Ortt Blasts NY Senate Dems for Censorship

Today, Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I,Ref-North Tonawanda) is blasting Senate Democrat leadership for censoring informational constituent mailers drafted by Sen. Ortt and other Senate Republican representatives.

Last month, Senate Democrats prevented the sending of an informational mailing on proposed legislation that would ban gun raffles in New York State until all references to “Albany” and the bill sponsor’s origin (downstate) were removed. In September, Sen. James Gaughran, a Long Island Democrat, proposed banning gun raffles in New York for charitable organizations and sportsmen’s clubs. In a statement concerning this proposed anti-gun raffle legislation, Gaughran was quoted:

"You shouldn't be able to simply walk into a catering venue and walk out owning a firearm," – Auburn Pub, Sept. 17

Since its release, numerous legislators and media outlets have documented the misguided nature of this statement, noting that winners of firearms at gun raffles must still go through the same background checks as any other gun purchase.

Ortt was also forced to change a mailer informing constituents of legislation proposed by New York City Senator Kevin Parker, which would allow felons to vote from prison. Any reference to Senator Parker, New York City, downstate, and Albany had to be changed.

"If downstate Senate Democrats are concerned about being labeled as radical authoritarian socialists, then they should stop acting like radical authoritarian socialists,” said Sen. Ortt. “I know that the trendy fad in the Democrat Party is restricting speech from opposing viewpoints and mandating government control of everything, but it's a throwback to the Soviet Union and it's completely unacceptable to tell independently-elected Senators what they can and can't say to their constituents. Perhaps the Senate Majority can provide the press, public, and elected officials with a list of unacceptable ‘trigger words’ so that we may all avoid hurting their feelings." 

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