get started.

Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

On Monday, November 22, 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s vaccine mandate for health care workers takes effect. As a result, it appears that those seeking religious exemptions from the mandate will be fired just as they head into the holiday season.

Gov. Hochul isn’t only denying religious liberty, though. She’s also denying basic biology. Last week, she signed into law two bills sought out by transgender activists.

Next, we’re only days away from the Supreme Court hearing a monumental pro-life case. Potentially, it could overturn the 1973 abortion decision known as Roe v. Wade. If you aren’t already, please dedicate prayer to these vital oral arguments, the attorneys making the case for life, and the justices of the United States Supreme Court.

Finally, it’s Thanksgiving week and I’ll offer a few thoughts on what we all can be grateful to the Lord for on this special day.

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Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

This time of year, our organizations’ attention often turns from state to national issues. State legislators aren’t in session, but members of Congress are still in Washington, D.C. Two issues we’ll be reporting on this week include the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act.

Those aren’t the only federal issues we’re dealing with, though. A federal court issued an emergency stay of President Joe Biden’s workplace vaccine mandate.

Then, a little closer to home we’ll be looking at a religious liberty issue in Brooklyn. There, the Catholic Church let one of its parochial schoolteachers go after the teacher ‘married’ his male partner. Some are not happy at the teacher’s release, but doesn’t a church have a right to only employ people consistent with the church’s teaching?

Finally, we’re only about six weeks away from the end of 2021 and our organization still has a lofty goal before the end of the fiscal and calendar year.

Let’s get started.

Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

Last week was a tremendously busy week for numerous reasons.

First, the United States Supreme Court showed movement on not one, but two cases, the pro-life and religious liberty communities are watching. We’ll look at both actions and consider what it might mean for the court facing the big case that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

Then, Democrats are reeling from the shellacking their party took at the polls last Tuesday. On today’s program we’ll highlight some of the election results here at home and across the nation. We’ll also report on what happened to those five ballot proposals and discuss the implications of the 2021 Election on the 2022 mid-terms.

Let’s get started.

Thank you for joining this week’s edition of the Albany Update.

Late last week news broke that former Governor Andrew Cuomo was being charged with a misdemeanor in the alleged groping of a former aide. It’s unlikely that Cuomo will receive any real consequence. It’s a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year behind bars, but as a first-time offender the ex-governor will likely only see a slap on the wrist. However, the larger question is, where is the Assembly Judiciary Committee report regarding the investigations into Andrew Cuomo? The taxpayers paid for it, deserve to see it, and that report might just reveal what was truly going on during Cuomo’s disgraceful tenure.

When Governor Kathy Hochul ascended to the vacancy created by Cuomo’s resignation, she made it clear that she would be seeking a full term. However, State Attorney General Letitia James is inching closer toward an imminent announcement of her own run. When the AG jumps in, life just became a lot more complicated for Kathy Hochul.

Changing topics, we’ll look at the effort to bring sports betting to New York before the Superbowl. Suffice to say, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms is not excited about this state scam to deprive its citizens of even more income and enable greater gambling addiction.

Then, we’ll look at what has been happening in Loudon County, VA. In that state, concerned parents are standing up to the elitists in education. Moms and dads have had enough and are going to school board meetings and engaging in ways they haven’t before. 2010 saw the rise of the “Tea Party”, a movement centered around previously politically uninvolved people getting politically involved. Now, could we be seeing the rise of a “Parent Party” movement across America?

Finally, it’s November. A month in which our organization likes to step back and just give thanks for the goodness God has shown to us throughout the year. We’ve got several praises to share with you.

Let’s get started.