The Albany Update

Thank you for joining me for this episode of the Albany Update.

We’ll be exploring the U.S. House of Representatives recent vote to protect the right to contraception. Social conservatives are rightly criticizing the vote for many reasons, but one of them is the lack of religious liberty protections in the proposed legislation.

In this week’s program, we’ll also begin profiling a few of the congressional and state senate primaries occurring on August 23. Today, we’ll look at the coming races in the 19th and 23rd Congressional Districts, as well as a State Senate primary in the 25th District.

Finally, a giant in New York’s conservative movement passed away on July 24. He was a friend to our movement and a strong ally in the fight for life and liberty in this state. I’ll tell you who he is, and more about him momentarily.

Let’s get started.

On July 20, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure entitled the “Respect for Marriage Act” (H.R. 8404) (RMA). The title is misleading, though. The legislation is the antithesis of respecting marriage. Only one member of New York’s congressional delegation, Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY22), voted against it.

Then, in not much more than a month, millions of New York’s school-aged children will be returning to the classroom. That has parents, kids, faculty, staff, and school administrators wondering what, if any, COVID mandates will continue to be imposed upon schools. We’ll look at what families can expect.

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) also signed a package of eight bills into law that hope to improve services for human trafficking victims and survivors. NYCF is supportive of the enacted laws.

Finally, we’ll share some prayer requests for the month of August.

In this week’s Albany Update, we’ll begin with a profile piece on U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade (1973). With the decision, Justice Alito has cemented his place in American history.

Then turning to a few other matters, we’ll look at President Joe Biden’s big abortion problem. Essentially, his hands are now tied. The President can do very little to appease pro-abortion activists. Governor Kathy Hochul, on the other hand, wields quite a bit of policy authority as abortion has now returned to a states’ rights issue.

In another matter, we’ll analyze how the recent gun control law, passed by New York’s Democratic supermajorities, and signed by Gov. Hochul, impacts houses of worship in our state.

Finally, we’ll celebrate the fact that Gov. Hochul’s Covid quarantine mandate was overturned by a state trial court, but the Hochul administration is appealing the decision.

Let’s get started.

In this week’s Albany Update, we’ll breakdown the State Legislature’s recent summer special session, tell you about one NYC Councilmember’s vocal opposition to drag queens in City schools, and report on a disappointing rejection of a vaccine mandate case at the United States Supreme Court.

Let’s get started.

Welcome to another week of the Albany Update.

This week, we’ll be looking back at last week’s primary election results, a state court win against noncitizen voting, the tragedy of applauding abortion, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s record on LGBT issues, and a U.S. Supreme Court win for Coach Kennedy and the First Amendment.

Let’s get started.

Welcome to another week of the Albany Update.

This week, we’ll be primarily focused on that HUGE pro-life victory at the United State Supreme Court. Roe has fallen.

Let’s get started.

Welcome to another week of the Albany Update.

This week, we’ll be covering the recent Republican Gubernatorial Primary Debate.

We’ll also be looking at another verbal assault from a sitting Democratic governor on New York’s pro-life community.

Then, calls are growing (finally) for a federal investigation of the recent string of pro-abortion violence directed at pro-life organizations.

Next up, it’s another controversial LGBT-affirming action taken by the Biden Administration.

Finally, it’s the moment many have been waiting for—the announcement of our much-anticipated Gubernatorial Primary Voting Guide.

Let’s get started.

Last week, was a troubling one for those of us in the pro-life community. Violence that had been directed at pro-life organizations across the country, suddenly hit close to home. A Buffalo, NY pregnancy center suffered an arsonist attack at the hands of pro-abortion activists. In response, Gov. Kathy Hochul offered only cold comfort to the pro-life community in her milquetoast remarks.

Additionally, there was a Democratic primary debate last week. Though it was the second of the debate series, it was the first in which the incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul participated. Though the debate occurred on the same day as the Buffalo arson, both moderators and candidates failed to address the attack. However, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms did offer some questions that we believe should have been asked at the event.

Finally, an armed man was arrested outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. It’s a reminder that we need to keep the justices of the High Court and their families in our prayers. It’s a tense time in America, and there are those who would usurp and undermine the judicial branch of government by directing violence toward it.

Let’s get started.

The 2022 legislative session is effectively over. At the time of this recording, the State Senate has adjourned, while the Assembly took a break at 2:36 AM on Friday, June 3, but picked it up again later in the day. If one house has left Albany, we can all breathe a little easier, though. It takes two houses to get a bill to the Governor’s desk before it can become a law.

Speaking of the end of session, we’ll offer an update on a few pieces of lesser-known legislation that passed. Like any year, there were wins and there were losses. Not to sugarcoat anything, though—this year saw more losses than wins. It was a rough ride under the pro-abortion Democratic supermajorities.

Finally, you’ve probably noticed that June is “Gay Pride” Month. It’s hard to escape it. In government, entertainment, and commerce. It can be frustrating for Christians seeking to adhere to biblical standards of human sexuality, but it’s also an opportunity for Christians to shine our light in a dark, cultural moment.

Let’s get started.

We’ve held off on reporting too much regarding the state’s redistricting process, but we think we can finally stick a fork in it. It appears that the new legislative districts for the next ten years have been finalized.

Then, if your children or grandchildren attend a private school, you’ll want to pay attention to this next part. The state is once again looking at a mechanism for providing greater oversight of faith-based, private education. Why does it matter? Senator Brad Hoylman has a plan to force every public school to adopt transgender-affirming policies. Families of faith need an alternative. Private education should continue to be protected for those families who choose it for their children.

Next, on a more positive front, legislation that we like has passed the Legislature and will be heading to the Governor’s desk for consideration. It’s a simple bill that would promote the needed work of hospice and palliative care in our state.

Let’s get started.