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New York Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump backs Lawler's re-election to House seat, spurring talk of Elise Stefanik for governor
President Trump issued an early endorsement of Republican Rep. Mike Lawler's re-election next year for a battleground House swing district in the Hudson Valley. Lawler, who represents the 17th District that covers Rockland and parts of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, is weighing a run for governor. So is GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents the more conservative 21st district in the north country upstate. Advertisement 3 President Trump took to Truth Social to give an endorsement to Republican Rep. Mike Lawler's re-election next year in the 17th District. Getty Images Trump's effusive early backing of Lawler — to stay put in the House — spurred speculation that it paves a path for Stefanik to get the GOP nomination for governor next year, sources said.. But GOP sources also said Trump — whose approval has sunk as he has reached the 100 day mark — is simply being mindful that Republicans got wiped out in the 2018 midterm elections during his prior term as president, and Lawler gives the GOP the best shot at keeping a purple seat. Advertisement 'A true America First Patriot, Mike is fighting hard to Secure our Border, Grow our Economy, Create Jobs, Lower Taxes, Promote American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military/Veterans and Law Enforcement, Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,' Trump said in a Truth Social post Tuesday night. 'Additionally, he is endlessly working to get the maximum SALT Deduction! Mike is doing an outstanding job representing the Hudson Valley, and all of New York. Because of the excellent job he is doing, Mike has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election to New York's 17th Congressional District – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!' Trump also endorsed the re-election of GOP Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is on the ballot this fall. Blakeman is also mulling a run for governor. 3 The district covers Rockland and parts of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, as Lawler is also considering a potential run for governor. Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Advertisement Stefanik reposted Trump's endorsement of Lawler on her own X account. Lawler thanked Trump for his endorsement, but noted he will make a decision on whether to run for governor in the coming weeks. 'Congressman Lawler is grateful for the President's support and appreciates his commitment towards addressing issues important to New York, including lifting the cap on SALT, combating antisemitism, securing the border, and growing the economy. As Congressman Lawler has said repeatedly, he will make a decision on running for Governor in June,' said Lawler spokesman Ciro Riccardi. 3 GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents the more conservative 21st district, is also weighing in on a run for governor. AP Advertisement Trump has issued earlier endorsements for other House Republicans in swing districts across the country. Lawler's seat was previously held by a Democrat, ex-Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, and both the White House and House GOP believe proven vote getter Lawler gives the party the best shot at keeping the seat. He would be seeking a third term. 'What's important here is that the president wants Mike Lawler to run for a seat that is difficult to hold onto,' a GOP official said. 'It is easier for a Republican to hold onto Elise's seat if she runs governor.' Trump withdrew Stefanik's nomination for US Ambassador to the United Nations in March over concerns about having enough Republican votes to pass his agenda. Stefanik has since pivoted much of her attention on Albany, criticizing the state of affairs under Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler's Town Hall Devolves Into Chants Of 'Shame! Shame! Shame!'
Frustrated voters turned out Sunday to voice their complaints against President Donald Trump's administration during Republican Congressman Mike Lawler's town hall meeting in his swing district just north of New York City. At one point, as uniformed security carried the limp body of a middle-age woman out of the venue, the crowd turned to chanting, 'Shame! Shame! Shame!' The woman dragged away was identified by The Journal News as Emily Feiner of Nyack, New York, whose Bluesky profile describes her as a Jewish retired social worker and mother of two. 'I was certainly no threat,' Feiner wrote on Bluesky. 'I asked my congressperson what his red line was to finally, vocally oppose the lawless administration and he didn't answer the question, so I called out for him to answer it and he had me removed. This is what the [U]SA has come to. The constitution is in shreds.' Other attendees were removed as the event wore on. The Journal News, a Gannett newspaper serving the Hudson River Valley, reported that the congressman covered his positions on topics ranging from Trump's war on immigration to Russia's war in Ukraine. Around 600 people turned out for the event, the paper noted. Republican representatives in other districts around the country have shied from such public interactions with constituents since Trump's second term began, wary of seeing voters' angry outbursts go viral. Lawler, pitched as a moderate Republican, has been representing the suburban district along New York's Hudson River since 2023. He has other constituent events planned for the coming weeks. The congressman's staff had asked attendees who gathered in a local Catholic school auditorium on Sunday to refrain from shouting or standing and not record the event, according to The Associated Press. But the event started going off the rails almost immediately, the AP said, when a comment from Lawler at the start — 'This is what democracy looks like' — sparked laughter. Lawler reportedly drew jeers with a line defending Trump's health secretary, the conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Feiner's removal came as the congressman talked about Trump's tariffs and the trade war that threatens to plunge the U.S. economy into a recession. Video from the event showed security personnel trying to convince her to leave on her own, but Feiner can be seen shaking her head and saying, 'I'm not leaving.' 'Let her stay! Let her stay!' the crowd chants at one point, before a pack of armed New York State Police troopers hoist Feiner by the arms and carry her down the aisle toward the exit. She does not resist or help them in any way. 'Everybody has been shouting!' one woman can be heard telling the security officials, in apparent response to their reason for ejecting Feiner. The crowd loudly booed. Other video showed at least one man, wearing a red 'Make America Great Again' hat, calling for Feiner to be jailed. A 74-year-old attendee, Jeanette Spoor, told the AP that she wanted to ask Lawler about Social Security and Medicaid but wasn't called on, even though the event lasted for nearly two hours. 'I have no hopes for this guy,' Spoor told the AP. 6 Men Charged After Woman Was Dragged Out Of Chaotic Idaho Town Hall Meeting Rep. Byron Donalds Clashes With Town Hall Crowd As He Defends Trump's Agenda Trump Town Hall Audience Literally Bursts Out Laughing Over 1 Very Unlikely Claim
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler's Town Hall Devolves Into Chants Of 'Shame! Shame! Shame!'
Frustrated voters turned out Sunday to voice their complaints against President Donald Trump's administration during Republican Congressman Mike Lawler's town hall meeting in his swing district just north of New York City. At one point, as uniformed security carried the limp body of a middle-age woman out of the venue, the crowd turned to chanting, 'Shame! Shame! Shame!' The woman dragged away was identified by The Journal News as Emily Feiner of Nyack, New York, whose Bluesky profile describes her as a Jewish retired social worker and mother of two. 'I was certainly no threat,' Feiner wrote on Bluesky. 'I asked my congressperson what his red line was to finally, vocally oppose the lawless administration and he didn't answer the question, so I called out for him to answer it and he had me removed. This is what the [U]SA has come to. The constitution is in shreds.' Other attendees were removed as the event wore on. The Journal News, a Gannett newspaper serving the Hudson River Valley, reported that the congressman covered his positions on topics ranging from Trump's war on immigration to Russia's war in Ukraine. Around 600 people turned out for the event, the paper noted. Republican representatives in other districts around the country have shied from such public interactions with constituents since Trump's second term began, wary of seeing voters' angry outbursts go viral. Lawler, pitched as a moderate Republican, has been representing the suburban district along New York's Hudson River since 2023. He has other constituent events planned for the coming weeks. 🚨NY-17 social worker forcibly dragged out of Rep. Mike Lawler's town hall. Afterwards, Lawler told the crowd to "behave."Elected officials are supposed to listen to their constituents—not silence and remove them. This is not democracy. — NY Working Families Party (@NYWFP) May 5, 2025 The congressman's staff had asked attendees who gathered in a local Catholic school auditorium on Sunday to refrain from shouting or standing and not record the event, according to The Associated Press. But the event started going off the rails almost immediately, the AP said, when a comment from Lawler at the start — 'This is what democracy looks like' — sparked laughter. Lawler reportedly drew jeers with a line defending Trump's health secretary, the conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Feiner's removal came as the congressman talked about Trump's tariffs and the trade war that threatens to plunge the U.S. economy into a recession. Video from the event showed security personnel trying to convince her to leave on her own, but Feiner can be seen shaking her head and saying, 'I'm not leaving.' 'Let her stay! Let her stay!' the crowd chants at one point, before a pack of armed New York State Police troopers hoist Feiner by the arms and carry her down the aisle toward the exit. She does not resist or help them in any way. 'Everybody has been shouting!' one woman can be heard telling the security officials, in apparent response to their reason for ejecting Feiner. The crowd loudly booed. Other video showed at least one man, wearing a red 'Make America Great Again' hat, calling for Feiner to be jailed. A 74-year-old attendee, Jeanette Spoor, told the AP that she wanted to ask Lawler about Social Security and Medicaid but wasn't called on, even though the event lasted for nearly two hours. 'I have no hopes for this guy,' Spoor told the AP. 6 Men Charged After Woman Was Dragged Out Of Chaotic Idaho Town Hall Meeting Rep. Byron Donalds Clashes With Town Hall Crowd As He Defends Trump's Agenda Trump Town Hall Audience Literally Bursts Out Laughing Over 1 Very Unlikely Claim
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler faces another rowdy town hall as police carry away audience member
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler faces another rowdy town hall as police carry away audience member New York Republican Mike Lawler faced a rowdy town hall as attendees broke out into boos and a constituent was forcibly removed by police. Show Caption Hide Caption See woman removed from Mike Lawler town hall by police in Somers NY U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler faced a mostly hostile crowd during his second town hall event Sunday night. His second town hall was held in Somers, N.Y. WASHINGTON − Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., faced another hostile crowd at a town hall as attendees broke out into boos and jeers and a constituent was forcibly removed by police. The swing district congressman was pressed on May 4 over President Donald Trump's tariffs, deportations, spending cuts and other issues as he addressed 600 people at the Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School in Somers, New York, The Journal News reported. More: Woman dragged out of Idaho town hall asks for $5 million in damages, 6 men charged At one point during the town hall, police surrounded a woman in the crowd and she told them, 'I'm not leaving,' according to footage from ABC News. People around her began chanting, 'Let her stay!' and she was eventually carried out of the event by police. It was not clear why she was removed. During the event, Lawler defended his record, claiming that he's willing to work across the aisle to get bills passed. 'Bipartisan sounds nice, but meaningful bipartisanship is in votes taken, not in the fig-leaf of co-sponsored bills,' one attendee told Lawler. 'Now is your time to stand up to the authoritarian Trump regime.' The Associated Press reported that the crowd walked out of the town hall when the final question was asked on protests against Israel. More: Anger erupts at Republican lawmakers' town halls amid tariff and DOGE drama 'I appreciate everybody coming out tonight and taking the time to ask your questions and hear my answers, whether you liked them or not, or agreed with them or not, or whether you really actually wanted to listen to them or not, but I very much appreciate you participating,' Lawler said, according to AP. More: New York Republican Mike Lawler faces jeers and boos at town hall Just last week, Lawler faced a fired-up town hall at Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, New York. He is one of the many Republicans who have been greeted by angry constituents at these events in recent weeks amid thousands of federal layoffs, stock market volatility over tariffs and mass deportations. Contributing: David McKay Wilson, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
New York inflation refund checks: How much you could get from the state
In a major relief effort aimed at helping residents cope with the rising cost of living, New York State is set to roll out direct inflation refund checks as part of the newly approved 2025 state budget. The one-time payments, which could be as high as $400 per eligible household, are part of a broader economic package intended to ease the financial pressure on working- and middle-class families, as reported by The Journal News. Also read: Inflation in 2024-25 in four charts | Number Theory Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers reached a final budget agreement late April, with the inflation refund checks emerging as one of its most widely anticipated features. The payments are designed to offer immediate financial support to those grappling with high prices on essentials like food, fuel, utilities, and housing. While exact eligibility criteria have not been publicly detailed in full, the program is expected to target lower- and middle-income New Yorkers — particularly those with dependent children. Individuals and households who previously qualified for state-level tax relief programs, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Empire State Child Credit, are likely to be among the primary recipients. State officials indicated that eligibility may be automatically determined based on 2023 tax filings, ensuring that most recipients won't need to apply. Checks are expected to be mailed or deposited starting in late spring or early summer. The inflation refund checks will range based on household income, family size, and prior eligibility for state tax credits. While some recipients may receive a few hundred dollars, others could get as much as $400, depending on their financial circumstances. The goal is to make the payments meaningful enough to provide short-term economic relief during a time of sustained inflation. The refund checks are just one part of the $237 billion state budget, which also includes investments in housing, education, transportation, and mental health services. The package reflects lawmakers' attempts to balance fiscal responsibility with the growing demands of New Yorkers who continue to feel the squeeze of inflation. The new budget avoids any major tax increases, opting instead for targeted relief efforts and expanded access to public services. The inclusion of direct payments signals a broader shift in strategy — focusing not only on long-term systemic change but also on immediate help for families struggling to make ends meet. With the refund program now approved, the Department of Taxation and Finance is expected to begin processing payments in the coming weeks. Residents are advised to keep their mailing and banking information up to date with state tax authorities to avoid delays. For many New Yorkers, the arrival of these checks could not be more timely. As the cost of living remains high and wage growth continues to lag behind inflation, the state's move to offer direct financial relief may offer a much-needed buffer — and signal more proactive measures ahead. Also read: Trump tariffs could put US Fed in a bind, Powell warns of 'tension' between employment, inflation goals The checks may not fix inflation, but for working families across the state, they could bring meaningful relief in the months to come.
