Month: May 2018

Proving our point

On: By: admin

Bloomberg news reports, “NRA-Branded Insurance Program Is Unlawful, New York Regulators Say“:

“A National Rifle Association-branded insurance program unlawfully provided liability coverage to gun owners in the event they were charged with a crime involving their firearms, according to New York state regulators … The group advertises Carry Guard as the nation’s “most complete self-defense membership program” on its website, referring to Lockton’s plan as “comprehensive personal firearms liability insurance.” Regulators said the insurance unlawfully offered protection for certain acts of intentional wrongdoing and improperly provided coverage for acts of self defense. Gun control advocates have criticized the program, referring to it as “murder insurance.” …”

I knew this was coming because for years gun control advocates have pushed bills requiring gun owners have liability insurance (currently A-349, A-2260 and S-2857A) and the response has always been it isn’t legal.

While the antis are crowing about this decision now, the NYS Department of Financial Services just nuked one of their key agenda items.

Newsbits

On: By: admin

Wednesday’s Newsbits:

Legislation:

Politics:

Elections:

Rats are leaving the sinking ship

On: By: admin

For years I have said Republican control of the State Senate cannot continue.  Yet they still have managed to hang on.  I think we have finally reached the point where they know that they will not have the majority come 2019.

Last week there was this in the Poughkeepise Journal, “3 NY Senate Republicans drop re-election bids in 3 days”:

“… State Sen. John Bonacic, a Republican who has represented the Hudson Valley in the Legislature for nearly three decades, will not seek re-election this fall … Sen. Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon, Saratoga County, announced Wednesday she wouldn’t run in November, citing a desire to spent more time with her family. Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco, R-DeWitt, Onondaga County, told the Auburn Citizen he too wouldn’t seek re-election …”

This week the Post reports, “Two more GOP state senators may bow out”:

“… Long Island Sen. Tom Croci and Hudson Valley Sen. Bill Larkin both admitted they’re considering giving up their seats …”

Larkin is older than dirt and already has one foot in the ground so his leaving would be understandable. Croci is a relatively young guy.

Looking at enrollment statistics, Senate Districts 3, 39 and 42 are now majority Democrat.  SD-43 has a slight Republican advantage and SD-50 is evenly split.  Republicans would have a hard time keeping these seats even with incumbents running.