The Albany Update

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

It is anticipated that President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated this week. Tensions are high across America and Christians should be especially focused on praying for our nation this week.

We also are going to see some changes in the U.S. Senate. We’ll be taking a look at the expected incoming Majority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

One of the items that the next Congress may take up is something called the Equality Act. I’ll tell you why people who value religious liberty should be concerned.

Then, trying to keep it balanced with some more positive news, churches recently saw another court victory and a cave from the Cuomo Administration.

Finally, this month pro-life Americans will be participating in events like the March for Life and other pro-life witness events. I’ll even tell you about a local win for life in the Rochester region.

Let’s get started.

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

We’ll begin reflecting on the events of the past week. It was an ugly one for America.

Then, we’ll let you know what happened with those U.S. Senate races in Georgia.

Next, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms released our 2020-2021 Legislative Agenda. We’ll tell you more about our organization’s legislative priorities for the next two years.

Then, we’ll see that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is looking to become not only your bookie, but also your drug dealer. He wants the state to tax, regulate and in some cases operate what we have previously thought of as criminal enterprises.

Finally, the State Senate has named who will be chairing the various legislative committees. While this may sound very dry, it has great bearing on what legislation will advance or be stymied in this legislative session.

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

We’ll begin today’s program by looking at President-elect Joe Biden’s bad pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services. If Joe Biden is inaugurated and the U.S. Senate approves the nomination, it could strike a blow to many of the pro-life gains made under President Donald Trump’s tenure.

On a more positive development, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that protects women experiencing pre-term labor and their soon-to-be-born babies.

Next, we’ve previously discussed the fact that leadership in the State Assembly was re-elected to their posts, but now we know that the Senate is following suit.

Then, we’ll take a look at 2021 and the challenges that long-distance lobbying will mean for our organization’s efforts to influence legislation and legislators.

Finally, I’ve got a list of prayer requests for the new year that I hope you’ll join me in lifting up.

Let’s get started.

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

I’m Jason McGuire. I serve as Executive Director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF), New York’s evangelical Christian advocacy organization. Our mission is to influence legislation and legislators for the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 2021, with God’s help, NYCF will advocate in Albany, NY and in Washington, DC for four Biblically-based policy goals: The protection of human life, the promotion of strong families, the preservation of religious liberty, and the proclamation of justice and mercy. We’ll discuss in some detail what we pursue in each of these goals.

Then, for many years, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms’ affiliate organization—New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation—has held a weekly Legislative Bible Study during the legislative session in Albany. However, the COVID closure at our State Capitol, is severely hampering that effort. I’ll update you on our plans for 2021.

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

If you thought the great mask divide of 2020 was contentious, get ready for the vaccine mandate debate of 2021. A New York state lawmaker has introduced a bill that, if passed and signed into law, could lead to a COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

Then, it’s Christmas week. Here at New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, we thank the Lord for sending Jesus Christ into the world to save us from our sins. We also thank the Lord for the churches, families, and individuals whose generosity makes our continuing work possible. We would not be able to influence legislation and legislators for the Lord Jesus Christ without them. NYCF wishes our friends and supporters a blessed Christmas season and a New Year filled with love and joy.

Let’s get started.

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

Next week, New York’s Electoral College convenes in the State Capitol, but they meet while a Texas lawsuit challenging the election results heads to the Supreme Court. [UPDATE: Since the time of this program’s recording, the Supreme Court rejected this case.]

Then, Albany is preparing for the start of the 2021 legislative session. We’ll take a peek at next year’s calendar.

Finally, the pandemic effect and the current makeup of both our state and national legislative bodies, means that organizationally, we’ll face some challenges in the new year, but New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms is preparing to face them head on. We’ll discuss.

Let’s get started.

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

First, we need to talk about that Supreme Court ruling against Governor Andrew Cuomo’s religious gathering restrictions. What does it mean for churches?

Then, in a sign that the next legislative session is rapidly approaching, we’ll see that legislative conferences in the State Assembly re-elected their leadership.

Third, there is new polling that shows growing support for mobile sports betting. What are the odds of online betting becoming the next form of gambling expansion in Albany?

Finally, State Attorney General Letitia James released a report that asserts nearly thirty percent of all charitable donations is pocketed by professional fundraisers. I’ll tell you why you don’t have to worry about that with our organization.

With much to discuss, let’s get started.