Did the legislature or the governor ask for our opinions on these topics? Rather, she was able to get a majority of voters from downstate to check a box on a ballot, and from that, she inferred that she was free to do whatever she wanted with us citizens of New Amsterdam (who largely disapproved of her being in office in the first place). We simply do not have the population up here to counteract any of the actions that the state partakes in, and we essentially have taxation without adequate representation.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we should reflect on the regression in government that we face not only at the federal level, but also at the state and local levels. Government has expanded so much that many of us have been conditioned to just accept that this is the normal way of life in the twenty-first century. We do not question, for example, why New York agencies, which have a monopoly on violence, can have their law enforcement officers carry guns in places that the average New Yorker is not permitted to do so. Why are we forced to have our hard-earned dollars sucked away from us to feed the fraud, waste, and abuse of government power and our income redistributed to areas that our parental authorities believe is appropriate?
After we reflect on these ideals at the upcoming anniversary and Fourth of July events, maybe it will encourage us to take action and join the movement that already exists to attempt to grant New Amsterdam autonomy from New York City and allow us self-governance. For more information on how you can help make this dream become a reality, please visit the website.
Thank you for reading,
Craig Peterson, Jr.
Divide NYS Treasurer

Great American State Fair is a 16-day national exposition running from June 25 through July 10, 2026, spanning from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument. The celebration will unite and showcase all 56 U.S. states and territories in a single World’s Fair-scale event. This is an opportunity for visitors from across America to experience an unforgettable celebration of the people and traditions that define our nation. Our nation unites diverse states and territories to form the strongest country in the world.

This once-in-a-generation celebration will feature live music, carnival rides, and dozens of hands-on partner activations, where visitors can taste, touch, and experience what makes each state and territory unique.


Hours of Operation:

• 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday
• 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Thursday–Saturday
• 10:00 a.m. until midnight  on July 4

See link below:
​events.freedom250.org/events/great-american-state-fair

A large-scale Christian prayer and worship gathering is set to take place in Washington this month as faith leaders and public officials unite to mark the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States.
The event, called 'Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving', is scheduled for May 17 on the National Mall and is expected to bring together thousands of participants for a day focused on prayer, worship, thanksgiving, and national reflection.
Organizers describe the gathering as part of the broader Freedom 250 celebrations commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. Several Christian leaders and members of the Trump administration are expected to participate in the program.
The all-day event, which is open to the public at no cost, presents itself as “a historic gathering" that will feature Scripture, testimony, prayer and "rededication of our country as One Nation to God.” Organizers also announced that people unable to travel to Washington will be able to join through livestreams hosted by partner ministries, churches, and organizations.

Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving - Freedom 250

​One of the most interesting observations living in New York State is when liberal and progressive politicians finally come to the realization that their utopian dreams of big government programs are nothing more than an impracticality. If you live in New Amsterdam (Upstate New York), in particular, you know this reality, and yet, you have no de facto representation to change it. You just go along for the ride, like a kid in the backseat, hoping that your parents, the state, have your best interests at heart. It is an absurd situation, one that is almost as ludicrous as Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani bragging about how great they are because they are prioritizing filling potholes that should be part of the routine maintenance that taxpayers expect to be able to safely commute.
As we have been saying for years, the taxes in New York are astronomically high, and since citizens of New Amsterdam are being taxed without de facto representation (not enough weight to overcome the votes of New York City), many of us struggle just to survive under this political climate of a high cost of living. Even wealthy New Yorkers have left the state in search of greener pastures where they can keep their money from the thieving lowlifes in the state government. Now that much of the tax base has voted with their feet, and businesses have relocated or are considering moving to Texas and other low-tax states, the state government has a funding crisis. Governor Hochul has essentially admitted that her policies have caused residents to flee, and now, she is begging for them to come back to fund the social programs that will sink her if she is forced to reduce spending (though, if she cuts back, it will likely be after the gubernatorial race so that she can remain in power after promising a bunch of wishes that she may not be able to grant). After she berated Republicans, who are a majority of people in New Amsterdam, and told them to leave because their values “don’t represent our values” (the collective views centered around New York City), she now needs the wealthy ones to come back (the poor ones can stay away because they have nothing to contribute, of course).
It is not just tax policy that has Governor Hochul making a 180-degree turn. She finally woke up to the fact that her Climate Act of 2019 has unrealistic goals. Reaching a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 would result in higher energy and utility costs, which would hurt the governor’s image as a cost-cutting leader. These climate regulations would become another tax burden on citizens, as they would have to pay these extra costs that would never have been a factor had the government not manipulated the state’s economy or regulated businesses. The governor is now proposing a change to the law in order to make things more affordable while still retaining the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050 (of course, as we get closer to that date, we will likely be having another conversation about how that goal is impractical as well, but she will be long gone out of the mansion by then and will not have to worry about it). Though she is getting pushback from environmentalists who are delusional and believe that forcing residents to pay these higher taxes will be more beneficial, she is being pressured on the other side to reduce the cost of living in the state to prevent a further erosion of her tax base.
If the people of New Amsterdam had a say in politics, this law would never have passed, as it is extremely unpopular there, but we are dragged along with whatever the downstate wishes are for us conquered people in the North. The Empire State will continue do what it does best: let the governor and the New York City-dominated legislature control the rest of us peasants. When we have nothing left to offer our lords, maybe we will then be ready to divide the state up and free New Amsterdam from a forced political union with the City that is not beneficial to anyone. Join the cause today by visiting the website.
Thank you for reading,
Craig Peterson, Jr.
Divide NYS Treasurer