10/06/2026
This is incomprehensible!!!
New York Democrats have declared WAR ON THE AMISH. Thanks to their unconstitutional attack on religion, they're now able to fine EACH unvaccinated Amish child $2,000 EVERY SINGLE DAY.
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The $118,000 bill is one day, not the cap. Three one-room schools alone already owe that much for 59 children, at $2,000 each.
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Health Commissioner Mary Bassett imposed it on December 15, 2022. She called the sum conservative because it assumed only one day out of compliance.
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Dygert Road was billed $52,000 for 26 children. Pleasant View was billed $46,000 for 23.
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Shady Lane was billed $20,000 for 10.
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Footnote 9 of the Second Circuit opinion records the state's view. Each day an unvaccinated student attends is a fresh violation and a fresh $2,000 fine.
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Another day for those 59 children is another $118,000. A 180-day year at that rate is about $21 million, and the families say they cannot pay the first bill.
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Joseph Miller, Jonas Smucker, and Ezra Wengerd run the schools. The schools sit in Clymer and Heuvelton, plus the Canajoharie settlement, and take no public money.
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They had a religious exemption for decades. On June 13, 2019, Democrats repealed it after measles spread through Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Rockland County.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill. Governor Kathy Hochul left it in force.
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A parent may not excuse a child for faith.
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Senator James Skoufis said the exemption was made up and fake. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called it utter garbage.
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Counsel Aaron Siri told the New York Post the families can pay only if the state takes their land. Some in the community have talked of leaving the state.
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The case is Miller versus McDonald. The Second Circuit ruled against them on June 30 in 2026.
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A Supreme Court petition was due around September 28.
Make sure EVERYONE sees this. If WE don't stand up for these incredible men and women - WHO WILL?!?!?!
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